Tuesday, October 31, 2006

ASSIGNMENT - nonlinear timeline

Here's the description of your next assignment, Due november 21st. (blog post due next week - November 7 - with a short description of your idea)

ASSIGNMENT - non-linear timeline :

description by Judith Doyle

For this assignment, you will create a "non-linear timeline". Think, for example, of a short story, the paragraphs of which are to be found in different drawers and cupboards. Or of an easter egg hunt, with 25 eggs hidden in a backyard. You will create an account of an experience, event or memory (and its emotional content) that occurred over time. You do not have to build all the episodes out of words, you could elect to work with image/texts, sound recording, video clips, or even just pictures. However, it is important that the “timeline” theme is used.

Your non-linear timeline may be shaped like a leaf, a sandwich, a pile of clothing -- anything but a straight line. How can something be a "timeline" and not be in a "line"? Well, Baycrest psychologist Dr. Brian Richards thinks that memory is often shaped this way. We look forward to your interpretations!

Please, bring your ideas, sketches and work in progress to class on November 7 and 14. We will develop the projects in class, where you can get feedback.


REQUIRED NOVEMBER 7 : • 1 - 2 paragraphs about your idea, uploaded to blog with your FULL NAME.

PROJECT DUE : November 21 2006. Project description, on the blog. An IMAGE from your non-linear timeline. A link to your WEB SITE with the non-linear timeline.

NOTE : This assignment is a part of the "warmware" project, about creating assistive technologies for cognitive impairments. In the second assignment, you will use your nonlinear timelines as inspiration for assistive memory devices.


Virtual Communities

The following list is compiled by Mike Wu, U. of T. from research he has undertaken with Dr. Brian Richards and Dr. Ron Baecker.

Memory Problems

In the home, a lack of memory can lead to:

- the misplacement of objects like glasses, papers, keys, telephone
messages
- the inability to complete day-to-day chores (being distracted and
forgetting to return to a task that has been interrupted)
- going into a room but then forgetting why upon arrival
- not knowing what is coming up next
- not varying the choices of food eaten each day (which can be the
same for many meals)
- the inability to recall plot from a novel while reading it.

Memory impairment can severely affect the following tasks that are often
done outside of the home:

- the recall of simple facts that result in repetitive tasks such as
walking the dog several times a day
- forgetting where one is going, who they are with, or why they are
there
- misplacement of objects like identification or keys
- the inability to go somewhere independently
- the inability to relate back to what was talked about before at
social outings
- forgetting major events and details (such as family weddings or
parties), and
- the inability to maintain a job, though we note that a handful of
amnesic individuals we interviewed volunteer at schools or community
centres.

++++++

Monday, October 30, 2006

Online Community Call for Submissions

This call for Virtual Communities can lead to a $1,000. production honouraria. FYI


mosaica@yorku.ca

CALL FOR ONLINE PROJECTS FOR WWW. MOSAICA.CA

Project Mosaica, a website devoted to contemporary Jewish culture online, is seeking projects from individuals or groups on the theme of Jews and Diaspora: Jewish Culture, Web Culture, New Culture. Once again, two 1,000 CAN $ production honoraria will be awarded to the successful candidates whose web projects address the possibilities of the virtual diaspora with this theme.

CRITERIA FOR PROJECTS
Projects should be innovative and address the visual possibilities of the web as well as contribute to an understanding of the multivalent nature, complexities, significance and changes in meaning of Diaspora or transnationalism. The call is intended to be as inclusive as possible: projects from all artistic disciplines are welcomed.
All proposals must:
* Provide a project description in 500 words including the following: a
statement about the project’s relationship to Jews and Diaspora; why the web is
a viable medium for the project; and an explanation of how the project will be
sustainable beyond implementation.
* Include a web-ready presentation
* Include a CV
* Include a selected portfolio of previous work in CD-R, DVD-R or video DVD
(Region 1 compatible ) featuring not more than 3 images or 5 minutes video per project.
* Proposals to be submitted in English or French, however we recognize that other languages may play a role in the final project.

Innovative content and its adaptation to web aesthetics will be the primary consideration in the selection process. Artists will maintain copyright of their productions which will be disseminated by Mosaica on the site www.mosaica.ca and presented at public talks and screening(s).Submission material will not be returned.

Applications must be submitted by  December 15, 2006
Online applications are to be submitted to: mosaica@yorku.ca
Decision Date: Candidates will be notified by January 15, 2007
A condition of the honorarium is completion of the project by April 1, 2007

Mosaica: Jewish Culture, Web Culture, New Culture
http://www.mosaica.ca/

Friday, October 27, 2006

If you had $100M to "Free" a Copyright

What would it be? Dream BIG! The founder of Wikipedia has put this plea for ideas out to the public, he has a partner who would like to make this happen, and he is accepting your suggestions! You can join the discussion and see previous suggestions at the link in this post.

"Jimbo" Wales is the founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

READING FOR NEXT WEEK - Marooned in the Moment

Please read and be prepared to comment on this article for next week - October 31st. It is an excellent description of amnesia and of the Memory Link project, heading by Dr. Brian Richards at Baycrest.

Have a conversation with my dear friend, iGod


A program similar to iGod was mentioned in my presentation.

Have fun with this, and be sure you bring your sense of humor.

Assignment 2: Second Life



Hey guys,

I'm doing my research for assignment 2 on Second Life, a program brought to you by Linden Labs. This program takes virtual communities at a whole new level since it encompasses the scripting for you to do ANYTHING you can imagine. Check out the program at www.secondlife.com. It's free to download, so see what your new life can do for you!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Nuit Blanche













Nuit Blanche:

"It feels like an invasion of environment,"
Space and place transformed by sound, object and viewer,
The world suddenly became a surreal adventure,
And you could be assured that every 'X' on the map,
Would transport you to a place you've never been.


View slideshow

Cabbagetown



This is a post about St. Jamestown, which is located in the heart of Cabbagetown, downtown Toronto.

Enjoy!

Google Geeks




Here is a posting with my test community journalism project, linked to my file on the student web server.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 License.

Creative Commons









Creative Commons is a new system, built within current copyright law, that allows you to share your creations with others and use music, movies, images, and text online that's been marked with a Creative Commons license. We will be learning about the creative commons and using creative commons licenses for our next project. Maybe for this current project too, as no one seems to have posted anything yet!
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.