Header and Featured Post for Client

I've spent the afternoon tidying up the header and featured post section of my client project.

I'm using a custom file for the home page entitled 'myfront.php' which will include a featured post. I'm hoping to add a little show/hide jQuery to the featured blog post and I need to sort out some PHP which will applies the image contained within the post as the background image. I may have to create a custom field within the post for this to work.

I've pulled the search bar from the header from previous designs as it cluttered the header a little. I've also increased the space between certain sections of the Twitter bar, side bar and featured post. I've also improved the CSS3 features on the navigation buttons and on the Twitter bar.

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Artefact 5 - Planning for the Creation of my Augmented Reality Business Card

To summaries my last artefact, it has given me good grounding for my next artefact (number 5) for developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will (hopefully) include virtual video content.

In researching methods to do this I've found two pathways to follow; One being an ActionScript 3.0 version utilizing a computer or laptop webcam, and the second pathway of developing it for Android using an Augmented Reality Software Development Kit (AR SDK) by Qualcomm.

In following the second pathway, I could actually use it on a supported mobile device which would be brilliant, but I'm struggling to get my head around the code, etc. so may have to keep to a simpler ActionScript 3.0 version until the next artefact.

I feel like I'm just scratching the surface but hopefully I can get the ball rolling over the next few days.

I'm also looking at the use of green screen to have my video with no background when displayed from the business card.

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Artefact 4 - Evaluation of my Augmented Reality Business Card Concepts

Reflecting back on my research topic and what I’ve learnt from the
last artefact, I wanted to include the use of Augmented Reality in the
sharing of information and ideas. I therefore took the results from my
last artefact and integrated a QR Code business card with an Augmented
Reality marker. I then developed 4 concepts of how this Augmented
Reality would work to test with users. These concepts included a
simple image/avatar,  a portfolio/flipbook, video content and finally
social media links.

Although these weren’t working prototypes, results from generating
these concepts showed that users preferred the portfolio/flipbook and
the video content to the other, simpler concepts. Opinions showed that
the ability to include a large amount of information on the flipbook
was a likeable quality however the QR Code within the marker could be
used to link to a website or portfolio which would be more suitable.
In using Augmented Reality to generate a virtual person within the
video it brings something unique to the virtual environment.

Users were also questioned on least effective concept with the simple
image and social media links scoring the highest. Comments that
emerged  from this highlighted the need for ease of use in accessing
the extra information, explanation of the icons and the inclusion of
more interactivity.

Finally over half the users agreed that they would adopt the business
card that included the Augmented Reality video content with the
portfolio/flipbook getting a positive response too. Reasoning behind
this came from the ability to present yourself as a designer which
would firstly show off your personality and secondly to put a name to
a face or brand.

To summarise, this artefact has given me good grounding for my next
artefact developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will
include virtual video content.

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Artefact 4 - Presentation

artefact4.pdf Download this file

Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards, Artefact 4.

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Take a look at my fourth artefact - Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards

Take a look at my fourth artefact and then fill in the survey that's linked to the page.

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Artefact 4 - 4 Uses of Augmented Reality with a Business Card

Here are four different concepts for an Augmented Reality business card. I want to find out which one people believe to be the most beneficial to then go ahead with and create it for real (hopefully)

 

The types of AR include -

• Simple image/avatar
• A portfolio/flipbook navigated through by clicking on the red arrows
• A video with audio. This would include either a personal introduction or the reading of my CV
• Various social media links

I've also come across 'Junaio' an Augmented Reality browser - http://www.junaio.com/ which is similar to 'Layar' - http://www.layar.com/ which may be worth a look at, especially the developer side of things.

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Artefact 4 - Looking into the development of Augmented Reality with the FLARToolKit ((tags: Artefact, Augmented Reality, PRP, Personal Research Project, QR Codes, Quick Response Codes, FLARToolKit, NYARToolKit)

I'm trying to learn how to create an QR-based Augmented Reality business card for my artefact.

 

So to start ARToolKit is the development package that has allowed developers to tap into the power of Augmented Reality and FLARToolKit is an ActionScript 3 port of the Java version of the toolkit. I have therefore found the following sites to help me create my Augmented Reality business card a reality!

 

Google Group on the FLARToolKit - http://groups.google.com/group/flartoolkit-userz and through this conversation - http://groups.google.com/group/flartoolkit-userz/browse_thread/thread/d48a660723ebe756?pli=1 I've found this blog article explaining how QR Codes can mix with AR - http://makc3d.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/augmented-reality-and-qr-codes/ which gives me this AS3 code - http://code.google.com/p/makc/source/browse/trunk/flash/qr_flar/PoC.as

 

Also this FLARToolKit intoduction has been helpful - http://www.scribd.com/doc/27363030

 

However looking further into how the video below works, the QR Codes resolve to certain codes like 'QRA:3DScyborx10xl' This shows that although the QR Code is being used for AR, it's not able to resolve to a web link or more relevant data. The code that it displays is obviously linked with an XML file of some sorts which generates the 3D image which makes it all possible.

 

 

Further research revealed that I could code into the ActionScript a QR Code Reader that recognizes and decodes any QR Code from any image source - http://blog.jactionscripters.com/2009/05/23/introduction-of-qr-code-reader-library/ which would then and load results into 3D engine.

 

So here's where I can download the FLARToolKit http://www.libspark.org/wiki/saqoosha/FLARToolKit/en

 

Tutorials on Augmented Reality - http://saqoo.sh/a/en/flartoolkit/start-up-guide , http://www.mikkoh.com/blog/2008/12/flartoolkitflash-augmented-realitygetting-started/ and http://www.marcpelland.com/2009/03/26/getting-started-with-augmented-reality-flartoolkit/

 

From all this I need to produce my own AR/QR Code business card. But first, as doing this will take a long time, I want to find out what would be the best using this AR. I want to check what people would find the most beneficial use of AR on a business card would be.

 

The uses could include -

• A simple 3D avatar
• A virtual flip book of my portfolio
• A video/3D presentation
• Social Network links

Although I would be using AS3, I would like to base my AR App on a mobile device which could complicate things a little. A fix to this would be using the NYARToolKit as I could develop it for Android - http://nyatla.jp/nyartoolkit/wiki/index.php?FrontPage.en

 

Finally to finish off this mash-up of web links to various things, for your enjoyment... Augmented Reality on an iPad2 (personal highlight - Zombie AR game at the end)

 

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Artefact 4 - Further Development

So the plan is to integrate a QR Code and an AR marker to create a 2-in-1 business card. It can then be used as an AR marker to show 3D content via a webcam or smartphone or can be scanned by a QR Reader to get the contact details within the QR Code.

Here are some examples of QR-based Augmented Reality -

Now putting this idea onto a business card could come out with something like this...

via http://visualcard.me/

This example also offers the ability for anyone to create their own AR business card, however in trying to sign up I haven't been able to get any login details sent through to my email address. This is probably due to some problems with their site.

One of the best examples of an AR business card can be found below. It also includes a QR Code however it's slightly separated from the AR marker.

via http://www.t-o-x-i-n.de/index.php/2009/07/18/allgemein/augmented-businesscard-english/

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Artefact 4 -

I was reading through some of my notes for my previous artefacts and found some interesting points which will hopefully help me with my fourth artefact. I still want to keep close to my research document question in doing this artefact too - Could the use of QR Codes and Augmented Reality improve the way we share information and communicate with each other?

• Without me telling you anything about myself and given that I'm happy to share all my information with you, would you be able to virtually get information from me via the use of a QR Codes and Augmented Reality

With keeping this idea of sharing personal information with a business card, I want to look at a more developed concept of the business card. This includes the use of Augmented Reality.

I want to look at face recognition software which would recognise a persons face and augment their virtual business card around their heads. I know there's already a concept idea for this as seen below, but I want to develop it and see how it can be improved. Ultimately I would like to develop my own version of this but I'm not entirely sure how I will go about it.

Here are some Action Script face recognition videos that I've found that might help -

And some face recognition software that might be of help - http://www.pittpatt.com/

And a final video of using just AR on a card. This could be the first step to artefact 4.

Using AR and a QR Code on a business card then to maybe develop that idea in the next artefact suggesting 'what if you don't have a business card at all?'

Some more geo-location based comments I took from my note book too -

• Creating a digital footprint
• Voice you opinion in a QR code and attach it to a government building
• Using QR codes to find events each venue has a QR code with navigates you to the venue.

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QR Code - Content-rich Resume

Just brilliant! Will have to have a go at doing one of these myself!

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A Few More Client Developments

I've now managed to put in my weather side bar into the main design. I'm also looking at putting the fixtures below it which is currently been done by using an iframe from a mobile optimized site - http://www.fixtureslive.com/mobile/whatson.asp?ClubID=949 however I don't feel the style of it fits in well enough so I'm looking for alternative methods to display their fixtures.

Also I've created some sub pages which will be hidden from the main navigation bar but will be displayed in a side bar within its parent page and in the footer for quick access. I've also managed to display some sponsors/links which will slightly enlarge on hover through applying some CSS3 transitions to the images.

I'm also wanting to add an admin log in on the right hand side of the footer.

Finally just a basic overview of how a the nav and footer differ from each other with what it displays and the side bar which will include the sub pages. As you can see it's not styled correctly yet.

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Pipes, JavaScript and the Weather

Using Yahoo's Pipes, I've managed to display the temperature and weather from a JSON feed.

'Pipes is a powerful composition tool to aggregate, manipulate, and mashup content from around the web.

Like Unix pipes, simple commands can be combined together to create output that meets your needs:

• combine many feeds into one, then sort, filter and translate it.
• geocode your favorite feeds and browse the items on an interactive map.
• power widgets/badges on your web site.
• grab the output of any Pipes as RSS, JSON, KML, and other formats.'

Now not only does the background image change, the temperature and weather text also changes too.

This will now be integrated into my client site which I'm currently developing.

See the results

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Ever Wondered What the Weather's Like in Colwyn Bay?

The weather in Colwyn Bay is currently...

By clicking on the link above you've just found out the weather in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. This is thanks to an RSS feed from the Yahoo API and some jQuery to change the div's class according to the weather!

Thanks to an article on Line25 entitled Style Your Site According to the Weather with jQuery and some extra code from this article - http://lawrence.ecorp.net/inet/samples/regexp-format.php to make sure it also removes forward slashes from the RSS feed, I have worked out how I will integrate my weather display into the Colwyn Bay Hockey Club website.

I'm also hoping to pull the temperature from the RSS feed too so you know what type of weather it is and how hot/cold it is too.

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Artefact 3 - QR Code Business Cards, Evaluation

Given the previous artefact was looking at real-world applications of QR Codes within a commercial advertising context I wanted to look at the relevance they had to self-promotion, with particular emphasis on promoting myself as a web designer. In doing this I looked at how a traditional business card could be improved by utilising new technologies like the QR Code. In designing five prototype business cards I was then able to test their effectiveness.

From the data collected it was apparent that although a traditional style business card was more visually appealing to most, users found the business card that included the QR Code saving the information directly to their phone was most effective in sharing the information. This was due to its ability to provide information that didn't rely on having an internet connection or Wi-Fi as the other QR Code linked to a web page.

Although there was a positive response to the QR Code being included with half the users agreeing to adopting this type of business card for themselves, it was still apparent that a business card could not rely on a QR Code by itself. It had to include some sort of explanation or extra content that was relevant to what the QR Code was offering. This highlighted a slight issue with trust in not knowing what the QR Code actually included. Although QR Code readers are uncommon, making the inclusion of a QR Code slightly pointless, it does shows an interest in utilising modern technologies which is a likeable quality for an potential employer or client.

To conclude, the artefact was a success as it highlighted the beneficial use of a QR Code and therefore is a technology that will be include in the final year Multimedia exhibition catalogue under each student’s profile.

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PercentMobile

http://percentmobile.com

7 Reasons to Consider Mobile Analytics by PercentMobile

PercentMobile is a hosted mobile analytics service that makes your mobile audience and opportunities clear.

Easy to understand mobile analytics reports.

Built from the ground up for mobile-specific data.

On-demand. Fully-hosted.

It's free to get started.

Support is just a tweet away.

Born out of extensive mobile experience

Features for brands, agencies, and enterprise.

via http://percentmobile.com/page/431/mobile-analytics-for-mobile-site-tracking-7-reasons-to-consider-percentmobile

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Client Project - Why I've Chosen to Use WordPress as a CMS

Firstly it's easy to install, given that your server fill the requirements, it's convenient for all types of users to use, instantly publish any content and it offers a wide collection of themes and plugins that can be used on any WordPress powered site.

As I have used WordPress on a previous project I am more familiar with it than any other Content Management System like Joomla or Drupal and although there are many other types of systems on offer, according to Google WordPress in shown to be more the larger trend of the three. 

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Artefact 3 - Presentation

artefact3.pdf Download this file

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Client Project - Update

Slowly getting it all together by integrating it with WordPress

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Artefact 3 - Come and Test My Business Cards

Follow the link below to see my next artefact and don't forget to fill in the survey! -

http://www.cityandwool.co.uk/artefact3/

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Artefact 3 - Development with QR Codes and Business Cards

After looking through the a few different variations of sharing personal data that is usually included on a business card, I have decided to use the following online services -

QRVcards.com
http://www.qrvcards.com/

Through inputting the data you want to share, it codes it directly into the QR Code meaning there is no need to access any web pages. It easily saves the data to your phones address book.

PingTags

http://pingtags.com

It generates a QR Code which links to your PingTags profile page which looks like this - http://2d4.me/166osd4#home It also gives detailed web analytics with the service.

The QR Code Generated by PingTags -

After scanning the QR Code above here's how it looks on an Apple iPod Touch - 

I now need to create three business cards, one using each of the methods above and the third using the traditional method of basic text for comparison.

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Client Project - Coding

Currently coding up my Colwyn Bay Hockey Club mock up.

I'm using HTML5, CSS3, Google Web Fonts and using WordPress as my Content Management System. The image above is just the start of the HTML page before separating the file into individual PHP files for WordPress.

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iPad Peek

iPad Peek is a nifty tool that lets you see how any website will be rendered on the iPad. Click on the top border to switch from landscape to portrait mode. The virtual keyboard and the buttons on the iPad browser are just for show, but the reload button works.

Previewing a website in iPad Peek doesn’t offer the “real” iPad experience, however; for example, Flash works (and it shouldn’t). To get closer to the real deal, you should disable the Flash plugin in your browser and change the user agent string to that of the Apple iPad.

To do this last bit in Firefox, type “about:config” in the address bar, click the right mouse button, select New – String, and name it “general.useragent.override”. Then enter the value “Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; U; CPU OS 3_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/531.21.10 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.4 Mobile/7B334b Safari/531.21.10″.

via http://mashable.com/2010/04/05/ipad-peek/

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iQR is the New QR Code

Let's start off with an innovative TV advert from Axa Bank Belgium -

'The ad for Axa’s home insurance iPhone app, shows a house with a QR Code where the door should be and we see something crashing through the house roof. Viewers are invited to scan the code to see what actually happened. It’s certainly innovative and doubly so because what happened is something you don’t need to insure against' via http://2d-code.co.uk/axa-qr-code-tv-ad/

Now lets look at something new, the iQR Code!

'QR Code inventor’s Denso Wave have developed a successor they have called iQR. The new 2d barcode was created at the request of the industrial market for a code with a higher data capacity, printable is a smaller space and working in a rectangular format. iQR has an 80% higher data capacity and for the equivalent data is 30% smaller. Also the new code can be used in a rectangular format for printing in narrow spaces or on cylindrical products. Denso see the primary applications in the car and aviation industries and are planning a full ISO standard specification. Like the QR Code they also plan to make the specification available and in the public domain for use by anyone free of charge, subject to Trademark (77576894). At the moment there are only two industrial Denso readers that can decipher iQR and they are used in the Japanese market. I doubt very much that iQR will ever be used for marketing purposes but it is interesting to know that Denso has not been standing still.' via http://2d-code.co.uk/iqr-qr-code/

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Artefact 3 - QR Codes, Business Cards and vCards

Following from the success of the previous artefact, I'm now wanting to focus on their application to us as individuals. How can we use these QR Codes to promote ourselves, network and share details with each other.

Given that both the application download and movie trailer were considered to be the most effective applications of QR Codes, it's harder to include an application download within my particular self-promotion method. I've therefore done some more research on ways we would usually approach this task - The use of business cards, but more specifically integrating the use of a vCard.

With this idea of bringing the business card into the 21st century I want to start by combining old traditional styles with the updated use of a QR Code linked to a vCard then finding out what kind of response this promotes. The service LinkedIn could also prove helpful as I'm looking into more professional contacts.

I designing my own examples I will also be testing current QR Code/vCard services that are on the web to see which methods/services work the best.

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