Virtual Communities Ontario College of Art and Design

the last post

2006-01-10T00:56:00.000-05:00

0hr48
10 janvier 06
i was just checking, like a good paranoid
freak, to make sure the images were still
working, when i noticed i’d left the invisibles
on and that they’d been captured by the
screenshots. so i dutifully redid them and then
it dawned on me that if i changed the tiffs
into jpegs and shrank them that i would
very likely be able to upload them as
picture files. et voilá.
over and out,
ragazza

n.b. should i delete the other files

or leave them as evidence?

2006-01-09T17:48:00.000-05:00

17hr48
9 janvier 06
well.
one last little question:
why did the blog post page one before page four?
inquiring minds...
are going to move on.
over and out,
ragazza

recipes - page 2

2006-01-09T17:37:00.000-05:00

17hr41
9 janvier 06
moving right along...here’s page 2.
over and out,
ragazza

recipes _ page 3

2006-01-09T17:23:00.000-05:00

17hr31
9 janvier 06
well. here's page three. they don’t appear on the blog page,
but the link doesn’t force you to download, either.
yay.
over and out,
ragazza

recipes - page 4

2006-01-09T17:17:00.000-05:00

17hr18
9 janvier 06
a last ditch attempt to see if i’ve learned how to do this.
over and out,
ragazza

recipes - page 1

2006-01-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

17hr43
9 janvier 06
well.
this is the first page, but the last page i’m uploading.
so things are in and out of order, which is rather appropos,
given the delicate balance between understanding
the technology and ripping my hair out.
perhaps, someday, i’ll know how to save the files
in what format and where, in order to upload them
as i’d like to see them.
over and out,
ragazza

there’s always more to learn

2006-01-09T03:52:00.000-05:00

3hr55
9 janvier 06
well.
for the life of me i cannot seem to fathom how to
upload the pages i made as images. so in the previous
post, you click on the link and it will give you the
option to open up the full document in acrobat.
well. not quite what i was hoping for.
obviously, i have some more homework to do.
over and out and to sleep,
i hope,
ragazza

the recipes in full

2006-01-09T03:45:00.000-05:00

3hr45
testing testing
over and out,
ragazza

Brad's Recipe

2005-12-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

Hey guys how are yah? Ok here is my recipe.

What we are making. A PDA with downloaded satelite images of your selected city with pop up markers of places and people that matter most to you. Also the pictures can be changed at any time to show a picture of emotion. So lets say you have a bad time with your friend and you want to remember that you can upload an image of them with that emotion. When you select the person or place you want it brings up a map with directions from where u are in the city to where you want to go.

Ingredients:

1. PDA with GPS capability (not sure if they have those yet but we could work on making it)
2. Pictures of all your friends with a selection of emotions or places
3. Directions to all of your friends houses or places that you go to all the time
4. Satelite images of your city

Method:

1. After buying your GPS enabled PDA you need to go and online up load satelite pictures of your city.
2. After you have uploaded pictures of your city up load pictures of your friends with any emotion that you would like them to have for the moment in the area that they live, or places like the hospital that you go to all the time.
3. With every picture of every friend or place you can get access with GPS to flat maps to their exact direction that you have programmed into the PDA with their picture.

Cookin With iSpy - Anthony Payne

2005-12-06T14:15:00.000-05:00

Tara's Memory Recipe

2005-12-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone... this is Tara's Memory Recipe... it's still very conceptually based... so try to have an open mind..hehehhe.. here goes.. (oh.. I uploaded each page individually so you have to click on each page one by one..) sorry 'bout that!! Cheers, t.

MY RECIPE! MINE! (Andre's)

2005-12-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

Here is my recipe.

I made it on relation to my palm pilot assignment.

I wanted to show how the palm pilot concept would work, and how it would be used daily, hopefully it won't be too complicated orr vague for amnesiacs :)

ENJOY!

HAJIME!

Rahul's map - part 4

2005-12-06T12:20:00.000-05:00

Often when I’m given direction to someone’s place I always forget unless I hand draw the map with arrows and how many lights I will be going through. Without I cannot visualize the route and therefore I forget and get lost. So I created a system that instead of having papers or forgetting, make the map on the computer and transfer it to my PDA via Bluetooth. The reason I wont just print it is because sometime I have to be somewhere after a couple of days and I tend to forget. And even with a calendar at home I sometime ignore it. So incase that happens I will already have the route on my PDA and I can set a reminder and a alarm on my PDA to remind me.

So to setup something like this you will need the following:

Ingredients:

- Bluetooth enabled PDA
- Bluetooth enabled phone
- Bluetooth enabled computer or Laptop
-
Other Ingredients of choice:

- A calendar
- A timetable and a list of you important dates and events
- An alarm clock
- And most importantly, self-motivation!

To Do! – Go from OCAD to 95 D’arci

Make the map on the computer using Illustrator even Photoshop, and if your not to familiar with these program, simply hand draw it and scan it onto your computer. Then using the Bluetooth device to transfer the file onto your PDA.

Once you have everything onto your PDA, you setup you PDA to remind you of the date you need to go to the place and what time to set off the alarm. So for example, two days after your alarm goes off at 11:00 am telling you have to be somewhere and then shows you the map.

Then you just follow the step-by-step instruction and you will be there in no time.

Also:

I always forget the GO train schedule and I don’t always have the schedule sheet on me. But if I have my PDA, I can setup my schedule on it and setup reminders of on what time I have to take the train on certain days. The reminders can go off with an alarm about 45 minute priors to the actually time. Which should give me enough time to get ready and arrive at the station.
I can use the GO emoticon that I would download onto my PDA to check the time I have to take it. And also set up a separate folder incase I want to change the time.
In this way I have reminders and alarms, making sure that I won’t miss my train.

Lydia's recipe on how to make a map

2005-12-06T10:05:00.000-05:00

Here is my recipe for the cookbook. I think I included all the things that was required. Well, see you all in class.

- Lydia

Vic's Orientation Device: Part Four

2005-12-06T06:09:00.000-05:00

Orientation Device: Part Four

Artist Statement: Hey, this is Victor Luong, the two pieces that I have decided to write recipes for is for my map as well as my checklist ideas. The map idea shows a person how to get from Union Station to Ocad. The Map will be utilized through the use of an Ipod Picture or an Ipod Video. My second recipe is on the checklist idea that I came up with. The user essentially downloads a simple software program where they can create their very own checklists, which are of course customizable with all sorts of emoticons to remind them what tasks they need to complete for the day. The idea behind both recipes was to keep everything as very simple, and straightforward for the user as possible. Keeping everything as simple as possible has been a theme I’ve tried to stick to through all four parts of this project. Hopefully these simple ideas will go a long way for somebody with memory problems.

Ipod Picture Map Recipe

Ingredients:

- A picture or video IPOD
- Computer
- Firewire or USB Cable
- Internet Access
- Software

To Do:

The first thing you need to do is download and install the software that you received with your Ipod to your computer.
After you have done that, you must hook your Ipod to you computer through the Firewire or USB cable depending on whether you are using a PC or a Mac.
Download the image/map you wish to use from the collective memory site to your computer.
Using the Ipod software, follow the on screen instructions to transfer the downloaded image(s) to the Ipod.
Look for the file on the Ipod to be sure it was transferred correctly.
You are now able to use the map to get from one destination to the other. Be sure to use the “zoom in” function on the Ipod to see the map in greater detail.

Checklist Recipe

Ingredients:

- Computer
- Color Printer
- Internet Access
- Paper

To Do:

Using the computer to access the Internet, and the collective memory website, download the checklist template as well as the emoticons that come with it.
Next, Download the simple checklist program, which will allow you to customize your own checklist to suit your needs.
Install the program onto your computer after you have downloaded it.
Using the program and emoticons you have just downloaded, customize your checklist for the specific tasks you need to complete.
Save and print your checklist, and follow it accordingly to remind yourself what needs to be completed for the following day.

A7's LONG final "non-recipe" recipe.

2005-12-06T02:22:00.000-05:00

As I sat last week discussing this project with my group, the topic of technology's advancement and complexity came up, but I didn't really explore it as much as I would have liked. I also posted a reply comment on my last project, with a bit of a rant about technology. First some background info on my "past life" and where this is all coming from.

About 5 years ago, someone looking in from the outside would have thought I had it all. I had graduated top-of-class with a Computer Systems Tech diploma, I ran a computer store, I owned a nice house in Ottawa, I had 3 cars, a $50000/yr full-time job... everything "appeared" on the surface to be going well. Unfortunately, things aren't always as they seem. Despite my high paying job, I was very unhappy. I was working as a PKI systems analyst for Entrust Technologies, assisting in the setup and deployment of the computer security systems for MAJOR companies, including the worlds top banks and firms. The stress this job provided in the 3 years I worked there was enough to last me a lifetime. Money has its perks, but my sanity was much more important. That's why I quit, moved to T.O and started a "new life" as an artist.

Why am I saying all this? Because it's important to understand that my education, knowledge, employment history, and subsequent disdain of technology, has afforded me a unique perspective on how I approach my work, and my use of technology in creating work. There used to be a rule among programmers: KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Programmers used to make software and devices so easy to use, anyone could use it, without needing books or training to do so. That's because back in the day, people were not as exposed to computers. Today, almost every household in Canada has at least one computer, but back then, you were lucky if 10% of households had a computer. So programmers needed to make the technology easy, for example, you press the off button to turn it off. It sounds funny, but think about it... How do you turn off a PC these days? Press the off button? Not a chance! You use the mouse, point to the Start button, select shutdown, click on turn off computer, click ok, wait 5 minutes for it to close everything, and then it shuts off. Ridiculous! Programmers take computer knowledge for granted. The days of KISS programming are long gone.

Anyway, back to the point. The point is I don't think any GOOD solution for amnesics should require "steps" like a recipe. It should be so utterly transparent and simple that ANYONE can use it, or more to the point, not even know they are using it.

So, after coming up with a tool for complex webpage searches, icons to use in a complex blog, and a complex map that uses an iPod, I'm doing a 180, and I'm going to talk about a totally different idea (my alternate idea from the first week). A concept that could be setup in a matter of days (the technology is simple and readily available) and could be helping amnesics by next month... and the best part is, they don't need to learn a single thing (assuming they know how to use a phone).

Enough with the chatter. Here's my non-recipe recipe.

Ingredients:
1 Windows PC to run the IVR
VoiceGuide IVR telephone software (http://www.voiceguide.com)
1 programmer to setup the system
The user's cellphone
The user's computer and calendar software

What is an IVR?
An IVR is an Interactive Voice Response software. Basically, it's the software that controls those fancy telephone menus that say "press 1 for support, press 2 for billing...". IVRs are very complex, and can be setup to read text from a database, make outbound calls, store messages, transfer calls, and more.

How it would work:
The user would simply go about their normal routine. The only thing they need to know is to call the IVR if they need help.

For example, let's say John has an appointment at the dentist at 2pm. At 1:30, John will receive a telephone call. When he answers, he hears the message "You have an appointment at the dentist in 30 minutes. Don't forget to bring your wallet, your health card and your phone. Press 1 if you would like another reminder in 5 minutes, press 2 if you would like directions right now, or press 3 if you would like to hang up". John presses 1, because he is in the middle of lunch. 5 minutes later, his phone rings again. It plays the same message. This time John presses 2. The system then reads off directions to John, instructing him how to make his way to the dentist. So John leaves. On the way, John forgets the directions. He calls the IVR, programmed into his phone on speed dial, and gets the message "Hello John. If you need to leave yourself a reminder, press 1. If you need directions, press 2. If you need a list of appointments for today, press 3.". John presses 2, and hears the directions again to get to the dentist. He makes it to the dentist without a problem. After his appointment, the receptionist tells him he needs to be back for a follow-up in 3 days at noon. John calls the IVR and hears the same message as before, but presses 1 to leave a reminder. He hears a beep and says "Dentist appointment on December 11th at noon". He then makes his way back home.

How it works behind the scenes:
The programming and setup of the IVR would obviously be done by a programmer. It would be setup to link into the database of the user's calendar. That's how the appointments and call times are setup. The entire system is simply managed from the calendar, using a simple tool like iCal or Entourage.

Setting up appointments and maps depends on the individual user's severity of memory loss, and knowledge of the tools. In light cases, the user could likely set up appointments themselves. They simply listen to the memos they left themselves and enter them in the calendar as appointments. For maps, they simply enter the directions from a service like mapquest, or copy the directions from a list of pre-written scripts (for common locations that are travelled often). In more severe cases, someone else would help with the calendar. They would enter the directions and appointments into the calendar. The IVR takes care of the rest.

Why it works:
It works because it's simple. The user doesn't need to know why someone is calling and giving reminders, directions and help... it just does. The user doesn't need to know how to program phone scripts and messages, doesn't need to use complex palm menus and devices, doesn't need to understand technology. They just need to know how to answer a phone, and call a number.

Simplicity works. We should use it more often.

A7

Mazhar's Digital Reading Map

2005-12-06T01:49:00.000-05:00

Here it is, the final project. From the beginning, my cell phone has been the tool for Virtual Community class projects. So i could not afford to avoid it for the final proj too. Cell phone is more my assistant in life. it notifies me important dates and times, organises my contacts, quick notes and many more. I think a pda like cell phone such as Nokia 6680 (Nokia 6670 - similar feature phone in Canada from the doggy Fido) can be really handy.

When i drive to a new location, i get the route map from google and save it on TextEdit or Illustrator and export as PDF. Then i transfer the pdf on the phone via bluetooth and view as full screen on phone. Thats all i need. No prints, no remembering. As i cross each direction steps, all i have to do is hit the down arrown key and scroll down. makes life more digitally easy.
Thanks to Nokia, Apple, Bluetooth, Adobe. Life is really getting digital as long as you keep the freezing and overheating Microsoft away. But hence we are all going lazy too.

Anyways, for this class, i have converted my flowchart style map into slideshow to be displayed on phone.
its a more custom. it could be more practical too if we were to make a template for indesign and then export as pdf, transfer via bluetooth. I think that would require indesign knowledge, for those who dont, a software could be programmed or a webpage where it will create pdf automatically, there r some pluginns for webprogrammers in the market tat facilitates this option.

Though my image example post is based on my flowchart map posted earlier, It could be made more easy with actual directions. Once user requests driving directions on google map or mapquest or yahoo, an option could be made where by user could download as pdf slide for cell phones. Similar to print now feature which opens a new window with same content with less graphics. Bluetooth is already a standard feature on all phones and computers now, so i really believe this could be an handy feature. How many can afford a gps system on their cars... so this is economically (or freely) practical.

In between - the same could be applied on other new models from motorola, samsung with pdf support. unfortunatly north america are beind europe and asia in mobile tehnology. if we were competent with other locations... we could have used the phone to access map website and auto download the pdf which would avoid the steps of indesing, computer and bluetooth transfer. but hey, they are only few months away from being practical. lets cross our fingers and hope somebody does it, call google.

Mazhar Mohad

recipes for simple tools

2005-12-06T00:50:00.000-05:00

hello,
this is my final project for virtual communities. i have drawn on some very simple ideas that may not seem to be very creative, but the goal was a little different. it is all explained in the instructions. here they are.
i wish you all a great christmas.

Memory tool techniques that are not technologically driven-when one thinks of memory loss safety tools, the benefits that technology offer come to mind as fool-proof devices that should offer security to someone whose lifestyle cannot rely on their own memory. However through the process of this project my interest slowly became focused on computer programming tools. But what I have been thinking about lately is the need to come back to the beginning. I am interested in writing instructions for very simple tools that anyone could follow. Either a Patient of memory loss or a friend or family member that wants to make some quick and easy tools that are more personal in regards to special needs. (i.e.: an emergency map card to the closest veterinary clinic)

Both of these tools can be created with computer technology, but it is not necessary and in some cases not as easy. The goal of these tools is to create simple maps and records that a person with memory loss can make and use without the need to depend on computer technology.
Although both of these tools remain very simple, the idea is not to construct something complicated, but to give instructions to something very basic for those who don’t know where to start or as a means to create a tool that is better, more sophisticated and more personal.

First tool for organization:
Custom made daily events and journal calendar

What you will need:

-paper of a chosen size.*recommend at least 8.5x11” (378 sheets)
-thick and thin black marker
-ruler
-a template for organizing: should include a spot for the date at the top to be written in large letters and a spot for the number of the day (*I have included a sample that can be copied)
-a ‘to do list’ with check boxes at the end of each entry
-a list section for any details or events that wish to be tracked. (the idea is to keep a memory of what ever your wish. This is not a list that is limited to daily events or meeting’s. for example-12:45-john the neighbor dropped in-Didn’t like him!
-access to a photocopier

What you will do:

-first take1 sheet of paper and make your template using your thin marker-I have included one to make the process easier
-then photocopy the template 12 times (making the contrast a little darker is a good idea because these templates will be copied again)
-next take your 12 pages and with your thick marker, write 1 month of the year on each page until the twelve pages complete the year (it is also good to include the year)
-take the 12 templates and copy each one for enough days to complete each month
*make sure to refer to a calendar to make sure the number of days are accurate
-the numbering of each page can be done either all at once or day by day

Second tool for organization
Simple or Emergency mapping tool

What you will need:
-a map of your area, city or town, with the location of your home marked clearly.(this will be used as a reference when making your map)
-to identify the destinations that you will want to map for quick reference(ie:the nearest hospital, some close friends homes, the veterinary clinic, post office ect.)
-any type of paper or card stock to write on that you wish *keep in mind that the maps should remain small enough to carry easily
-pens, pencils-at least 2 different colours is a good idea (*I have included an example of this simple mapping idea)

What you will do:

-chose the destinations that are important to you and take the best route to get there
-take your map and as you go identify markers that are less likely to move (traffic lights, cross roads, easily identifiable buildings, parks ect.)
-with your makers and routes draw out a simple version of the route and at where every useful maker is located make a small check box
-number each check box in order until the destination
-include on your map the destination, the starting point and what the check boxes represent
-you can either chose markers that are all the same—like traffic lights-or you can use lots of different makers-either way make sure to identify on your map what maker is where on the route (*this is the only way to track your progress and keep you on moving in the right way)
-keep these small maps with you, either in your day book or wallet so that you can access them when needed

Rahul's Map

2005-12-06T00:41:00.000-05:00

I did my mapping on a trip from OCAD to my friends house on 95 D'arci. My map is pretty straight foreard and simple, and it only gives u the line direction to the destination. I indicated the path in colour just so it is more bold and stand out more, and easier to rem, and shows it like a path instead of jus the road of a map. I also indicated traffic lights to show how many lights they will see on the way to their destination. So incase they see more than two in my case, then they either passed it or went the wrong way. I have also very briefly indicated how far or how many block the walk is. And showed sign of the main places you will pass such as the AGO. Even though my map is very simple, I think it is fool proof and even a stranger can get to my freinds house without getting lost, which is the main point. You should and give her a surprise visit. Don't say I sent you. Enjoy!

Cook book ideas

2005-12-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

Hello! For our next project i think that the discussions we had amongst our groups were really helpful. I found that in my group (myself, Tara, Anthony, and A7) we brainstormed a lot and found that our projects really linked together. They almost turned into steps in a learning process i found. Progressions if you will.
After class i began thinking about the whole thing, and thought, well why not just brake it all down into learning steps. I think that our projects are steps that can help a person work their way up to operating a piece of technology like the new ipod or palm pilot, with picture and/or video potential. I thought that the first step in the learning process would be Anthony's "I spy with my little Map" idea. A person organizing a Treasure Hunt could print out an I Spy map for the person with Amnesia. It would be their goal to learn how to read the map and eventually find a destination. The next step would be for someone to upload pictures onto an ipod photo for example, and have the person look for a place using the picture map. This is where my project idea with the key colours in a picture would come in. This would help the person use their colour skills learned in Anthony's project, and project the same idea but with real pictures now. If in the future apple made an Ipod that could record small video clips really easily, Tara's video idea could come into play. A person could help the person with amnesia with recording a small excursion, or even emotions onto their ipod and they could learn in easy steps how to lable the video and play it back in the future. A7 had an ipod photo i believe so he was able to show how it could work, and we also showed Judith through handling the ipod how easy it could be to snap photos or shoot video with our ideal, futuristic new ipod that we can only describe.

Brads Mapping

2005-12-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Ok so here is the idea I had for my mapping. Due to the fact that I couldnt get the image that i wanted to show u guys i will explain what I mean. So from your PDA device u get satelite images of the area that you are in. It can point where you are and it will pop up with little blocks on the screen that shows the person all the places that they go to or the people that they know in that area. They can click on whatever block that they want (my example says mount Sinai Hospital) and then it bring up another map a mor simplicated version as shown, with the directions of how to get there. That way if the person walks outside the door and then stop cause they forgot where they were going they can open the PDAdevice and it shows all the places that they know and that can refresh their memory and also makes sure they know how to get there. Other options could be images of emotions that can be loaded after the last time they were at someones place. So if the last time they were at their friends but they got into a fight they will be able to remember they were in a fight and be able to talk it out or avoid going over there. Hope this works. Brad.

Brad Maybee - How This Project Rings True For Me.

2005-12-05T21:58:00.000-05:00

Recipe for Memory Loss Project (stickers)

2005-12-05T19:38:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,

Here is my recipe for my memory stickers. I hope I did this correctly.

See you all tomorrow!

Amy

track your progress-revised

2005-12-02T21:36:00.000-05:00

hi,
i have revised some minor details of the map. i think its more clear now.
when i envision the interface as a part of the "Heart Monitor" Program, i would like the yellow dots to blink while the user actives the route.

track your progress

2005-12-02T02:18:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,
i wish you all luck in the darkest days that are FINALS!!

The Tracking Map:
in this project i wanted to make a map to a destination that was also a tool to 'track your pogress'. primitive though it is, the idea is clear.( I hope! :} ) In paper form the user would use a pen and check each box to make sure they have reached that point on the route. i was thinking about what we were talking about in class. designing a tool for the user with the highest needs. Like watching the plot of a movie, I was concerned with the idea that a person with server amnesia would not be able to reach their destination. i tired to keep this in mind. but the tool is still useful for a person with a mild case of amnesia and the result would be the same. the maps check boxes are used to identify ONLY traffic lights as markers as thees have the least chance of changing.
the design of the map is trying to stay within the theme of my last project. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible(but still include a design aesthetic), so that it remains clear and user friendly. For example, if this form of information took the shape of a card that could be kept in a wallet or a small book that could easily be carried maybe this idea would be comfortable for some of the patients at Baycrest that don’t feel comfortable with a complex PDA device.
i am thinking about adding these types of maps to my PDA "heart monitor" program. but they would have to be modified. obviously very few users would be starting from OCAD.

I Spy With My Little Map - By Anthony Payne

2005-11-29T12:16:00.000-05:00

With my map I wanted to go with more of a playful way of finding your way from OCAD's 6th floor to St. Patrick subway station. I decided to play an 'I SPY' game to guide your way through the trip. Simply follow the instructions and get on your way.

Recipes for an Orientation Device Cookbook

2005-11-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

OK folks - here's the write-up for the last "orientation device" assignment. In today's class, we'll get a jump on this.

••••

ASSIGNMENT : ORIENTATION DEVICE : Part Four (Final)
Assignment description : Associate Professor Judith Doyle : jdoyle@faculty.ocad.ca

Recipes for an Orientation Device Cookbook

Now we will adapt our ‘orientation device’ ideas into recipes that “users” (amnesics) can prepare or customize for themselves, in collaboration with others (caregivers, computer programmers, artists & designers, family). Altogether, our “recipes” will form an online “cookbook” we will present to our friends at OCAD, the Baycrest Centre, U of T, and others. Your final assignment is to create the recipes and assemble illustrations, pictures, bios, and artists’ statements for this - a “collective memory” of all the project ideas we’ve completed.

Reviewing our past orientation device assignments ( 1 – 3 ) :

• You chose memory impairment problems to address, and tools to solve the problems with. You posted your ideas to the blog.
• You created a set of multimedia “emoticons” (reminders for feelings). You posted your files and wrote about your development for the blog.
• You created a memory map using multimedia signposts from OCAD to nearby destinations. You posted your maps and descriptions on the blog.

For this assignment you will convert your ideas into simple instructions. I will use Tara’s project as an example. She suggested using documentary video clips to trigger memories of friends and of emotions. Her “recipe” might sound like this :

Ingredients :
- a video camera (could be a feature of a cellphone, PDA, web cam or digital camera
- file storage (could be in a computer, online, in a PDA)

• using your camera, shoot short clips of footage of yourself with a friend during everyday activities.
• download files and label with your friend’s name, the place and date
• give the file an emotion’s name (fun, annoying, too noisy, happy)
• index these files so they can be searched by topic, name, date or emotion.

To do : 1) write up one or more of your ‘orientation device’ assignments in the form of a recipe, or “how to” set of instructions. These instructions should help “user-participants” create their own set of emoticons or map of signposts.
2) include a picture of yourself.
3) prepare files of your visuals, MP3s and any other text you’d like to include as an “artist’s statement”.
4) upload to blog. If necessary, bring large files to class on storage media (CD Rom).

Vic's Map

2005-11-29T07:53:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, this is my map from Union Station to Ocad, and vice versa. This is the route I often take to get to class, and I figured there are many others who take a similiar route. My idea behind this map, is to use the traditional map, yet keep it as simple as possible with out confusing or overwhelming the map user with extra information they do not need. The red dot shows you your destination, and the red line marks the path to be taken to reach your destination. See, simple.

Passionate Eye : Monday 10 PM CBC TV -- AMNESIA!

2005-11-27T23:46:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow (Monday November 28) at 10 PM on CBC TV on "The Passionate Eye" a documentary is airing about amnesia. The story focuses on Clive, the musician and BBC producer who is experiencing an especially severe form of anterograde amnesia.

It gets great reviews. Watch if possible -- oh, and your work is looking very good.

Hoiking's Project 2 and 3

2005-11-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

Hey, its Hoiking, and here it is my 2nd and 3rd projects. In project 2, I made a sound clip to translate the experience of the task of doing laundry. I did so by extracting live sounds. In this clip, I wanted to capture my personal experiences with laundry day. Finally, in project 3, I made a map, which directs the user from St. Patrick subway station to Ocad. I found all my images off Google. Then collaged the images together with adobe photoshop.

Project 2: http://www.myspace.com/vaaandaaam

Thank You!

2005-11-27T16:44:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank all of you for your comments on my map project. It was really helpful and encouraging! It's so interesting to see everyone's work up here. I think it's great that i can see how the design students create such functional, useful, and beautiful ideas, and i think as an art student it is helpful to see how i can make something that is aesthetically pleasing and useful. You guys are all making awesome things! Thank you!

tad's map?

2005-11-27T16:33:00.000-05:00

i had a tough time with the map assignment. I have decided instead to give directions to a "better place" in the abstract, metaphysical sense(lol). I guess it is kind of a parody.

1.We admitted we were powerless over art--that our lives had become unmanageable.

2.Came to believe that OCAD could restore us to sanity.

3.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of OCAD as we understood it.

4.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5.Admitted to OCAD, to ourselves and to other students the exact nature of our wrongs.

6.Were entirely ready to have OCAD remove all these defects of character.

7.Humbly asked OCAD to remove our shortcomings.

8.Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11.Sought through fabrication and meditation to improve our relationship with OCAD.

12.Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to artists, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lydia's map from OCAD to St. Patrick Station

2005-11-22T15:29:00.000-05:00

Hey! Sorry I couldn't make it to class today, I posted the assignment as soon as I got the chance. For this part of the assignment I made a map that incorporated images and text. The map is from OCAD to St. Patrick Station, a destination that I make almost everyday. I made the path blue and large to show the simple outline of the destination. I then used simple images of the locations, images that would be easily recognizable. These are images of the locations, or places that are known to be found in certain areas along the way. The yellow dots represent the path that is taken by the person and the arrows represent the direction that the person should be walking on. In case the person needs exra instructions to go with the visuals, I included easy to follow instructions that include some ryhmes. This way the destination would be easily remembered. This map is intended to be simple and easy to follow through its images, text and colour codes.

palmpilot

2005-11-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

This is the class test for those who are not here. We were showing the class how to use the photoshop function for saving to the web.

My poetic map. (BY ANDRE!) from OCAD to queen.

2005-11-22T12:31:00.000-05:00

Here I wanted to try and create a map almost through visual riddles, without using visuals. I wanted to make the reader think about where the location may be, from ocad through the grange path, to queen street.

It seems the image isnt big enough for the text to read so here it is!:

Ocad, the creative septre of the youthful and the free soul.

To the tundra of fun and the haven of the mind, the cheery and the grey, the pain and the pleasure make love and are
harmonious as two lovers in a tango entangled in each other’s gaze.

To the path where leaves play like children in the grinning sun, the concrete and sandy grey, holy structures bank the sides like a wall of redemption, and the sounds of life and man scream from subliminal fornication, and scream with the heart of a rusted mechanical lion.

To the street that knows nothing of sleep, in a tune playing forever night, and a breeze strong enough to move emotions and stammer the heart.

Walk the path, from OCAD to Queen street,
The place where insanity, and the vanity meet.

ENJOY IT! NOW!

*please :P*

A7's mapping project

2005-11-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

My project consists of a photo work for the iPod. Since I can't quite use the blog to demonstrate what I mean, I have created a video that simulates what it might look like on the iPod. I will also bring the iPod to class for a demo if anyone is interested. Warning! The video is 36MB, so it may be slow loading on some connections. Here is the video: iPod simulation

The idea behind this concept was to use photos on a portable media in a way that simulates a high-tech visual compass. The new color and video iPods have the ability to store slideshows and photos that the user can navigate easily from the iPod. So I set out to create a photo map. My map goes from OCAD to my favorite pizza joint, Pizzaiolo, with a stop at the ATM for money. I took several pictures of the walk from OCAD to Pizzaiolo... about one every 20 feet. So someone could be holding the iPod in front of them to locate themselves (match up the photo to the real life view), and look at the next picture to see where to go next.

The reason I chose this concept was because I enjoy the transient nature of the landscape. What may be a good photo map today, may not be useful next week, as our environment is in continuous change. Nothing is permanent.

A7

ode to metro reference

2005-11-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

10hr50
22 novembre 05
hey y'all,
here is part two.
i have a file that has the writing on the image, but it wouldn't load in blogger, and ourmedia has the blues, and won't load up on my screen. so here's the bare bones.
over and out,
ragazza
n.b. part three is in the works...assoon as i find the files in the wreck of my apartment.

your coat is in your hand
as you step out of the doors
you stand facing east
and consider with some pause

then you turn onto your left
begin walking towards the north
crossing side street after side street
until you find there are no more

now you turn towards your right
starting to trot into the east
you’ll begin to smell the flavours
of what is the downtown feast

continue walking till you find
yourself on yonge street and from there
you should face north once again
and keep on moving less you care

to take a break and walk inside
one of the many little joints
that line the city’s busiest street
and experience toronto’s carny points

refreshed you start anew
take that turn towards the north
the library’s not that far
only one block up from bloor.

Brad's Emoticons

2005-11-22T09:47:00.000-05:00

Hey guys. As most of you know there was a recent family emergency with my neice. Things aren't all that great with her at the moment so I am a little behind and just now adding my emoticons. What i wanted to do with this was make it personal to the user. She can see some dumb happy face and yah it conveys HAPPY but it isn't personal to her or him. So why not have pictures of them sad or happy and yelling? SO I have stock phtos to show you my point. Thanks, Brad.

latitude with colour

2005-11-22T04:34:00.000-05:00

4hr41
22 novembre 05
hey y'all,

when i first thought of mapping my way out of ocad, i thought of colour. is it the art thing? i thought of colour and contours and compasses. each direction took on a colour. north became blue. south became violet. east is yellow, and west is green. colour becomes code.

i then had to come up with a site to direct people to. so where do i go from the college apart from bars and the food court and the 24-hour dominion? metro reference library.

as of yet, there are no visual images. they are there in my head but i haven’t yet translated them. so i wrote a colourful paragraph of directions. this is my map, part one:

from the college, walk five blocks blue then turn yellow. once facing the direction of the dawn, you’ll see evidence of downtown. go yellow for six long and uneven blocks. you will now find yourself facing toronto’s main drag and the longest street in canada. you’ll want to turn blue now. and you’ll be blue for thirteen blocks. once there, you’ll want to cross over to the yellow side of the street. the library is on the corner of yellow and blue. thus, the library is green.

another idea was to continue with the poetry, somehow linking disparate lines from various pieces to form a set of directions.
there are also images that i would like to work with to try and design the information into a visual map. that will constitute part two, coming soon to a blog near you.

over and out,
ragazza

Flowchart to Second Cup

2005-11-22T03:22:00.000-05:00

Hola people. For the mapping, i did a flowchart kind of map with icons. It starts from our campus to Second cup on dundas and mccaul. I was working on ASP database programming and were constantly refering to the flowchart i had created. Then suddenly i thought why not use the same standard to reach a place. to make it more fun, i thought to integrate some sort of icons to represent the box. That could come into affect if the flowchart was used de second time. Ah! I can sell it to those genius computer programmers from South Asia. :)

Mazhar Mohad

the heart monitor face

2005-11-22T03:17:00.000-05:00

hello, its teresa
this is the next stage of my 'heart monitor' idea. for this emoticon assignment i am designing the whole look of the program along with the face emoticons and the small images that make up the over all 'look' of the program. i am becoming increasing more interested in a sort of 'hyper design'. design that creates is own iconic look. the first two emoticons are up and more will follow. i am not so great with illustrator. but this gives an idea.

assignment #3: my idea is to make a 'best restaurants of the west side' kind of mapping system. staying with the idea of memory loss i was thinking that a restaurant guide would be something that i would appreciate. just because you cant remember what places have great Mexican -lets say- doesn't mean you wont enjoy it when you get there. i have a list of places but i still have to gather the visuals.

From OCAD to Orchids

2005-11-22T00:17:00.000-05:00

Hi guys! I reposted the images so that you will be able to click on each one to read the text. It's very basic, so hopefully it could work for someone. I decided to use photography as a way to show how to get to a destination. Basically what i did was photograph my path from the front of OCAD to the grange market where orchids are on display. In the images i left key landmarks in colour and the rest in black and white. There is also text in each image giving quick instructions and directions to the next destination. Hope it's useful!

Amy's Map to Tim Hortons

2005-11-21T23:13:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,
Thanks to the suggestion, I've converted the file and now it works! So, what I've done here is created a map from OCAD to Tim Horton's. What I thought would be simple to help people read and remember the map is use one simple visual that would represent a complete building. For example, the OCAD building is the logo, and the Police Station is the police hat. I thought this would be good because it is usually all the extra unnecessary information that confuses us and creates clutter in our minds, causing it to be more difficult to remember. Therefore, by using icons, the map is siimplified and there isn't any "junk" for the mind to try and remember. The pink/purple line represents the path which one would actually take in order to get to Tim Horton's.

emoti-cons

2005-11-21T02:45:00.000-05:00

3hr34 21 novembre 05 finally i am putting up the visuals that were to go with last week's assignment. part two, as it were. the idea behind this was to try and come up with simple images that could convey a more complex emotion by the addition of a title. would this be of aid to someone with anterograde amnesia? i'm not so sure in any direction. i knew that i didn't want to replicate the ubiquitous “emoticons” of the internet. perhaps the imagery is a little too complex to quickly comminicate and jog the memory. perhaps this is just one step towards developing the icons. i don't know. over and out, ragazza

n.b. i will try to attach the audio. wish me luck...

confusion
denial
despair
emptiness
hope
joy
loneliness
love
risky
longing/desire

Tara's Image Map

2005-11-19T17:11:00.000-05:00

Hello all,
I worked with the idea of combining photography and collage to create an image map that combines major visual references I felt to be the most interesting along my journey from OCAD to Chapters (under the Paramount on the corner of Richmond and John street). The images chosen were those I found to be most interesting and dynamic in colour and shape. I used a combination of signage as well as incorporating some of the major landmarks themselves. The overall layout is intended to be quite collage like, however there is a second map of linear quality (over top) that shows the chronological order of the images, and a third style in blue pen showing the more typical street map layout of the journey. This trip from OCAD to Chapters is one of fantastic sights and busy signage, and so I tried to reflect that atmosphere in the style of my map. Don't forget to click on the image to enlarge it, so you can actaully see the details.
See you all Tuesday, T :)

Orientation Assignment 3 - Due Nov. 22

2005-11-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks - Here's the write-up on the assignment we discussed in class yesterday. You may work in groups of 2 or 3 if you prefer on this :

FYI - the mark breakdown - during the "orientation device" segment (Judith's part) of the course, there are 4 small assignments, each worth 10% of your final mark. There is no big or final project! Instead, we will gather all of the small assignments together into a web site that we will present publicly at the end of the semester.

+++

ASSIGNMENT : ORIENTATION DEVICE : Part Three
Assignment description : Associate Professor Judith Doyle : jdoyle@faculty.ocad.ca

Assignment 3 - “Just a Walk” signposts

In a series of short stories called “Just a Walk”, Ojibway teacher Ron Geyshick used a traditional form of storytelling that combined exciting spiritual encounters and events with descriptions of landmarks along his walking route. Thus, his story could be remembered and used as a memory map to find your way around the forest.

Maps can take many forms, and many experiences and concepts can be mapped. For this assignment, you will create a series of “signpost” drawings, photos, words, audio or video clips from OCAD to a nearby destination of your choice. Alternately, you can create a “Just a Walk” story of your own, or based on the experiences of a friend, collaborator or imaginary Avatar. Like clues in a treasure hunt, your “signposts” will be used to help someone reach a real world destination – a doctor’s office, subway station, coffee shop, homeless shelter, or even a hard-to-find office inside OCAD are possible destinations.

Upload your files to the web, and provide a link on the class BLOG. Write a brief report on your development process.

Due Date : Tuesday, November 22, 2005

HELPING - By Anthony Payne

2005-11-15T12:12:00.000-05:00

I was not here last week to post my assignment so I decided to give you 3 ideas!

• A great way to keep those who suffer from alls timers or memory loss from wandering to unknown areas that they simply forget would be to place air fresheners in the room that give off a different smell. A different pleasant smell in each room would help to direct the elderly through the house. Since smell triggers memory hopefully going into a room with a distinct smell will cause the user to recall where they are and ultimately why they are there in the first place. To keep the elderly from forgetting where they are is tricky, but using their since of smell does not really hold their hands through the room. It is meant to assist them with remembering their atmosphere.

• Another way to assist those with memory loss with remembering their surroundings would be to design some kind of wrist watch or arm band that is programmed by their doctor or pharmacy to alert the user when pills are to be taken and when and where appointments are. The device would alert them with enough time to get ready and reach the appointment without being late. The programming of other things such as turning off the TV or stove would have to be programmed be a family member or friend.

• To keep those with memory loss from burning down their houses or wasting electricity an alarm will alert after 30 minutes of use to reassure the user that the appliance is still on well after the person has left the area. The alarm would alert on the armband mentioned above and there would be motion sensors that would detect whether someone is in the room or not.

Andre's Orientation Part 1 AND 2!

2005-11-15T11:56:00.000-05:00

I wanted to design something that was not so complicated, yet was efficient in helping an amnesiac through his daily routines. I liked the palm pilot idea, so i took that and added and took away from that idea.

What I'm talking about is a little device that fits into the ear much like a hearing aid or even smaller, that is connected through bluetooth to you palm pilot. The palm pilot only has a set of buttons to set your dates and times on a well organized planner avoiding all confusion. Depending on what you place and when it is, when the event is breached, a chime, or a message will be relayed from the palm pilot, to the ear piece alerting the subject to check his pilot.

When the pilot is activated, an emoticon displaying an obscure image will appear on the screen. Obscure enough to force the user to think and try and remember what needs to be done. In the examples above, you may have say a pile of books. This actually meens, its god damn homework time!

There will be many other emoticons depending on what needs to be done and at what time of the day. All the user needs to do is select what needs to be done and sort it into the calender with the pen when it needs to be done. At the end of the day.

Also, when the person awakes in the morning, there will be a balance mechanism inside the ear piece which will detect motion, or that the patient is active. As this happens it will alert you to look, and set your palm pilot for the day ahead.

I thought of this idea trying to put together a way to force amnesiacs to work within a system, but also, to force them into trying to remember their routines. There will even be a "Things to brring" function enabling the patient to write down everything they will need for the day, and upon departure from the household, sensors (which can be placed at either exit of the house) will alert your palm pilot, reading through and reminding you of all the things that the patient had recorded as to what they needed for the day.

I also wanted to make something that would seem feasable, I dont know why, just did.

So thats my part 1 and 2, I hope it made since.
Now Keep Fit, and Have Fun!

Cleary's orientation Assignment Pt2

2005-11-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

Hi all! For the first part of my assignment i chose to reflect on memory loss in the home and how objects can be lost. For amnesics feelings can be lost as well and with this second part of the assignment, i thought it would be a good opportunity to come up with ways of recording feelings in images. I wanted to place myself in an amnesics position, and use what i might find helpful to describe or document certain feelings. I chose to create small icons in photoshop that use colour and line to show a face and an expression. I was considering using a camera to create these icons, but i realized that most people become aware of a camera's presense and usually change their expression, or i guess "pose" even if they try not to. This is what disccouraged me from using photos basically because the emotion that is being recorded, may not truly represent what the feelings are of the subject. Hopefully these icons could help a person remember an emotion that they had felt either hours before, or weeks before and can be recorded onto a palm pilot.

Lydia's Orientation Device: Part 2

2005-11-15T08:12:00.000-05:00

For this part of the assignment, I decided to use stick figures to represent various emotions. So I drew various figures with different body languages. I thought the use of stick figures can easily represent a person’s emotion. Whether they be happy, relaxed, playful, angry and so on. I believe that emotion is best represented through body language, because sometimes words cannot fully express one's emotion. So the stick figures would represent these body languages and yet they are simple enough to create for a device like the palm. I thought that in terms of the colour that would be up to the users. For example, when they feel very angry, perhaps they would pick the figure that best represents that and add a vibrant red, or whatever colour they feel like using at the time.

Amy's Memory Loss - Part 2

2005-11-15T02:58:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,
So because I'm using myself as the subject, I tried to think of things that would help me remember. In terms of emoticons, I started thinking of where they should be placed, as mine need to be more...on the go. So, what I've decided is, and I'm not sure exactly how it will work out, but is to use them as stickers. Stickers that I can place on the insides of my shoes. It sounds silly, but I know for a fact that I would never leave my house without putting shoes on first, and by using a bright colour and bold typeface on them, I am sure that I will at least catch a glimpse of them. Some of them have phrases - kind of like a "mom" phrase - and the smiley that I created is doing the "oh crap" thing. I chose to create the "oh crap" smiley because it will remind me of the feeling I do not want to have once I am out the door, so this should cause me to remember to double check that I have everything so I won't get that feeling. I apologize for the drawing - I don't really know how to use Adobe Illustrator that well. I have also added an audio clip, which will play if you click on the title. It is keys shaking, and for me particularly, this is important because it could help to jog my memory if I heard it before I left my house. If I open the front door, and I hear the keys shaking it could remind me to check and make sure I have my keys and then from there, it could start a memory wave effect and cause me to check if I had everything else I need such as my cell phone, any important papers, etc... Hope I'm on the right track!

Rahul's Memory Loss project! - Part 2

2005-11-15T01:47:00.000-05:00

There are many things that do tend to forget around the house, but I narrowed it down the most important two. First i find that I have problem finishing my assignments just because I have so many assignments due and I tend to forget sometimes to do one. And then the day of the due date I will realize that i forgot to do it. Another major thing i forget is what times i need to catch the GO train, and what times they are scheduled for. Which becomes a problem because if i miss my train i miss my class.
So i decided that iwould make icons to remind me to do my hwk and an icon to remind me that I have a train to catch, aswell as a list of the train schedule. I illustrated the icons pretty obvious to what I would have to remember. These item can be icons in a phone, pda or laptop icons.

poeticons

2005-11-15T01:35:00.000-05:00

1hr42
15 novembre 05
representing emotion, visually, but in a pared-down manner is a challenge. my first response is to go for the poetry and see what images come from it. so i will post a few lines of poetry and label them with emotions. there are some drawings i’ve done, which i plan to scan and post tomorrow. i’ve been out of town, also, dealing with family issues, and far away from scanners and my computer and the solitude i need to work.
so in keeping with several of the entries here, let this be “part 1.”

loneliness

“One at one table,
one at another.”
(from “Automat” by David Ray)

hope

“a vast emptiness that brims with light”
(from “The Life of the Body” by Diane Bonds)

despair

“Where spilt lives congeal and stiffen to history.”
(from “A Birthday Present” by Sylvia Plath)

joy

“When i pass the moon and i holler to the stars”
(from “The Beep Beep Poem” by Nikki Giovanni)

denial

“your mouth sewn shut like a seam”
(from “December 2nd” by Anne Sexton)

love

“Your hand found mine.”
(from “The Touch” by Anne Sexton)

confusion

“If the heart is a house,
it is also the darkness around it”

emptiness

“If the heart is a house, he thought,
it is rented to strangers”
(the lines for both “confusion” and “emptiness” from “The Man on the Bed” by Debora Gregor)

risky

“I am cotton candy on a rainy day”
(from “Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day” by Nikki Giovanni)

longing, desire

“The last memory I have
Is of a flower which cannot be touched.”
(from “Flower Herding on Mount Monadnack” by Galway Kinnell)

at one in the morning. i realize some of this is a bit of a stretch...a bit obtuse. but sometimes the words can pack a punch, the kind of punch that can inspire the image.
how exactly does this relate to my original idea, where i spoke of mapping? is it possible that a map of emotions could inspire the memory? ... at this corner i felt love. on this block i felt empty. over here i experienced joy, which reminds me of the gallery i like, etcetera.
maybe this could develop into an emotional map that could locate friends, desire, family, places to avoid, and regular stops.
one other thing: some of the images i've sketched and some of the others lodged in my head are not very similar to the usual “emoticons.” i wonder would this render them less useful in the realm of the memory project. for instance, for loneliness i have a small chair dwarfed by white space. is it better to have overly simplified concepts? does complexity make memory more slippery?

inquiring minds want to know, but they also want to sleep.

i will hopefully post images before class tomorrow...barring that, i will bring them with me

end of part one.
over and out,
ragazza.

Mazhar's Pay reminder

2005-11-15T00:38:00.000-05:00

The most issue i find myself is paying my bills on time. I keep forgeting the due dates and i have paid late fees quite often for missing due dates. Then i started using the pre-authorized payment methods. But then i kind of never bothered how much i was paying.

The solution i figured out was having symbols display on the calender. There are different ways one can proceed. On applications (pda/phone/ical), symbols will show up on respective dates. Clicking on the icon will display further information. I have used 3 examples in the image.
On the desktop screen (or similar for any pda or cell phone) or the background screen - these icons can display on the TO DO items as well.

Mazhar Mohad

A7's blogicons - memory assignment #2

2005-11-14T23:57:00.000-05:00

Hi,

The first thing that came to mind when thinking of the initial memory assignment was a blog. It seems fairly logical to me that an amnesic would benefit greatly by using a blog. It's essentially the same thing as using a calendar, a contact list, and a personal journal of events, all rolled into one. But since I've done the "blog thing" enough already, I wanted to explore a different path for the main project. Lucky for me though, the blog idea fits nicely with the "emoticon" type of project.

While designing a visual icon based category feature for another blog, it occured to me that the same concept (posting in categories) can be applied to emotions. I thought it could be an interesting concept to be able to "post by mood" in a blog. So, when you are creating your post, you select an emotion that is associated with the post you are typing. For example, if I am talking about how I really loved having friends over for dinner, I would select the "love" or "happy" emotion during the post creation. Then, once the post is created, I can easily have an emoticon display of the emotion I chose, right at the head of the post. This makes the blog more interesting to read (more visual) and even allows me to sort posts by emotion. For example, if I feel like reading only posts in which I was very happy, I simply select that category from the list, and all those posts come up, in essence hiding all the other emotions.

I implemented this into my own blog, to see how well it would work. It certainly adds a nice visual touch, and I find myself recalling the memory more vividly when I see the emotion I attached.

You can view the blog in person here: http://www.bya7.com

The way I implemented it in my blog was simply to use pre-built sets of icons that are freely available on the internet. That way people can choose emoticon that they feel best represent their feelings. Here are some other examples of icon sets that could be used:

Vic's Orientation Device Part 2

2005-11-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

In the first part of my project, I proposed the use of checklists that could be customizable depending on the user’s need. This checklist would list the daily tasks the user would have to complete on each day. When they completed that task they would check it off on the checklist, and move onto the next. This would prevent the user from repeating task over and over again.

For the second part of the project, we were asked to design a set of emoticons that would relate to the first part of the project that we had previously proposed. So I went ahead and thought about how I could design emoticons for a checklist, and the image above illustrates what I have come up with. These emoticons are very simple, and would be included in the checklist that the user would print out. The two that I have illustrated show icons for going to the doctor, as well as walking the dog.

As you can see in the doctor icon, the face shows a bit of hesitation. The other icon shows a happy face, with a dog that isn’t too happy, which reminds the user to walk the dog. These icons would be placed in the user’s checklist along with the task that would need to be completed.

Vic’s Orientation Device Part 1

2005-11-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

Hey this is Victor Luong! For my orientation device concept I have decided to work with the problem where a person cannot recall simple facts, which ultimately results in the person repeating tasks such as walking the dog several times a day. As I read through the list of problems, an idea quickly sprang up for this particular problem.

My idea is the use of daily checklists. This idea came from my very own childhood. As a kid I collected hockey cards, each set of hockey cards would come with a small checklist, so that you could keep track of what cards you had already, and what cards you didn’t have. I want to apply the same strategy to the problem I have chosen.

This orientation device will essentially be a small wallet sized card with a list of common errands that the particular user will run through on any given day. For an example, the user might put on his/her checklist to walk the dog, take medication, make breakfast, go to the doctors etc. Upon completion of each task, they would only need to remember to pull that card out and check it, and then proceed to the next task at hand. These cards would be disposable, and customizable through computer program software where the user or the user’s family could customize a list and print them out.

I think that this idea is very simple and straightforward. I think that it would also prevent the user from repeating tasks over and over again. All they would have to do is take a look at their list and see if they have checked it or not. At the end of the day they could just throw that checklist away and print out a new one for the following day.

I also thought about how this idea could be incorporated into a palm pilot, but I feel that learning how to use a palm pilot might be very frustrating, and at times get complicated. Though this idea can be incorporated into a palm, the concept behind these checklists is that it isn’t a hassle to pull out and check at any give time to see what tasks you have completed and what still needs to be done. These checklists are meant to be simple and user friendly.

Tad's Orientation Device Two

2005-11-14T19:04:00.000-05:00

My proposal for the palm project is to create software that allows the actual user of the unit to illustrate their own "emoticons". The main philosophy behind my device is that the patient has to be active in her/his own records of events. If Amnesiacs still have the ability to learn new tasks, as suggested by the Toronto Memory Group project, then they should have no problems creating their own icons and symbols. I feel that this has certain advantages over prescribing them images.

Firstly, every individual is slightly nuanced in the way they interpet colour and pictures. Certain people may be very comfortable with very abstract representations of emotions. Others may rely on symbolic expressions rooted in the images of concrete things.

Secondly, giving the patient the ability to make choices may have the positive effect of making them feel more autonomous and independent. Afterall, this is the goal of the palm project.

Tara's Part Two of Part Two..hehehe

2005-11-14T16:35:00.000-05:00

My second and third example are illustrated nicely on a webpage called "Steve Garfield's Video Blog"..
The first clip is at the very bottom of the webpage, titled "Carol and Steve Show, episode 41: Yard sale Part 2".
Here Carol is talks about a record album cover from a yard sale. Visually, Carol is showing us something and we don't see Steve, but we can hear him speaking on the other end of the camera, establishing person to person communication. There is obvious emotion in this relationship, presumably husband and wife and it is clear in the moment, needing no further explanation.
The 3rd clip is at the top of the webpage called "The Carol and Steve Show Episode 46: California Wine Country Part two. Here the same couple are shown. It is a great example of the two person relationship (the couple experiencing an event together). This time both are on camera talking about the experience at the winery, documenting not only the experience, but also their feelings in the moment and their relationship with each other, through bodylanguage and tone of voice, facial expressions etc.

Tara's Assignment Orientation Device- Part two

2005-11-14T16:04:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody....
For this stage of the assignment I chose to feature a couple clips from other websites to illustrate my point. I didn't link them to OurMedia directly because I don't own these clips, they are property of the websites. I did however, list the websites URL's so that the clips can be viewed off of them. I was interested in the idea of using video as an aide to emotion by serving as an audio/visual storyteller, to document the atmosphere and the situations/co- relationships with the persons/friendships/environment involved in a specific moment in time. The first clip "Stella is crying while eating" is the second clip listed on the page. I it think effectively illustrates how many times emotions can be mixed and difficult to describe if one had to do so in words. Also, the little girl expressed these mixed emotions of sadness, hunger irritability, crankiness, etc, without using language. We understand her mixed emotions through facial expressions, body language, and her crying, while at the same time she is creating an atmosphere by reacting in the environment as the moment takes place.

Brad Maybees Memory Loss

2005-11-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

I want to focus on the fact that amnesiacs have trouble doing day to day chores. Walking into a room and forgetting why you were there, going to the closet to get the broom to clean up broken glass and forgetting why you were there is very serious issue. I would like to use audio and sensors that when someone walks into the room it would play a message like did you vacum the carpets today, or makee the beds, or in the kitchen did you eat, wash the dishes....etc.

If amnesiacs have these audio clues when they walk into their rooms they will be able to do the day to day chores that they need to do. They may also begin to remmeber on their own without the clues.

Thank you for reading this. Brad.

Assignment Due this Tuesday (and some from last week)

2005-11-13T16:37:00.000-05:00

I've commented on your memory problem ideas. Great work! Please read each others' posts to the blog - we'll discuss these this week. Here's your assignment due Tuesday November 15 --

"Emoticons" - creatively explore how to represent feelings.

The assignment is designed to address the problem amnesics experience in remembering emotion. Not only are important events forgotten, but the feelings surrounding these events are lost.

Using the creative tools you selected in the previous written statement, select a group of images or sounds to represent various emotions, for example “scary”, “annoying”, “sweet”, “passionate”, “cool”, “sad”, “guilty” or “desirable”. Your selection could include, for example, musical clips, lines of poetry, drawings, icons, video clips, or photographs, each of which represents a different feeling. Feel free to create complicated feelings if you prefer.

Select how many feelings you want to represent. It's up to you.

The purpose of this assignment is to use your skills as artists and designers to conceive and create sets of emotional identifiers. Keep images as simple as possible, keeping in mind that they may be adapted for Palm-type devices.

--->> Upload your files to the web, and provide a link on the class blog. Write a brief report on how you developed your images or sounds.

Hoiking's Memory Loss Project

2005-11-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

Upon review of the list of memory loss problems, the issue that relates to me most is the inability to complete daily tasks. There are many distractions in the world we live in. Indeed, I find myself lost in my own thoughts while performing a task, thinking about the many other objectives. Of course, this creates a problem for me in that I cannot complete simple tasks such as: grocery shopping, setting my alarm, doing laundry, etc.

The solution I plan on employing is a series of sounds, which emanate at given time periods. This idea came to me at my workplace. I work at a factory where employees use punch cards as an indication of their work period. In particular, a buzzer goes off to indicate work times and breaks. I realized that my co-workers and I are forgetful of certain tasks, but when the buzzer goes off we know exactly what to do. Simply put, my co-workers and I, do not operate without noises telling us to. So what I propose is the use of a device which emanates timed noises like an alarm, but instead of buzzes it will have the sound of the tasks which are planned for the day.

Hoiking Fung

Lydia Fahim's Memory Project

2005-11-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

A problem that I would like to work with for this assignment is the misplacement of objects, such as glasses, keys and what not. This problem struck out to me the most because not only can I relate to it, but I think everyone in my household can as well. We are always struggling at home, trying to find this person’s keys, their glasses, their cell phone and so on. Everyone at home lacks some memory here and there, some worse than others. Personally, when I forget something, I just try to trace back to where I was possibly with it. But sometimes that is hard, because it turns up in places where you would least expect it, for example, I once forgot the car keys in the car, and looking for it the next day was such a mission, because I had no idea where I left it, and I would never have thought that I would actually forget them in the car, and it was unlike me to do. So looking in the car was not an option for me when I misplaced them, but as I searched everywhere, I suddenly remembered that I did not remember taking them out from the car. I think misplacing objects is so common, and I would love to find a solution that works to resolve this.

Misplacing a cell phone is always the easiest, because you just call it and listen to wear the sound is coming from. With keys, glasses, and papers it is a different story. So I am not quite sure what tools I would want to work with. Usually when I write things down, I tend to remember, even if I don’t go back to the note that I made. So, tools that I would perhaps like to work with for this assignment is basic memo pads, perhaps audio and photographs as well. I would want to have a pad act as a daily activity log, and I was thinking of maybe having audio and photographs going hand and hand. I would have pictures of the objects that are essential in the household, and the audio going along with it, explaining where the objects should be, or possibilities to where they can turn up according to the person’s misplacement habits. I think this would make it easier to trace back to where that object was misplaced.

Rahul's Memory Loss project!

2005-11-08T02:14:00.000-05:00

While I read through the list of different kinds of amnesia’s, I thought to myself that I know at least one person that has suffered from one of those memory losses. It is no doubt that we all have suffered from a certain type of amnesia at least once in our lifetime, some more than others. I myself am a victim of this problem. My lack of memory usually takes place in the home, were I find myself either completely forgetting to do a chore or getting interrupted in the middle of one and forgetting to complete it afterwards. This kind of amnesia also happens to me outside the home sometime were it can sometimes severely affect my tasks. Over the years I have attempted many different type of solutions, which have not completely worked for me.

The way I plan on addressing this problem is by using my phone. I figured that I have my phone with myself all that time, and also most of the time around my laptop. I have noticed both my laptop and computer have Bluetooth as well, which allows my to send or send anything to my phone through wireless. I plan on setting my phone in such a way that it sends and receives messages that remind me of my task that are supposed to be done at the time. It will also open automatically so that I get the message right away. Also some sort of alarm that I am still thinking about might be one of my options. I believe this way I should be able to improve and reduce my amnesia.

Rahul Bhogal

Localhost website, a private secretary

2005-11-08T01:45:00.000-05:00

Considering a busy life today... i think everybody suffers a certain amount of amnesia. Talking to various people, everybody needs a reminder. We have lots of sources now that act as reminder. We all forget a lot of things to be done on time. I am also a victim of this loss.

I think for this project, i shall develop a website on localhost (on my mac - not on internet) where by i can post things to be done and that would remind me on time. This could include various tasks, payments, meetings and scheduling other weekly and monthly things to be done. On other hand, this could also be posted on internet with a password protect where by i can access away from internet. An alternative option would be my phone and sync it with the mac and ipod using iSync - ical, todo, reminders with alarm function.

Mazhar Mohad

labouring on spadina, in under three minutes

2005-11-07T23:45:00.000-05:00

23hr39
7 novembre 05
well now.
another two hours of editing, and no sign of the x-files.
and hey, it's just under three minutes.
over and out,
ragazza

Teresa Matheson's idea: "The Heart Monitor" memory project

2005-11-07T23:01:00.000-05:00

Hello!
This is my idea so far. I am not a computer programmer so I cannot yet directly build my program, but I know my artist skills can come into play here somewhere along the line.

What most interested me after reading all the material, were the difficulties that amnesiacs have in remembering emotions of events, people or their day in general. I am interested in designing the concept of a program that could function within a PDA deceive or memory aid. The program will have the pilot name “Heart Monitor” and would be a reactionary program to the information that is entered into the device.
So for example, if one were to add an entry for the profile of a new friend, after the information was entered, the program would prompt you to add your own personal emotional impressions of this person. This data would be stored with in the profile as well and would be available when ever the profile was opened*. In a similar case, if an event were added to the system, the program would prompt for ‘heart’ details-emotional perceptions and feelings. So people like Ben in the article “Marooned in the Moment”, who speaks of Hadassah Bazaar, would have all his own personal impressions of the event logged for future viewing.
This program could be set to open at a specific time, maybe daily like a journal
-how do I feel at breakfast every morning?-or in the evening when one is likely to be spending time with ones family or friends. The program too would give the option to rate these events. Dinner with the in-laws-1* or first time meeting Marty-4*****--I have a great impression of Marty.
I am not sure I how useful a program like this would be to someone suffering from memory loss until I deal with the details more, however its goal is to help an amnesiac have more control over ones emotions in relation to others and events. It must be terrifying to not know if one is among enemies or friends, a place that is safe in which one can relax or the opposite. There may be some control gained in having a digital memory of emotional perceptions. If the program is prompted by key words in entries, the need to remember to add such data is not left to the user.
Because I am a drawing and painting student and am influenced by the digital and graphic arts, I am also very interested in the visual design of the programs interface.

*Each time the information was modified or added to, it would be date stamped

Amy Leung's Memory Project

2005-11-07T13:39:00.000-05:00

Wow. When reading over the problems of memory loss in the home, I realized that I am a candidate for everything on that list. The one main problem that I have though, is whenever I leave my house, I always forget something important, but I don't realize it or remember it until I'm a considerable distance away. This is a problem because it really inconveniences me and often is the cause for me being late all the time. When people are with me, they get really annoyed because I slow them down as well, and it happens so regularly.

I would really like to address this problem. I'm not particularly sure about what type of medium I would like to work with yet. I've tried writing a check list for myself before but of course that didnt' work, because I couldn't remember to check the check list. I think I need to research more and get to the root problem before I can figure out how I need to address this. It could be something that has to do with photography, or possibly a recording that sets off as soon as I open the door. I'm not quite sure, but what I do know is that trying to remember to do something by using another means that requires me to remember it in order to remember the original idea doesn't work.

Megan Cleary's memory ideas

2005-11-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

I would like to work with the lack of short term memory in the home. I found that when looking at the list that Judith gave us i found my self relating to more of the problems on the list regarding the home, compared to the list regarding problems outside the home. The two that i found popped out at me the most was the misplacement of objects like glasses, papers, keys, telephone messages, etc. Also going into a room and forgetting upon arrival, the reason for entering the room. I find myself relating to these the most because they happen to me on a regular basis. Even though i am not an amnesiac i feel as though i can relate to the feeling of blankness and confusion of losing things and entering rooms and not knowing why.

The first things that came to mind when thinking about the problems and how to solve them, were the things that i wish for when the problems occur in my home. For instance, i tend to misplace my car keys on a regular basis, and every time i do i catch myself wishing that my car keys had a pager on them, similar to how cordless phones work. If only by my front door there was a list of objects commonly misplaced such as keys, glasses, cordless phone, etc, with buttons next to the name of the object. If i lose my keys for example, I can look them up on the wall, push a pager button and then listen for a beeping coming from another room in the house. The other problem, that is walking into a room for something, and then forgetting what it is i am looking for, could be harder to solve. Being in photography, i think that creating images for this short term memory problem could be helpful. I was thinking that for each common room in my living space i could create a large photo album with every single item that belongs in the room in it. This could be some sort of digital album or a real life album depending on the severity of the memory loss. By that i mean if someone has extreme short term memory loss it's probably better that they don't have to log into a computer where there are passwords or files to look through for images. Perhaps it would be best to have an actual album some how bolted to the wall or attached to a large piece of furniture. This way the album can't be lost and it can be used to look up all the items in a room.

Think About Finding My Way

2005-11-07T04:12:00.000-05:00

my full name is sue goldstein.
it's late but i do have a rambling
submission to throw up here
about what i may like to work on.

Think About Finding My Way

Because I am a woman, approaching the issue of memory loss has a particular resonance if I think of public space. If I forget where I am, I am vulnerable. If I strip away the gender of my concern, the vulnerability remains. A common fear of friends and family for people with Alzheimer’s, for instance, is that they will wander off and become disoriented and unaware of where they are. They will also be unable to get back to where they started from: home.

You become lost and dependent on the hopeful kindness of strangers. I am interested in the idea of mapping out a plan to remind people of where they had planned to go, perhaps why and more importantly, how to get there. This would be a memory device as well as a tool for independence (no matter how limited). The first vision that I have is one of colour. Colour-coded lines that glow with indication: if you are headed in the right direction, the line of where you becomes a warm red. If you are wandering off, the cooler end of the spectrum would appear. It would be similar to the concept of a mood ring; only it would be encoded somehow in the hand-held device. (I think maps are basically hand-held devices, though most are not digital) So the idea is essentially an interactive map, activated by direction and illuminated by line and colour. I have to admit that I have no idea how to configure or design a program that could respond to outside stimuli. Perhaps the notion of this global positioning is in the back of my head, teasing it with possibilities unrealized.

What I know I can do is design the visual aspect of the map. That’s one thing.

As for figuring out how to make a device at once simple enough for the layperson let alone someone with short-term memory problems, I went back to some of the websites suggested, such as gpster. The idea of geo-graffiti is an interesting possibility. The technological aspect of all this is interesting, but it isn’t always affordable or accessible. One of the ideas that intrigues me about geo-caching is the physical element. One, there’s the getting there, and two, there is a physical piece to pick up and exchange. Is it possible to do this locally for someone in a manner that is accessible and protected at the same time? Would this involve community education as well? Or is it better to design with only the machine in mind? One of the other physical possibilities I thought of comes from my memories of various art pieces people integrate in to the landscape. On telephone poles (like the murmur ears) and set in the ground. I have some photos of some. Is there a way to somehow integrate these into the landscape of someone’s personal agenda, and link it to a hand-held device?

The idea of adding to or altering the landscape and linking it to a digital device seems, perhaps, overly complex. It has me thinking of community involvement. Involvement in that people within a certain area or radius where the memory-impaired individual would be traveling through would be familiar. Maybe I’m dreaming in technicolour, but if items were put into the cityscape and explained to locals that could ensure that they would remain, and they could somehow be integrated into a navigational system.

This is unpolished thinking here, grown out from my original thinking of a map, perhaps with fiberoptic technology or something where colour and light can be programmed to remind and direct an individual to the place they want to go.

tad's memory loss idea

2005-11-06T23:46:00.000-05:00

My idea is a website that patients can use to track their memory. through this webiste the amnesiac can maintain things like a photo gallery, a list of household items and their locations, a daily reminder, a journal and so on. It can be a tool that adds a sense of cohesion to a patients life by allowing them to dynamically maintain their lives. Of course this is not very different from the personal home page that we see ubiquitously on the net. The main difference is that it is meant to be viewed by the creator, not the general public.

I feel that the variety of off-line media that an amnesiac could possibly use, such as photo albums or journals, do not accurately reflect the non-linear structure of the mind. I think the website's tree branch system would help the patient to accurately categorize their memories.

The questions I have right now are about how amnesiacs respond to handling new tasks, let alone remember a password.

A7's Memory Concept

2005-11-06T23:39:00.000-05:00

This is Andy Morris, and here is my Orientation Device concept. I have a LOT of different ideas for this project so it's hard to pick just one I want to work on. So... this may change over time. But here's my top pick for now.

How often have you been on the internet searching for something, and suddenly realized you have gone so far off topic that you have forgotten what you were originally searching for? Well that happens to me a lot. Maybe I have memory problems, maybe not, but I'm sure it happens to a lot of people. As early as 10 years ago, it was a different story. The internet was not quite the same. Sites were optimized for slower modems, so less graphics were involved. There were no commercial sites that were promoted based on keyword searches in Google. In short, there was a whole lot less clutter, so finding what you wanted was easier.

These days, it's almost impossible to find what you want. Imagine this scenario: What if every street sign in Canada had a billboard attached to it? How hard would it be to find your way to McCaul Street if the word McCaul was 5 inches long in the middle of a 10 foot billboard? But that's precisely what the internet has become. Pop-ups, ads, commercial sites, fancy graphics and flash animations designed to distract us at every turn.

So how great would it be if we had some technology that "just knew" what we were looking for? Wouldn't it be fantastic if you could just press a button and be put back on the right path? Well that's what I will attemt to create; The "Lost and Found" button missing from our browsers.

When you think about it, our memory is quite simple. We are conditioned to follow things in sequence. Movies are designed with a certain narrative and structure, because the filmmaker doesn't want to confuse the viewer. When surfing the net, we follow a path, links, of common ideas based on keywords. Once we branch off into another direction, our memory automatically adjust itself to create the "new" narrative and path we are following. So our original path is lost, gone deep into our minds, only to be recovered at some point a few days later when another event triggers this path in our mind, or in the case of amnesics, perhaps that path is never to be found again.

The technology in principal is simple: As you search the internet and view pages, a database keeps track of the content you are viewing. As you continue to surf and follow links, it watches for multiple occurances of keywords, and stores them by importance. Then, when you get "lost", you simply click a button, and it shows you the main words on the pages you have been viewing, and offers suggestions on what you may have been looking for.

However, the technology in practice is much more complex than it sounds. There has to be a way for the tool to "read" the content off the pages, sort all the words, ignore common words (the, and, etc), store the words in a database, then later retrieve them and display those helpful suggestions. It has to link into the browser in an unobtrusive way. It has to know what is relevant to store, and what is not relevant. In fact, I believe it's too complex for me to actually create. But that hasn't stopped me before. :)

Oh... and of course there's one more feature we cannot forget: The OFF button, to appease the privacy advocates.

A7

Tara's Memory Assignment

2005-11-04T17:02:00.000-05:00

Hellooo everyone, its Tara Wright.

After reading "Marooned In the Moment", there were many directions I would be interesting in researching and further developing. Although memory disorders range in severity, I think all the issues, even the smallest of problems are valuable concepts to generate helpful tools for. I would have to say however, that I felt particularly interested in the concepts of friendships. I know myself that my friendships are not only important to me as a means of an extended family, but they also help me to understand who I am as a person in relation to my world. I think we all compare ourselves unconsciously as a way to orient ourselves as to who 'we are' as a part of our community and our society.
I am really interested in the idea of video as a means to help remember who people are and how those people feel towards the person suffering from a disorder of this nature. In my mind I would think that a technology that served as a portable visual and audio aid could really help keep memory in check, because it allows the individual to watch himself of herself in real time engaging with those friends people they care about. By video however, I don't mean a monologue of "hello I am John...I am so and so's friend", I mean more of a small clip in time where the person suffering the memory loss can take a video clip of those small moments and categorize them as times spent with that or those individuals to help as a guide to the episodic memory. Upon a memory loss, that individual could type 'John Smith' and could take a quick visit to the video snippits of that individual reacting and engaging with the suffering individual. Documented interviews of each good friend's information, where they met, likes, dislikes about themselves and about their friend would however, be a great aid as well I think. Each of these people could be put in a category or file that the memory lacking individual could constantly add to. The moments could be word sensitive. Able to be activated by key words like "wonderland" all moments at wonderland would be listed.. The individual could then select the time frame and get 'caught up'. This would be developed though a small portable device the individual could take everywhere with them.

Assignment Due this Tuesday!

2005-11-03T23:38:00.000-05:00

Hi folks. Tuesday's class will include a presentation by Mike Wu from the Toronto Memory Group. To prepare, your assignment is to upload one or two paragraphs to the blog.

First, read Mike's list of memory impairment problems (below), then select a problem that interests you. What kind of media would you like to work with to help with the problem you select? For example, audio, music, illustration, wearables, site-specific signs, computer programming, graphics, photography, storytelling, performance or video.

Write one or two paragraphs about your choice for the blog, with your full name. This project is intended to develop skills in concept development as you imagine applying your skills as artists and designers to problems that amnesics experience.

ASSIGNMENT : ORIENTATION DEVICE : Part One

Assignment description : Associate Professor Judith Doyle :
jdoyle@faculty.ocad.ca

MIKE WU, PH. D CANDIDATE , UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO COMPUTER SCIENCE /
RESEARCH OBSERVATIONS

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.

Read this list and select a problem you would like to work on. For tuesday Nov. 8, upload to the blog a 1 - 2 paragraph description of the problem you are interested in researching and addressing, and the creative tools you prefer to work with.

DUE : November 8 2005

REQUIRED : • 1 - 2 paragraphs uploaded to blog with your FULL NAME.

Spadina and Bloor Station story

2005-11-01T12:35:00.000-05:00

How to deal with a crook on the subway!

marooned in the moment

2005-11-01T10:11:00.000-05:00

My sister is a nurse in Peterborough and worked with people living with dimentia. I would go in once or twice a week to help out, talk, and just interact with these people. Although this story isn't about dimentia it brings back the memories and the sadness that you felt walking into that wing everyday. This is a great project idea. I am glad that these people are not being forgotten anymore.

labouring on spadina

2005-10-31T23:36:00.000-05:00

clocking in at approximately 3.5 minutes (down from 13 minutes) and at least one week late. my labour about some labour history...on spadina. somewhere in the editing process, i think i crossed the speed barrier, so anita sounds like she's had a few pots of coffee.
wonder what i did.
wonder if the story is all that interesting.
perhaps y'all will let me know.
over and out,
ragazza
n.b. this is my second posting of this, this time, photos and text and audio together. reckon i'm learning something, however so slowly...
one more note: this is attempt number three, as the text got fucked up on the blog...guess it was drinking cause i wasn't...maybe i should start.
yet another note to tell you this is number four, for as soon as i posted number three, the photographs were there one minute and then vanished the next. hopefully this time's the charm and my post will not enter the x-files...

Go TTC!

2005-10-29T02:09:00.000-04:00

This is an entertaining story of a run away street car, carrying a missing shoulder bag and the owners plan to rescue it. Toronto's own TTC and the great drivers that where on duty that night became the quiet heroes of this adventure! enjoy

Reading for next week : marooned in the moment

2005-10-25T21:37:00.000-04:00

READ FOR NEXT CLASS (November 1st). This excellent article about the Toronto Memory Group introduces the next section of Virtual Communities. Amnesics lose their ability to remember recent events and to plan for the future. The Toronto Memory Group - including users, scientists and psychologists - is creating digital tools to address the problems of disorientation that amnesics experience. Virtual Communities will contribute to this research, using our skills as artists and designers. "Marooned in the Moment" was originally published in the Globe and Mail, and is featured online in the current issue of The Canada Foundation for Innovation's newsletter. PLEASE POST COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE.

"Sketchy, huh?"

2005-10-25T18:53:00.000-04:00

HI GUYS! Hopefully this works. The link should take you to my story, however there is a possiblity it might not be up and running yet. Anyways, hope it works. The image for this project it coming...i'm currently having technical difficulties with my digital camera.

PARKING IS NO!

2005-10-25T12:51:00.000-04:00

Why not park on Spadina? Let Raphy tell you his tale! It is epic and it is true.

The DRUNKEN Idiot

2005-10-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

this is story about a guy you would probably not want to be freinds with. Especailly if you get drunk with him. Short but pretty funny!

Spadina and Harbor

2005-10-25T08:21:00.000-04:00

This is the story of a UofT student, and what she saw at the corner of Spadina and Harbor.

Spadina and College

2005-10-25T06:40:00.000-04:00

Hey, the story I have here begins outside the El Macombo, and ends at the Pizza Nova across the street.

Hoiking

Audacity recording & editing guide

2005-10-25T02:23:00.000-04:00

This guide will give you a quick overview of all the basics you need to know about audio editing with Audacity. Note: If you want to export your audio from audacity as an MP3 file, you will need to download Lame Lib - an MP3 encoder from: http://spaghetticode.org/lame/ (for Mac users) and http://mitiok.free.fr/ (for PC users). Audacity supports wav file exports.

(edit: fixed the link... had a typo - A7)

The Umbrella Woman

2005-10-25T02:00:00.001-04:00

Hi there. Here is my story for spadina about a girl's nightmare for looking at a woman with umbrella.

Mazhar

Locked In McDonalds

2005-10-25T01:39:00.000-04:00

The story of a girl and her bad day trapped in the McDonalds washroom. Will she get out?....Will she see the light of day?......Listen to find out!

First General Tao Experience

2005-10-24T21:56:00.000-04:00

Hey guys,
This is my story. It's pretty funny so I hope you enjoy it. I actually went there and tried the General Tao chicken. I thought it was okay...

Murmur Spadina - Chinatown Centre

2005-10-24T21:04:00.000-04:00

This is my interview with Julie on her class trip to Chinatown on Spadina. Enjoy!

Murmur Spadina - Sai Gon Palace

2005-10-24T17:00:00.000-04:00

Here is my Murmur recording. It is a story about the Sai Gon Palace Restaurant, and meeting your mother-in-law for the first time.

SaiGon recording: Listen Here

A7

Murmur Project - Marc Kimelman Bloor & Spadina

2005-10-24T14:19:00.000-04:00

Hi Guys it's Bradley. I Interviewed Marc Kimelman for this project. He lives that the north east corner of Spadina and Bloor. He told me of a story that happened at one of the Spadina Art Instalations right at spadina and Bloor. Hope you all like it. Brad.

Murmer Story - 480 Spadina

2005-10-24T13:44:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
This is Tara's Murmer interview regarding 480 Spadina road.
My interviewee's name is Ilana, and she spoke with me about her first experiences of leaving the suburbs of Thornhill to party in Toronto. Today she lives on the north-east corner of Spadina and Bloor, so Ilana has more than a few ties to Spadina.

tads murmur story

2005-10-22T17:12:00.000-04:00

this story is about the now defunct chinese movie theatres on spadina.

Using Audacity to prepare your audio for Murmur

2005-10-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

I thought I'd write another "how-to" post, to help out with the audio processing for Murmur. I'm going to assume that everyone knows how to record, and import their audio to he computer, so this little guide shows you what to do after you have the file on your computer. First, a little background on why you may need to process your audio before it can be used for the Murmur project. Sorry for the geek speak that follows, but it helps to understand a bit more.

Sound "pitch" (i.e. whether a sound is low, like a bass, or high, like a flute) is measured in Hertz. Low sounds have low Hertz (100Hz) and high sounds have high Hertz (10000Hz). The human ear can hear sounds roughly between 20Hz and 20000Hz. That's why humans can't hear dog whistles for example, since they create sound above 20000Hz (dogs can hear up to about 40000Hz).

So, how does that relate to the project you ask? Because what WE hear is not neccesarily what the recording device picks up, and more importantly, NOT how a telephone works. Microphones vary greatly in the frequencies they pick up, and cheaper mics can exaggerate some frequencies more than others. In general, cheap mics will boost low frequencies, and cut high frequencies. This makes for a "boomy" recording, especially when recording a male voice, as the male voice is generally in the range of 150Hz. Under normal circumstances, this is not a big issue. However, it gets tricky when playing it through a telephone. Most telephones only transmit sound in the range of 300Hz to 3000Hz. And that's why it's important to process your audio for it to sound good on a telephone. You need to cut out that low rumbling streetcar sound and cut out the high pitched wind hiss in order for the voice to sound right.

So this is how you do it:

Start up Audacity (free download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ ). Open the file you recorded. Audacity will let you import WAV, AIF, or MP3 files. Once the file is loaded, make sure the sound is actually in stereo, or in mono. If the file is in stereo but the sound is mono, you will only be getting sound from one speaker (i.e. not good). In that case, the file will look like this (notice the straight line in the lower window):

If your file is ok (already mono or proper stereo) you can skip to the next block of text. Otherwise, you can change it by clicking on the file name in the top left corner of your sound file (in the picture above, the word Murmur next to the "X"). Click your file name and select "Split Stereo Track". You will then have 2 seperate files. Close the one that has no sound (click the "X"). Then, in the remaining sound file, click the name again and select mono, as in the picture below:

Now to process the sound. Click "Edit" -> Select.. -> All. You should now have your file highlighted. Click "Effect" -> High Pass Filter. Enter a frequency between 400-600 and click ok. Then click "Effect" -> Low Pass Filter. Enter a frequency between 2800-3500 and click ok.

Finally, we will normalize the sound. Normalizing the sound ensures that the parts where the person was talking soft will be about the same volume as when they were talking loud. Click "Effect" -> Normalize, and click ok. Your sound should now be "telephone ready". BUT, by applying all those filters you may have lowered the volume of the sound. If you think it's too faint, click "Effect" -> Amplify, and click ok. Now save the file first so you don't lose anything, then export it as MP3 if you like (or convert to mp3 by another method of your choice).

Phew! Hope all this crazy nerdy info helps a few people to get better sound. :) Good luck.

A7

Assignment #2 is due next week

2005-10-21T13:41:00.000-04:00

This project is due week 7!
For next week, be sure to:
1) test your audio (see below)
2) record your test results - for hand-in
3) post your audio to the blog - for presentation in class & marking
4) post a picture of your chosen site with your audio posting
5) bring in any research notes you made
6) bring in your signed release sheet (there is a pdf copy on my courses if you need another one).

Assignment #2 [murmur] on Spadina Project - testing

2005-10-18T14:22:00.000-04:00

Before you post your audio, please test it. follow the link in this post or go to: www.murmurtoronto.ca/audiotest/
Upload your file and then you will get a call back on your phone to test the file. Check to see that the audio is clear! Make notes about the test, and any adjustments that you make to your audio, for hand-in. You may want to test it more than once, asking someone who is not familiar with the story to listen. Make any adjustments necessary to your file before posting it on the blog.

You will be presenting your [murmur] story in class, and handing in your test notes and any research notes you may have made. Don't forget to bring along your signed release form. Shawn from [murmur] will be attending our presentations on Tuesday!

[murmur] on Spadina

2005-10-17T11:10:00.000-04:00

[murmur] launches on Spadina Oct 20th at Grossman’s Tavern

Exciting news about the ongoing [murmur] project! Your [murmur] stories will be considered for inclusion in this exciting new work.

Please join [murmur] this Thursday Oct 20th at Grossman's Tavern (379 Spadina Avenue at Cecil) from 6-9pm for a (free) reception celebrating the launch of our Spadina project with 50 new sites along the street. We've been recording Torontonians over the past few months telling parts of Spadina's story in their own words. Some of the stories are anecdotal, other times historic, but always heartfelt. Listen to a tale of sneaking into the Pickford Theatre at Queen and Spadina in the 1920s, ghost stories at the Bright Pearl restaurant and what it's like to live on the 22nd floor, high above the street at 666 Spadina.

[murmur] on Spadina is part of Toronto's Live With Culture program (livewithculture.ca), and we have partnered with the Chinese Canadian National Council of Toronto (ccnc.ca/toronto) to help gather stories from the local Chinese community. If you feel a group is underrepresented in Toronto's history, please put us in contact with the people who can help us find those storytellers. But do join us on Thursday at one of Toronto's historic music venues (and [murmur] story site) and pick up our brand new Spadina map/guide illustrated by Marlena Zuber (the artist behind both our Kensington and Annex maps).

David Rokeby exhibition

2005-10-17T10:56:00.000-04:00

If you're interested in David Rokeby after seeing the show at Interaccess, there will be a new exhibition of his work opening this week.

David Rokeby - Time and Place
October 19 to December 31, 2005
Opening reception Wednesday, October 19, 5-8 pm

Pari Nadimi Gallery
254 Niagara Street
Toronto, ON M6J 2L8 Canada
gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11-5 pm
Tel: 416.591.6464
www.parinadimigallery.com

Time is one of artist David Rokeby s primary materials. Time as the landscape traversed by memory. Time that is the difference between a slap and a caress. Time liberated from determinate sequence. Time folded upon itself, events layering into shapes and forms.

For Machine for Taking Time (2001-4), David Rokeby set up a system that recorded a daily panorama of 1000 images of Gairloch Gardens for 3 years. The installation continuously draws from its million images to construct a seamlessly flowing pan across a garden unanchored in time. Seasons melt into each other, Sunday painters and weddings appear and fade, a year flickers by like a shift in light. Machine for Taking Time was the first in an ongoing series of works that attempt to record the activities and the passage of time in particular places. Rokeby will continue this exploration, using the unlimited patience of the computer and surveillance camera to capture and record the ephemera of passing time, drawing out patterns, forms and traces invisible to our human eyes rooted in human time.

David Rokeby has been creating interactive sound and video installations with computers since 1982. His early work Very Nervous System(1982-1991) is acknowledged as a pioneering work of interactive art, translating physical gestures into real-time interactive sound environments. Very Nervous System was presented at the Venice Biennale in 1986, and was awarded the first Petro-Canada Award for Media Arts in 1988 and Austria's Prix Ars Electronica Award of Distinction for Interactive Art in 1991.

Several of his works have addressed issues of digital surveillance. Watched and Measured(2000) was awarded the first BAFTA award for interactive art from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2000. Other works engage in a critical examination of the differences between human and artificial intelligence. The Giver of Names (1991-) and n-cha(n)t(2001) are artificial subjective entities, provoked by objects or spoken words in their immediate environment to formulate sentences and speak them aloud. David Rokeby's installations have been exhibited extensively in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Recording Media

2005-10-12T00:55:00.000-04:00

I got an email from Michael Page, another professor at OCAD in the integrated media section, regarding cheap recording media. Since we are recording audio, and some students may be using the mini-dv camera method, I thought the information might be helpful in saving some cash. Here is his email:

---------------
Some students have asked about where to purchase miniDV tapes and DVDs inexpensively. One place, on College st. called Factory Direct (290 College st.) advertises sony mini-DV tapes for $39.98 for 10 tapes.

DVD media +R or -R is $29.98 for 100 disks. There is no reason to believe that this media won't last as long as any other blank media, however, just in case...

Sony DVDs can be used as permenent archives at $29.99 for 50 disks.

Get together with your classmates and buy some media.
SAVE OFTEN
---------------

A7