DESIGN:

Product definition for The Panopticon Web Site:

 

Producer: Mike Phillips

VRML Production: Glenn Kavanagh

VRML Interaction Design: Vladimir Geroimenko

  Contents  
1. Project Overview

1.1 Concept Statement

1.2 Target Market

1.3 Structure and scope of interactivity

 

2. Systrem Requirements

 

   
3. Functional Specification    

 

1. Project Overview

1.1 Concept Statement

The Panopticon Project is developing of an OnLine collaborative learning environment that integrates a variety of internet technologies, including RTC, video conferencing, and photo-realistic VR (QTVR and 'RealVR'), within a multi-user VRML environment or MUSE (Multi User Simulation Environment). This VRML environment is designed to assist and support employees of the ÔNew MediaÕ industries (including; digital TV, Interactive Media developers, electronic publishing, Information Architects, etc) enrolled on short courses run by the Interactive Media Group in the School of Computing, University of Plymouth. Aspects of the project also support the CAiiA-STAR integrated doctoral research platform. The project will ultimately deliver a number of OnLine VRML spaces/places and software tools that will allow participants to create their own 'haptic' learning sub-environments within the overall architecture of the project. Features of the project include:

-a series of vrml buildings

-multiuser environments

-Interaction through online chat, bulletin boards, and direct interaction with vrml environments and objects.

- a learning environment that is able to be moulded by the learner The Project is a holding form for the development of an On-Line MSc in Interactive Media.

1.2 Target market The target market is skilled interactive media practitioners wishing to obtain a postgraduate qualification.

1.3 Structure and Content Form.

1.3.1 Web Site. A website contains the On-Line section of the Project, and presents the context for the project development. Registration and background information can be found within top layer web site.

1.3.2 Core The core space allows access to each of the levels of the panopticon. The 'hub' of the OnLine multi-user Learning Environment is inspired by and based on BenthamÕs architecture for the Panopticon. The various sections of the VRML model, which provides access to all of the modules/courses available within the scheme. Each layer of the building houses a module. Access to the modules is provided through the 'Core' which runs up through the centre of the 'building'. Here participants can register for a particular module, and have access to that layer of the building. The various sections or zones available within each layer include: Library, Archive, Social MUD (all three run across levels/modules), RTC, Participants Spaces, FTP, Gallery, News, One to One Tutorial Space, and a MUSE Presentation Space. Each zone has the architecture of a historical 'dream' building to underpin contextual practice.

1.3.3 Modules Each of the modules on offer can be found on each floor of the Panopticon. Only the Virtual Environments module has been developed within the initial stage of the project. Access to the various components of the module is through the 'cells' that surround the core. These cells are (taken from production map).

PANOPTICON WWW SITE STRUCTURE:
NB: Diagrams of web structure refer to related html pages and links, not necessarily to locations in directories

The frame on the left contains:

-Top half contains generic links to the various levels of the web site. This does not change and looks more or less the same as the existing web site with java rollovers etc.

-The section below this generic frame contains the links embedded into each layer of the building and a introduction/explanation of each of the buildings, such as function etc...

-This frame may also contain module content such as vrml exercises etc.

-Html Links from this frame either replace the vrml building or call up new page in front of the vrml building.

 
  STRUCTURE FRAME CONTENT NB

CORE

 

 

 
 

Enter PANOPTICON PROPER www site thru online section.

The page has the VRML on right and frame containing list of modules, and generic navigation at the top.....

Welcome to the PANOPTICON. Please enter the level you are registered for.

Virtual Environments New Media Design Integrated Digital Media Managing Digital Media Psychology of Interaction Digital Discourse

Password entry using server software to this index page.

Signage in the VRML model:

-List of layers/modules at the top of the building

-Each layer needs a title (module titles, which may need to be changed? Gifs?

-Views in Cosmo need layer titles too...

  Avatars can wonder around all the levels that have not yet been filled, ie all of them apart from the Virtual Environments level.
  Enter Virtual Environments:  

Signage on the top of each ÔcellÕ

-Procedure for obtaining an avatar.

BABEL      
  The vrml building is based on the Herodotus description in the structure section of the web site: 8 levels and blue in colour. The building is a shell for the main link. In the centre of each level there is a small model of the tower which acts as the link. The frame contains the same links as the vrml model. Clicking on these links, or the links in the vrml model calls up the linked page on top of the vrml model.

Each level needs a name on it as below. if these are just gifs they can be changed latter: The links are - starting at ground level:

-4d.htm: the 4d conversation pages

-architxt.htm: link to the architext down load pages

-opentxt.htm: link to the opentxt pages

-cuseeme.htm: link to a cuseeme reflector site

-icq.htm: link to icq home pages

-blank1.htm: expansion page

-blank2.htm: expansion page

-recursive link back to the babel main model

GALLERY:      
  Big white cube recursive cubes. need an exit? place small white spheres in the centre of many of the cubes. each sphere is a link to a html page with info about the exhibit.

The frame will list all the exhibits.

Exhibit pages appear on top of the vrml models space.

-recursive cubes.

-exit spheres to escape cube?

-20-30 spheres in cubes.

-each sphere a link to html page called:gall1.htm, gall2.htm etc

-need a big white vrml cube to contain other vrml models

ARCHIVE/ADMIN:      
 

Monument to the third republic: Each of the three levels has a different admin function.

The top level contains staff support, images and contacts for all staff etc Middle layer contains all the information on the student and other student. The lower level contains info on the modules.

The frame contains the links incorporated into each section ie each section needs a new frame content. the top part is still the generic info...

clicking on one of the links, either in the vrml or the frame calls up a new page over the top of the vrml section.

Top part.

-Has giff images of each of the staff positioned around the walls. These giff images can be changed. However the links need to be made to html pages. so:

staff1.htm, staff2.htm up to staff10.htm. Info selected is passed into the lower part of the frame.

-middle section contains the same but with 20 gif im ages around the walls. links: avatar1.htm, avatar2.htm etc to 20.

-course admin: needs 15 gif image links; admin1.htm to admin15.htm

FTP:      
 

Port Eliot House This contains all the ftp requirements of the PANOPTICON.

Some have student access others are more secure.

Clicking on objects in the spaces provides info into the frame. need signage....

Each section of the model contains different access rights but general contents are visible.

Clicking a link in the frame or the vrml calls up a new window.

Architext down load is also linked from the 4D conversation page.

A new window appears containing their info.

Ftp upload of vrml models so they can be incorporated into /replace the barrels hall space.

FTP into the presentation space, can this be automatic?

As above to the one to one space on top of the podium...

Submission of work drop box only.

Post files to the news section as well as the access through the html form.

All the html pages show are the conents of each section.

The frame contains information on the various contents of each section. menu for all the ftp sections and duplicates the links in each section.

FTP:Port Eliot House This contains all the ftp requirements of the PANOPTICON.

Some have student access others are more secure.

Each section of the model contains different access rights but general contents are visible:

SO:

-Download. students can download course notes etc. click and a new window appears...download.htm

-Architext download. new html...arcgitxt.htm (same as 4d conversation)

-Student space. Students can upload into their own folders. Directory is visible from their own student space, st jeromes desk. opens up another window rather than replaces st jeromes building... see student space, need 11 ftp pages, stftp1.htm, stftp2 etc

-student websites can also be ftpd to.

-Upload vrml models to social space to replace the Barrels hall model. However this does not allow replace existing files and it does not automatically; replace the model. Manual by staff . upload.htm

-FTP to presentation space. Models can be submitted for group presentation. present.htm

-to the one to one space - de chirico. for tutorial onto plinth. one2one.htm

-Hand in of work. Only handin no access. handin.htm

-post files to the news section (everytown).newspost.htm

LIBRARY:
Borges: The Library of Babel simple links from each of the sections to info and booklists etc in the frames contents of the link for the vrml space. The frame contains sections of books and urls etc. These are duplicated through in the vrml space. books provide links. blank pages for the frame. Categories not yet known. make lots of html pages... best do a set of books for each letter of the alphabet.
STUDENT SPACE:      

Saint Jerome in His Study, Antonello da Messina.

Clicking on the front of the desk calls up a new window with the students personal ftp space listed.

contains the link to the directory of the student.

Needs to be linked to the ftp site as well

Make 11 versions of the vrml model, one for each student and an extra demo version.

-need a front end model arch/corridor that shows all of the student spaces.

-Password entry needed on each space?

-the front of each desk opens up the directory in a new web page of the students ftp site. Needs to be duplicated for each student. Only read rights in the student space. Anything else can take place in the ftp site.

-make 11 html pages one showing each of the student ftp sites.

-link to student web site

-link to student file as shown in the admin space.

SOCIAL SPACE:
Barrels Hall / student made. Simple multiuser space with rtc. Barrels hall can be replaced by student space carried ust a welcome to the space with info on the location. No links or special info. Only ability to change the space at some point in the future....
NEWS:

Every Town. all the objects in the space give news and info on the various up coming activities. Uses bulletin board as in the VA and CAiiA-STAR.

post and read....

Contains the news from the objects in sections (see objects)

As frames are selected the vrml model view moves to select the object with the links???

News sections one for each of the objects (label objects with gifs:

-FTP ftp info from the student post up of larger info.

-replicate the info space post up facility in the CAiiA-STAR server.... for course info

-replicate the info space in the CAiiA-STAR server.... for exhibitions

-replicate the info space in the CAiiA-STAR server.... for conferences

-replicate the info space in the CAiiA-STAR server.... for misc...

ONE TO ONE:
Enigma of a Day / Nostalgia of the Infinite needs mechanism for importing vrml files from a student into the podium so that individual tutorials can take place... just the info on the section.

-rtc

and

-importing the objects

PRESENTATION SPACE:
  Adoration of the Magi possibly the most complex. Multiple versions of the space for: ¥vrml tutorials- ¥Lectures ¥group presentation of work Contains: vrml tutorials and info on the activity....

At the end of the space a miniature model of the presentation space on a plinth allows you access to the next level.

-multiple versions of each vrml tutorial

-One version that contains all of the lectures. Each lecture is a doorway/arch through which you go to see the html pages. A new page is presented when you enter. need to set up 5 html pages one for each arch/lecture... lecture1.htm. lecture2.htm etc.

-space for group presentation of student models. models need to be uploaded. in line files?

 

2.0 System Requirements

Minimum requirements

Multimedia PC Pentium II
50Mb RAM for Netscape/Explorer
800x600 screen resolution
thousands of colours
Windows 98 or NT4
56k modem connection
Netscape/Explorer VRML Plugin

MACINTOSH
Power Macintosh (G3 recommended)
50Mb RAM for Netscape
800x600 screen resolution
thousands of colours
System 8 or higher
56k modem connection
Netscape/Explorer VRML Plugin (Cosmo with CosmoPlayer.jar file (not installed in beta 2 version))

 

3. Functional specification

3.1 Format and installation Access to the Panopticon web site will allow On-Line registration.
Access to the Panopticon can only be achieved with the appropriate plugin.
VRML architectures can be accessed and avatars registered.
Macintosh user with the Cosmo Plugin will also have to download the .jar file to access the chat panel.

Further descriptions of interactions can be found in section 2.