Technical Training Specialist
Office of Academic Computing & Technology
School of Education
The University of Alabama @ Birmingham
Although I've worked for the UA System for over twenty years, my time at UAB has easily been the most exciting of all, since it coincided with the rise of the Internet, and now the World Wide Web, as a challenging new medium for communication and the storage and dissemination of information. Since my training is in American Studies and academic libraries I feel that the Web places educators in a position analogous to that of scholars when Gutenberg invented moveable type: we have an entirely new way of interacting with information, and no real idea of what the medium will allow us to do.
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| Moudry (tagged) with Michael Ray of the Cosmic Krewe |
On 9 October 1997 I began working as ACT's Technical Training Specialist & School of Education WebMaster for Dr JoAnn Lan, and have found myself in the midst of a fast-paced and constantly changing environment, filled with people who are excited, if at times intimidated, by the possibilities that the Internet, computer technology, and distance learning can bring to them.
Actually, my addiction to computers stems from an earlier addiction: the design, hand printing, and hand binding of books, and making paper by hand. When microcomputers were new I realized that typesetting on one of them would be much easier than trying to find sources for hot metal type, and yet would allow me the same measure of complete control over all aspects of the design and execution. Microcomputers and desktop publishing have made the freedom of the press a reality for more people than in any other time in history. I've spent countless hours exercising my freedom of the press, and may, some day, actually produce an original book of merit from this new printing technology.
When not in ACT or commuting, I spend time doing jazz broadcasting for Alabama Public Radio (WUAL, 91.5 FM, Tuscaloosa/Birmingham; WQPR, 88.7 FM, Muscle Shoals/NW Alabama; WAPR, 88.3 FM, Selma/Montgomery). My show, Classic Jazz, began when WUAL first went on the air in February, 1982. It is currently broadcast from 6:00–9:00 PM Sunday evenings. Classic Jazz is Web broadcast by Alabama Public Radio, so anyone brave enough may listen to it through their Web browser, 1800–2100 hrs (USA) Central Time. Playlists of my shows, suggestions for a basic jazz collection, Top Ten lists, and other personal musings on jazz may be found in the Classic Jazz area of my Web site.
Since I have my show to use as an excuse, I spend lots of time finding new obscure jazz recordings, on CD, lp, or any other media. Also, I am constantly updating, expanding and modifying the database of my jazz collection on my PowerBook that I use in my show (which is how I can remember who did which solo on a particular Charlie Parker date in 1946).
I also am fascinated by Birmingham native jazz composer and band leader Sun Ra, and am active in research into his life and music. I am Webmaster of Saturn Web, a Site devoted to Sun Ra, the Sun Ra Arkestra, and Free Jazz.
My office is part of EB149; my phone number is (205) 975-6631, fax: (205) 975-7494, and I may be reached via E-mail at Moudry@uab.edu.If anyone wants the gory details, my cirruculum vita is also on-line.