he following are copies of BetaSpace meeting notes and other important group correspondence, which track the major developments of the project.

Spring/Summer 2002

Fall Quarter 2002

Winter Quarter 2003

Spring Quarter 2003

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spring/Summer 2002:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 6-27-02

Subject: New Directions

Jay,

Okay- before I start there are three sites you need to
explore and digest a bit to get a feel where Liam and
myself are heading.

http://www.jeffharris.org (from Liam's presentation)
http://www.goingonsix.com
http://www.fioriinc.com

---STOP DON"T MOVE ON TILL YOU HAVE CHECKED THESE
OUT!--

Okay now that you have a taste, we can begin. After
you had intially told us you would be leaving I
started to revisit some of our (Liam and me) ideas
from our presntations focused more on storytelling and
our earlier group ideas about experimental navigation.
But still trying to keep that "diversity of human
condition" thing we had discussed taking the MI
project in.

The three sites I had you look at are really unique in
the folowing ways:

1) Jeffharris.org is a truly unique site that tells
stories of fascinating experience. Furthermore it lets
users leave something behind. In a sense allowing them
to express themselves.

2) goingonsix is an extremely potent example of how
experimental narrative and more "artistic" work can
have a great emotional impact. If you didn't check out
all the examples go back and do it. Some are lame, but
some are really emotional pieces that give such
results specifically because of the media and how it
is used.

3) fiori inc. is a great example of trying to mimic
the social process of getting to know someone. You do
it a bit at a time and uncover more through
interaction as you go.

Here was my new direction idea as I expressed it to
Liam:
The internet is already a great place to give out
info. An even greater place to tell stories. I don't
know about you guys, but I'm chomping at the bit for
some hardcore artistic expression. So why not use the
internet to tell all manner of compelling stories in
limitless ways. From a posting style like Jeff Harris
uses to way out there experimental stuff like
goingonsix. We can even keep the video stuff in,
there's no limits to the media.

So what stories do we tell? Anything, whatever we find
interesting. But a starting point is yourself. Look
inside you and find some sort of artistic expression
that is going to not just be a lame "bio" but an
emotional introduction to you and your own world.

By enclosing sort of virtual memoirs about ourselves
we start exposing user to our experience. And it can
be a personal part of the project for each of us. And
you my friend wanted some personal leeway.

After that we start going to another level- we start
gathering personal stories of other people.
Grandparents, friends, people off the street -whoever
has an interesting story. If they can do some sort of
artistic collaboration with us (other CSUH students to
start w?)great. If not we get their story and start to
take over. If it is so compelling (i.e. a dramtic
video interview) that we don't even need to touch it,
that's cool! But the artistic liscence is still there.

So we start sort of creating this online prescence
that is about social interaction and people, not
trying to advocate a theory or practice.

The next step is giving people a way to interact and
express themseves on our site independent of us, thus
enhancing the social aspect (various) of the project.
I had the idea to let people post through a dymanic
gateway using any form of media, kind like digihound
but not just with flash, but that's a very ambitous
angle. Liam had the idea of just providing a totally
open source link venue that people can post and
categorize. Whatever - this part needs to be discussed
- but you get the idea.

let me catch my breath -

Here's the real beauty of the project: provided we
keep the presentation "engine" (for lack of a better
term) simple. We can have the working kernel ready
really early in the project and from there it's just
piling on as much content as possible by next June.

The thought is all there - social, conceptual,
everything! we just need to start. But we need to
start like yesterday!

I don't know about you guys, but in some ways I did
have a concern that the MI proposal was heading in a
direction that was not going to flex creative muscle.
Which is one thing I know that this group has serious
amounts of.

Its the kind of project I believe in, and it allows us
each to bring something personal to the table and move
on from there. Peel back the layers of the onion we
all talked about.

Okay - I think that should prime you for our new
direction.

That being said, now is the time for decisions Jay.
Because of group circumstances we really needed a
decision on the 27th. But I understand you wanted to
hear more first, that's cool.

I'm not saying you have to have your mind made up when
we walk in on monday, but we need an answer by the end
of that meeting. Liam leaves for mexico in a week and
we probably won't be able to get a schedule shored up
as it is before he leaves.

I know you had expressed doubt about your time
capabilities during parts of the year. I'm sorry Liam
and I can't ease those, but we need you 100%. We will
ALL be extremely busy and strapped for money, we know
your situation. I don't have a dime right now and
bills are outsanding, so I'm in the same boat believe
me.

There are addional thoughts I've had, but Liam has yet
to hear those, so I'll save them.

I will see you monday?
Ethan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 7-3-02

Subject: Minutes from meeing on 7-3-02

Present: E,J,L

- Inquiry over Japan-US Foundataion

- Jay shared rough outline of proposed installation

Topics Discussed:

- poster for entries

-concluded present online museums are 'lacking'; still focus on traditional, not multimedia

-MOCA one of the best

----

Installation ideas:

Ethan

-emergent behavior
-trip out west
-TBD

Liam

-never living in present
-missed connections
-road trip stories
-mexico trip

Jay

-big project on Japan: light, color and sound

----

Why we scrapped MI:

-LACK OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
-lack of resources
-must cover ALL nine MIs
-might as well play 'myst'
-motivation: desire v obligation

-Discussed ways for jay to build flash project

-----
Deadlines:

J: japan-us app july 15; need to research and flesh out proposal

E: CGI/Pearl/Posting

L: navigation research

-debated documentation using msn; because of ugly msn format ethan offered to copy/ paste all documentation into better looking format.
jay felt msn is not ideal but sufficient and a time saver, hard drive as back up.

---

Choosing Art Work

-how to?
-rotating jury
-multiple categories
-user voting?

---

END 3.5 hours

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 7-24-02

Subject: 7-24-02 Minutes

Minutes for 7-24-02 - 3 hours (please feel free to correct any reporting mistakes)

- It was brought up that we should try to market our thesis project as much as possible (search engines, etc), and should also enter (and win!) competitions (emma foundation, flashforward, etc) before the defense in late May 2003, as this would help boost support and credibility for the project.

- A key aspect that we need to emphasize is the community building aspect of the project. This is one of the ways we can stress that the project is 'innovative' (a requirement). It is hoped that this project will incorporate wide participation among artists in the CSUH and Bay Area communities. We hope to have local and distance collaboration on various aspects! of the projects. This is hoped to redefine 'interactivity' in its truest sense, whereby using the power of the internet to help people interact more, and create artwork together in support of building a stronger "web community".

- The use of message boards and a posting engine were brought up as part of a possible dynamic areas of the site. (Cold Fusion MX seminar -- August 7)

- Different sections of the online museum were brought up - free for all section, moderated section, etc. (this will be specified more clearly in the 'project description' section of the proposal)

- It was mentioned that the experimental structure of the site should be manually updated, and whatever experimental, visual structure that the site takes on can launch specifically-sized browser windows that open up artwork hosted on other's servers [ note from Liam -- I have an additional comment on this--we could host some stuff on other's servers, but we might want to consider hosting as much as we can on our own server-- not likely; but it would help prevent potential linkrot) It was also suggested that, when a new browser window is launched, we might want to first show an initial screen with the 'thumbnail' again, the artist's name, email, artist's note, and file size. [see http://www.kirkshouse.com and click on 'distractions']

- The importance of having a modular structure the the site being set up early was stressed, as it will allow us to have the framework of the site set up early in the year, with the rest of the time dedicated to producing (and adding) our own artwork and recruiting others to contribute artwork to the space as well

- Writing assignments for the thesis proposal were divided up to send off to Phil by mid August:

-Jay: Research Question, Potential Sections (2nd half of Project Description), Budget Plan

-Liam: Conceptual Justification, description and objectives (1st half of Project Description), Research Plan

-Ethan: Social Justification, Production Plan, Assessment Plan


- Deadlines:

-August 8 - Mail above writing assignments to other group members for review

-August 11 - Mail personal content sections to other group members for review

-August 20 - Meet in AE 194 at 6pm to compile all completed sections together, review one last time, and send off to Phil (for his feedback, and for him to "float it around the department")

-Liam

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 8-20-02

Subject: minutes August 20

liam - researching experimental nav; logo comp

ethan - researching experimental nav; logo comp

jay - research best registrar for domain; hosting options; cold fusion tutorial/books

eric - (if applicable) dynamic content research

next meeting: jay's; 7p; aug 29th

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 8-23-02

Subject: no subject

Dudes-

If you haven't already, take a look at soulbath.com I
never thought of the site in context of our project
before. A quote from the site that supports some of
our own ideas-

"The title of this piece (above) describes the
creeping prostitution of the vision of electronic
utopia envisaged in the early days of the Internet,
where sites were bold statements or hard
facts offered to an eager audience. The promise of a
golden age of information sharing, is now,
bit-by-bit, being diluted, sullied and distorted by
commercialisation. The digital world is now a
24-hour, non-stop circus of cheap deals, pay per view,
consumer consumption. (...) Where will it
end? If I look within I see that I too am a victim of
the same paradox, to live I work and this
work comes from building the very sites that are
killing the dream."

e dog

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 8-29-02

Subject: Internet "art" quote

hey guys,
I came across an interesting quote from web usability expert Jakob Nielsen, who's also infamous for saying that "99% of Flash is bad."...

"I think the problem is that you have certain groups of designers who think of web design as being an art project, and its not. If you want to design art, go and paint a picture and put it in a gallery and I’ll look at it there."

-Liam

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 9-2-02

Subject: 8-29 minutes

08-29-02 Minutes

Hosting Services:
1. 2 yrs for $18.00 -- best deal so far
2. School server: pentium 3, 1ghz, SCSI drive for video; unlimited traffic;
no full access
3. Buy own server: ~500 mhz good, 512 RAM, SCSI drive preferred (3x faster
than IDE); Garvin recommends: 2000 server, much more support for Flash MX,
software availabities, resources, etc.

Logo & Navigation:
- each member selected logo prototypes designed by Ethan
- Looked at different navigational structures--lounge navigaton (simulates
real-world experience of gallery entry); spatial navigation with floating
objects serving as entry points)

Equipment List: finalized list (to be turned in to Raquel by Sept 3)

Next Week Actions:
Jay - Buy domain Name

Liam & Ethan: Present interface and logo ideas

Eric: Draft of own project and proposal of channels of online communication

Meeting Next Week: Thursday, Sept 5, 2002

Feel free to include other items that might have been missed.

Eric

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 9-14-02

Subject: 9-11 minutes

9_11_02 7pm-9pm

new group established via Yahoo groups due to Bill
Gates suck factor. all correspondence now to be
forwarded to:
betaspace@yahoogroups.com

Virtual 3D mockup presented By Liam.

Sydney Opera House site discussed with the following
issues brought up:

1) Idea of being a self contained unit within single
window.

2) Faux 3D Map cutaway as navigation, it's always
present.

Eric brought up issues of entry act, should this be a
unique experience? How- Ask questions etc.
artcontext.com and a mummy (forgot url) site were
looked at.

This idea was quickly brainstormed with the following
reults:

1) Questions
2) Peephole/Mask
3) "dark misty" space
4) Space (literal) w/ stars and planets
5) Groups of people

Fiori Inc. site was looked at for the "mask" idea.

Facilitation assignments made, see attached doc

Logo proofs were reviewed, final design was chosen to
be
produced.

The group discussed soliciting feedback from Phil H.
via email on our new project.

Next meeting 9_16_02 7pm with the assignments as
follows:

Jay- Paper editing and masseuse
Ethan- Logo proofs and email to Phil
Eric- Message Board Investigation
Liam- Visual Interface

peace-
e dog

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 9-16-02

Subject: 9-16 minutes

-Eric will be gone to China Sept. 30-Oct. 6

-First Forum Presentation Oct. 9, 7pm

-Grad. Lab meeting Sept. 26 at 5pm in the grad. lab w/ Raquel

-reminder: pay fees and register for thesis class (led by Phil) - MM 6870 - Development I

-Eric is researching ASP.net as an alternative to Cold Fusion MX

- Liam presented an “Artist’s Party” metaphor / virtual art community space
-remembered Phil’s comment bout going to an “artist’s party” last Winter quarter
-pointed out sites: <http://www.pedestriandesign.com> (for horizontal “environment” scrolling and <http://www.nobodyhere.com/justme/> (for ‘typing’ effect-- almost like character is communicating with you)

-the setting would be an artist’s party/gathering where various types of people (probably illustrated; Photographed??) would be mingling around the gallery party space (see pedestriandesign.com above-use of horizontal scroll to panoramically view the space), where the viewer would have opportunities to interact with the ‘people’ whereby the people will ask the user questions (either auditorily or through a typing effect like nobodyhere.com) (i.e.- “Would you like to see the artwork I’ve created?”, “Would you like a cocktail?”, “Would you like me to show you the featured artist’s gallery?”, “What do you think of this piece of artwork?”, “Would you like to submit some artwork of your own?”; with the latter two questions possibly being connected to the dynamic component/feature of the BetaSpace site.

-It was noted that interactions such as this should not be too complex or involved, to ensure that the focus still remains on the artworks.

- In addition to interacting with the people in the various rooms, the user could possibly directly access artwork by clicking on picture frames on the wall, (which could contain animated/changing thumbnails) etc..

-the 6 sections of the site don’t have to be initially apparent to the viewer, as they will have to find and stumble upon them through the interaction with the space and “people” in the gallery/party space.

-This concept also would go along well with the ‘Sydney Opera House’ map interface idea discussed last week, where and architectural outline of the building (with hotspots) serves as an overall location map in one portion of the screen, and the aforementioned “social & exhibit” space (discussed previously) in another portion of the screen.

-group liked the concept very much

-Jay showed revisions of thesis proposal and asked for each member to go over and revise their individual portions this week.

-E-dog showed BetaSpace logo mockups
-‘cubic’ logo had an element of stability; possibly too corporate; some in group felt logo needed not as much stark symmetry; possibly more of an asymmetrical or creative look to the cube; possibly convert hand drawing to vector via Freehand or Adobe Streamline

- also suggested was a more “what the fuck” element to the logo - mouse anvil;
- other suggestion: since the name “BetaSpace” is primarily scientific, the logo shape should be more creative, freeform (not so structured).

-other icon possibilities: -mouse anvil, Marcel Duchamp’s toilet-man’s urinal (changed what was considered to be “art”, just as BetaSpace is trying to challenge and change what is considered “art”)-toilet as lower case ‘b’, maybe mouse coming out of toilet (representing technology and innovative forms of art), toilet w/ a barcode in it, use traditional western toilet (representing a modern-day Duchamp revolution) with Duchamp’s “mutt” text on side, shithole (suggested by j).

stuff to do by next meeting:

-Eric: -contact Macromedia for a free copy of Cold Fusion MX
-work with Jay to compile a list of questions for Gavin concerning Web server and MySQL database
- revise individual portion of thesis proposal and send to Jay

-Liam: -help Eric with Cold Fusion MX and possibly database
-send Eric Evan Donne’s info (re: message board) old email
-attend the search engine ranking seminar on Sept. 23 at Academy X in San Francisco
-call Phil tomorrow and get an update on Phil’s (and other committee members) feedback of the proposal
- work with Ethan on visual and navigational concept for BetaSpace site
- revise individual portion of thesis proposal and send to Jay

-Jay: -ask Gavin if we can have an account on manray to dump stuff on (so email accounts don’t fill up)
-work with Eric to compile a list of questions for Gavin concerning Web server and MySQL database
-Japanese letter funding massaging
-Proposal revision editing (editor)
-revise individual portion of thesis proposal

-Ethan: -further logo refinement
-work with Liam on visual and navigational concept for BetaSpace site
-revise individual portion of thesis proposal and send to Jay

-meeting next week is: Wednesday at 7pm Sept. 25 at Jay’s

-Liam

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 9-25-02

Subject: 9-25 minutes

Minutes: 9/25/02 by Eric

- will find out how much space will be given to us on Manray server
-Toilet as logo for betaspace; logo icon to have a look and feel of a contempary/Internet/high-tech/etc. toilet.
-betaspace.org to be pointed to Manray server
-navigation look based on opera house--two layers, two movies--site map at back and display of main content at front
-suggestion: to include artist's notes juxtaposed to art work
-navigation actionscripts from the German Guy: navigational control on content area rather on scroll bar
-navigation design: metaphor of a living space: i.e. kitchen as an entry to a gallery room
-MySQL will be the database used.
-Server issues: 1) when to set it up; 2) back up using Ghost every wk.; 3)can QT software run on Windows platform? 4) set up Manray account
-Proposals by Jay under development for submissions to interested companies.

Next Week:
Jay:
1. redirect to Manray
2. set up a Manray account
3. VNC: find out more on it from Gavin: remote access to home desktop from school
4. send proposals to companies.

Eric:
1. Learn MySQL, ColdFusion, php
2. Get info on how David Bell got Macromedia programs

Ethan:
1. Logo development
2. research on php

Liam:
1. Navigation design
2. send Actionscripts to Eric

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Return to top

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fall 2002:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

10-28-02 Minutes

-Liam showed completed shell of the documentation site
-Phil recommends we keep track of the development process by keeping
digital copies of all our stuff (esp. flowcharts, graphs)

-Jay set up email accounts for each team member (ethan@betaspace.org, etc),
and also set up VNC on the server (remote access), and started reading up
on ColdFusion MX

-Server is now mirrored (backed up) on 2 drives. A virual backup may also
be made on pixel, or our portable hard drive

-We could backup stuff on the on the portable hard drive and take it home
(in case of fire, earthquake or water)

-Ethan has been working on the front end of the betaspace.org site. Comps
were shown and we will continue the design of them in the next few days.

-We’re having some database connectivity problems with Cold Fusion MX (it’s
not recognizing any database files of any kind)-- ??Cold Fusion settings?
Driver? Firewall?
(Eric has gotten Cold Fusion MX to work at home, but not in the lab)

To Do List for Next Week:

- Ethan & Eric - Troubleshoot Cold Fusion MX prob.
- All group members - Cold Fusion Tutorials (go to
macromedia.com/coldfusion – 'getting started' link) & set up and begin work
on dynamic content testing shell
- Liam and Ethan - Front end designs proposed
- Character Design?

10-8-02-minutes

-Cold Fusion decided upon for the server

-loft/studio instead of house?
Soma, Emeryville, alameda

-showed Liam’s 3d mockups; Ethan mentioned a house “cutaway” idea

-see history of art and tech. – pilar lewis – 2nd year – 3D space

-mix of 3d structure and 2d ppl? Or 3d ppl with Poser?

-will divide database up as much as possible (into categories/table) for
faster searches/posts

- BetaSpace logo chosen (3 partial areas of toilet on white background)

-Main site nav. Finalized (2 windows); with 1 central pop-up window for the
individual artwork

-Poser was discussed for figure generation; as long as we customize the
canned characters; delegation to Eric for this task?

-Joe McNeilly and Liam’s friend (Joey Hall) are interested in contributing
video artworks

-Jay talked to Laura(?) about possibly contributing some Flash artwork; but
she hasn’t gotten back to him

To do list (by next week):
Ethan -finalize site architecture / flowchart
-choose color palette for main site and documentation site
-finish logo (one with 3 partial areas of toilet on white background)
-sketches for house cutaway
--talk to Eric about Cold Fusion and Database milestones and specifications

Eric – Poser figure generation
-talk to Ethan about Cold Fusion and Database milestones and specifications

Jay -Win2k server installed and actually working
-install different RAM and more
-format server drives and partition them
-install drivers and security updates
-Server Hardware installed
-IP issues addressed with the domain

Liam – check out history of art and tech cd-rom by Pilar Lewis
- choose color palette for main site and documentation site
- Photoshop mockups for documentation site

Next meeting: Tuesday at 6.30pm in the grad. lab

Return to top

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winter 2003:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 1-20-03

Subject: site build

Hey Dudes,

I have been pretty much trying to get these gallery
file working all weekend and have been hitting my head
against the wall. I've tried a billion different
workarounds and cannot get these scrollers to behave
the way I want.

In light of this, I can solve most of the major
problems if I can get a bit of latitude and change the
layout some, and use a different effect (an equally
cool one) for the vertical nav.

So what is your input? Personaly I am sick of dwelling
on this problem. And I think that it's holding up the
progress on my end.

Ethan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 1-30-03

Subject: site build

Okay -
the flash files are uploaded to mmgrad in the beta
root folder. Be aware that some of the scripting I am
using will change as more dynamism is built into some
of the galleries and when I have to plug into the
jscript remoting.

FYI
Be aware that some of the variables are placeholders
and will need to be changed as more technology gets
weaved together. This may mean that variables on the
server script end of things may need to change or be
planned very carfully in advance.

You should not need to edit the marquee file right now
but a good deal of the effects are achieved through
the nested scripts in that file. There is hardly any
script other than ui stuff in the gallery file.

Be aware that the syntax requires publishing for the
flash 6 player. Looking more into the future of the
scripts i would say this would be unavoidable anyway.

Ethan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 2-05-03

Subject: 2-5 meeting notes

-Eric: (gone to china for a month); modified collab. studio and community
access; set up new web server (ehostsource)

Ethan:
worked on js remoting; worked on temp. flash file (preview to what’s
working (per text given from Liam);

Jay:
Did promo email ad (for submittals); contacted an artist legal group at
fort mason – could use their mailing list; finished setting up file server
(but stopped working now)

Liam:-
Wrote character implementation instructions; wrote preview text for splash
screen; finished footers on all pages; implemented new logo into pages;
researched reverse scroll actionscript for gallery file
-possibly change gallery names (i.e.-themed galleries)

To do for next week:
Jay:
copy over documentation folder and old index page (and image) from old server to new server
Set up absolute links for recruiting email
Test ftp upload on different comps (for submittals)
Contact eric to find out if dns change has affected being able to login to the file server
Create and edit creator’s gallery and rotating gallery .fla files (swap out background and
character files according to Liam’s instructions)

Liam:
create and edit themed gallery, featured artist, and collaborative studio
.fla files (swap out background and character files according to Liam’s
instructions)
Send out new char. Instructions with appropriate
backgrounds

Create contact.html page (into existing template)
Compress moves.mov from joey hall
Contact other potential recruiting artists

Ethan:
Finish preview splash screen
Javascript remoting
Reverse scroll code
clickable text buttons on splash page and gallery page
Start to put together completed gallery files

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 2-12-03

Subject: 2-12 meeting notes

Eric: Absent (China)

Ethan:
got sick
Worked with Jay getting gallery stuff done
Alternate flash site till we get site fully operational

Lima:
gallery and character instructions
Contact and participate page
Contact pg at Beta site
Java script flash detection; browser detection
Gallery button action script
Talked to good contact for recruiting

Jaybo:
re-built galleries swapping characters and b/g
Got file server going
Finalized/revised recruiting e mail
Name Change Stuff
By overwhelming majority, the gallery names have changed.
CE-beta Genome
Rotating-Progressions
Themed-Function(s)
FA--Underscored

NEXT WEEK Talk about launch

TO DO
Jaybo:
Send out recruiting e mail to artist groups
Start re-sizing and creating effects for Japan files
Recruit Flash collaborator
Send out test email of Finalized/revised recruiting e mail
Clean up fla files; e mail final version to group

Lima:
Change names on doc and beta site
Solve button prob
Send out e mail to artist lists
Work w/ e dog controlling windows
Linking char and text

E dog:
Work w/ lima on interim site ready
Investigating print materials

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 2-21-03

Subject: 2-21 meeting notes

E dog
Fixed things for splash pg
Checking to see how stuff behaves
Print investigation psprint.com in Berkley $55
x-chicago.com another list
fixed scrolling stop

Lima
Fixed names in doc and beta site
Gallery buttons working now
Fixed screen grab
Talked w/ eric about community access

Jay
Sent out recruiting e mail to group members for additional feedback
Started re-sizing and creating effects for Japan files
Had a meeting w plado.org people
They're going to email list
Cleaned up WRONG fla files; newest version actually on server.

TO DO
Jay - configure e mail for everyone on new server (only info works right now)
Super FINAL of recruit e mail; send the damn thing out.
Confer w/ ethan on getting rid of MAC JS problem
search engine submittals and meta tags
Clean up correct fla files

Ethan - finish galleries
custom icons for communities

Liam - investigate print stuff
sending out recruiting email
search engine submittals and meta tags
fix run time errror

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 2-26-03

Subject: timeline

Okay Guys-

It sounds like everyone is keeping their noses to the
grindstone pretty well. Especially in the last few
days.

I was looking at my calendar for class today and want
to stress upon everyone is that after this week there
are two more and then finals. We need to have working
shell going by that point and the recruit email
already out the first time.

I addition we will need to start posting some stuff
under the commuinties oursleves to get the ball
rolling.

It it my opinion that we should totally screw doing
any kind of fancy presentation for the forum and focus
on getting things with betaspace.org finsihed right.
Its the most important part of what we are doing and
we should not get distracted by some presentation the
comittee obviously won't care about anyway.

We need to hustle our asses off.

Ethan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 2-27-03

Subject: Flash Forward promotion

Hi Gaylynn,

Myself and Liam Aleguire, another volunteer for ff2003
in SF are currently finishing our masters thesis
project for Cal State Hayward's Multimedia Grad
program.

Part of our project involves building an online
community of web artists - so we think that FF may be
a great opportunity for us to do some promotion.
Everything we are doing is free and we are trying to
keep this as open source as possible.

I was wondering if it would be possible for us to pass
out some postcards and other print promotions, perhaps
even include them in the goodie bags?

I realize people probably pay good money to use FF as
a promotional venue, but this is for educational
purposes.

If you would like you can check out or pre launch
version at betaspace.org

Ethan Smith

>>> Replied to 3-7-03

Interesting design choice. Does the artwork belong in the toilet?

I'm fine with it.

Gaylynn

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 3-16-03

Subject: Pre launch to do list

Final to do list before live

Jay
updated instructions for upload page
adding upload link to splash page
doc site work on bios
doc site work
finish php gallery temps and swfs post to ehost
email liam with new file names
start posting on forums
check on eric in yahoo groups

Liam
email jay bio
update footer
rework splashpage via dhtml
get tests for fields:
project id, project preview, project describe, project
artist, enrollment status, file size, artist contact,
group name, title
start posting on forums

Eric
get betaspace.org/submit set
change uplaod button
attachment guidelines
add create group link
asterisk for required fields
doc site setup private forum

Ethan
get samples hooked up to mySQL and flash
posting on forums
help eric communities if possible
help jay with doc site if possible

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Date: 3-30-03

Subject: 3-30 meeting notes

We will meet with Phil @ 530 on wed.
Meeting for spring:
Wednesday after forum, Ethan shows at 9:20 after class.
Tuesday evening @5pm may be used as backup

1) Review of Flash Forward: Went well, cards
distributed, have not seen return yet. Estimate this
may take a couple weeks.

2) Platform – Liam distributed postcards at Platform
anniversary. Lots of attendees. Created buzz.

Jay, Ethan, Liam, Eric:
A flurry of things done to finish the site, the first release is live.

To do lists:
Jay:
Tweak artist’s data that has been emailed to him
Pimping to film schools and sites (bavc).
Craigslist NY
Start a CS group

Liam:
Post on Macromedia message bds.
Flash move
Flash message boards
Craigslist SF
Start a CS group

Eric:
Promote to Art Schools
Get doc site content written
Fix from to email php
Start a CS group
Find conflict in community style sheet

Ethan:
Contact X Chicago about call 4 entries
Work on developing process for Jurors
Start personal projects
Write doc site content for galleries
Start a CS group

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Return to top

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spring 2003:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: e-dog (Original Message) Sent: 3/30/2003 7:06 PM
Notes 3/30/03

We will meet with Phil @ 530 on wed.

Meeting for spring:

Wednesday after forum, Ethan shows at 9:20 after
class.
Tuesday evening @5pm may be used as backup

1) Review of Flash Forward: Went well, cards
distributed, have not seen return yet. Estimate this
may take a couple weeks.
2) Platform – Liam distributed postcards at Platform
anniversary. Lots of attendees. Created buzz.

Jay, Ethan, Liam, Eric:

A flurry of things done to finish the site, the first
release is live.

To do lists:

Jay:
Tweak artist’s data that has been emailed to him
Pimping to film schools and sites (bavc).
Craigslist NY
Start a CS group

Liam:
Post on Macromedia message bds.
Flash move
Flash message boards
Craigslist SF
Start a CS group

Eric:
Promote to Art Schools
Get doc site content written
Fix from to email php
Start a CS group
Find conflict in community style sheet

Ethan:
Contact X Chicago about call 4 entries
Work on developing process for Jurors
Start personal projects
Write doc site content for galleries
Start a CS group

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 3/25/2003 5:54 PM
Hi Noel,

We're still looking for new media submissions
for our online art galleries at www.betaspace.org
(not live just yet).

We were wondering if you wouldn't mind if
we handed out postcards at Platform?
The cards will look like this:
http://www.betaspace.org/postcard/

Thanks,

Jay Kelly
jay@betaspace.org

Hi Jay,

you're more than welcome to pass them out to people or put them on the media table (not sure where that's going to go yet), as long as we don't have to clean up a bunch of people's flyers, we're cool with whatever.

After the event ends, we have til 1am to clean everything up. Then we're headed over to the after party! More details to follow on that, but it's going to be a fun one.

Thanks for asking!

Noel

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 4/3/2003 12:42 AM

Ethan
Writing compelling rhetoric for the committee as per Phil's comments.

Liam
-research existing online communities (esp. flash forums, art
communites) -help come up with a revised list of things you can do in cs
-help eric (if needed) to research potential alternative to wagora (i
realize this is a sticky subject)

Eric
Do research on online communites in the past
(esp. the well, and art.net eric

Jay
-research existing online communities (esp. flash forums, art
communites) -help come up with a revised list of things you can do in cs
- do timeline
---

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 3/27/2003 9:27 AM
hey guys,

here's what she said among other things...
I've replied that we're still working on the nav.
We should keep this kind of feedback for a section of the
doc site, so pls archive any such e mails you receive.

Jay

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lucía PIzzani [mailto:luciapizzani@nyc.rr.com]
> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 8:08 AM
> To: jay@betaspace.org
> Subject: My work in Betaspace
> Importance: High
>
>
> HI Jay,
>
> I saw my work in your web page its great!!! I really loved
> the design and the concept! (...)
>
> a question, is there a way to stop so many
> windows from opening?
>

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: e-dog (Original Message) Sent: 4/7/2003 10:29 PM
based on this thread I am becoming convinced that our
problems are settings on ehost's end.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=44570&highlight=mysql+connect+error

I would like to point out that if this is the problem
now, and the zero 24 hour support is screwing us - we
might consider another host. I am concerned what
happens when we can't get a hold of ehost and it's the
night before the defense.

Ethan

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 4/7/2003 6:29 PM
Ethan and I tried to work out why we're not connecting
with e host db.
I think it might be the funky path above betaspace.org.

For now, we'll have to await a response from these guys. I also
e mailed vBulletin as well. If need be, I'll call ehost
tomorrow (they're closed now). I'll hopefully have more news
tomorrow.

Jay


-----Original Message-----
From: Jay [mailto:jay@jaykellyphoto.com]
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 6:06 PM
To: 'Eric Cheng'; 'Ethan Smith'; 'Jay Kelly'; 'Liam Aleguire'; 'msn BetaSpace Group'; 'Yahoo! BetaSpace'
Subject: Plea for help to e host source re vBulletin

Hi,

We need some help. Below is the php page we're trying to connect with your database, but we're getting errors: (error message below this). What
do we need to correct in our php page?

Thanks,

Jay Kelly

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

< ?php
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Please note that if you get any errors when connecting, //
// that you will need to email your host as we cannot tell //
// you what your specific values are supposed to be //
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// type of database running
// (only mysql is supported at the moment)
$dbservertype="mysql";

// hostname or ip of server
$servername="64.106.183.50";

// username and password to log onto db server
$dbusername="betaspace";
$dbpassword="beta";

// name of database
$dbname="collab";

// technical email address - any error messages will be emailed here
$technicalemail = "webmaster@betaspace.org";

// use persistant connections to the database
// 0 = don't use
// 1 = use
$usepconnect = 0;

// which users are allowed to view the admin log
// separate each userid with a comma
$canviewadminlog = "admin";

// which users are allowed to prune the admin log
// separate each userid with a comma
$canpruneadminlog = "admin";

?>
----

Below is the error message we've been getting:

---
Attempting to attach to database...

Warning: Can't connect to MySQL server on '64.106.183.50' (61) in /usr/home/sites/www.betaspace.org/web/forums/admin/db_mysql.php on line 40

Warning: MySQL Connection Failed: Can't connect to MySQL server on '64.106.183.50' (61) in /usr/home/sites/www.betaspace.org/web/forums/admin/db_mysql.php on line 40

Warning: mysql_select_db(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /usr/home/sites/www.betaspace.org/web/forums/admin/db_mysql.php on line 47

The database has failed to connect because you do not have permission to connect to the server. Please go back to the last step and ensure that you have entered all your login details correctly.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

4-2-03 thesis meeting transcript - MSN

[truncated]
mov2047@hotmail.com says:

So, we would just need people to start collaborating

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

right?

eas442@yahoo.com says:

I think it is key to center our defense around those criteria in our paper

Liam says:

agreed

eas442@yahoo.com says:

make them come into our court

Liam says:

it's already in writing

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

right

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

agreed

Jay says:

what's in writing?

eas442@yahoo.com says:

the contract for your soul

Jay says:

what they approved?

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

right

Liam says:

the propsal back in september

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

we are not changing

Jay says:

i don't see why we NEED to change anything radically

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

I agreed with you guys that we should go forward with CS

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

get people collaborating

Jay says:

yep

Liam says:

we just need to jack up the collaboration and start getting ppl to use it (so we can demonstrate what ppl are creating)

eas442@yahoo.com says:

we need to pimp cs on an unparralelled level

Jay says:

exactly

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

rigth

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

now

eas442@yahoo.com says:

yes

Liam says:

and start using it ourselves

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

yes

eas442@yahoo.com says:

one thing that concerns me is that getting signed up for cs is a rather big chore right now

Liam says:

if we're not going to have time creating our own work, then we need to start making artwork together, along with other members of betaspace

Jay says:

i've started a PS group...

Liam says:

i agree

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

yes

Jay says:

can liam and eric start one as well?

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

yes

Liam says:

that's why i suggested switching to another software

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

Will do

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ok

eas442@yahoo.com says:

I think agora is good, but we need to iron out some wrinkles fast with it

Jay says:

i don't think changing agora is going to help us

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ok--

eas442@yahoo.com says:

no it will only hurt now

Liam says:

eric, wasn't there another piece of software that we found a few months ago that also had upload/download capabilities?

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ummmm,

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

yes

Jay says:

it's doing an ok job

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

let me think

Jay says:

yes it lacks some functionality

Jay says:

but we don't have time to change it

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

Liam

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

the other one I can think

Jay says:

and i don't think theres much benefit

Liam says:

eric, how long would it take to set up

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

of is the project management too

eas442@yahoo.com says:

i agree with jay

eas442@yahoo.com says:

forward not backward

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ok Liam

Jay says:

precisely

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

were you trying to finish

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ok

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

to set up......?

Liam says:

to set up?

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

"eric, how long would it take to set up"

Liam says:

yes

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

to set up

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

what?

Jay says:

whoa

Liam says:

to set up a new piece of software to run cs and ca

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

ok

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

not long

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

it all depends on what tool we would use

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

but to do so,

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

I think we need to know

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

what is lacking in our current one

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

Jay-you were mentioning smthg

Jay says:

ok can i say something?

Liam says:

yes

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

about wagora

Jay says:

IF,, IF we were to change it

Jay says:

i think one very important function we should add

Jay says:

in order to build community

Jay says:

is the ability

Jay says:

for users to give feedback, criticism, comments on other people work

Jay says:

and vice versa

eas442@yahoo.com says:

this is a really sensitive decision, please make carefully, Liam your thoughts

Liam says:

yes, like voting, but also more than that too

Jay says:

yes

eas442@yahoo.com says:

I still think that switching software could be suicide for the project

Liam says:

personally, if i had noting to do with betaspace, and assuming I've used online forums before, I would be seriously disappointed with the layout, features, and (god forbid I'm saying this) usability of CS and CA.

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

Jay says:

eric, you think it wouldn't take long to change it...

eas442@yahoo.com says:

i agree with liams point too

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

I had to laugh

Liam says:

we're not screwed if we keep it, but there's much better.. that's what I'm saying

Jay says:

how hard to you think this would be?

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

it would be how hard it would be to find the ideal software

eas442@yahoo.com says:

if this happens we need to be up and running by the end pf next week

Liam says:

it's hard to build a community if the tools and layout suck; to put it bluntly

eas442@yahoo.com says:

we cannot mess around

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

so far

Liam says:

craigslist is ugly but atleast it does what it's supposed to do

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

I think we need to know what we want

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

what functionalities do we need?

eas442@yahoo.com says:

how hard would it be to add file upload to phpBB

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

what does CS need to do besides uploading?

Jay says:

craiglist is the ultimate example of function over aesthetic

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

dont know

Liam says:

but it's not a matter of what we want, we have to pick the best program available, since there's not enough time to tweak any major code

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

a lot of work

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

yes

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

but,

eas442@yahoo.com says:

agree with liam

mov2047@hotmail.com says:

to pick the best program avail

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: e-dog (Original Message) Sent: 4/1/2003 2:33 PM
Hi team,

below is the jury process write up, please review and
give feedback. In addition there are some items that
need to be thought of now before things get down to
the wire.

The quarter dealine is not that far away so please
keep the good work up. There is no time to rest this
quarter.

Jury Process for BetaSpace.org

It is the intention of BetaSpace to take advantage of
the democratic nature of the Internet, not only in the
distrbution of digital arts, but also in the process
by which works are chosen for exhibition. The
moderators actively participate in the curation and
jurying process not only by acting as jurors
themselves but also soliciting the participation of
guest jurors to curate exhibitions.

BetaSpace enthusiastically welcomes inquiries from
those that are interested in serving as jurors. These
inquiries should be directed to ethan@betaspace.org.
In addition, all artists that have been part of past
Betaspace exhibitions are automatically considered as
potential jurors for future exhibits.

Technical decisions to be made for the future of
Betaspace:

1) How will we handle the submission process once we
lose the school file server?
2) System of exhibition that is easier to update than
rebuilding flash galleries need to be adopted for
future use.
3) Process for admin site duties post CSUH needs to be
in place.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: lonestar (Original Message) Sent: 4/9/2003 10:34 PM
April 9, 2003 Minutes

Ethan-
-said we should institute Jay’s suggestions (become a juror)
-on submit form, include stuff about pre-authoring sequential content, etc
-suggested to have ‘meet the moderators’ page (not a gateway to the forums,
but a place for recent news, announcements, etc)
-vbulletin,org and vbulletintemplates.com were mentioned

Jay-
-Jury page: (previous artists, - limit it to 3 prev. betaspace artists (let
them become jurors and vote on a special place on vbulletin) (all
registered users could vote??); Lanier Graham? (Art history prof.)

Liam-
-Suggested that instead of uploading large files at random from ppl, change
the submit process to have ppl just send us their URL’s and email addresses
(this would solve the file upload problem when we have to leave the lab in
June) (start to accept submittals via the ‘submit artwork’ thread on
vbulletin)- this would cut out a lot of manual labor when preparing the
links for the jurors)
(next week we’ll set up the submit info change)
-video display prob. On server

Eric-
Read up on virtual communities book, and will post his writings on the doc.
site

Stuff to do:
#-finalize look of all forums
#-create and start participating in c.s. forums (and participate in c.a.)
#-make icons (esp. top tabs)
#-fix footer
#-link other parts of site to cs and ca
#-figure out voting for registered users (for art submissions)
#-news
#-404
#real video prob.
-maketing (later)

To do for next week:
Jay:
-add previous suggestions for splash page (start/join a group, artwork
juror info, etc)
-contact vbulletin about 404 site redirect b.s. (vbulletin prob. Or
ehostsource prob?)
-coordinate with eric on marketing letter
- link other parts of site to cs and ca (after doing other stuff; splash
page links are last step)
-contact kian kaul (real video) if 404 vbulletin? Prob. Isn’t fixed, and
ask him for a .mov instead (do regardless of 404 solution, and change the
link in the artist’s statement)

Ethan:
-implement a news page
-contact vbulletin 404 problem
-debug site

Liam:
-add html page to steam “Moves” .mov
-make top icons (graphics)
-debug site

Eric:
-post virtual communities book research to doc. Site
-fix footer
-send more letters to art schools
-set up c.s. forum (due tomorrow)
-set up registered users to vote on artwork submittals
-email guy from artcontext.org who did collaborative drawing, and see if we
could incorporate that into c.s.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: jay Sent: 4/1/2003 9:18 PM

Looks good Ethan; I have this to add.

As Gwyan pointed out, a large part
of the success of BetaSpace depends on the active participation
of users building a community, rather than the emphasis
on exhibition. Presently I don't think
we have enough of an emphasis to encourage
people to take advantage of the 'various participatory aspects'
of what we offer...

To further promote the community building, I propose
we create a small section of the splash page that contains
the following:

Participate in BetaSpace!
Submit your work for exhibition
Help select what gets exhibited; become a Juror
Collaborate with other new media artists; start or join a Group

Let me know what you think and I'll add it in time for our
Flash Forward audience who'll be visiting in the next week or two.

I also think we might need to add a little introduction/instructions to
some of the sections; especially CS.

re: item 1
There is a POSSIBILITY that the school will allow us to continue
to use mmgrad as a server post grad. Gavin told me requests are
considered on a case by case basis. We should presume we won't
have access, but it's worth looking into.

We should talk about this more
in the meeting.

Jay

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 4/16/2003 11:45 PM
Full minutes and IM text attached.

- Jay

NEXT WEEKS TO DO (quick view)

jay and ethan
- set up revision of /submit page and to start a thread for betaspace
artwork submittals

jay
- re do submittal info sheet;
- build design challenge.
- fill up CA
- drop kian, add k sutton.

ethan
- test site functions
- build audio collab
- fill up CA
-set up a behind the scenes forum for us to use on doc site
for email pusblishing

eric
- investigate mp3 upload prob
- add content to CS and CA
- build story telling
- promotion target craigslist and flash/ multimedia message boards eric
fill up CA

liam - final defense
- fill up CA
- Fill up collaborative artmaking section, and recruit others to
participate in it

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 4/23/2003 10:39 PM

Minutes from April, 23, 2003

TO DO FOR NEXT WEEK

Eric
Marketing: eric meet w jay
Insert history notes;
Fill up CS story telling
Work on personal project

Jay
Marketing: have meeting w/ eric
Post to newsgroups
Insert example of pixel art
Coordinate w ethan w aiga
Post personal proj dialogues on CS
Contact tiengo guy, Mentis post on their site and others like it.
Work on personal project

Ethan
Finalize user settings
Change small text color, if poss
Write about process of BetaSpace
Get Coll audio up.
Work on personal project

Liam
Replace v graphics
Doc site stuff
Fill up CS, CA
Submit to award sites.
Work on personal project
Change to 'profile'

Phil
We need to talk about the process of changing to vBulletin
on doc site.
May 30th Defense - clear research prop, solution to it. Argument, what
value is it?
how did we bring it all together, conclusion, meet value prop? Evidence
and
conclusion, presentation, theatrical presentation,
June 11th - This is a PRESENTATION, not a defense.

We all have to write a paper on our role and what we learned. (part of
doc.)
Phil will e mail this to us.

Doc site: History of project, milestones, crisis, e mail log, flow
charts, media, should
have an abstract of project, front page of site, point by point, should
bring back robes,
We'll meet in 3 weeks.
From: jay (Original Message) Sent: 4/30/2003 3:32 AM
This is another reason why having a direct submit
button would be useful:

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michal Wisniowski [mailto:mentis938@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:43 PM
> To: Jay Kelly
> Subject: Re: love your work
>
>
> Well, I went there and there were no posts at all. When I
> tried to create a new thread it wouldn't let me, says I can't
> create new threads in that forum. So I guess I'm asking you
> what you want me to do. Let me know...
>
> -Michal
> _________________
> www.mentisworks.org

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