[Freedombox-discuss] Condemos: FBx UI & Potential Distro

Mon Feb 27 16:32:19 UTC 2012

Hi all,

I'll be pushing a new HTML5 template based upon Twitter's Bootstrap
tonight/tomorrow (with some minor bells and whistles from both
HTML5-Reset and HTML5 Boilerplate).

Right now in my repo (https://github.com/seandiggity/Plinth) there's
basically just an HTML5 version of the old template.  The changes I'll
be adding will give Plinth a new look, but I haven't altered the core of
the UI in any substantial way.  I figure it's best to lay the groundwork
and then go from there...even if we never revolutionize the navigation
etc., it will at least look more modern and follow emerging Web standards.

I encourage everyone to look at the great work that Twitter has done
with bootstrap: http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/scaffolding.html

After I push the new template, try out Plinth on a phone browser (or
change your user agent string and resize your window).  You'll see how
much care they've put into the CSS to make it work in any environment.

Also, the current structure of Plinth makes Bootstrap easy to integrate,
and anyone can modify templates in a very straightforward way.

As far as a straight-up SVG UI is concerned, I think SVG is actually an
unwise choice to use as the only Web technology for our interface.  Too
few people know enough about SVG to modify/make their own
templates/themes or (to use a dangerous word) "apps".  On top of that,
the design tools for SVG are targeted at vector artists, not someone
coming up with a UI.  IMO, this thing should be hackable by most Web
developers (I'm biased of course because I am one).

For my part, I think SVG is awesome but I'm only familiar with it
through Inkscape.  Although I've seen some great demos doing animations
etc., I think we can better accomplish that level of interactivity with
HTML5's  Canvas and the great JavaScript libraries out there (jQuery etc.)

I love the way MediaWiki converts and resizes SVG --> PNG on-the-fly so
I only need one set of graphics for my wiki projects, and something like
that is worth integrating.  But I think we should try to use SVG for
what it's best at, vector art.  Speaking of, where can I get the SVG for
the new logo?

Best,
~ Diggity

On 02/27/2012 09:03 AM, James Vasile wrote:
> Hi all, this conversation has faded a bit and I want to give it a shot
> in the arm.  You all were on a good path.  What can we do to move things
> forward again?
> 
> I'd also like to loop Sean O'Brien into the conversation as well.  He's
> been digging around in Plinth and thinking hard about templating issues
> there.  He could charge ahead on his own, but if you all want to
> collaborate, this is probably a good time and place to begin!
> 
> -James
> 
> On Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:04:20 +0000, Matt Dodson <war2none at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Rick,
>>
>> I was using SVG as a design tool, but aware that I could be making it interactive, but the designing the limit of my SVG experience. 
>>
>> I'd like to work with you to make it a dynamic prototype, let me know what you need to start work, the design at the moment has may darkspots, especially on the 'Order' and 'Discourse' pages, and a whole multitude of modals have yet to be designed.
>>
>> look forward to working with you.
>>
>> -m-
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:48:20 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [Freedombox-discuss] Condemos: FBx UI & Potential Distro
>> From: graham.rick at gmail.com
>> To: war2none at hotmail.com
>> CC: freedombox-discuss at lists.alioth.debian.org
>>
>> Hi Matt.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure what your intention is.  Perhaps you are only to using SVG 
>> as a design tool, a la illustrator.
>>
>> But if you wish to actually create
>>  an SVG user interface, let me know.  
>>
>>
>>
>> Inkscape is an awesome program, but it isn't really capable of generating a good dynamic interface.  At least not yet.
>>
>>
>>
>> I spent four years as one of the spec authors of SVG and I'm currently using it to implement air traffic control interfaces.
>>
>>
>>
>> It has occurred to offer to do this for this project, it certainly falls squarely in the middle of my expertise.  I would be much more inclined to explore the idea if I were assured the help of an artist.
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 12:27 PM, Matt Dodson <war2none at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi
>>
>> First I should introduce myself, I'm an artist from the UK, that has been following the FBx Project from about April 2010. For many years prior I've thought it would be good to have a computerised democracy to the smallest level, creating community collaboration for their environment, with the use of a Fritjof Capra inspired evaluation system to represent balances and imbalances, as well as the strength of relationships. The FreedomBox it the perfect base for this as it's intimate, as well as being privacy-aware.
>>
>>
>> I've created UI design to express my ideas. The UI design as well as having the evaluation system, acts as (what I call) an 'Uber-Web', where editing and discussing websites can happen, without interfering with the website itself, as well as additional features. The UI provides searching and refining pages, aided by the evaluation system, and different pages of persevering and organising information, as well as a page devoted to discourse. I've designed it in mind to be turned to any application, and yes it supports apps.
>>
>>
>>
>> THe design in SVG can be downloaded, from the link bellow (best viewed in a 880x1280 browser window):
>> https://raw.github.com/mythius/Misc/master/Condemos-GUI-mock-up%20design%20%28for%20a%20880x1280%20brower%20window%29.svg
>>
>>
>>
>> I've intentionally been unverbose in the description, as I'd like a response of the intuitiveness of it, please ask any questions and give me honest feedback.
>>
>>
>> -matt dodson-
>>
>> www.various-journeys.co.uk
>>
>>
>>  		 	   		  
>>
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>>
>>
>> -- 
>> In a free society law exists to safeguard the freedom of the people.
>>
>>
>> In a totalitarian society law exists to protect the ruling class from the people.
>>
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