International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication (4 papers in press)

• Efficient Pre-processing Watermark for Robust Video Watermarking of H.264/AVC
  by AIT SAADI Karima, Guessoum Abdelrazek, Bouridane Ahmed 
  Abstract: This paper proposes a grayscale pre-processing and robust video watermarking algorithms for the copyright protection application in the emerging video coding standard H.264/AVC. The watermark is first transformed by a Hadamard transform and modified to accommodate the H.264/AVC computational constraints before it is inserted into video data in the compressed domain. This approach leads to a good robustness and high capacity by maintaining good visual quality of the watermarked sequences. The experimental results prove the capability to embed the watermark in a short video sequences and the effectiveness of the algorithm against some attacks such as re-compression by the H.264 codec, transcoding, and scaling.
  Keywords: Content protection, video watermarking, copyright protection, H.264/AVC video coding.
   
• On using content delivery networks to improve MOG performance
  by Jaime Diaz Pineda, Carlos Enrique Palau 
  Abstract: Improvement of MMOG performance has been addressed by different means. The traffic generated by this kind of services is increasing on a day basis. Proposals of different architectures have provided good solutions for the performance, playability, traffic reduction and cheat avoidance. At the same time Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Akamai or Limelight are being deployed all around the world, but their focus is more on video streaming and static content distribution. The proposal of this paper is an architecture which could improve the performance of players and previous architectures based on the use of a CDN infrastructure. The core element in a CDN is the redirection algorithm, which will send the player to the most adequate server each time he wants to start or participate in a game. Several problems have been identified in the MMOG, the most important being the number of users who can be online simultaneously, the variable latency of the network due to overload in the servers and the bandwidth required to ensure a good quality of service. CDN provide a reduction in latency and at the same time a load balancing mechanisms among players.
  Keywords: Multiplayer Online Games, Content Distribution Networks, MMORPG, FPS, RPG, Load balancing.
   
• Real-Life Classroom Scenario of M-learning Improvements Using Features of Massive Multiplayer Online Gaming and Instructional Design
  by Mohd Firdaus Md Khalid, Wataru Kameyama 
  Abstract: We have developed a prototype system of integrating immersive elements from Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) and systematic principles of Instructional Design Methodology (ID) into Mobile learning (M-learning), in order to counter M-learning’s preceding problems of low motivational level towards learning and weak standards to deliver the learning environment. Experiments were conducted on the prototype system with volunteered students to produce notable results for further analysis. This paper reports on the comparison of academic test results obtained between an existing M-learning system and our developed proposed system, conducted in a real-life classroom scenario.
  Keywords: M-learning, MMOG, Instructional Design, Classroom Scenario, MMOM
   
• A Study of Customer Satisfaction with Online Shopping: Evidence from the UAE
  by Marwan Abdeldayem 
  Abstract: The critical importance of customer satisfaction in online shopping stores has been recognized in academic research and its literature, in particular. However, studies in this area remain broad and to some extent fragmented. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test empirically the integrated model of customer satisfaction with online shopping that has been developed by Lee and Joshi (2006). This study draws on 242 questionnaire surveys of university students in Dubai, UAE. In order to determine whether the adopted model is a valid and reliable measure of customer satisfaction with online shopping in UAE, LISREL 7.62 was used to test the research model. In addition, confirmatory factor analyses were run on the measurement model. The overall fit of the model was also assessed by the normative fit index (NFI), adopted goodness-of–fit index (GFI), adjusted goodness-of-fit index (AGFI) and root mean square residual (RMSR). Furthermore, since the sample population of 242 students was not completely homogeneous, it was analyzed by three background variables i.e. (1) by gender, (2) by age, and (3) by type of college, in order to isolate the determinants of responses. The Mann Whitney U test and the Kruskal Wallis test were used in order to detect any relationship between customer satisfaction and online shopping in the UAE. The analysis of these surveys reveals that attitudes toward online shopping and the intention to shop online in the UAE are not only affected by ease of use, usefulness, and enjoyment, but also by some other factors such as perceived Web-store traits, channel traits and consumer traits.
  Keywords: Customer Satisfaction, Online Shopping, Internet Shopping, Customer Based Electronic Commerce, UAE.