Digital Fabrication Studio 0.3 Information

Digital_Fabrication_Studio.02
Projects and Information - managing and retrieving
information from databases and objects
Massimo Menichinelli
massimo.menichinelli@aalto.f
@openp2pdesign
http://www.slideshare.net/openp2pdesign

Today:
* Content Management Systems
* Version Control Systems
* QR Codes
* Blueprints

01.
Content Management Systems:
web interfaces to databases

Versioning: you've already seen it on Google Docs...
Source: http://docs.google.com/
Even Google Docs has a very simple versioning system available. It is
an important mechanism for keeping track of the history of a project.

Blog: Wordpress.org
Source: http://wordpress.org/
The easiest way to manage content (and a bit
of versioning).

Blog: Wordpress.org (+ plugin)
Source: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/revision-control/
Revision Control allows fner control over the Post
Revision system included with WordPress.

Blog: Wordpress.org (+ plugin)
Source: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-document-revisions/
A document management and version control plugin that allows teams
of any size to collaboratively edit fles and manage their workflow.

CMS: Drupal.org
Source: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-document-revisions/
Drupal contains basic features common to a cms: user account registration and
maintenance, menu management, RSS-feeds, page layout customization...

CMS: Drupal.org (+modules)
You can extend the versioning system of Drupal
with these modules:
* http://drupal.org/project/revisioning
* http://drupal.org/project/revision_fu
* http://drupal.org/project/revisionreference
* http://drupal.org/project/block_revisions
* http://drupal.org/project/diff_revision
* http://drupal.org/project/revision_all
* http://drupal.org/project/user_revision
* http://drupal.org/project/user_diff

CMS: Drupal.org -> fablab.aalto.f
Source: http://fablab.aalto.f
Our website is based on Drupal...

Wiki: Mediawiki.org
Source: http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki
MediaWiki is a free software open source wiki package
written in PHP, originally for use on Wikipedia.

Backup: DropBox
Source: https://www.dropbox.com/help/11
DropBox has a limited versioning system, that goes
back to 30 days only.

Backup: ownCloud
Source: http://owncloud.org/
An open source version of DropBox, in case you have a
server available.

Backup: ownCloud (with versioning)
Source: https://github.com/craig0990/ownCloud
“Personal clone of ownCloud, containing an in-development versioning app (I would
seriously advise against cloning and pulling from this repository at the moment)”

Backup: Sparkleshare
Source: http://sparkleshare.org/
An open source version of DropBox, in case you have a
server available (based on Git!).

Need a local server? XAMPP
Source: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
If you want to use Wordpress, Drupal, MediaWiki locally
on your computer.

Your local server, http://localhost/
Source: http://localhost/
Look for the htdocs folder in your XAMPP application, all the fles
accessible through http://localhost should be there.

Your local database, http://localhost/phpmyadmin
Source: http://localhost/phpmyadmin/
You can easily create a database with PhpMyAdmin (but you will
probably have to change the password for installing MediaWiki).

02.
Version Control Systems:
managing the history of a project

02.01
Subversion (SVN)

Control? Organization?
Something very common, that I don't want to see in this course!!

Version Control Systems
A version (or revision) control system is a system that tracks
incremental versions (or revisions) of fles and directories over
time. It allows you to explore the changes which resulted in each
of those versions and facilitates the arbitrary recall of the same.
* Backup and Restore
* Synchronization
* Short-term undo + Long-term undo
* Track Changes
* Track Ownership
* Branching and merging
* not in real time!
Source: http://svnbook.red-bean.com/en/1.6/svn.basic.version-control-basics.html

Server/client-based Version Control System
Server
Client
ClientClient
Client
Source: http://www.kalekold.net/index.php?post=13
http://betterexplained.com/articles/a-visual-guide-to-version-control/
The frst architecture to appear, you need to be connected and you
need a server (unless you want to work alone on your computer).

Version Control System: Subversion (SVN)
Source: http://subversion.apache.org/
Subversion manages fles and directories, and the changes made to
them, over time. Think of it as a sort of “time machine” of changes.

An introduction to SVN
Source: http://svnbook.red-bean.com/
An open source book about using SVN.

Version Control System: the vocabulary (01)
* Change: A change (or diff) represents a specifc modifcation to a document
under version control.
* Checkout : A check-out (or co) is the act of creating a local working copy
from the repository.A user may specify a specifc revision or obtain the latest.
Also refers to the same fles.
* Commit : A commit (checkin,ci) is the action of writing or merging the
changes made in the working copy back to the repository.Also refers to the
same fles.
* Head : The most recent commit.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revision_control

* Conflict
A conflict occurs when different parties make changes to the same
document. A user must resolve the conflict by combining the changes, or by
selecting one change.
* Merge
A merge or integration is an operation in which two sets of changes are
applied to a fle or set of fles.
* Update
An update (or sync) merges changes made in the repository (by other people,
for example) into the local working copy.
* Working copy
The working copy is the local copy of fles from a repository, at a specifc
time or revision. Conceptually, it is a sandbox.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revision_control

Versioning: the problem
How will the system allow users to share information,
but prevent them from accidentally overwriting?

Versioning: the lock-modify-unlock solution
In this model, the repository allows only one person to
change a fle at a time, by locking it.

Versioning: the copy-modify-merge solution (01)
In this model, each user's client contacts the project repository and creates a
personal working copy. The private copies are merged together into a new version.

Versioning: the copy-modify-merge solution (02)
In this model, each user's client contacts the project repository and creates a
personal working copy. The private copies are merged together into a new version.

Diff: how to understand the changes
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kompare
The best way of understanding what has changed is to
compare different revisions with a diff software.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_Subversion
Development happens in trunk, testing alternatives in
branches and storing good versions (1.0, 1.1,...) in tags.
A typical SVN project

Source: http://reprap.org/wiki/Mendel
The second version of the RepRap, the frst to be easier
to build and calibrate.
Example: a spool for the RepRap Mendel

A spool for the RepRap Mendel: an improvement
Source: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3866
A spool added for handling the plastic wire and
published on Thingiverse.

A spool for the RepRap Mendel: an improvement (01)
“Well i wanted to have a very simple, but bearing based
spool system.” Camiel

“I have changed the design to put the bearings in the spool itself. This way you
can be more flexible in what you use to support the axle. ” Brokentoaster

“I liked BrokenToaster's idea of a bearing-driven flament spool holder, but
that version was too big to ft on a Makerbot print bed. [...]” Randyy

“This takes advantage of the larger print area on RepRaps by printing
the arm as one piece, […] also saving material.” Fil

SVN Client + File comparison: TortoiseSVN (Win)
Source: http://tortoisesvn.net/
The most popular SVN client on Windows, it can also
compare images.

SVN Client: RapidSVN (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Source: http://www.rapidsvn.org/
Open Source and multi-platform, but without fle
comparison.

SVN Client: Versions (Mac)
Source: http://www.versionsapp.com/
Free trial for one month...

02.02
Git and Mercurial (Hg)

Distributed Version Control System
Source: http://www.kalekold.net/index.php?post=13
http://betterexplained.com/articles/intro-to-distributed-version-control-illustrated/
A more recent architecture, more evoluted and popular. It
usually tracks the state of the fles, not just the changes.

Distributed Version Control Systems add new terms to the vocabulary:
* Clone: create a working copy on your computer from another repository.
* Push : send a change to another repository (may require permission),even to
your server.
* Pull : download the latest changes from an online repository.

Distributed Version Control System: Git
Source: http://git-scm.com/
Developed by Linus Torvalds, for improving the
distributed development of the Linux Kernel.

An introduction to Git
Source: http://progit.org/book/
An open source book about using Git.

Git project hosting: GitHub.com
Source: https://github.com/
The most popular (and refned) Git hosting available now, free plans
for open source projects (you have to pay for private spaces).

Git Client: GitX (Mac)
Source: http://gitx.laullon.com/
Actually, more than one GitX can be found...

Git project hosting: Gitorius.org
Source: http://www.gitorious.org/
Free plans, and open source software itself.

Distributed Version Control System: Mercurial (hg)
Source: http://mercurial.selenic.com/
Open Source and distributed as Git, usually the most
used in FabLabs.

An introduction to Mercurial
Source: http://hginit.com/
A complete and easy introduction to using Mercurial.

Git / Hg project hosting: Bitbucket.org
Source: https://bitbucket.org/
For both Git and Hg, free plan also for private projects.

Mercurial (hg) client: MacHg
Source: http://jasonfharris.com/machg/
Much better than the terminal for starting, and it has
Mercurial packaged (no need to install it separately).

File comparison: Kaleidoscope (Mac)
Source: http://www.kaleidoscopeapp.com/
Free trial for one month...

File comparison: Perforce P4Merge (Win, Mac, Linux)
Source: http://www.perforce.com/product/components/perforce_visual_merge_and_diff_tools
Perforce is another version control system, but it is
interesting for its visual diff applications (freeware).

File comparison: ComparePSD (Windows)
Source: http://pixelnovel.com/comparepsd/
Freeware for Windows, can compare Photoshop .psd
fles.

Subversion hosting service: Pixelnovel
Source: http://pixelnovel.com/svn-account/
Integrated with Photoshop: free plan (100 MB) and
better paid plans.

SVN / Git / Hg hosting service: Beanstalk
Source: http://beanstalkapp.com/
Paid plans (with free trial).

SVN / Git hosting service: Codesion
Source: http://codesion.com/
Paid plans (with free trial).

SVN / Git / Hg hosting service: Google Code
Source: http://code.google.com/projecthosting/
Free for open source projects.

03.
QR Code:
bits about a project from its atoms

Retrieving the source code of an object
Source: http://labs.ideo.com/2012/03/15/arduino-tool-that-connects-each-board-to-its-own-source/
What about retrieving the information about a project, in order to be able to
modify it? If we work with Arduino, there is this software from IDEO.

Dead Drops: local (really!) information
Source: http://deadrops.com/
‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer fle-sharing network in public
space. USB flash drives are embedded into walls accessible to anybody.

Dead Drops: how to fnd them
Source: http://deaddrops.com/dead-drops/db-map/
‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer fle-sharing network in public
space. USB flash drives are embedded into walls accessible to anybody.

Spime: sp(ace) + (ti)me of an object
Source: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?tid=10603&ttype=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spime
Spime is a neologism for a currently theoretical object that can be tracked
through space and time throughout the lifetime of the object.

Evrythng.com
Source: http://evrythng.com/
EVRYTHNG is a software engine for creating Active Digital Identities, unique
online profles for objects to make them part of the Web and digitally connected.

Tales of things (.com)
Source: http://www.talesofthings.com/
Tales of Things allows just that with a quick and easy way to link any media to
any object via small printable tags known as QR codes.

Q(uick)R(esponse) Code
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qr_code
QR Code is the trademark for a type of matrix / 2D barcode that can encode four
standardized kinds of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji).

QR Code: data storage
The amount of data that can be stored in the QR Code symbol depends on the
datatype (mode,or input character set), version (1,...,40, indicating the overall
dimensions of the symbol),and error correction level (L[ow], M[edium],
Q[uality], H[igh]).The maximum storage capacities are:
* Numeric only: max.7,089 characters (0, 1,2,3,4, 5,6,7, 8,9)
* Alphanumeric: max. 4,296 characters (0–9,A–Z [upper-case only], space,$,%,
*, +,-, .,/, :)
* Binary/byte: max.2,953 characters (8-bit bytes) (23624 bits)
* Kanji/Kana: max.1,817 characters

QR Code: data storage
The more information is encoded, the fner
the details of the code.

QR Code: error tolerance and customization
Source: http://whomwah.com/2008/03/12/more-fun-with-qr-codes-and-the-bbc-logo/
http://contentdeveloper.com/2010/01/how-to-customize-qr-codes-with-your-brands-identity/
You can “hack” a QR Code thanks to its tolerance to errors.

QR Codes: not just printed paper
Source: http://www.arcfn.com/2009/01/qr-codes-in-lego.html
You can create QR codes with existing
materials, objects and building blocks...

Source: http://www.visualnews.com/2011/12/15/a-qr-code-built-from-everyday-objects/

Source: http://www.elenabelmann.blogspot.com/2011/02/objekt-als-informationstrager.html

QR Codes: an easy way to create them
Source: http://qrcode.littleidiot.be/
Many online free services will create QR Codes for you
starting from many different kinds of information.

QR Codes: an easy way to create (and decode) them
Source: http://www.patrick-wied.at/static/qrgen/

Source: http://www.qrstuff.com/

Source: http://www.qrhacker.com/

QR Codes: an easy way to create a stencil
Source: http://blog.makezine.com/2011/07/20/qr-stenciler/
… and there are even libraries for creating stencil of QR
Codes that you can laser cut!

QR Codes: you can track the position as well
Source: http://www.springwise.com/government/croatia-postage-stamps-trackable-qr-code/
As you can link an identity to an object with a QR Code,
then we can track where this identity moves.

QR Codes: you can add related information
Source: http://www.springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/cigarette-packages-qr-codes-reveal-nearby-place-smoke/
You can provide related information and build apps and
services around an object!

QR Codes: you can add related information
Source: http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/task/leap/pages/qr-codes.aspx
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665090/an-offce-chair-with-built-in-video-instruction-manual
You can provide the instruction manual of an object!

QR Codes: you can add the source code!
Source: http://supermechanical.com/rev/
http://www.springwise.com/style_design/future-repairs-tables-digital-blueprints-etched-surface/
… and fnally you can even provide directly the source
code of an object, not just a link to its source online!

Bar Codes: retrieving information through design!
Source: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/22271/barcode-band-scans-its-way-to-new-music.html
http://vimeo.com/41132461
… you can even use codes and existing objects to
design a new system based on retrieving information!

QR Codes: which bits?
Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/248843/beware_of_malicious_qr_codes.html
We are embedding information on an object, and we use a
device for retrieving it... but which kind of information?

Virus: a dangerous information
Source: http://www.platform21.nl/page/3915/en
http://www.nextnature.net/2009/04/ikea-lamp-catches-elephantiasis-virus/
Some kind of information (like viruses) can modify, deform
and damage an object...

Sound: a dangerous information
Source: http://www.dezeen.com/2012/07/13/noize-chairs-by-estudio-guto-requena/
http://vimeo.com/45568573
Some kind of information (like sound) can modify, deform
and damage an object...

QR Code: you can even print it (in 3D)
If you have a 3D printer that can print at least
two different materials....

QR Code: for real walls
Source: http://www.springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/qr-code-stickers-turn-real-world-objects-digital-conversations/
https://qrawr.com/
Not only Dead Drops can be used for embedding
information on a wall!

After QR Code, Augmented Reality?
Source: http://amzn.to/KUwNk6
AR can be useful for adding a layer of bits on a space or
object, and we can possibly think about its source code...

04.
Blueprints –suggestions for the
documentation of the projects

Ok, the blueprints...
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Blueprints
We need all the possible documentation for being able to
replicate the project in other FabLabs.

Patents (?)
Source: http://bit.ly/K3YgxN
A very formal way of representing a
project, but it could be useful.

Instructions (process): Instructables.com
Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Create-a-3D-printed-3D-fractal/?ALLSTEPS
You can explain in a simple way the whole process...

Instructions (process): IKEA
Source: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/assembly/A/A80095184.pdf
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/assembly_instructions.html
You can provide simple instructions...

Instructions (process) for dummies: IKEA
Source: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/assembly/A/A80095184.pdf
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/assembly_instructions.html
… simple intructions that can be understood by any culture!

Even videos...
Source: http://youtu.be/dfNByi-rrO4
Nowadays it is almost impossible to fnd a tutorial that it is not made
with a video! Even researchers present their papers with a video.

Thank you!!
Massimo Menichinelli
Aalto Media Factory
massimo.menichinelli@aalto.f
@openp2pdesign
http://www.slideshare.net/openp2pdesign

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