The next StoryCube Cairn event will mark the end of the first phase of the project and will bring together members of Proboscis (GL & HT), the StoryCube Cairn team (SP & GJ) and two new invited guests, to trial the QR-based cubes. The aim of the event will be to reflect on the project to-date and to speculate on further phases of its development.
Background
This project aims to explore new applications for Proboscis's StoryCube publishing format. StoryCube uses a web-based 'generator' to produce PDFs that can be printed-on-demand, cut and folded into portable paper cubes. Where previously the StoryCubes had been generated from within Proboscis's own Bookleteer user-interface, we proposed to link the layout and PDF-printing function of their scripts into a process which also generates QR codes linked to online map-data. The new StoryCube Cairn scripts therefore generate StoryCubes which have six QR codes linking to references for geographically specific points. A mobile phone reads the QR codes and links to online resources which represent each location. In StoryCube Cairn, the six locations, when read in order, define a specific route or itinerary.
These itineraries consist of a start-point, four waypoints and a destination. These can be defined using any criteria, but we imagine a number of uses such as: a way of setting a precise route for 'health walks'; or to present points of historical interest on a self-guided walk. Equally we envisage a number of uses which make the most of the inscrutability of machine-readable QR-codes, to reveal or unravel a 'mystery tour' for example. We see the cubes function ranging from talisman to navigation-aid, depending on the choices made by its author(s).
The forthcoming event
Until now, the routes have been set by the StoryCube Cairn team. Prior to this next event we are inviting two additional volunteer-contributors to define their own walking-itinerary and to each make a new StoryCube. Each contributor will define a unique start-point and four waypoints. (The sixth waypoint, the destination of the walk, will be Proboscis' studio in Turnmill Street.)
The final event (duration: approx. 2 hours) will be held at Proboscis's studios and will serve as both 'debrief' for the project's first phase and forum for thinking about further phases of its development.
I will contact each of you to arrange a date and time for the event.
To make the StoryCube contributors can either:
1. use the StoryCube Cairn web-interface at http://www.recursion.co.uk/
2. forward a list of placenames or locations (eg. "the NE corner of the junction of Old Ford Road and Cambridge Heath Road" or "258 Mare Street", etc.); or
3. forward a list of URLs which link to locations in online map-based systems such as Google Maps or openstreetmap.org.
Links
Bookleteer: http://bookleteer.com/
QR Codes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
Proboscis Studio, Turnmill Street: 4th floor, 101 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5QP
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