sheila-interactive-blog

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Group Project: Pandas and Frances O’ Neill’s presentation

It was really interesting listening to Frances O’ Neill’s presentation on Global Treasure Apps this week. I loved hearing how collaborative her project is and surprisingly her concept is similar to our group idea – which is creating an educational app for children visiting Edinburgh Zoo (note the Panda gif is a clue as to what is to come in our presentation next week). 

So this week, I contacted Frances O Neill to find out how we could run our app on Global Treasure Apps and about licencing and have shared her advice with my peers.  Brian suggested we contact her and look at how we could run our app on Global Treasures.  

The things I enjoy most about working on our group project is collaborative working, brainstorming and sharing ideas (several minds are better than one). And even with our colleague, Frances, being stuck in New York, we are still collaborating on Slack and Googledocs so distance is no problem :-).  I have, for the first time learned about how to use Google Docs thanks to my colleagues explaining how it works!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Individual Project 5: Hiding Under a Duvet

This is how I feel about my individual project.  I want to hide under a duvet and hibernate for a while, while firming up and thinking up plans around my individual project.  This is perhaps what I have been doing over the last couple of weeks or so, hence my lack of blog posting and now I am over compensating for it by adding a few blogs in one go.  

We only have a couple of weeks until we have to make our individual pitches and I feel there is so much to do......arrrggghhhhh!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Individual Project 4: Cowbird, Tiny Buddha and Louise Hay...

So for my individual project, I have been looking at Cowbird (http://cowbird.com/faq/) – a now defunct website which is a catalogue of real life human experiences.  David Griggs suggested I look at this as part of my individual project.

The project was started by artist and computer scientist to Jonathan Harris in 2011 to create a digital archive of shared human consciousness.  

I looked through the website, watched some TED talks by Jonathan Harris which were interesting.  However, Cowbird is more about a diverse range of human experiences.  

I want my website / project to be about inspiring people, helping them overcome challenges and how they go onto achieve things in their life.  I also like the Tiny Buddha website (www.tinybuddha.com) and may try and incorporate those ideas and also Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life concepts.  It’s all still in progress but my aim is to keep it simple as simplicity always works best.  And no, I haven't changed my mind yet as per my last posted image.

[sheila-interactive-blog]

I came across this quote and think it reflects where I am at with my individual project.  Maybe some of you might be rolling your eyes at this point!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Individual Project 3 - update and a bit of honesty!

Ok, time for a bit of honesty here….. I have chosen this for my individual project about inspirational stories because I need a simple idea and something that people will understand.  I do love inspirational stories and do like this idea though but part of me is still thinking about other ideas.  The truth is I am still in a thinking stage about my individual project, even at this later stage of the course.  Is that bad? (I’m even thinking that if David and Brian read this they may be rolling their eyes thinking I should have firmed up my ideas).  So in all truth,  I feel like I should be much further than where I am and I do feel a bit anxious about it...., but I will continue and will get there in the end.  I feel like my idea is still in a vague, woolly stage phase just now.  Will wait and see what transpires as I continue my research!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Individual Project 2: Inspiration.

Here is brief outline of my individual project (or what I hope it will be).

My idea is to create a website with inspirational real life stories.  These are real life motivational stories around faith, hope, love, courage, determination, karma, angel stories etc.  Its purpose is to leave people feeling energised and inspired.  I envision it being like a self-help website, that encourages people to fulfil their potential and discover their own path in life.  

I am also thinking about tying it in with mental health / psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy and perhaps providing these to organisations that work with mental health issues like charities, NHS, GP practices etc.

I may even turn it into a Kindle / online book full of stories and will also consider other platforms.  Still thinking and more to follow...

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Opening Doors

This blog is in relation to Cara Ellison’s talk/presentation called Opening Doors and looks at writing games and user generated content.  I have never really associated writing with games so it was interesting to see how this all worked in the world of games and user generated content.  

The role of a narrative designer is also a new concept that has come up and has given me food for thought of how my writing experiences could branch out into different fields in the interactive world.  However, I am still a bit lost as to how a narrative designer works, particularly since there is no standard way of writing games, which is different from the TV/film industry that have standardised formats for scripts. There is also a reason for a delay in my blogging.  This is because I have also been thinking hard about how Cara’s talk fits in with my individual project.  I couldn’t see how it fitted in with my ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ idea of inspirational stories.  

I must admit that I feel a bit fearful, nervous and lost that I do not know how Cara’s talk relates to my individual project.  I feel I should know the answer and write some great blog about it but I can’t.  

So….I have been thinking some more about his over a couple of weeks or so.  My motto is ‘slow is best’.  I feel you always get much more done and much quicker by going slow….so I am slowly blogging here.  

I guess as my individual project is all about personal inspirational stories so it will be user generated content so it is all about stories.  I’m afraid I can’t think of much more about it right now but will continue researching.  

I should also be honest here and say that although I really love inspirational stories, I’m still not 100 per cent sure about my individual project and may even change my mind on it (I can maybe here David and Brian sighing as they read this! :-)).  I know I should have a firmed up idea by this stage, but I still feel like I am floundering.  However, I am sure I will get there in the end.  

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Playing Games on my phone.

I’m not sure whether we need to write about our experiences from the list of experiences mentioned on Moodle.  But as part of exploring my ideas for individual projects, and games, I have played a couple of games on my phone.  The first one is Sims Freeplay for which I downloaded an App onto my mobile phone.  I spent a few weeks playing Sims Freeplay and enjoyed it. In the mornings, I would send all my created Sims to work.  Then in the evenings after work, I would get them to complete a few tasks that were set like cooking special meals, watching movies, going to the park and talking to interior designers, making enemies with someone in a neighbouring town etc. I did enjoy it but did not really want to waste too much time playing it.  There are options to pay to get more money and VIP points etc., which let you advance to different levels quicker.  We’ll I reached level 22 without paying for any additional features.  Then one day, my phone froze, so I thought I better get rid of it and deleted the app and that was the end of the Sims.  Another game was Merge Dragons.  This was fun where you merge three different objects and build up to different levels and collect different dragons.  This was a good past time, but in the end the game froze on me, so I deleted the app and tried reinstalling it and realised I had lost everything. Oh well never mind, I don’t really miss either Sims Freeplay or Merge Dragons.

[sheila-interactive-blog]

One Foot in the Grave!   We Made Ourselves Over.

I have explored 2097: We Made Ourselves Over – an interactive experience looking at the future world in Week 5.  The reason I chose to explore this is because one of my ideas for my individual project was developing a game set in the future in the year 3030.  We Made Ourselves Over consists of some five short films and an interactive app that shows how we have the power to act and influence the future.  The project was inspired by the citizens of two cities – Hull, UK and Aaruhus, Denmark,  I found the films quite powerful and thought provoking and I felt they were very well made but to be honest I didn’t quite understand or follow the films properly. There is minimal dialogue and I found myself getting lost in the films so I wasn’t really sure what benefit there would be to me blogging about this interactive experience.  

The first film starts with you dying and how your consciousness and knowledge has been passed onto the young generation.  The project also shows aspects of the future and what is important and how the decisions we make impact the future.  To be honest, I didn’t really find the films or interactive apps that inspiring for my own project.  The films were surreal but the future didn’t look that much different from present day so it didn’t really add to my individual project development.  

After watching the films and playing with the interactive app and answering questions, I looked into the background of the project.  It was only when I read the background to the project that I started to admire what they were trying to achieve. The project teams ran workshops with school kids, young people, and the over 60s to ask them big questions facing us in the future to develop this project.  They also spoke to experts in digital currencies, artificial intelligence and even a tarot reader.  It was interesting watching the tarot reader talk about the future, but I must admit I found her predictions too general and rather boring talking mainly about issues that would be important in 2097.  I think the reader could have come up with specific predictions of what the world could look like in the future.  Anyway, after watching this, I think I am going to change my individual project idea and will focus on an inspirational website that shares positive and uplifting real life stories – a bit like Chicken Soup for the Soul ideas.  

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Interactive Storytelling workshop

This week, Gill White, who is a writer, director and producer, ran a creative workshop for us.  

The workshop was highly interactive, inspiring and energising.   Gill started off by getting us to walk  around the room and making eye contact with each other and then close our eyes and continue walking around and then stop and we are paired up with the person nearest to us.  It felt like this could be a good ice-breaker exercise and also shows how movement can lead to inspiration.

Then in pairs we had to choose an object that was important to us and ask each other five times why it was important.  This proved to be illuminating because I could not think of any object that I am attached too.  I initially wanted to pick my cat but was told it had to be an object. During the part where we had to share why we picked the object and our five reasons to the class, I came to realise that there are very few objects I am attached too.  I also realised that the thing I attach the most importance to our people and I enjoy the simple things in life.  If I lost one of my loved ones, I would be upset, but even if my home burnt down – would I be upset?  Maybe a little but I know even a home can be replaced.  

The second part of the workshop involved us creating a murder scene and then investigating the murder.  We had to come up with a narrative for the murder scene.  I found it really fun to work in groups collaboratively.  It was surprising how fun and creative one could come up with a story around the murder suspect and their motive for killing. It was illuminating and shows how having fun and playing can help generate creative ideas.  Thanks again for a great workshop, Gill.

[sheila-interactive-blog]

During my research into the gaming world, this week,  I came across this very inspirational article on gaming.  This has given me food for further thought on my individual project. I think I want my project to be uplifting and inspirational so this article is giving me more food for thought.

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Individual Project

This is a short blog on my individual project.  I am still trying to firm up my ideas on what I can do.  I am also slightly worried because I feel all my colleagues are perhaps ahead of me and I am still in the ideas stage.  This is part of the reason for the delay in blogging about my individual project is because I didn’t feel comfortable writing a blog because I feel everyone else is ahead of me.   I also thought it might make me look stupid that I have too many woolly ideas.  Anyway, we were told to be honest in our blogs so here goes. I have been thinking about what I enjoy doing and have a few ideas as follows which I am considering:

1.    A game based on the future set in the year 3033.

2.    Creating a user-friendly ‘Skyscanner’ style internet search engine for the property market. In Scotland one has to go to a number of sites like ESPC, Rightmove, Prime Location, Zoopla etc. to find properties because they are not in one place.  This is because ESPC only lists properties sold by their member solicitors and excludes estate agents like Savills and Rettie, which use other platforms like Rightmove to advertise their properties.  Although Zoopla claims to cover the whole market, I do not find it user-friendly.

3.    Something interactive related to hiking / long distance walking

4.    Something interactive related to travelling.

5.    Something interactive related to pets / animals / cats / dogs.

6.    An Interactive Spiritual Site with positive, real-life heart-felt stories which inspires people – a bit like ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ idea.  It can include stories and quotes that leaves people feeling uplifted and inspired.

7.    A game where female characters are ruling the world/universe.

Brian and David have also been very helpful with their feedback / comments and support so I also using what they have told me to research my ideas. Thank you Brian / David :-)

[sheila-interactive-blog]

What is wrong with tracking?

This week I am writing about my experiences and reflections of Do Not Track – a seven part interactive web documentary about internet privacy.

I enjoyed watching this documentary and also liked the interactive aspect which illustrated how we are tracked.  In summary, the documentary shows how our personal data is being tracked and sold to advertisers.  And it is a good way to debate the issue around internet privacy.  I did, however, think the point it makes could have been illustrated in one or two sentences.

Anyway, the question I ask is what is wrong with being tracked?  Personally I have no problems with my data being used for targeted advertising if it means I can continue using websites like Google for free. This is because I am not easily influenced by advertising but if I did get the odd advert that I think is interesting, what is wrong if I choose to buy the service?  I am not being murdered, coerced or raped by these third party advertisers, am I?

I remember when the outrage in the media when whole privacy issue around Facebook came out and people realised their personal information was being used by third parties Duh!  How else is Facebook delivering its services for free?  Personally I think people were being a bit melodramatic and over-reacting to all this.  Although, I personally do not get excited about using Facebook – the social networking platform – has done wonders for society, connecting people, sharing personal information and people choose what they want to see and read freely.  Unlike news through newspapers, TV, radio, which is often biased reporting (and I worked as a former newspaper reporter so know what goes on in the industry).

Companies have always been gathering personal data and targeting audiences before the through TV adverts, mailing etc.  And the internet has just changed the way it is gathered and perhaps made it easier. I did wonder, though, if there was a modern day leader like ‘Hitler’ and s/he was using personal data tracking to eliminate ‘Jews’, yes there is a problem but for advertising perhaps, I don’t see what all the hoo-ha is about. One of the exercises I did on Do Not Track also told me I have no trust issues on the internet.  Maybe I am being naïve so we will wait and see.

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Ingress : I hate this f****** game!

This week as part of my Interactive Media course, I had to play Ingress – an augmented reality game - and write about my experiences.  I think the title sums up my experiences!

After one of my classmates mentioned something about lots of terms and conditions, I was uncomfortable with the idea of signing up.  I started reading through the terms and conditions and then gave up and just clicked accept terms. I was also annoyed that I had to download the app for this game and had to enable location tracking so that I could play. This is because I value my privacy.  At this point I was already tired with the game having partially read through the terms and conditions.  So I decided to come back to it another day.

Another day: It was around 6pm, and dark and freezing cold outside.  And I am sat in front of warm fire with my cat :-).  I log back into Ingress and this time, I am mildly intrigued as it is working.  It’s connecting my location and tells me a parcel is going to be delivered etc.  At this point I stand up and think, this is going to be easy, and that the game will give me a location option to walk to a room in my home.  I was annoyed and unimpressed that the two locations I could choose were outside as I did not fancy going out into the cold dark night just to collect some computerised, non-existent (physically speaking) package.  So I decided it was game over for tonight.  I decided I would try it when I was outside the next day.

Next day:  I decided try Ingress again on my way to Napier University. Outside, the app told me that I needed to use mobile data!  I am a low data user and really only mostly use my phone for phone purposes and did not want to use it so was annoyed and unimpressed.  But as I am determined and persistent, I decided to log in using Eduroam wifi when I got to the University.  However, this time it gave me no locations!  As I didn’t want to be late to class, I stopped faffing around with Ingress, signed out and decided I would try it near my home on my way home.

Later that same day: I am trying to navigate and concentrate on crossing the road without getting knocked over at a set of traffic lights, while pressing buttons on my Ingress app and resentfully – using my mobile data – just to try the game briefly. As I manage to survive getting across the road without getting knocked over, I wait for the same two locations to come up but this time it gives me a new location in the opposite direction.  I am really annoyed at this point and press cancel on the new location several times.  I then had to stand next to Haymarket train station before this location option came up. And when it did I chose it and it started coming up with messages about joining enlightened side and introducing a character.  

At this point, after losing the will to live and surviving crossing the road, simply to get to a location to meet a computerised character and be given a message – I decided my mission was accomplished and that was enough. I am not feeling enlightened and I am going to delete the app.  Over and Out!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

This sums up where I am at with my individual project!!!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

The Vacuum - this is where I am at with my individual project!

[sheila-interactive-blog]

Fort McMoney: Can I be a megalomaniac ruler?

This week’s task was to write about our experiences with Exoriare (a graphic fiction novel) of Fort McMoney (a documentary game).  I tried Exoriare first and was bored quickly and couldn’t quite follow the story.  It also felt too static for me. Maybe it’s me being dim.  I was looking forward to having fun and playing!

So, I quickly moved onto Fort McMoney. After my initial frustrations of battling to log in using different browsers, I managed to get in and spent some seven hours or so (on and off) playing it so that I could write about it comprehensively.

I was intrigued with the game being described as ‘film marries video game’ and thought it was a pretty cool idea.  It also inspired to think about my own ideas for my individual project and how I could do literally anything.

At first, I didn’t know how to play Fort McMoney.  As I can be persistent, I was not going to be defeated and I continued exploring and pressing different buttons (yes, I admit I am very curious and like a kid sometimes).  

I also saw between seven and 11 other people online when I played but didn’t know how to play with or interact with other players (I am now wondering how many of these players were fellow Interactive Media colleagues?).  

Although the subject matter of this game doesn’t interest me, I found myself thinking that the game was really well done the more I played it.  It gives a very good insight into the city of Fort McGarry, the oil industry and how it has affected people lives (positively and negatively), people’s views and feelings about their city etc.  

I did at times find driving in the car from one location to another a bit tedious and would have liked the option to get the location with just one click.

This game is similar to a text based adventure game that I used to occasionally play as a child.  I loved being able to imagine and visualise scenes and become immersed emotionally while playing adventure games. And I must admit, I prefer the text-based adventure games to this documentary game because everything visually was there in cinematic format.  I do, however, applaud the director, David Dufrense, for doing an exceptional job with this game, though.  

I was, at times, frustrated when I was informed the task was completed because there were still other sites or situations I wanted to explore.  Also, some of the characters I chose to talk to only spoke French and it was annoying because I didn’t understand and the subtitles button didn’t work, despite relentlessly clicking on the button!

I also wanted to go to the river but I wasn’t allowed to choose this option - which was greyed out - because I had to complete other parts of the game first.  I am normally a very calm and patient person, but with this game I did find myself becoming a little impatient because  I just wanted to go to the river with one click (instant gratification) and see what was there.  I was also unclear about how to use my influencing points which I collected / increased by talking to different people  and how the voting thing with debates worked on the dashboard.  

At one point, I randomly found and glanced over the ‘how to play’ manual but don’t think I took it all in. I did a Google search for Fort McMoney and it was only when I read about it on Wikipedia that is became clear that I, as the player, could choose the future of Fort McGarry and responsibly develop the world’s largest oil sand reserves.  This gave me a nice powerful feeling and made me think, could I become a megalomaniac, ruler of this city and run rough-shod over it with an iron-first (after all it’s just a game).  I think it would have been nice to have the option of playing different types of characters too.

I also enjoyed Sanjay Patel’s book signing in the library, only because he shares the same surname as me.

In summary, Fort McMoney grew on me the more I played it but there is a lot to learn and take in but at the same time also easy to navigate with a simple click on locations/objects.  It is very well done and gives you a good insight into the life and culture of the city, and the oil industry. Well done to David and his team :-)