News & Updates
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 of that was not too bad. I was able to figure out how to create a modal that opened on a button push. But when I then tried to...
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 build? There are two main types of databases: relational and non-relational. Relational databases, like Structured Query Language...
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 I envisioned the “Mapping Nzulezo” project. My professor and colleague CHI Fellows recommended J. Dougherty &...
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 each element of the project, and resisting the temptation to add more components when they would significantly increase the...
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 a complex map, and the individual elements were not especially challenging to figure out. I created a simplified style for my map tiles...
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 surprising, but the answer is much better. So far, I’ve already managed to create the entire bootstrap framework for my website...
Project on the Roll
This semester is all about the creation of the “Mapping Nzulezo” project! I want to share some graphical descriptions of the project and concrete plans for completing this project. The illustrations below represent my wireframes for the project. Wireframe 1: The above illustration depicts how the website’s home screen would look. I plan to have five tabs at the top of the website, a map of...
Project Planning & Developing a Workflow
This past Friday marked the beginning of the new semester and the phase of the fellowship in which our weekly meetings become more oriented to our individual projects. However, things are going to be slightly different this year. For my ‘21-’22 project, I spent the early weeks of developing the Stratford Memory Map sifting through the guidebooks and creating content for my website rather than...
Deciding my Fellowship Project
As I mentioned in my previous post, I initially applied to this Fellowship with a specific project in mind, but have since changed my mind. After devoting too much time sleuthing into a provenance project, Ethan and I decided that the research was too interesting not to chare. So instead, I will be presenting the work I have done, and will continue to do, on the provenance of the Bronzes from...
Project Intro: Mapping the New Academic Labor Movement
Happy end-of-the-semester, CHI! I’m excited to announce my project for 2023, tentatively titled “Graduate Labor Rising: Mapping the New Academic Labor Movement.” This project will consider the rise, fall, and rise again of graduate labor organizing in the United States through rhetorical analysis paired with historic and speculative mapping. Graduate workers in the US began unionizing in the...
