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Producer:
Mike Phillips
VRML Production:
Glenn Kavanagh
VRML Interaction
Design: Vladimir Geroimenko
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 |
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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.
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STRUCTURE
FRAME |
CONTENT |
NB |
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CORE
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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.....
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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
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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...
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Avatars
can wonder around all the levels that have not yet been filled,
ie all of them apart from the Virtual Environments level.
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Enter
Virtual Environments: |
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Signage
on the top of each ÔcellÕ
-Procedure
for obtaining an avatar.
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| BABEL |
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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
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| GALLERY: |
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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.
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-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
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| ARCHIVE/ADMIN:
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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.
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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.
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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
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| FTP: |
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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.
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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
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| LIBRARY: |
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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: |
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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.
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contains
the link to the directory of the student.
Needs
to be linked to the ftp site as well
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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.
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| SOCIAL
SPACE: |
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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: |
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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....
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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???
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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...
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| ONE
TO ONE: |
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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
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| PRESENTATION
SPACE: |
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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?
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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.
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