Synapse can be used to take notes, perform research, find related knowledge, or record personally relevant information, thereby alleviating the need for copying and pasting links or bookmarking. Users can construct knowledge by creating original ideas in an editor or capturing meaningful information they have read online using a browser extension. Synapse gives users the opportunity to organize information and associate it with similar items using tag words for searching.

Once entered into the database, Synapse uses the tags to find related pieces of personal knowledge and creates tag clouds to navigate to similar content items. Users can also annotate original ideas or captured information with draggable sticky notes to make contextual observations. Both the original idea or captured item along with annotations can be shared with other users who can build on that knowledge by submitting their own ideas.

Synapse connects new concepts with previously explored ideas. It encourages users to explore ways they structure knowledge in a useful and engaging way. In a scholastic context, Synapse creates a record of academic research and learning outcomes that students may revisit and revise on demand for life-long learning and reference. Synapse gives instructors the additionally ability to pre-evaluate students prior to teaching and make informed curriculum decisions about gaps in student knowledge. Instructors can then share information and references in a format that students actively make compatible with their own associations.

MAPP is a platform, and not simply a machine, by virtue of the fact that it was not designed with a specific aesthetic output in mind, but rather as a vehicle for expression capable of various and unexpected artistic results. Thus there is no singular input or output for the machine, but rather a number of choices for the artist to make.

The aesthetic range of MAPP is determined by its three main components: the physical machine, the software that controls the machine, and the drawing media used for each particular piece.

The mechanics of the machine are centered upon the movement of three plexiglass stages (one per axis), attached via a nut and threaded rod to a stepper motor. The attachment of the rod to the motor turns the radial motion of the stepper motor into the linear motion of the stage. The software arrangement translates various forms of user input into commands that, once received by the microcontroller, cause the motors, and thus the stages, to perform specific movements.

While MAPP is currently a single instantiation, it is also the beginning of an attempt at providing an accessible framework to aspiring artists and technologists who wish to work on similar projects in mechanically driven art. The instructions for the physical machine and electronics are adaptations from the open source project reprap.org, and the custom programming work will soon be released as an open-source library for others to use and expand, in the hopes of fostering more inventive projects bridging the worlds of art and machines.

1) Speaking: Speakers get three minutes to talk. They will also have a portion of the display showing their name, their chosen topic/subject/question/whatever, and their time remaining.

2) Voting: The crowd is prompted to vote (via cellphone) on whether the speaker should have more time, or if it is time for a new speaker. As long as a speaker keeps a (growing) majority of the votes, he keeps the mic. The software makes it so that speakers have to win an increasing majority each round, in order to tip the scales towards new voices. But, if a speaker is compelling/interesting, it’s possible he could retain the mic for 15 minutes or more.

3) Live Response: Between one speaker and the next, there will be an opportunity for audience members to respond to the speaker (or talk about whatever they want) live, for up to 30 seconds at a time, by calling a designated local number using their cellphones (or a phone provided onsite).

This event is open to any member of the public who wishes to speak. The allowed formats, topics, and any other rules of the event (including whether or not there should be rules) are going to be debated & determined on the website during the two weeks preceding the event. All are welcome to participate.

When: The event will occur on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, from 4-8pm. The debate about content & formats is ongoing. The intent is to hold recurring events approximately every two weeks all through the summer, leading up to the election in November. This, however, depends on NYC Parks’ Department permission.

Where: Union Square (map), New York City. Online at www.AskUnionSquare.com

How: The software application is a collection of scripts that interact with Asterisk, an open source PBX (Public Branch Exchange). Further documentation will be provided when I can get the F%@!#(@ thing working at a later date. The development of the norms & topics will occur in the days preceding the event as a result of discussions that take place online. You are encouraged to participate by visiting the website and creating an account.