So I have all the literature written and the layout of my hypertext created. However, I have yet to design and integrate my work and ideas in Google Sites. I am definitely sticking to my Scavenger Hunt idea. Based on the last blog, I have made some adjustments.
I currently have ten screens and 13 links. Each of the ten screens represent a list item, which is located on screen one. The second screen contains three links which take the reader on three separate paths, each containing another three screens. The last screen of each set of three will loop the reader back to another path, one they have yet to explore. In theory and on paper this seems to work, but putting it to the test will be another challenge. With this layout, the reader will only be able to explore two of the three paths without starting over. I can either add another link to the last three screens or keep it as is to induce frustration, just as every hypertext does.
I don't want to give to much away about the content of the piece for obvious reasons and spoiling purposes. But it pretty much takes on the effect of a Scavenger Hunt. There is a list of items to be found, clues along the way and embedded in the text and links, and a twist to keep you guessing as well as to appeal to the true hypertext readers. Hopefully, they will approve.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Blog #5: Exploration of Google Sites
I began by clicking on the link for Someone Story on the class blog but that brought me to Once Upon a Time. As instructed I read through the text and played with the internal links. From there I checked out Steegle.com which I found helpful but not. Since I really didn't know what I was doing, looking for, or creating it was difficult to navigate and find information that could help me. However, I feel once I am better educated on how to use GoogleSites and how to create a hypertext this site will be insightful and my go to.
Somehow I made my way to GoogleSites and created something... a website perhaps? I am not sure. However, it has a name, and the layout is similar to Once Upon a Time, so I am assuming I am on the right track. I would like just a basic tutorial of the site so I have a better idea on how to approach it. I am a visual learner, so I know if I watch someone else navigate about and illustrate that, I'll have a better idea of how to use it myself.
Somehow I made my way to GoogleSites and created something... a website perhaps? I am not sure. However, it has a name, and the layout is similar to Once Upon a Time, so I am assuming I am on the right track. I would like just a basic tutorial of the site so I have a better idea on how to approach it. I am a visual learner, so I know if I watch someone else navigate about and illustrate that, I'll have a better idea of how to use it myself.
Blog #4: My Hypertext
So after careful thought and last week's class discussion, I have officially decided on the literature aspect of my hypertext. My hypertext is going to be titled The Scavenger Hunt. Obviously the text and the literature are going to mirror that of a scavenger hunt. I have already created my opening scene which contains the description and the rules of the game. However, I wrote it in such a way that it can also be applied to the way we approach electronic literature as a whole. I have also begun to create a list which is imperative to the game both in reality and in the World Wide Web. The list is still a work in progress. I was aiming to include ten items that contain double meaning and play off the idea of what electronic literature isn't. But the more I think about it, it might be too obvious and ultimately contradict my purpose. So now I am thinking about maybe providing three items and making them the links. As for the following text, I was contemplating writing from the perspective of the item that is being search for or from the perspective of the searcher. Also, I want to try to make the internal links significant but might have trouble doing so since I don't want to turn this into Twelve Blue.
As for the technological end of the hypertext, I am really unsure how to approach the construction of it all. I have messed around on Google Sites a bit but it is really foreign to me. I am hoping we can explore it more as a class. I feel, however, once I obtain a stronger understanding of the site The Scavenger Hunt hypertext will fall into place.
As for the technological end of the hypertext, I am really unsure how to approach the construction of it all. I have messed around on Google Sites a bit but it is really foreign to me. I am hoping we can explore it more as a class. I feel, however, once I obtain a stronger understanding of the site The Scavenger Hunt hypertext will fall into place.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Blog #3: My Three Electronic Literature Choices
FINALLY! The Electronic Literature Volume 1 is up and running!
After intensively searching the pieces of "literature," I have found three that I like and would want to spend more time exploring.
1. Stud Poetry- I think it is genius to remove the numbers on the cards and replace them with words. Even though the game still follows the rules of poker the literary twist almost reinvents it completely.
2. Inanimate Alice- The piece is the most visually stimulating and I like how it is told from the perspective of an 8 year old. Children bring forth what adults lack- innocence, purity and truth- which seems to be prevalent throughout the piece. Even though the literature is basic and simplistic the story is powerful.
3. Storyland- There is something simplistic yet intriguingly complex about Storyland and I want to explore it further.
After intensively searching the pieces of "literature," I have found three that I like and would want to spend more time exploring.
1. Stud Poetry- I think it is genius to remove the numbers on the cards and replace them with words. Even though the game still follows the rules of poker the literary twist almost reinvents it completely.
2. Inanimate Alice- The piece is the most visually stimulating and I like how it is told from the perspective of an 8 year old. Children bring forth what adults lack- innocence, purity and truth- which seems to be prevalent throughout the piece. Even though the literature is basic and simplistic the story is powerful.
3. Storyland- There is something simplistic yet intriguingly complex about Storyland and I want to explore it further.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Blog #2: "FAQ about Hypertext"
"FAQ about Hypertext" simply confirms that electronic literature takes on many types of interpretations. Even though "Hypertext" is accredited to Alan Richardson, many critiques seem to disagree on the history and the purpose of the text. Ultimately, "Hypertext" makes you think. It is designed like a game in which a code is needed in order to solve the riddle...
With that said, "Hypertext" seems to be about a variety of things. The simplest interpretation is that it is "a poem with a simple kind of word game." However, others chalk it up as a transsexual confession, a "popular interpretation" of social media references, or an ode to Star Trek. Personally, I think it is about whatever you want it to be about. It all depends on how you read, interpret, and play the text.
In order to understand and "get" "FAQ about Hypertext" one needs to have a general understanding of Electronic Literature, technology/media, as well as an open mind.
With that said, "Hypertext" seems to be about a variety of things. The simplest interpretation is that it is "a poem with a simple kind of word game." However, others chalk it up as a transsexual confession, a "popular interpretation" of social media references, or an ode to Star Trek. Personally, I think it is about whatever you want it to be about. It all depends on how you read, interpret, and play the text.
In order to understand and "get" "FAQ about Hypertext" one needs to have a general understanding of Electronic Literature, technology/media, as well as an open mind.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Blog #1: Tweleve Blue Reading Analysis
Prior to beginning my journey of Twelve Blue I reminded myself of what not to do when exploring Electronic Literature. It is difficult to break old habits, such as trying to interpret or analyze what the author is trying to say or express, but I gave it my best.
I began the journey by simply navigating and reading the text as it appeared on the screen after hitting the BEGIN button on the left hand side. It was clear that some pieces correlated and were referring to the seasons and months as well as the color blue. Then other texts referenced teas parties and young girls. Eventually, this approach ended because the text ran out and there were no more internal links to click on. Undoubtedly, this left me searching for more.
My second navigation of Twelve Blue really had no rhyme or reason. I began by clicking on the number two on the center screen. As I began to read the text and click the internal links, my eyes shifted to the columns that contained the lines in an assortment of colors. That is when I realized the lines were also links that brought you to other passages. To experiment with this discovery, I began clicking on the same line over and over again which provided me with a more cohesive storyline about Samantha and Beth and their parents. After reading several passages, I explored other line colors to find that different storylines surfaced about completely different topics or offshoots of the Samantha and Beth storyline.
From what I have gathered, I can only theorize the "purpose" of Twelve Blue. Based on the visual representation of the lines on the main screen and how they appear when exploring through the text, the layout and path of the lines provide related story passages. Also, twelve different lines are provided, one for each story perhaps. In addition, the number twelve is prevalent throughout the passages, such as referring to the twelve months of the year. So then maybe each line represents a month? Furthermore, this could also be said for the color blue. Every single passage, regardless if the content is related to the following or previous passage, the color blue or a variation of the color is mentioned. How the color blue and the number twelve relate, no idea. However, together they make up the title: Twelve Blue. Ultimately, what this all means, I don't have the slightest... but it is fun to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
I began the journey by simply navigating and reading the text as it appeared on the screen after hitting the BEGIN button on the left hand side. It was clear that some pieces correlated and were referring to the seasons and months as well as the color blue. Then other texts referenced teas parties and young girls. Eventually, this approach ended because the text ran out and there were no more internal links to click on. Undoubtedly, this left me searching for more.
My second navigation of Twelve Blue really had no rhyme or reason. I began by clicking on the number two on the center screen. As I began to read the text and click the internal links, my eyes shifted to the columns that contained the lines in an assortment of colors. That is when I realized the lines were also links that brought you to other passages. To experiment with this discovery, I began clicking on the same line over and over again which provided me with a more cohesive storyline about Samantha and Beth and their parents. After reading several passages, I explored other line colors to find that different storylines surfaced about completely different topics or offshoots of the Samantha and Beth storyline.
From what I have gathered, I can only theorize the "purpose" of Twelve Blue. Based on the visual representation of the lines on the main screen and how they appear when exploring through the text, the layout and path of the lines provide related story passages. Also, twelve different lines are provided, one for each story perhaps. In addition, the number twelve is prevalent throughout the passages, such as referring to the twelve months of the year. So then maybe each line represents a month? Furthermore, this could also be said for the color blue. Every single passage, regardless if the content is related to the following or previous passage, the color blue or a variation of the color is mentioned. How the color blue and the number twelve relate, no idea. However, together they make up the title: Twelve Blue. Ultimately, what this all means, I don't have the slightest... but it is fun to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
