Dynamic data

As discussed in earlier posts, we identify two types of data: static and dynamic. Static data does not change very often. Think of buildings names, descriptions, addresses and the like. Collecting static data is easy and can be done manually.

Dynamic data, on the other hand, does change often. Think of lecture schedules, calendar entries, parties, cultural events, restaurant menu's, etc. Dynamic data is more useful to campus residents. They are probabily interested the news rather than a description of their faculty. Dynamic data turns Layar in a tool rather than a toy. So, to get started with dynamic data, we have decided to tackle the TU Delft calendars.

There are several different calendars providing information about events on and around the campus. Each faculty has its own 'agenda' (RSS feed of events), there is an 'agenda' on the TU Delft homepage, Studium Generale has its own calendar and there is a calendar located at delftcalendar.tudelft.nl which sounds official, but in fact does not show the events shown in the  'agenda' found on the TU Delft homepage, but does show the Studium Generale events. Yes, quite messy. So when we had to decide which calendar to tackle first, we choose the calendar which had a favourable interesting/ease-of-use ratio: delftcalendar.tudelft.nl.

Published!

The moment has arrived: the TU Delft Layar layer has been published! Head outside, load Layar on your Android, iPhone or Nokia phone, search for 'TU Delft' and enjoy the show.

Preliminary roadmap

First of all we would like to thank our early adopters who've shown interest in our work and have gone trhough the trouble of creating a Layar account and testing the TU Delft Layar layer. It is great to know that the things we are doing are noticed and are able to spark the imagination.

Now that the first beta release is out and we've shown that we can make Layar work, it is time to start thinking a little bit further down the road. What is it we want to and are able to implement? Are we aiming for fun or useful features? What kind of data are we actually dealing with?

To answer these questions we've decided to create a map of the information we will be working with. We've decided to categorize the data based on its representation in Layar (1D or 3D) and its variability in time i.e. does it change in time or not.

Contacting us

We value the input from our users. Please feel free to comment, critique, encourage, give pointers, ask questions, etc. using one of the following communication channels:

• Twitter: @TUDelftAR
• Facebook group: TU Delft Layar Group
• Comments on the site
• Emailing one of the editors

Up, up and away

Finally, the moment you have been waiting for has arrived: we are releasing a preview of the TU Delft Layar layer. In this preview you will be able to browse through 16 TU Delft buildings and get a feeling of what Layar is all about. Please note: this release is a technology demonstration and is as such rather thin. It is meant to get you acquainted with Layar and open your mind for the possibilities of this system.

Getting ready for the launch!

We are almost there: tomorrow we plan to release the first version of the TU Delft Layar layer (heavy alpha, technology demonstration version). Follow this space for instructions on how to access it and what to do with it. 

At the moment we are finalizing the site, massaging the social media sharing capabilities, creating Twitter accounts (being @TUDelftAR), etc. 

See you tomorrow!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to all! 

You've reached the homepage of TUDar, the TU Delft augmented reality project. Our aim is, as the name suggests, to bring augmented reality to the TU Delft campus.