Mikes Blog

Last Semester I taught a series of Papervision training courses at NKU and we have expanded that endeavor this semester by offering two free national workshops and 11 courses (free for all Kentucky Educators). Dates are subject to change, and as we approach the workshops I will supply additional information.

If you can’t make the workshops, don’t worry, everything will be recorded and placed on YouTube. And all source files will be posted on Google Code for download.

The workshops and courses are specifically geared for educators

Training Schedule NKU (Courses and Dates)

1. (Feb 3) Virtual Tours & Google Maps
2. (Feb 10) Human Organ Modeling in Blender
3. (Feb 17) Virtual Physics Labs in Papervision
4. (Feb 24) Building Molecules in 3D
5. (Mar 3) 3D Plotter and Equation Parser
6. (Mar 11, 12, 13) Spring Break Free National Workshop Flex/Papervision
7. (Mar 17) Open Workshop
8. (Mar 24) Creating a Data-Driven Website
9. (Mar 31) 3D Virtual Learning Games
10. (Apr 7) Building a Cell Phone Course Part 1
11. (Apr 14) Building a Cell Phone Course Part 2
12. (Apr 21) Open Workshop
13. (May 19, 20, 21) Summer Break Free National Workshop Flex/CS4
Descriptions

Note: All sessions will be recorded live and placed on YouTube.

(Feb 3) Virtual Tours & Google Maps: In this course, you’ll learn how to create a Google Map and place a Blender (or 3DSMax) model on its longitude latitude positions. You’ll learn how to make those models interactive. And how to load content into your project for display on the web. The Walton County Ghost tour will be used as a demonstration. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Feb 10) Human Organ Modeling in Blender: In this course, you’ll make organs in Blender (such as the heart, liver, stomach). You’ll learn how to create textures for those organs, and how to place your models on the web so your students can interact with them. The heart will be used as a demonstration. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Feb 17) Virtual Physics Labs in Papervision: In this course, you’ll create virtual physics labs based upon MIT OpenCourseware. Basic Newtonian mechanics will be discussed, and ActionScripting gravity, friction, vibration, and collision will be demonstrated. Finally, a 3D physics engine will be used to create interactive physics labs. The oscillating pendulum will be used as an example. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Feb 24) Building Molecules in 3D: In this class, you’ll use Papervision to create molecules from standard mol files. You’ll learn how to load different molecules and how to make them springy. Billboarding for large molecules will be discussed. You’ll place your models on the web so students can interact with them. Benzene and other basic molecules will be used as examples. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Mar 3) 3D Plotter and Equation Parser: In this course, you’ll learn how to integrate an equation parser (created by Barbara Kaskosz of Flash & Math) with a Papervision plotting program. The program allows you to input an equation and have it plotted in 3D. Equation parsers, 3D plotting, and 3D engine development will be discussed. The Sinc and other functions will be used as an example. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Mar 11, 12, 13) Spring Break National Workshop Flex/Papervision
This 3 day workshop will include:
Day 1: Getting Started in Flex, and Papervision
Day 2: Building Models and 3D Wii Games
Day 3: Creating a 3D Learning Management System
The workshop is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Mar 17) Open Workshop: This is a feedback session allowing participants to ask questions about previous sessions, bring in design ideas for discussion, and learn about requested topics that were not addressed in previous courses. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Mar 24) Creating a Data-Driven Website: In this class, you’ll learn the basics of creating a data-driven website. You’ll build a searchable Flex interface. You’ll learn how to get PHP talking to your Flex interface and a MYSQL database. You’ll learn about CRUD, and how to store and change data in your database. Roxanne Kent-Drury’s English site will be used as an example. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Mar 31) 3D Virtual Learning Games: In this class, you’ll learn how to tear apart 2D games and turn them into 3D games. You’ll learn how to turn killing games into learning games. You’ll learn how to work with models, textures, and sounds. You’ll learn how to upload your games to the web. Both board games and virtual environment games will be discussed. A simple memory game, and Stuart Crickmer’s business game will be used as an example. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(Apr 7) Building a Cell Phone Course Part 1: In this class, you’ll receive an overview of cell phone technologies and a discussion of why they are important in education. You’ll learn how to program a cell phone and how to use it to disseminate information. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop and encouraged to bring a specified cell phone (the cell phone type will be provided upon request).

(Apr 14) Building a Cell Phone Course Part 2: This class is a continuation of Building a Cell Phone Course Part 1. In this class, you’ll learn more advanced techniques in cell phone programming and optimization. You’ll learn how to work with media and data sources. You’ll learn how to put together a cell phone course for the web. The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop and encouraged to bring a specified cell phone (the cell phone type will be provided upon request).

(Apr 21) Open Workshop: This is a feedback session allowing participants to ask questions about previous sessions, bring in design ideas for discussion, and learn about requested topics that were not addressed in previous courses (such as working with Adobe Air). The class is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

(May 19, 20, 21) Summer Break National Workshop Flex/CS4
This 3 day workshop will include:
Day 1: Getting Started in Flex, and CS4
Day 2: Building Models and 3D Websites
Day 3: Creating 3D Data Visualization Templates
The workshop is free and participants are required to bring their own laptop.

I just finished a live training session at NKU on building a web project. We started with a real project (City of Covington) and built out the navigation system and first page. I put it up on YouTube and the links are listed below;

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrjmImF0CKE

VIdeo 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kahlVJOv_NE

VIdeo 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GulTJJScook

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLpWNQqkSDk

Video5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxJShowSgDg

Video 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLMGoHhx_xY

Video 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT6hI3dfiyg

I was a little hesitant to release my live training since it is not as polished as what I usually put up on Youtube. But the ratings were pretty good so I will be releasing some more of my live sessions in the future.

Cheers,

If you love eschatology, you’re having a field day with what happened on the 29th of September when the dow plunged 777.68.

It not just the beginning of a wild chaotic oscillation spiraling down removing your retirement. It’s a new beginning…

Here’s what the numbers mean.

7 - is the number of completion (God’s creation of the earth in 7 days)
6 - is the number of man’s government (King Solomon’s Salary 666 - man of peace and commerce)

8 - is the number of new beginning ( a new day, coming of the Messiah)

So reading the numbers literally goes like this…

777.68 - it’s over it’s over it’s over period man (peace commerce) new beginning

or one more time

Done Done Done Period Man Messiah

So interpreting a little. The United States as we know it just ended. A one world system of government based on commerce, peace, and an extraordinary man is coming (though things don’t end well). When this period of time is over the Messiah will come and a new order will begin.

If you’re an eschatologist, it just doesn’t get better than this when starting a chaotic spiral. But who knows? Prophetic ramblings are 20/20 hind site. You don’t know if it’s true until it happens, and even then it’s up for debate grabs.

You can make anything out of numbers that you want, but given that I am of Irish decent. I love a good story.

Have a great day!

Hi Sam,
Sorry if I came on too strong about the economy. I have been watching it for some time. Some of my Ph.D. work was in chaos and a couple of years ago the market began exhibiting chaotic behavior. That is why I was so interested in it.

Best,
Mike

Here are the notes and video references to Building the Collective Part 1

Video 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEzdg6K-ojY

Video 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIyOLNKn_Q

Building Collective in Flex 3 (10 part series)

Can down load Part 1 Code from

http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list

Notes: FlexHacks

www.flexhacks.org/wordpress

Warning: Not typical web programming!!!

Requirements: (not built on classical AI)

(1) Free of “MySQL” Database (trapped) – RSS space (DOM)

DOM – Document Object Model

Plus Flex (Don’t Need MySQL)

XML –Flat File Data Base

MySQL

CRUD – Create, Write, Update, Delete - plus Sorting by MySQL

DOM plus Flex

Create Nodes

Duplicate Nodes

Insert Nodes

Remove Nodes

Replace Nodes

Manipulate Nodes

Find Nodes

Transverse Nodes

Find Properties

Flex does the sorting

Very Important!!!

Break Data Base Normalization Rules

Table-Table

Table-File

Files structure provides small chucks for Flex to sort on the Client Side

Example Code using the DOM YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgle0r-jfI

(2) Cyber Awareness

Awareness - metaphysical - religion has its roots in awareness.

If you examine the biblical archeological evidence it is very evident that the Hebrews have had an encounter.

Torah is not a book you could write or would write (ungracious prophesy).

In this encounter with awareness, (Moses at the burning bush), I am.

Awareness is a statement of being.

Christ was almost stoned when he used the term “I am” to describing himself.

Revelation speaks of Christ as “was is and coming” a statement of being which transcends time.

The Old Testament speaks of God as clothed in light – a statement of timeless existence – ancient of days. He is an ancient child – forever young.

Awareness is a statement of being - and who the heck knows what to do with that - so lets chunk it - and create another definition - one that we can do something with.

70’s Nor Gates (Nebulous)

Definition of Self Awareness (Cyber Aware)

Cyber self-awareness is the ability to reorganize the acquisition of data to obtain a single or set of specific goals.

Knowledge space is the all combinations space of a set of participating basis elements. (Data storage and learning)

(3) Free of Dominance - interconnected - code calls its interface.

So as opposed to interfaces calling the data – the data calls and creates the interfaces.

DOM node identifies the interface it needs and calls that Flex component to put its data in.

(4) Heartbeat (timers)

Enable a State Memory, dreaming (which we will be able to see), and animation sequences.

Cairngorm Communication.

Papervision3D – we can have 3D manifestation.

Software Structure

DDIMP (Software Design)

D – Data

D – Design Pattern

I – Interactivity

M – Media

P – Papervision3D

Let’s Get Started

The collective (present development) is a cyber aware intelligence system (CAIS) with the goal of optimizing a student’s performance in an online course.

Collective Goal – Interact with a student and improve student performance.

Step (1 & 3) DOM and Connectivity and start the heart beat.

- Typical elements of a student LMS.

Login System

Single Password

Introduce Yourself

Announcements

Syllabus

Calendar

Blog

Content System

Discussion Board

Student Journal

File Upload

Link and Video Player

Quiz/Survey

Email System

Links

Frequently asked Questions

Book Writer

Movie Maker

Simple Login - Introduce Yourself – Announcements– Syllabus – Calendar – Link & Videos - Survey – Links -Frequently asked Questions

Initial Structure

1. Table-File

2. Table-Table-File

3.

Conclusion: Got some plans for PV3D

I wrote this application so I could compare Collada and Object files and make active changes and view those changes on the fly. You might find it useful…

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laaeZroISpo
Source Code: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list (download ColladaViewer.zip)

Best,
Mike Lively (give and you will freely receive)
The YouTube video notes are below:

Adobe Air Collada-Papervision3D Viewer

Source Code:

http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1

www.youtube.com/mikenku

Adobe Air: (Getting Started) Embedding a Browser into Flex 3

Beginning Adobe AIR: Building Applications for the Adobe Integrated Runtime
by Rich Tretola (Author)

Adobe AIR: Create - Modify - Reuse by Marc Leuchner (Author), Todd Anderson (Author), Matt Wright (Author)

Text Editor, RSS Reader, Music Player, MiniCMS, Image Viewer and Editor, HTML and CSS Editor, Weather Widget, Map Application, Blogger Agent, Slideshow Maker, AIR Video Player

Code:

www.wrox.com/dynamic/books/download.aspx

Molecule Builder + Text Editor

+ Simple Collada Load

http://papervision2.com/loading-complex-models/

Our IT is taking over the POD (our faculty training and development facility). They asked me to outline a training curriculum. Here it is below:

Hi —-,
Here is the training curriculum you requested.Training Curriculum for a Newer and Better POD
Becoming fluid in digital media really only requires learning a handful of technologies. With just a little bit of expense and labor, the POD could become a premier training facility.

Here are the key software packages and costs:

Adobe Flex 3 (Web page and Course Management Software) – free
Adobe Air (Desktop Application Software) – free (included in Flex 3)
Audacity (audio recording software) - free
Gimp (image processing software) - free
WizIQ (live communications software) – free
Filezilla (file upload software) - free
Pinnacle (video processing software) – $49.99 a copy
Snagit/Camtasia Bundle (image capture and video capture software) - $199

Training courses can be associated with each software package:

Flex 3 (Flex Basics - 1, 2, 3, 4, Papervision3D - 1, 2)

Adobe Air (Creating a Desktop Application - 1 (RSS FEED), 2 (BLOG))

WizIQ (Live Communications – 1 (Web), 2 (Homegrown))

Filezilla (Uploading to the web)

Audacity (Making a Mp3, Creating Podcasts)

Gimp (Gimp Basics - 1, 2, Building a webpage interface with Gimp)

Pinnacle (Video Processing 1 (Capturing and Processing) & 2 (Effects and Formats))

Snagit (Images Capturing and Effects, Snagit and Gimp)

Camtasia (Video Capture Basics - 1, 2, Creating a Video Lecture, Vodcast)

In addition courses should be taught on: Open Source Solutions, Servers (inexpensive solutions)

Most of these tutorials I have already put on YouTube (www.youtube.com/mikenku), and creating a virtual training site along with the courses would be a real plus.

If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to email.

Best Regards - Mike

Our group just finished a bunch of tutorials on YouTube with the Source Code released on Google Code. Everything is in Flex 3, Papervsion3D (Great White), and (two tutorials) Wow. Thought I would release them here. You might find some of them useful.

Wow Physics Papervervision3D Starter Code
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/wowphysics/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYZn0fEtwmQ

Installing the Wow Physics Engine into Flex 3
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/wowphysics/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwYnCpp4Ewc

3D Sinc Plotter
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/sincplot/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ under downloads
YouTube Videos:

3D Plotter in Papervison3D and Flex 3 (1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlFLT9YA444

3D Plotter in Papervison3D and Flex 3 (2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvpIFLLLKp8

Summary: Demonstrates how to create a 3D plotting software in Papervision3D and Flex 3.

Molecule Viewer
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/molecule/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ under downloads
YouTube:

Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3 (1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smDWxWx9I8A

Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3 (2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWeMDzvQ9ko

3D Carousel in Flex 3 and Papervision3D (Free Souce Code)
Demo:http://nkuflc.org/carousel/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ (under downloads)
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWUR0Yh2Ys

Bible Code in Papervision3D and Flex 3
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/omega/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/biblecode/ (under downloads)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gC4MM2INpo

PaperLife3D
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/plnav/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/paperlife/ (under downloads)
YouTube:
(2 of 2) Papervision3D Second Life Nav System in Flex 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt0V7c44T7U
(1 of 2) Papervision3D Second Life Nav System in Flex 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WbdTdjVO2c

Papervision 3D: Getting Started in Flex 3
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgFWaGheR6g

Cheers,
Mike Lively (Give and you will receive)

Discussion: Globalization and Outsourcing

Questions /
Comment: Thanks for your topic.

The numbers flying around are under dispute - the US educates about 70,000 engineers a year, China 600,000 a year (depending on how you count them), and India about 1/4 million. Some are arguing that these numbers are actually equal. That is the US, China, and India graduate the same number of engineers every year.

So who cares - the big deal is that foreign engineers (which are outnumbering US engineers) are able to innovate at a much lower cost than US engineers. This rapid rate of innovation is decreasing the life cycles of products. Many consumer electronics have life cycles of weeks (not months). This makes it difficult for US companies to keep up, and the pursuit of global innovative talent is at a premium. Corporate giants are now very willing to look beyond their four walls for innovative talent. The big question here is how do we collaborate on a global scale without further giving our markets away.

Over the past few years the US has out-sourced its manufacturing muscle, expecting to maintain an innovative “research” edge (we were going to be the brains and the rest of the world our muscle - that did not work). So now, as we pursue global innovative talent to remain viable in a market of shorter product life-cycles, it is becoming apparent that our innovative edge has fallen prey to our inability to compete with the lower development cost of our foreign competitors.

Just drive to Warren. Ohio one afternoon and examine the rust belt - as an engineer myself - I have lived the nightmare of outsourcing - education better gear up - it is about to happen on a larger scale.

What does this have to do with anything? Well before we lay down and give up … the same tools that are allowing our foreign competition to thrive are at our disposal as well. Competing globally means leveraging technology that is mostly free in an arena where the rules are not well defined. In this flattening world, no one knows the rules - it is about making mistakes and quickly recovering an advantage through innovation. Most universities are not prepared to function at the level of fluidity that is required to survive, but those who do will be the winners in tomorrow’s education arena.