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Yuqian Ma

Peer Meeting #2

This is for the meeting a week before. I should write down it sooner next time ; ) Now let me just jot down something to reflect the development of my topic.

My initial idea of the topic “open source” was focusing on the community. However it was too broad as a thesis. As a result, I did not have a clear form plan and could not find similar projects.

During the peer meeting, I threw the question out and received a lot of useful feedback.

The most thoughtful one is “What if there’s no open source”.

With the question in my mind, I was thinking back to why I chose this topic.

Obviously, as a coder, I have different feelings about software compared to non-coders. I want to express that feeling. This is the starting point.

In addition, the feeling comes from the code works behind the software. There are infinite possibilities with the source open. Without it, these software makes no difference to other goods.

So here was a narrowing of my topic, or a little change: from “open source” to “express my feeling of open source.”

 

Peer Meeting #1

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The first peer meeting was great. I was glad to share my 1-1 meeting reflection with others.

More, Sarah Hakani gave me a different angle to see the open source project: Who benefits from the open source project, what is the worst possible thing from that benefit?

I’d never think about the bad things related to open source!

And Wentao also shared a video as an inspiration!

Meeting Reflection 1

I just had my first meeting with Sarah.

I showed my previous works and projects, including my smart home panel. She reminded me the software I’m using in my smart home is also an open source project, which is my thesis topic. However, I’m not clear about the direction.

During our conversation, one direction is about these projects’ interfaces. For example, redesigning my smart home panel. I can invent new interfaces for existing softwares.

Another direction is about open source projects’ origins. There are stories in the history of those projects. Who created the project. For what. etc. And a story is usually more engaging.

My initial idea of the form is data visualization. Something like a chart or infographic. Sarah suggested I give more thought to the interaction. My final project can be a combination so I don’t have to drop directions.

Moreover, I asked some questions about thesis requirements. We don’t have to write a long paper. The main part is the presentation. And I can tell the intention of my project in the end instead of deciding right now.