Great Wide Open
Great Wide Open on Processing.org
Hi everyone,
Mushon told me about this open source project called processing.org. It’s a really cool programming language that was created for people who want to create images, animations and interactions. It is used as a sketchbook where you can make really fun graphics that can move around and interact with each other, but it’s done in a way that is very accessible to everyone. The program is based on javascript and allows you to create so many things that could be quite simple, but also allows for very elaborate design, which I will show examples of.
Here is the link:
Processing
See you later!
Sheila
all about linux.
Hello all. I’m including a few Linux-related links below - enjoy.
A Wired article from a few years back about Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux. Here’s his info page at linux.org.
unix.org
Here you can learn all about Unix, which is (historically, anyway) the software behind the internet.
gnu.org
This is Richard Stallman’s “not unix” project which fills in the gaps in Linux; he’ll throw a fit if you call Linux “Linux” and not “GNU/Linux”… so watch out.
Minix
As mentioned, this is the academic “Unix-like” OS created by Andy Tanenbaum to go with his book, Operating Systems: Design and Implementation; it formed the initial basis for Linux, with its code eventually being replaced completely.
linux.org
Here you can find loads of info about Linux history, distributions, etc.
kde.org
“About” page for the K desktop environment, which is one way of giving your Linux installation a GUI. I’ve always liked the look of KDE more than GNOME, but recently GNOME seems more developed, no doubt as a result of its default status in Ubuntu. The Ubuntu K desktop is called Kubuntu.
gnome.org
“About” page for the GNOME desktop, the default in Ubuntu.
ubuntu.com
This is the “OS” I ran through in class yesterday; it’s completely free and worth a look if you have Parallels (though Parallels isn’t required, of course); right now this is probably the best/cheapest way for a beginner to get started with a computer (just add a dirt-cheap PC).
If you want a few-years-old introduction to Linux (and an unhealthy dose of geeks on camera), you can check out the Revolution OS documentary on google video here.
SCRIPTOGRAPHER
Hello guys… I’m sorry I took this long uploading this information, but it’s finally here!!!!
SCRIPTOGRAPHER
Jürg Lehni is the creator of Scriptographer. He is from Zürich.
Scriptographer is a scripting plugin for Adobe Illustrator, that gives the user the possibility to extend the functionality of Illustrator by the use of the JavaScript scripting language. Therefore the user is no longer limited to the same few tools that are used by nearly all the graphic designers all over the world. Scriptographer allows the creation of mouse controlled drawtools, run-once effects and even timer controlled animations.
Scriptographer gives the tool back in the hand of the user, it confronts a closed product with the open source philosophy. And the best thing is: it doesn’t cost anything.
If you want to download it, click here.
(Lehni is also the creator of something really cool called HEKTOR.)
let’s make some noise: Audacity
hi all
Audacity is a free and cross-platform sound editor (recording and editing), developed by a group of volunteers and distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
you can
- record life audio
- convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs
- edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
- cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together
- change the speed or pitch of a recording and more
Audacity has won two awards last year; Audio Authoring Application of the Year 2007 from LinuxQuestions.org (online community) and Source Forge Community Choice Awards 2007 from SourceForge.net (online community).
Downloads: plugins allow you to export MP3 files, to load VST plug-ins and additional effects and filters. Some Screenshots and Tutorials of this software.
Contribution: you can help this community by translating this software into different languages
Source Code?
Now you can make your own ring tones!!!!
NODE BOX
So this week I’m going to introduce to you an open source application called NodeBox. NodeBox is a Mac OS X applciation which allows its users to create 2D visuals by using Python programming code. Users can export them as a PDF or Quicktime movie. It is a free application and you can visit the website here for further reference.
When you open program, you’ll see three windows (code window on the top right, output window on the left, and messages on the bottom right). The code window is the place where you write up all the necessary codes/scripts in order to execute an output. You can often press command (apple+) R to see what is being generated and you’ll see the output on the left output window) The messages window shows error in oyur scripts and it is important to make sure the script is written in the exact way or it would not work.
I think this program can be quite useful as you can then use the exported pdf files and transport to Illustrator to ungroup and make further changes without losing the quality. Also, Nodebox allows you to export a file in multiple pages, it is useful to use this program especially when you’re using a random commands in the output.
Above are some examples, which NodeBox is able to do.
Blender.org 3D animation
hello hello,
I’m going to be introducing you to the open source 3d animation program Blender. I don’t know if any of you have used 3d animation software before, but Blender is similar to Maya. In both programs, you can draw 3d images as well as create movies.
Not only is the program an open source project, but Blender has sponsored several other open source design projects. Currently, they are working on a 3d animation movie called Peach where they have external artists working with the Blender staff to create really amazing 3d animation. Peach is the second open source movie that Blender has sponsored, the first being Orange.
It’s really pretty amazing what these guys can do with this program. Below are some pictures of various stages of animation as well as some links to videos you can watch about the animation:
Not only does Blender work on Open Source movies, they’re also creating an OS game called Apricot.
On top of all the projects they’re working on, the folks at Blender also have just opened the new Blender Institute in Amsterdam. The two classes they currently offer are “Switch to Blender” , a course that helps designers make the transition from another 3d design software to Blender; and “Blender Essentials”, a course for anyone who wants to seriously get started with blender.
The website has tons of information and images to look at but I’ll just attach a few more screen shots of what blender is capable of:
I encourage you all to read more about this program and take a more indepth look at the site. It’s pretty awesome 
GWO for this week
mushon,
i’m confused who is doing the Great Wide Open this week. on the schedule i’m supposed to do it, but i think we are a week behind… is that true or am i presenting this friday?
thanks!
Stick it to the Man (in the Adobe hut that is…)
Man that was a killer pun….
I am presenting on Open Source alternatives to the ubiquitous Adobe Suite of design applications. There are a number of image editing apps out there that intend to replicate Photoshop, but the one that far and away is the best is called the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Project): http://www.gimp.org/.
The Illustrator alternative that offers the best functionality is called Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org/.
The alternative to InDesign is called Scribus: http://www.scribus.net.
Finally, something that will actually be useful to all of you (using a Mac at least) is NeoOffice a very well polished open source alternative to Microsoft Office: http://www.neooffice.org/
Here are a couple of programs that I use on a daily basis that are all Open Source:
Adium: An IM program that covers all the major IM kinds. I like it because of its customization options and the fact that it is not made by AOL (which I personally despise). Best of all its Open Source and Free!
Text Wrangler: A free text editor that is really useful for editing HTML and CSS. It color codes the code you write so its easier do read HTML and CSS and even more techie types of coding.
Quicksilver: This is that launcher program that I was using during the demonstration in class today. I think its probably the most amazing program ever. If only because it saves you from always going to the Applications folder and then hunting for the right program. I find it impossible to use computers without quicksilver now though so keep in mind that it spoils you! This very elegantly designed program has an equally spare and elegant website. Just click on the quicksilver button and click the dowload button in the tab that pulls out and you are set.
Brief: Great, Wide, OPEN
From this week (#2) we are starting a series of presentations under the title “Great Wide Open” in which you guys will be presenting to class a specific topic involving open source, it can be an interesting project, a discussion around OS issues, a technology you wish were open but isn’t, and why should it be… issues of open culture, copyright laws or how does all this tie back to design? Each such presentation will take 15 mins + 5 mins for Q&A. These presentations will be obviously accompanied by a post on our blog, which will include the key ideas, some links and the opportunity to all of us to continue the discussion after class in the comments column.
In the coming week, please send me the topics for your presentations, so I might help you with your research and give you some tips. The order of presentations is:
Feb 1st - Cian Brown
Feb 8th - X
Feb 15th - CP waite
Feb 22nd - Kellie
Feb 29th - Cyrus Chan
March 14th - Lan
March 28th - Marcela Gamez
April 4th - Ryan Hines
April 11th - Sheila
April 18th - Susanna Chang
