A new beginning!

Shortly after I published my last post, I received some positive news regarding a new project!

As I mentioned previously, I dropped in to see Alan Craig, the Associate Director for Human-Computer Interaction here at NCSA. Alan had delivered an interesting seminar to Monash via the high-definition video link and I was keen to catch up and have a chat. It took some time, but Alan identified some areas where I can assist with his current projects, especially his augmented reality project.

We had a good conversation regarding the projects that he is currently undertaking and the work that he would like me to do. Working with him is a good fit as he has a huge amount of ongoing projects in a broad range of areas that are of interest to me. He is also very keen to show me some of the great things that are happening here at NCSA.

I will also be working with Robert (Bob) McGrath, who is part of the AR team. Some of the initial tasks that have been assigned to me are the following:

1. Build a website for AR project

Create a new Drupal-based website to replace the current AR project website. 

2. Update the list of current AR related projects around the world, especially those on mobile devices.

I will upload a post later on detailing some of the exciting ways that AR is being utilized.

3. Search for 3D graphical models to convert to AR format.

Possible other areas that I will be involved with are as follows:

4. Work with / learn about the Fab Lab (fabrication laboratory)

A community-based project providing a small-scale workshop with an array of flexible computer controlled tools that cover several different length scales and various materials, with the aim to make "almost anything".

5. Work with / learn about the Documenting Endangered Languages project

A project dedicated to the use of social media to develop new ways to facilitate the documentation of a variety of native american languages that are in danger of becoming extinct.

6. Work with / learn about other data mining / web mining projects

I'll include more detail in subsequent posts, including my trip last night to the Fab Lab.

Other than that, I have been keeping myself busy as usual. On Tuesday evening, I saw the documentary Waiting for Superman with a friend from the global health reading group. The film was highly emotive, and discussed the current (bleak) state of the education system in the US. It was definitely an eye-opener and a fair few people in the audience were sobbing at the end of the movie.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had arrange to go to a friend's house to make crème brûlées on Wednesday night - and they turned out very well! I have included a photo of one of the delicious desserts (my favourite!). It was a great night. On the weekend, I went over to another friend's house on Saturday night for a pot luck party and then raced off to Chicago with some friends to go salsa dancing for the night. It was a fairly long drive, but definitely worth it. I'm toying with the idea of going back to Chicago this weekend to do some sightseeing.

Anyway that's it for now - I'll publish another post shortly with an update!