Prior to choosing computers for the PiB system, the following requirements were established (see Discussion):
Secure (encrypted) transmission
Built-in, cross-platform videoconference capability
No additional software to buy.
Cross-platform control of the computer in the laboratory from the office.
Sufficient camera resolution to identify anatomical structures
Server
Since none of the commercial (free) instant messaging servers (MSN®, AOL®, and Yahoo®) that support videoconferences are secure, an in-house, secure server was set up to host the PiB videoconferences. The iChat server is a Jabber® server that supports SSL Certificates and encryption and is an integral part of the Apple OSX v10.4 server software. The server consisted of the following hardware/software combination:
Dual Processor G5 computer (Apple Computers)
Dual 2.7 GHz PowerPC G5 processors, 2 GB SDRAM, 380 GB Hard Drive
OS-X 10.4 Server Software
Unlimited client license
iChat/Jabber® server enabled
21" LCD Display (Apple Computers)
100 Mb Ethernet connection
The Information Services and Technology (IST) office at the university granted permission to connect this computer to the local network and have it function as a server provided it did not distribute IP addresses. IST also agreed to provide a 'static' IP address and domain name for the server. In order to facilitate future collaborations, IST also enabled data throughput on the university firewall for the ports specified in the iChat server documentation.
Office Equipment
To avoid the need to find a Jabber® client for a Windows operating system that supports secure videoconferences, an iMac computer was used. The most recent version of the Apple OS (v10.4) supports secure videoconferences through the iChat software included with the computer. Therefore, the following in the office:
20" iMac (Apple Computers)
1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 1 GB SDRAM, WIFI 802.11b/g card, 150 GB Hard Drive
iSight FireWire video camera (Apple Computers)
FireWire cable
OS-X v10.4
iChat-AV software (included as part of OS-X v10.4)
Apple Remote Desktop software v2.2
100 Mb Ethernet connection
The iSight camera and Apple Remote Desktop software were not included in the standard purchase of an iMac computer. The iSight camera is 'plug-and-play' and fully compatible with iChat. The Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) software was purchased to control the computer in the laboratory using the computer in the office (see discussion).
Dissection Laboratory Equipment
Prior to setting up a system in the lab, a standard video camera (e.g., the iSight) was evaluated to determine if it had sufficient resolution to identify anatomical structures remotely. In a preliminary test using just bones, the resolution using the iSight camera was good enough to identify small structures such as tubercles. However, the working distance for the camera was 4–6 inches to give the necessary magnification. An inexpensive miniDV camera with FireWire output had higher resolution and a longer working distance than the iSight camera making the miniDV camera a better choice. The boom arm of a fluorescent drafting light was modified to hold the miniDV camera. This allowed the camera to be mounted either directly to the dissecting table or to the laboratory bench top adjacent to the dissecting table.
In the gross anatomy course, one cadaver is dissected by a faculty member. This prosected cadaver is available for the students to inspect and study outside of scheduled class hours. The following computer and peripheral equipment were set up at the prosected cadaver in the gross anatomy dissection lab.
Mac-Mini (Apple Computers)
1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 512 MB SDRAM, Bluetooth card, WIFI 802.11b/g card, 80 GB Hard Drive
17" monitor (Dell Computers)
iSight FireWire video camera (Apple Computers)
FireWire Cable
Optura-30 miniDV camera
FireWire Cable
Drafting light boom arm
FireWire (IEEE 1394) 3-port hub
USB Speakers
OS-X v10.4
iChat AV software (included as part of OS-X v10.4)
100 Mb Ethernet connection
This system, nicknamed Dr. PiB, sat on the laboratory bench at one end of the dissection table. The iSight camera, mounted on the monitor, was fixed in place and allowed the students at the prosected cadaver to be seen. The boom arm for the miniDV camera was mounted at the 'head' of the dissection table using the standard drafting light screw-mount. From this location, the students could position the miniDV camera on the boom arm over the cranial half of the prosected cadaver. By moving the boom arm to the 'foot' of the table, the camera could be positioned over the caudal half of the cadaver. Using the ARD software, remotely switching between the two cameras was possible. The Mac-Mini has only one FireWire port and only a very small internal speaker. Using the FireWire hub enabled both cameras to be connected to the computer simultaneously. The USB speakers allowed the student to hear the faculty member without leaving the dissection table.
General Methods
In preparation for the project, the prosected cadaver was not inspected by the faculty member prior to any PiB session. In that way, the only information the faculty member had about the identity of a structure was limited to what could be 'seen' through the camera.
The same faculty member (the author) was available for 'consultation' via the PiB system one afternoon (1:30–4:30) a week on an afternoon when there were no other scheduled classes. Dr. PiB turned itself on and logged in to the iChat server automatically. The iChat software on Dr. PiB was configured to automatically accept invitations for videoconferences by running the 'Terminal' application, typing "defaults write com.apple.ichat AutoAcceptVCInvitations 1" and restarting the computer. A videoconference was initiated with Dr. PiB from the office and the conference was kept active for the entire 3-hour period. The iChat window on Dr. PiB was minimized when there was no one actively engaged in a consultation. When a student indicated that s/he had a question (usually by saying "Dr. PiB?"), the iChat window was made visible using the ARD software. Whenever a new student came to the cadaver, s/he was reminded that the faculty member was available through Dr. PiB to answer any questions s/he had.
The number of students who used the prosected cadaver was tracked, as were the times they arrived at the cadaver and the times they left. The questions they asked were logged, as were and the structures identified or assisted in identifying using the PiB system. In addition, any system problems that were encountered were logged. At the end of the gross anatomy course, all students in the course were provided with the opportunity to answer a brief, on-line, optional questionnaire about the PiB system.
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