Switching Gears

Whenever working on a digital project, I try to be open to the fact that my initial plan will not always be possible to follow through all the way to the end. I’ve often had issues with my code since I’m primarily self-taught, or sometimes things just don’t turn out...

Where, oh, where has my modal gone?

Having finally sorted out my map, and even gotten the pop-ups to work the way I wanted them to, I have been attempting to build out a modal that will appear on load to provide an overview of the project and give users suggestions for exploring the map. The first half...

Database Decisions

After pivoting my project to create a searchable text database of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) instead of a speculative, collaborative map with local union members, my next step was to decide how to actually create this database.  To build or not to...

A Learning Curve!

Getting the “Mapping Nzulezo” project going is exciting as it is equally challenging. As a novice in the I.T. world, I am expected to grapple with some technical issues as I figure out how to create an interactive story map. Yes, an interactive story map! That is how...

The Best Laid Plans

After learning from my experiences with unforeseen delays (read: code struggles) during last year’s CHI fellowship project, I’ve been developing my project management skills this year: carefully delineating the scope of the final product, mapping the time allocated to...

Sometimes You’re Just Over-Complicating It

I have discovered one of the primary pitfalls of relying on YouTube tutorials- good software changes fast and finding tutorials for the newest version of a thing can be challenging. I have spent the better part of two weeks trying to get my map to work. It isn’t...

Making Progress

In my January post, I discussed the new workflow I was developing for my project. Last year, I prioritized content while this year I am prioritizing technical infrastructure. So, how are things going after one month compared to last year? Perhaps it shouldn’t be...