This time last week I had just arrived in Galway to work with Emmet. We spent the weekend working through our agenda, and dealing with issues that had surfaced in the past few weeks (as well as enjoying a Galway Halloween):

FRIDAY: focus interface

Posted to some non-profit organisations we know and one I belong to (Green Map) ‘Why we are not using Google Maps’
Such projects are discussing whether to use Google Maps
Reviewed the content of our post and agreed, once again, that we should not take the Google Map route
Acknowledged the fact that, ironically, Google Maps is probably going to make it more difficult for independents like us to create open source mapping projects
I described how Green Map System works as a network, the tools the project uses and the tools that are needed
Reviewed an initial framework built by Emmet. It merges the map and wiki into one interface
Agreed that this framework is working and should be developed during the weekend
Emmet discussed how he could possibly adapt some of the wiki code into the map interface
Emmet explained about AJAX, and how and why he was using it for the interface
Talked about using tags in the interface
Discussed homepage and whether it should just be the map, or should it be the idea of a ’shop window’ that leads you into a mappage
Invitation to make the source really literary, include dissertation in final distribution of source code?
Emmet explained the double meaning of ‘include’

SATURDAY: focus homepage

Introduction to Processing by Emmet - explanation about how it’s considered a good introduction to programming
Looked at programmatic visual sites such as levitated.net
Agreed Processing is not really useful in terms of visualising information but that the lines it can automate are evocative
Looked at the use of tags in wikis? We haven’t seen it before and decide to bring it out of our reserve of ideas
Outlined content requirement for homepage features
Brainstormed wordage e.g. improve, protect, get to know, sustain, understand, look after, preserve, connect with, think about, collaborate, come together, learn, share, record, engage. explore, contribute
Wrote copy for homepage
Came up with basic layout for home page
Studied information on Green Map blog - (see that it’s using wordpress too)
Looked at iPod Nanos in real-life (like this one online best though)

SATURDAY EVENING: focus mapmaking

Met up with Green Map Galway Mapper
Realisation that we are Green Mapping
Realisation that theirwork is a very different approach, especially from the perspective of a traditional Green Mapper e.g. setting criteria
Realisation that there is no out of the box solution to help Green Maps get online (unless they are going to use Google Maps)
Discussed usefulness of the project as an open source release aimed at getting green mappers off the ground
Noted a big difference in the *type* of data that we’re going to use on a map - soft data, stories - not just hard data, points.
A new aim - to bridge the gap between environmentalists/designers, and open source programmers/developers
Stated that open source programmers need designers, Green Mapmakers need designers, designers need programmers
Talked about printing the information off - very different from traditional static Green Map, as it’s dynamic
Encouraged Galway Mapmaker to set up an Ireland Green Map Wiki

SUNDAY: focus starting to design interface

Discussed the embodied energy within an object (we need to link this to the theirwork audit)
Designed framework for forum - two categories (General Discussion, Technical Problems)
Talked about the experience of boards.ie Emmet shared discussion he was just involved in at techcamp
Redesigned blog on paper
Talked about licences - we may be going for two licences, one for the content of the site (probably Creative Commons), and one for the source code
Finalised what we want to have in the mapping interface, did some layout sketches
Deliberated over users - we’re not going to include them in interface (yet anyway)
People can tag stories with their names or a group they might be mapping with if they like, as this will allow them to filter and show only their own content
Looked at logo issue - development will be discussed with an excellent typographer/graphic designer I know
Studied Ubuntu quickly. I had my first run on it
Looked at approach to online marketing - not going for viral marketing approach, don’t like it - need to get a list of blogs together that are likely to link to project
Realisation that now we are introducing tagging to the map interface, qualitative data is being coded by the end user
Realisation that interviews and workshops should be coded by the end-user, and not by an open source qualitative research software tool or by qualitative researcher
Realisation that the enduser is a co-researcher from the start
As an aside, I could code the data (interviews/workshop material) by machine after allowing end-users to code data - different results could be compared
Explaining tagging to people should be part of the workshops - explain tagging, and the importance of good tagging
Question of how do you bring 6 to 8 coded data sets from individual interviews into 1 set of contrast questions for a workshop - I have to investigate this
Made a note about recording of workshops - need to video people using the tool in workshop, allowing us to react to responses
Looked at time needed to make changes to the tool if necessary
Dwelt on the editing of data - people will be able to edit people stories, and we are hoping that it will be a self regulating thing
We hope that people will be able to make the distinction between personal data and locative data and historical data…
Different roles - we are taking on very specific roles
My role is about directly working with people and I have to analyse usage and worth. Emmet’s role is about technical stuff and site development
The forum will be the first aspect of online work introduced in focus session
Users will be directed to forum and encouraged to hang out
Timeline was set for project. Version One to be released at the end of January 2006
To do lists created