Scrambled Eggs

Reading Device: Flash CS3: PageFlip: Switch Enabled

2008-03-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Success!! After many arduous hours and with the help of John Schimmel the switch for the Flash page flip has been enabled. Watch as we turn the pages of the book on screen via the arduino microcontroller. Super Cool.

We used TinkerProxy which is a "...serial proxy for arduino (and other serials, of course, as it also works with bluetooth mapped COMs) will allow you to connect your arduino boards to other software such as Flash and other apps that don’t support direct reading of serial ports. The TinkerProxy provides a socket server connection to route messages to whatever tcp socket enabled application."

Have you met SpElmo?

2008-03-23T18:25:00.001-07:00

SpElmo really deserves his own post on here properly. He even has his own blog. Learn more about him by clicking here...or click on his sausage link on the right.

ALS Internship-Reading Device part Deux

2008-03-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

This project has now also become my final project for Developing Assistive Technology class with Amanda Syarfuan. We looked at a lot of available technology out there and theres a lot. The problem is most of it isn't really assistive. Also, for us it's not just about the technology but the experience. We want to recreate the feeling of actually reading while holding a book or paper. Now we can't recreate the physical touch or smell but we can help adding sound effects and such.

You're probably asking...well what about the "page turner's" that exist in the world. Two words. They suck. Probably not the most appropiate terminology but it's true. They're about $3000. THREE GRAND!!! These devices are for handicapped people who need help, they have enough costs. Also, the page turners don't even work well. So why bother!? Now as I calm down, I would like to talk to you about the Flash page flip.

The flash page flip is a flash component that can be incorporated with xml and actionscript. This is great news for us because we need actionscript to make the program assistive/switch enabled. With xml we can hook it up to the web and make it available to everyone. The flash page flip even comes with page turning sound effects. How cool right!?

You can check out the Flash pageflip and demo at http://www.page-flip.com/

So then what's the next step?
Well...there are many steps. We need to create a user friendly interface where the user can easily maximize, minimize text, change colors, etc. There's a big problem with formats...pdf, doc, and so on. I think it'll be really difficult to find a way to make this program be able to read many different formats. I believe there are converters out there...and if we can figure out a way to implement that internally within the program so that the user doesn't have to do anything that would be brilliant.

Ok. So i didn't really answer the next step question in a fantastic manner but for now what we need to do is get pageflip switch enabled and put a book text on it because that way we can start user testing.

A Look at the Kindle Assistively

2008-03-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Amazon Kindle

Pros

-10.3 oz (size of a paperback book)
-Amazon Whispernet-FREE high speed cellular wireless network (Spring EVDO)
-Memory-200 internal book storage + SD (extra memory) slot
-re-download bought books at no extra charge
-Newspapers and magazine's go automatically to the kindle overnight
-customisable font size
-access to 300 blogs(kindle version)
-bookmarks and remembers last reading spot
-ability to notate, edit and export notes
-glare free clear screen and uses eInk making a great display
-upload .JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG formats

Cons

-$400.00
-$10 book download
-Newspapers=$6-$15p/m // Magazines=$1.25-$3.49p/m // FREE ONLINE
-overpriced content
-can't add blogs not on the amazon list
-Web browsing is terrible and plug ins unavailable
-No real browser
-black and white screen great for reading but terrible for any web stuff including periodicals

How to make it better?

-colour screen
-text/font/ customisable options
-free/almost free content
-book swapping
-social network
-bigger overall size
-scrolling and page turn buttons
-cheaper:take out web browser content/ability such as wikipedia

Some questions and notes

-Why read periodicals and magazine on device such as kindle if easily available online?
-Structure of non digital periodicals and magazine different than digital online version
-Is there a way to get paper periodicals on screen in non web based format without having to scan everything?
-doc format most compatible/popular among eReaders
-eReader.com prices are slightly cheaper than buying a physical book from amazon.com
-prices are high because the web bill is covered by Amazon which they make up for by upping the content price
-how do we make it wireless without phone bill? Wireless only available if near your computer? Bluetooth?

ALS Internship-Reading Device Introduction

2008-03-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

So I've been interning at the ALS with Antoinette Verdone, a wonderful woman who has dedicated her life to assistive technology, as a design technology intern. My current project is to develop a reading device for patients of ALS and really anyone who have difficult turning pages but love to read. Here's a brief outline:

Brief: As patient's symptoms worsen, activites like reading become harder and harder. The ability to hold a book and turn a page becomes impossible. For some, reading is the last leisure they have. There have been devices made in the past but they have all turned out to be disappointing, inconsistent and over priced. Some have no problem switching over to audio books but for those who prefer reading, how do we accomodate the independent reader while making it affordable, reliable, inviting, and user friendly?

Objective: We want to create a tool that will allow those who lack mobility and strength to hold a book, and/or and not limited to, turn a page, and in whole, to be able to read independently.

What about pre existing technologies?
Many pre existing technologies are over priced, size limiting, and do not function particularly well such as the Page Turner. The eBook readers, although affordable and probably the best alternative, lack option in screen and size customization. Computers, although they seem like the best option, is very daunting to some and for many, learning the computer is a tedious task that they may want to avoid.

What are the main issues surrounding an assistive reading device and what are some solutions?
The device should be designed in a way that can be enjoyed by the majority. Ergo, it should be created in a manner that can be customised by the user. Some options should be:

Text
-Font(size, color, script, style)

Screen
-Size (can order a preferred size but is not interchangeable)
-Background color

By making these components customisable, possible concerns of weary/irritated eyes that screens can often subject people to, or if you have poor vision, can be avoided or alleviated.

Is this device affordable?

A big problem with a lot of these technologies is the price tag. Part of the reason why eBook Readers are in the couple hundreds is because they're not only readers, they are also now sketchbooks, memo pads, dictionaries, etc. All these extra features are unneccesary to patients who just want to read.

Is this product user friendly and easily accessible?

How do we get the books on to the device. For the older generation, computer's are complicated and to start learning, a nightmare. The books would have to be uploaded onto the device from the internet. That means that the computer is unavoidable.

However, another alternative would be to create a database and make the device wifi/ethernet capable. So that when the user turns the device on they will be directly connected to the database where there will be a list of books that they can choose from. This way, not only will they not have to worry about uploading and using a computer, all the latest books and daily newspapers will be immediately available. Perhaps this can even create a community of readers leading to a possible social network/forum where books can be rated and/or discussed.

How will this device be used?

The device would most probably be controlled in the form of multiple switches but this area is highly flexible.

Some side notes/thoughts:

-page turning effect on screen
- tilt function

Sensible Wheelchair

2008-03-20T11:42:00.001-07:00

For safety during mobility.
by Stella Kim, Amanda Syuarfan, Susan

Problem: Clients who use wheelchairs for everyday mobility sometimes demonstrate difficulty in determining the amount of space needed for passing by objects or through doorways during wheelchair propulsion. This ultimately leads to cuts and bruises along the clients arms and hands.

Solution: Create a device for either side of the wheelchair using the IR sensor. This device will function by providing an auditory alarm that increases in speed and intensity as the client approaches stationary objects and doorways. A more advanced model could be activated by movement, where the sensors will be silent when the wheelchair is not in motion.

Analog Sensor: This is an integrated sensor with IR emitter, detector, optics and timing logic. Its output is an analog voltage proportional to the distance to the nearest object in its field of view. The output signal is compatible with low-cost ADC circuits including those built into many robot controllers. The sensor can detect objects within a range of approximately 8" (20cm) to 59" (150cm).".
http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R144-GP2Y0A02YK.html

meet Rob Moon

2008-03-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

a rough copy...

Building a Simple Switch

2008-02-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

Back to basics. A simple switch can be a very powerful tool, allowing someone with limited motions and abilities to be able to turn various applications on and off.

One Mile Project

2008-01-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

So for this project we had to think of an installation that would be either physically a mile long or a representation of a mile...such as sound or something. We were given a budget of million dollars and put into groups of three. For our group we decided to make a game called Ultimate Hopscotch, an interactive game that would be installed on governor's island. You can find our presentation here

Intro to Computational Media

2008-01-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

hold the mouse down and shoot

musical expression

don't forget to click and click again

The Physical Computing Final Project

2007-12-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

Students: Stella Kim, Andrea Dulko
Title: S.W.I (Spelling While Intoxicated)...now known as SpElmo

Intention: To create a jestful way of helping consumers of alcohol diminish black outs and unconsciousness due to overconsumption; creating self awareness and a signal for others when enough is enough, helping to prolong fun and enjoyment.

The Project:(pictures coming soon...it'll be easier to visualize and understand)
We are creating a one player spelling bee game where a big plant will vomit your drink into your cup depending on how many questions you get right in one minute. There will be 4 possible results depending on your percentage of correct answers in the given time. The player can not move onto the next word until the current word is spelled correctly. If you get x amount of questions right your winning drink will be, from lowest to highest(percentage of alcohol) Water, Beer, Vodka, or Whiskey respectively. The user will be provided with a small keypad where they can push the correct letters. The word will be spoken through a piezo and there will also be a sound that lets the player know that they have spelled incorrectly.

Aim and Arguments: We hope that the game will help users regulate their drinking and hopefully display the effects of alcohol on their brain functions in an engaging way to not only the user but to others around them. We hope that by supplying water when the user results in a low score will aid in sobering up by hydrating and/or diminishing hangovers. We also hope that the game will alert the player and/or friends around them that they have reached their alcohol consumption limit.

User Testing: We hope to set the game up in an open space(where everyone is of course legally of drinking age)and set up a video camera to watch and show how people interact with the game at different states of drunkenness as they continue to play and how others around them react/interact.

For the final outcome please goto Sausages on the right and click on SpElmo. Thank you!

...ohh yea...

2007-12-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

A lot of Labs: Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

2007-12-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

First...i must apologise. For some odd reason i thought i had put these labs up on my blog. I just checked and i haven't. Narf. So in this blog i show 3 video clips. One is controlling a motor. It was relatively easy although in the beginning i sort of got my wires crossed and so my motor didn't work properly. It was also my first time using my force sensor and it was great fun to see my motor go. The second video is of me dimming my lights on and off. It doesn't seem very exciting but it was exciting to me! I didn't have any trouble with this lab so yay! The third video is probably the coolest. We went into processing and started controlling visuals on the computer screen. You have to look closely at the computer screen in the video and you'll notice a ball moving. Hopefully you can see me playing with some sensors to be making that ball move. I hope you enjoy the videos! Cheers.

The motor lab was a bit of a pickle. Somehow my H-Bridge broke. I got my motor to work without the H-Bridge by just plugging it into power but then something started smelling so i stopped doing that. I went through about 3 H-Bridges which kind of sucks because now I owe people H-Bridges, so that's kind of a bummer. I put this mouse i had, which was originally a windup toy that i gutted, on top of the motor and it just drove around. It was funny.

Lab Week 5:Serial Output and Talking to Processing

i had a lot of trouble with this lab because i thought using terminal was essential when it really wasn't. Once i was told that i didn't need terminal for my gear to work it went pretty smoothly from there. It was so much fun watching the ball move on the screen using my switches and force sensors and etc. Sick.

Lab Week 4:Servo/Analog Out

I didn't have that much trouble with the analog out lab. There was something wrong with my servomotor but i switched it with someone elses and it worked perfectly fine. It was my first time using my force sensor i think so it was pretty cool.

Lab Week 3:Analog In

Fairly straight forward and simple. I made my led's blink slower and faster, on and off, going back from each other. It's very satisfying.

A Solo Attempt at GarageBand

2007-12-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

mmm...cheeezy

"Deflowering the Garage Band Virgins with One Take"

2007-11-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

by Stella(flute/piano,vocals), Elim(harmonica, vocals), Josh(guitar, vocals, base, shaker)

press me here

Micropayments

2007-11-24T21:20:00.001-08:00

Artists should be paid for their work but I'd rather pay one full amount rather than little itty bits through a long time process. Of course if it's super expensive then I won't pay for it, but if I can get it for completely free then I'd probably just get it for free. It's the whole "process" of micropayments that I don't have the patience for. Either it's free or its not, i'm not into this "almost" or "its like" free business. I don't mind paying for good work if that's the only way I can get it. Also, I'm a student and don't exactly have just wads of cash laying around. If my financial situation was different then I'm sure my mentality would be different. I know it's probably a lame exscuse but it's the truth. My apologies if I offended anybody.

Physical Computing Halloween Fun

2007-11-12T09:52:00.001-08:00

Jason and Stella in class

Cake

2007-11-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

Midterm Presentation

2007-11-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

Stella Kim. John Dimatos. Lori Napolitano

The Phys Comp Midterm

2007-11-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

We originally started out seeking to integrate the hearing and the non-hearing community visually. We built a data glove out of stretch sensors that would create cymatic patterns based on hand gestures and movements. The final goal was to have two users that would create wave patterns in response to each other(wave frequencies). In the end, we did not reach this goal due to time and technicalities. We created one hand sensor but one was enough to portray our intentions. The idea to create communication in a creative between the hearing and non-hearing sort of became background noise as we slowly lost sight of intention. Although the hand sensor can still be used for that intent it would be a lie to say that that was in fact the final outcome. Below are some videos of our steps testing non-newtonian fluids as a means of expression to elements such as salt, as well as a user testing to the final class demonstration.

Non-Newtonian experiment with frequency ranges

user testing video 1

user testing video 2

final testing video 1

final testing video 2

Observation Assignment

2007-10-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

oh bugger. I completely forgot to post this. Nevertheless, ENJOY!

observe here

30 second video more or less

2007-10-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

***why Hello....By Stella and Elim***

Click To Play

Understanding Comics response

2007-10-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Life changing.

It made me really happy because I used to/still kind of get pounced on about how I was immature because I liked comics/cartoons and/or that it was a waste of time and mindless trash. Although , people now are more accepting because I do small animations. As soon as you make an honest job out of it that may require some skill and creativity, people become a bit more accepting.

Comic Assignment

2007-10-05T17:35:00.001-07:00

**Oh Crap!!**by Stella and EJ

Group Photoshop

2007-10-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

By Kristin

By Jose

By Stella

So the assignment was to work in teams of 3 and manipulate images as they get passed onto you from another member in your group. Here's one example to give you an idea for now.

Doh!

2007-10-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

wow....i don't know what was wrong with me when i wrote that last blog on benji. i apologise. i'll go hang my head in shame now.

Reflection on Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"

2007-09-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Soooo I really enjoyed reading benji again. He's so interesting. Anyhow...I don't find photographs really that interesting anymore. Anyone can take a picture nowadays and develop/reprint a picture. I suppose that's what makes it less interesting. He talks about how anyone can be a published writer now in the editorials of a newspaper and he's right. We can reproduce in mass quantities now and that is accessible to everyone. I think the problem with reproduction is that everything becomes familiar which means people don't have to use their brains as much because they already know what it is. We no longer really have to imagine because we have moving pictures that already brings us wherever we want to go and draws all the details for us so that we don't have to. Although things like film has engaged us more, I feel that it's made us less interactive with art, especially with paintings. With all the flashiness around us today, being stuck in front of one painting, one image that might take us at least 15 minutes to understand and take in, most people don't have the attention span for that and/or get bored very quickly. Of course, that is all changing now and art is reforming/resurfacing in a new form where viewers can physically interact. It has been said that the best artist steal from others. So then actually, art is just always being reproduced. It can be a photo manipulated or a painting redone abstractly. However, whatever it is, the concept might be the same/similar but it'll still be different. I understand that in film, because the picture is always changing you don't really have time to take it in and contemplate but you can go back to it in your head after the film is finished or go watch it again, just as you could go back and see a painting. As for photos, maybe the first picture that was developed conceptually is different to the third photo that was printed even though it's the same photo. I suppose that's what Benji meant when he quoted Hegel, that because of the mass mechanical reproduction provies, "We are beyond the stage of reverence for works of art as divine and objects deserving our worship. The impression they produce is one of a more reflective kind, and the emotions they arouse require a higher test..." On that note, I just want to say, the war quote by Marinetti in his manifesto on the Ethiopian colonial war,...I thought it was beautiful.

phys comp week 3:trying to keep it cool

2007-09-26T14:18:00.001-07:00

So, I've had a rough week in physical computing. The lab was fairly simple(picture shown.) Unfortunately, I blew my accelerometer, that sucked. Then someone stole my flexi-sensor. Great! Then I find out that the computer store is out of sensors except for the hydrosonar. So I bought that but i'm holding out to use it just yet. I ordered two force sensors that just arrived today so that'll be exciting to use this week hopefully. So basically I've been trying out loads of stuff, all of which failed in one form or another. I'm feeling a bit discouraged but I just went back to my bongo project that irritated me for about two days because I couldn't get it to work again. Fortunately I have, and i've changed a few things up. I'm going to try and make it look all nice and more like a complete project. Unfortunately, I won't have that ready for this weeks class which is today but hopefully by next week. I dont know. I'm not gonna try to beat myself up too much because I'm sure I'll be facing a lot more downers in the next two years. Narf!

The Blogs of War

2007-09-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.08/milblogs_pr.html

I'm not completely sure how to respond to this article. I think the government should obviously set certain regulations for soldiers in battle who blog. Those regulations should only be about giving coordinates and strategies away, but that's obvious. But for blogging bout casualties and such, I can't decide where to stand. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a parent and wonder if you kid is alive. Blogging can kind of remedy that situation. Then again, the enemy has a way of finding out how badly they've injured their target and maybe plan to strike knowing their very down in numbers. I don't know, I've never been in war so I'm just wildly speculating here. All in all, I think blogs should be allowed and that the government shouldn't regulate it so much. Like it said in the article, a lot of people go to these blogs for the "real" story and to read a story that's often told better than the media. I don't think the public should be denied that, and I think it's great for families to communicate and stay in touch. Everyone's going to have a different opinion of what's going on, some will be pro-war and others will be against it. I'm sure the soldiers know not to abuse their liberties of blogging as was made clear in the article. They know that the government might shut them down and etc. But I do think they should be allowed to express their opinions whether they be positive or negative without government regulation. I think i'm just rambling now.

Everquest and Gaming Communities

2007-09-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

I thought this article http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/info_and_tech/game_theories.htm was very interesting. It's crazy how people can actually make a living out of these gaming communities. I agree with Castranova when he says "I liked it better when they were just, you know, games." I always viewed online gaming as a way of escaping the real world and the stresses that come with real life. Instead it seems to have just crossed over. I suppose it's good for those who are complete game addicts and for parents of those teenagers that do nothing but play on their computer. Then again, I suppose you have the option of whether or not, or how much, you want to bleed the real world into the virtual.

group video post

2007-09-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

Click To Play

This is our first video. What a nice guy ey?

So I've uploaded this video onto Bliptv and youTube. Both fairly easy and simple. This is the link to the youTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a0KLLgn1sk .
My only problem is how much crap mail i'm probably gonna start getting. bummer.

phys comp week 2 creative bit

2007-09-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

So I decided to make switches using my bongo. I attached foil to my fingers and to certain areas of the bongo. When my foiled finger touches the certain spots on the bongo, different lights turn on. Check it out.

PhysComp Week 2

2007-09-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

So I had some problems with the lab but by my own folly. I didn't put the wires into the correct pins. derf. silly me. Other than that, the lab was relatively is....probably because I didn't have to write my own code.

Comm Lab Week 1

2007-09-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

"Orality and Literacy" Response

I think Ong makes some really interesting points. I appreciate that he seems to fully acknowledge the fact that our view of an oral society is generally speculation because we live in a literate society it is impossible for us to know or fully understand life in an oral society. I agree that sign language is a product of a literate language because it is based on literacy and rules of literacy, such as having an alphabet and grammar. I understand Ong’s belief that literacy is a form of human evolution with the rise of science, art, philosophy and so forth., but I can’t seem to fully agree with it. Plato, was against writing, believing that it weakens the mind. One of Ong’s arguments is that, today, we are forced to think away from cliché because it is frowned upon, because it is the obvious and it takes more thought to stride away from the cliché. That’s obviously completely untrue as you look at some of the films and books that come out today. In my opinion, I find things produced today probably even more cliché, but that may be because we've been overexposed. However, in Ong’s defense, he admits that oral culture can be ‘artistic and beautiful’ in ways that literary people will never experience, but he still says that orality is a lower form to literacy. I think it’s possible to say that our so-called step forward can also be a step backwards. Plato viewed writing the way we may view computers, “inhuman, thing-like.” It’s true that computers can make you lazy, and that it probably does weaken your brain with tools like grammar/spell check, the tempt of cheating with all the resources the internet and mobile phones provide, and tools such as calculators. We don’t really have to know as much, or spend as much time learning things anymore because we have technology that does it for us. However, maybe technology can some what be seen as going back to orality because we have more time to concentrate on other ways of interacting and communicating without the use of writing. Now with resources like YouTube, a new language, or a language forgotten is resurfacing in a different form, kind of bringing us back to orality, from still drawings to moving images that is accessible and available to anyone and everyone in the world.

55 Word Story

#B000EZYKTS

Assemble. Polish. Package. Deliver.
Receive. Tremble. Open. Excitement.
Plug in. Turn on. Wait. Anticipation.
Red light. Push. Green light. Active.
Input. Output. Motor. Life.
Humming. Shrieking. Silence. Repeat.
Input. Output. Head. Body.
Humming. Shrieking. Silence. Repeat.
Input. Output. Sleek. Sexy.
Agile. Flexible. Simple. Relief.
Input. Output. Smooth. Lean.
Life. Dead. Green. Red
Shaved. Guaranteed. Complete.

Phys Comp Week 1

2007-09-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

Week 1

So i had a bit of a difficult time doing my first lab. First of all, the nyu computer store jipped me with my toolkit which i didn't really appreciate. Thankfully, whatever i was missing, i could find at the itp workshop. I had fun soldering, wasn't too hard, although i did burn myself once or twice. I ended up wasting about three voltage regulators. Well the first one was the wrong voltage which is completely my fault. I ended up blowing out my adaptor plug that powers my breadboard. Thankfully, the power connector was not harmed. As soon as i realised my folly, i quickly changed the regulator after continuously burning my fingers and got myself a new adaptor. The regulator actually got so hot that it started melting some of my other components especially the hot glue i had just used. The first mishap ended up somehow destroying my second regulator. Then Todd graciously got me another regulator which kept unfortunately kept faulting. In the end, after everything cooled down, i ended up just chucking the regulator and doing the project without it. After that, the lab went pretty smoothly.