Month: September 2006

Assistive Tech Website

Many thanks to Mike Dory for the documentation available below.

“HelpTank is the brainchild of five graduate students at NYU’s ITP program. When asked to do a presentation on assistive technology, they deliberated for days on what they should do. Skits, video projects, parodies – there was no shortage of ideas – but none of which satisfied their urge to help others. They realized that instead of doing a project that would last only 20 minutes, they wanted to build something permanent, something that would reach out to others. HelpTank was thus born.

We believe that obstacles surround us, solutions are abundant, and people generally want to do good. Using a simple website to bridge these ideas, HelpTank aims to show that helping can be easy. Participants are free to submit things that need fixing, ideas of fixes, and stories of good deeds. Our hope is to provide practical assistance and positive inspiration.

The first beta launch looked like this:
HelpTank screenshot

HelpTank was created in collaboration with Ji-Sun Lee, Evrim Sahin, Ben Yee, and Ben Chao.

Further development for HelpTank had been put on temporary hold as the five of us finished out the year at ITP, but at the request of an assistive non-profit in the NYC area, further work will resume in the summer of 2007.”

CommunicationsLab

week 2: game responses

Crimson Room

Initially, the concept of being locked in but not being in any immediate danger made me appreciate this game. It seemed pretty simple, and it was gratifying to find keys for the drawers, electric cord, etc. However, there was a point when I couldn’t find anything new, and eventually Googled the solution, which didn’t actually work. The number combination wasn’t correct, so I couldn’t get into the safe. Anyway, I think it is a good puzzle for patience building. Since I’ve seen the solution though (which is my own fault), I don’t have much desire to click through it again.

The intensification isn’t so high, but the setting (and name) in general does build intrigue. The game is compressed I think – not much extra going on. The closure wasn’t there for me, but I’m sure it was for other gamers. It didn’t use too many senses, but it’s a simple online application, so my expectations weren’t too high.

Façade

The download was problematic for me, but I was pretty excited to play after reading the article about it and the several others about game play in general. I have only had a chance to play through once, but I don’t think I was much help to the characters. I felt like I didn’t have enough time to speak/respond thoughtfully in order to get a satisfying outcome. The outcome was probably realistic though, because my awkward speech and actions caused the Grace and Trip to say “uhh…” on more than one occasion, and eventually, they didn’t respond to me at all. I look forward to playing this game again to witness various outcomes.

Intensification, magnitude, and meaningfulness were all strong. Façade didn’t use many senses, but I think this component of game design would be very difficult to incorporate. The idea of having a real effect on a realistic situation does attract me to this title, but I need to play more to decide if the unity of action or closure are developed enough in my opinion.

CommunicationsLab

week 1: the written word

55 words – Goof on the Move

Couch. 8:07 pm. JOLTING ring tone.
“Damn… I dunno. I must have passed out.”
“I mean, it’s been a rough week I guess…sorry.”
“Wait, she said she wanted to what me!? Really?”
“All right! I’m dressed and moving as fast as I can.”
Three pat system: “Keys, check. Wallet, check. Where’s my freakin’ cell…”

Self reflection

Five years ago, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with myself, but I was concentrating on classes (and my social life) and thinking I probably wanted to work in education in some capacity. I mostly studied topics that I felt were important for me to know (American Studies – history, contemporary issues, essentially race/class/gender), but I didn’t necessarily get to focus on areas that I would consider exciting or satisfying. By the time I finished undergrad, I needed a break from working with kids, and I started working an administrative job at NYU. Now, I’m finishing my second year in the Summer and Study Abroad Office of Arts and Science, and I’m about to start as Assistant Director for a joint Global EMBA program called TRIUM at Stern. I’m hoping the exposure, travel, and new skills I pick up there will give me a more well-rounded background when combined with the creative and technical skills I get from ITP.

I came to ITP because it seems to be the perfect place to combine my creative and techie interests. It’s a unique learning and experimenting environment that seems very flexible and fun, and I think the skills, degree, and contacts I make here will all help me out a lot in finding interesting work in the future. I’ve always been artistic and expressive, and I’ve also been drawn to using computers and other forms of technology. Currently, I’m particularly drawn to social software and accumulating digital audio files. Other than that, I mainly manipulate photos and edit html. I’m looking forward to expanding my realm of involvement/understanding and gaining any new skills I can.

Five years from now, I expect to be doing a job I really enjoy that treats me generously. I’m not sure what it will be, but I hope it will utilize my creative side, analytical and organization abilities, and have some positive impact on our society and environment.

Knowledge from 1-10:
What is going on in the field 4
My activity with technology 6

Knowledge from 1-4:
Dreamweaver 1
Photoshop 3-4
Final Cut 1
Flash 1
DVD Studio Pro 1
Director 1
Peak/Sound Forge 1
Garage Band/ACID 1
Performer 1