Blog Entry #2

From the last studio class we had, we were asked to choose 5 topics and further expand/brainstorm on it. Each group member of our team chose a topic and mine was A. Synchronous Messaging; e.g. Skype, Team Speak, MSN. Other examples of synchronous messaging are GAIM (similar to Team Speak), Yahoo Messenger, Ventrilo, G-Talk (Google Messenger), AIM, MIRC/IRC, ICQ. All these programs require both parties to be online at the same time and its not just for 2 people, but many, depending on connection speed and some server side hardware/software. These programs are great for online conversations where discussions/meetings are required for any issues relating to the project. You may type and send messages or just talk into a microphone and will all instantly be sent to your team members.

Looking at MSN Messenger for example, for Group A, its been one of the best ways we've collaborated online along with some asynchronous messaging. Syncrhonous messaging programs have come along way from just words to now being able to send little emotion icons with your messages, send/recieve files, have a webcam/microphone conferencing and even play mini games such as minesweeper against your friends instantly. This MSN quote can pretty much tell the whole story...

"See. Hear. Share. Instantly."

On the other hand, Skype, Team Speak, Ventirlo, GAIM etc are more towards using a microphone for communicating instantly with another online friend/s. These programs come in very handy when you hands are busy, e.g. playing a massively multiplayer online role-playing game such as World of Warcraft requires people to collaborate in doing quests and killing enemies, therefore your hands would be busy controlling the actual character of the game. So these synchronous messaging programs through voice are important and pretty much instant. A thing to note is that these programs work best with a low-to-mid latency or in other words a fast internet connection. Here's a diagram that generally describes how its done.

Also, from the last class, we chose to go ahead with the The Dam Theatre (from Matt's Blog Entry #1). We found it very different from the others and that it would be a great challenge to actually model it up and importing it into UT3 for a walk around. The Dam Theatre is a thing which I've never seen before, how the theatre actually hangs of the edge of the dam wall with a long distance away from the river below, supported by trusses which cantilevers over the other side of the wall.

Brief summary of our meeting:

• Discussed the multiple start points in this unusual space.
  
• Where the boundary of the environment is that we will be creating.
  
• Our ways of communicating online, through "Basecamp".
  
• Having layers that could be switched on/off to allow different views in UT3.
  
• Different texture to show movement as you walk around.
  
• Theatre with audience or just empty (example of layers).
  
• The furniture in the theatre, using an array.
  
• Exterior lighting of theatre can be switched on/off.
  
• The background of the stage, is it going to be a see-through screen or just a picture.
  
• Different things which could be created such as doors leading to other rooms, projection room and catwalks etc.
  
• Sounds we require, river, a boat?, the performance inside.
  
• Lighting inside and outside of theatre, sunrise/sunset, dark interior due to performance? etc.

My computing experience are as follows (related to the project):
Photoshop
Average - Used this for 3-4 years here and there, never really used extensively though.

Revit
Average - Used this for about 1 year. Went through alot of tutorials. Also doing a Revit course at the moment.

3DSMax
Beginner - Just started working with this program this semester.

Sound
Beginner - I've used Adobe Audition for an assignment, but that's about it.

Video
Beginner - Haven't used any.


References:
- Microsoft Online Services, MSN Messenger, http://join.msn.com/messenger/overview2000
- Inventeering, http://www.inventeering.com/images/A2A_SkypeCloud.png