Here is the link to Josh's site where he has initiated his project for a WebCamXtra codenamed Myron.
After class on Tuesday, I went online to further research my project. I found that Josh Nimoy from ITP had created a new motion tracking Xtra for Processing, Java, Max/MSP and Director.
I looked at the reference files included with the software and on his website and now I am trying to configure the Xtra to work with a quick mockup of my project. This way, I can work on the lingo and get it nailed, then go on to work on the interface of my game/project.
You can get the Xtra Here, This may help Kurt with his project as well.
Making sure this works...up until now, I can't link to my personal page from any other page on our blog. Can we fix this?
Research: I intend to use several sources.
Lexus Nexus: to look through articles written by other professionals in the various fields that my project may touch (medical, military, science, entertainment etc…) to better understand the cultural, theoretical, practical discourse on said subject matter.
Google: for sites pertaining to the commercial products of a similar nature.
Encylopedic Sources: Britannica, World Book etc…
Public and University Libraries: Books and Periodicals (Newspapers, News Magazines, other magazines)
Dr. Torch’s own writings
More….
Simulation: A video production simulating interface and possible scenarios for use. Storyboards may also not be a bad idea. I’m open to suggestions.
Feedback: At first, I would consider focus groups to create the best interface and content. Next, personal then user testing. After that, with some obvious tweaking and updates exhibition and publication would be a great addition to make a good project better and for success.
Symbiotic strategies: When I first started thinking of my possible thesis, I did some research and found Dr. Torch participating in a similar project. I contacted him and he was very enthusiastic to enlist my help after learning of my background and goals. His lab, technology (Eye-Comm) and materials are now open to me and my project development, other than his involvement I would be interested in contacting other sources, commercial (primarily entertainment based, but I am open), government/military (they are already involved, but with the Doctor’s project, not mine) etc…?
What constitutes finished ? I would consider finished, having a workable prototype with a workable and demonstrable scenario. Something you could reproduce for an audience, investor etc…
Statement: I propose to create an oculometric device which allows the eyes of the user to become an output device.
Interactive Challenge:
The eye is an underutilized tool, which has not been perceived as an output device, only one for input. The object is to explore and develop purposeful interactive elements with eye movement and construction for communication and control.
Goal: Meet the challenge stated above and provide meaningful way of using the eye as an output device for one or more of the following:
-Communications disorders assistance device; patient communications device and controller (wheelchair).
-Computer Mouse/Keyboard
-Remote Movement device
-Video Game Control Mechanism
-Home entertainment control
-Predictive text/algorithmic text output (as text or voice for disabled persons)
-more research and thought may be required.
And Now for the Budget/Schedule: I was having trouble trying to test downloading it after uploading...I will bring it to class.
With the deadline coming close, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what kind of content I want to have for my user to interact with. I came to the conclusion that in order for this to be a successful project, the interface and the video really need to live in a sort of harmony.
This means that, after looking heavily into other interactive documentaries, I have decided that the interface include several main components.
1. When a hotspot becomes available, the arrow will change to a pointing hand.
2. For all hotspots, when the user rolls over, text will be displayed at the bottom of the window. This text will be a simple explanation of the active area.
3. Some hotspots will be clickable and this will be delineated in the rollover text.
4. Clickable hotspots with accessible alternate information (i.e. a URL, article, video etc...), will stop the video playback. Although, some hotspots will have information that will become available in the information panel of the display window. (These hotspots will not halt playback).
5. Throughout the video, there will be hotspots that allow the user to jump to another point on the timeline, thus providing a more complex storyline and integrating one of my first ideas where the user has control of the story flow. (This is still an afterthought and has not yet been integrated into my current project).
In addition to these interface decisions, I decided that it would be best to completely create this Interactive Documentary from scratch. This meaning that I take all of my rough footage from Egypt and instead of repurposing my first Doc. to fit this content, I create a whole new Doc. incorporating a little bit of travel video mixed in with documentary footage and alternate research materials. I look forward to showing this to you next week! It's a lot of work, but so far it has been a great learning experience.