The Blog Beckons

First Light

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:10 +1000

First Light

Winter Chill

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:10 +1000

Winter Chill

Commonwealth Bridge

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:03 +1000

Commonwealth Bridge

Corridor to Parliament

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:54:58 +1000

Corridor to Parliament

Hidden Beauty:...

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:54:53 +1000

Hidden Beauty:

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I couldn’t help myself from posting this image. It says it...

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:33:34 +1000

I couldn’t help myself from posting this image. It says it all (in a good way)

Another semester finally over…

Nominated Posts

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:32:00 +1000

Here are my nominated 3 posts.

Do we really feel fine? - An look into the world of human emotion.

Data Visualisation - constructing an example using a Facebook application. The example can be found in this post.

The Buzzword - Web 2.0 and all its glory. There is also a video that goes with this but it’s in this post.

This is my video for project B. It highlights the various...

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:52:31 +1000

This is my video for project B. It highlights the various reasons on why we use YouTube and how that it connects the world.

The End is Beckoning...

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:22:00 +1000

Well this certainly has being a interesting unit for me. It was a great way of getting to learn the basic and some advanced structures of networked media. Before this unit I had never even heard of twitter or the blogosphere! There are so many more places of interests on the net than I thought. Now I notice the smaller things that are placed around a webpage which I previously neglected such as RSS feeds, delicious links and the structure of how things are build with HTML and the rest. Also I find myself looking deeper into the structure of websites of how it has been created and controlled.

The creation of the blog was a great idea to get everyone interacted in networked media. It forced us to think for ourselves and explore new options. The blog also allowed for everyone to have their own voice, and view others opinions. I was able to customise my own blog by creating a whole new template, as one thing I don’t like in digital media is the use of templates! Using a standard template or font such as Times Roman, WordArt (Microsoft Word) or any of those poor templates in PowerPoint just shows instantly how little time has been spent. Anyway I enjoy creating things from scrap and as I’m studying Industrial Design I don’t get to make too many WebPages so here was my chance to have a bit of fun.

The projects have been fun and very interactive as they were so different from any other project I have done in the past. This unit was selected as my elective but to be honest I’m pretty sure I spent more time on these projects than my other “more important” ones. This unit has definitely increased my knowledge in a whole new area of the internet and other applications. Although I haven’t given in to twitter yet, I am now active in using and understanding Web 2.0. Thanks for an interesting and most enjoyable semester :-).

Project B Rational

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:17:00 +1000

The video that I have created is focused specifically around why we use YouTube. I chose to analyse this area for the project because I think it’s incredible that so many people use YouTube and that it connects them to people all around the world. The reasons for using YouTube are different for everyone. Those reasons may be:

Entertainment
Education
To become famous
Express opinions
Cure boredom
Addiction

People also express emotions through YouTube, whether it is through videos or comments people can get their voice to be heard.

The process that I used for the production of the video was a stop motion technique. A stop motion is a frame-by-frame animation technique that makes an object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames are played as a continuous sequence. For this video I used clay figures to explain the context and environment. Using clay in a stop motion production is also known as a claymation. I decided to undertake this technique as I thought it would be an engaging experience not only to myself as I have never even made a stop motion video before but also to the audience as claymations generally express a fun and vibrant ambience.

Before beginning the construction of this movie I was aware of how much time it takes to produce a claymation. It was a risk I was willing to take as I was quite adamant that I would be motivated well enough to complete such a large task but to also enjoy the process too.

The construction of the video followed the process of:

1. Develop a script and storyline.

I had a fair idea what I was going to include in the video from past experiences with YouTube so it was a case of developing all my ideas on why we use YouTube and creating a storyline from there. I also researched YouTube to find out the main focus of their service.

Once I had a skeleton of a script laid out I then refined it further by observing several videos on YouTube that fitted into the subject matter of my video. This topic was to observe the main reasons people use when using the YouTube service.

The main reasons were then linked together with YouTube videos that best described each reason. The videos were selected very carefully as they needed to be well known and familiar to your everyday YouTube-er.

2. Create the figurines, props and scenes.

For the figurines I used coloured modelling clay to create the identity of each character that is going to be used in the video. I copied each character’s characteristics from how they appear on YouTube.

For the laptop that appears at the start of the video I used paper and cardboard to create the computer and explorer windows. I decided upon this because using a real life computer wouldn’t give the effect I wanted, that of everything being hand made. I drew a replica of how the Google and YouTube pages appear to an everyday user when they use their service - I included the Google home page in this mainly because they now own YouTube. Another effect I used in the opening scene is that everything is black and white. I did this because one of the newest features of YouTube is the High Quality/High Definition option videos can now be viewed through and in order to show a dramatic change in quality, the scene then changes into a colourful and three dimensional picture.

3. Capture the scenes frame-by-frame

I used an SLR camera mounted on a tripod to take the frames photos then loaded them onto the computer. For each frame, a tiny change was made to the subject being shot slowly making them move into different positions. This was actually quite difficult as the clay wasn’t very malleable so a smooth transition and a range of motion were hard to achieve. However I managed to move them enough to get a satisfactory result.

In each scene a sticky note appears with a reason or emotion that sums up the scene’s theme. I used them throughout the video to create a similarity between each theme so that the viewer can relate back to the video’s context.

4. Create the video in Adobe Premier Pro CS3

I had to learn how to use the program Adobe Premier Pro CS3 to create my video. It took a while to get the hang of things as I wasn’t familiar with the terminology or processes that are involved in making a video. Once I understood the basics the images that were taken were imported into the timeline and edited to flow with the background music and audio. Upon viewing the video several times I realised that the sticky notes were difficult to read on some scenes so I added subtitles to the video just in case.

The process of editing and tweaking was very time consuming in getting the timing right and having a reasonable transition between each scene. The finished product is ideally what I pictured it to be but there could always be improvement added to it but quite frankly I ran out of time. I’m pretty sure I had my fair share in watching the video…

5. Exporting and uploading the video to YouTube

I had a little difficulty with exporting the video in order for it to be suitable for web use. As mentioned before I was unfamiliar with the terminology used so selecting the right settings was a bit of a hit and miss. I probably could have created the video in a better resolution as I was quite conscious of creating too big a file for uploading.

Overall, the outcome of my video I think is entertaining and gets the point across well. Providing a different way of making a video using the claymation technique makes it a different experience and environment to get a point of view across. Connecting familiar YouTube videos with certain aspects to why we use it allows people to think differently about YouTube. From thinking it as a place where you can simply upload and watch videos for free to a place where people all over the world are united. Whatever the reason, YouTube connects, connects the world.

Rock Columns by Beckon

Fri, 22 May 2009 17:54:00 +1000

Rock Columns by Beckon

Do we really feel fine?

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 +1000

After the lecture last week I was quite moved by one of the examples that was shown about API’s and Data Visualisation. I was not aware of the capabilities that an API can do. We Feel Fine is an exploration of human emotion on a global scale throughout the blogosphere. Every few minutes their system searches the world’s newest blog entries for occurrences of the phrases “I feel” and “I am feeling”, and when it finds a phrase, it records the full sentence up to the period and identifies all the feelings expressed within the sentence (sadness, happy, depressed, etc).

The age, gender, location and local weather conditions are also recorded. The depth of the presentation and user interface here is absolutely amazing, and a gorgeous execution. Around 15-20,000 new feelings are added to the database every day, there are currently 3.3 million feelings from over 833,000 people. The findings are just mind boggling and really quite fun to read.

A quote example: “I can make it until then I’ll be very satisfied and feel very accompliashed”

The greatest factor that I find very engaging is that We Feel Fine uses a technique called passive observation. Throughout the world, people live their lives and We Feel Fine scans the worlds blogs and looks at what people are writing. These people don’t know their being watched or interviewed. Because of this you end up with very honest and sincere responses. Because of this it makes every emotion believable.

“I often wonder whether the Internet has made the world smaller and made us feel more connected, or if in fact it has made us feel smaller and more isolated. The “I Feel Fine” project explores human emotion in a way that you can easily find someone who feels just like you do, except they are on the other side of the world.” - Rosa Patonage 2009

A photo example: “I feel the warmth of the stars”

People leave their emotional footprints scattered across the World Wide Web everyday. I feel that its a way of recycling and connecting the world. No doubt that my last statement will now end up as a “I feel” quote…:-)

Data Visualisation

Tue, 12 May 2009 12:06:00 +1000

So I have been searching the net to find some good Data Visualisation applications and or graphics to expand my knowledge for it and after about 30 mins of readings and looking at some I decided that in order to really understand it I have to actually do make one for myself. As I didnt choose the data visualisation topic for my project I havent yet had the option of experimenting with data and displaying it in a visual way.

After trying to find a way of going about creating some Data Visualisation I realised that an application has been starring at me right in my face the whole time! And where is this application? Facebook of course…

The Friend Wheel is a Facebook Application which takes all of your friends, then links and groups them together to form a nice, colourful, interesting image. It is probably the most familiar data visualisation application amongst most people.

On the outside are all of your friends and if two people are linked together, it means that they are friends with each other. There’s also an interactive flash version which allows the nodes to be moved and highlighted, and makes it possible to zoom in and out.

The success of data visualisation is due to the soundness of the basic idea behind it - the use of computer-generated images to gain insight and knowledge from data and its inherent patterns and relationships. This can been seen through scale, colour, shape, position and movement. It’s basically re-presenting data in a useful way so that we can understand it.

Here is my friend wheel as an example…pretty cool huh?

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Here is my friend wheel as an example…pretty cool huh?

Blog Revamped!

Mon, 04 May 2009 21:27:30 +1000

So I finally got around to fixing my custom theme for my blog. The problem was that the post box table had a set height. All I had to do was remove the height and the problem was fixed!

After playing around with the look of my blog I decided I wanted to give it a whole new look. It was actually quite fun designing the new layout, and it only took me half a day to put into action! I suprised myself really…

Well I hope you like the new and improved blog, hopefully I wont get bored with this new look and waste another day on building it when I could be more productive and do other uni work.

The Buzzword - Web 2point0

Fri, 01 May 2009 16:04:00 +1000

Web 2.0 is the 2^nd generation of web development of the World Wide Web. It is a concept that communicates sharing and collaboration of information. Web based communities such as social networking sites, video sharing sites, wiki’s and blogs are some of the evolutions and developments of the World Wide Web. Web 2.0 is a whole generation of new ideas which makes it hard to explain in mere words. I believe that Web 2.0 is much more about change in people and society rather than a change in technology.

Its ability to interact internet contributors through published content and user generated content makes a new generation of collective information. What I mean here by is that as more people socially interact with the content on the internet the more pure and the more useful the information becomes. It’s a domino effect. People tend to speak up when they have a high opinion on something which generates discussions between internet contributors therefore the more people who collaborate the information the wider the spectrum of information is published.

Web 2.0 is all about:

1. User centric and oriented

2. Web services, Web API’s

3. Widgets, Gadgets, Mashup’s

4. Blogs, Feeds, Wiki’s, Tagging, Podcasting

5. Social Profile

6. Social Bookmarking

7. Client rich technologies like CSS, HTML, XML, AJAX and XHTML

Here is a visual diagram of Web 2.0.

Here is a video that explains the buzzword in diagrams not...

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Here is a video that explains the buzzword in diagrams not words. Perfect for the non-web geek :-)

Troubles on the Custom Template!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:45:00 +1000

Ok so after I posted my rational for the project I realised it didnt show all the text I wrote. After pondering for a while I relised that its because the text boxes are too small! So its back to a boring template until I figured out why it doesnt allow me to post large text articles.

I figure its probably more useful to have all the text visible rather than a pretty blog site…oh the joy of technology :)

Production Project A - Rational

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:39:34 +1000

Cultural Context

The specific content I have used for the Cycling Library is to gather special information that a local club cycling enthusiast would find useful. There are hundreds of cycling websites on the Internet and not all sites have the information that is relevant to a local club rider wanting introductory training and skill information as well as bike set-up and equipment. Australian specific licensing and grading is also difficult to find. The Cycling Library pulls those useful articles together into one convenient site.

Technical Processes

I came into this project not knowing too much about the technical workings behind a website. I never understood what <div>’s are and how they work but have taught myself how to use them and linking them with a CSS by researching on the Internet and experimenting.

I created my website using Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS and html. I’ve had some previous experience in using Dreamweaver prior to this unit but nothing too technical so at the beginning of the project I was learning the basics of how to use the program again from scratch. I also had a basic background at the beginning on how a CSS works but never knew the great versatility of it when creating a website. It enables so much control and freedom for the appearance and layout of a website. My knowledge for both html and CSS has grown substantially from the start project of the project to the end!

The graphics that have been used in the website have been created by using Adobe Illustrator CS2 and Adobe Photoshop CS2. I have wide experience in designing graphics and web design so there were no problems in designing a layout and a theme for the site. The cycling photos that appear on the home page and all other sub pages are photos that I have taken myself and edited to blend in with the blue theme.

The process that I undertook in creating my website was:

1. I located specific information about the cycling technique, training and terminology.

2. Once all the information was gathered I then categorised them under different areas of interest and the created specific topics for each area.

3. I created a layout in Adobe Illustrator. I experimented with different colours and layouts that complimented the information sourced and decided that a simple design worked well.

4. I exported the Illustrator file into Photoshop and cropped and sliced up my design for web use. For a couple of the images used in the navigation and content page I only had to use an image that was 1px wide as I could repeat the image to the size required. This helps when using it live on the web as it takes less time to download.

5. Using Dreamweaver I created a CSS with the images from Photoshop and then placed them in an html file to replicate the layout I created in Illustrator. This took a bit of time in figuring out the sizing and placement of each <div> but once I got that working everything ran fine.

6. I placed the text for the site in each specified page and formatted the CSS in regards to typography and navigation.

Layout

As I was locating and creating information for the Cycling Library I realised that the best way to display the information would be in a simple and clean format. I then categorised the information into areas of interest – technique, training, equipment and terminology –to support the simple layout. From there I then created the layout making sure the focus of the areas of interest was kept to a minimum. I found through other websites that having many links in the navigation bar is confusing and misleading. Under each area of interest various specific topics (a sub menu) are listed. This keeps the home page free of clutter and makes navigating around the site easy. Organising the information this way makes it easy to manage and increase the size of the content if necessary. On every page the navigation, submenus and content are located in the same area to avoid confusion.

Overall, this site will be very effective in providing useful information for the chosen target of a local club cyclist. The user friendly layout will help the user find information easily and quickly to help them with their training and knowledge. There is capacity for more information to be added overtime to make it a growing vault of information.

He has the patience of a saint and the eye...

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:20:51 +1100

He has the patience of a saint and the eye of…um…sorry we’re a bit analogy-challenged today…

Anyway he’s amazing. With time lapse photography, a tilt-shift lens and some wonderful music, Keith makes real life time lapse videos which make the world look small and your imaginations bigger…enjoy…