e2info will be a service for sending, distributing, sharing and collaborating information, accessible across any device. The information will be conveyed as a presentation consisting of a stack of cards. Each card may contain text, images, vector illustrations, graphs, tables. A card has hotspots or buttons that link to other cards (or other stacks). This is similar to the principle of Powerpoint, Keynote, or Apple HyperCard. However, the content on an e2info card will automatically scale and rearrange itself to match the screen size.
Users can collaborate on presentations. Users can also share their comments with other viewers. e2info will import content from online services or other desktop applications. ( e2spreadsheet, e2vector, and common file formats such as .jpg, .png, .txt, .svg, .csv. etc.. ).
Implementation
This project entails the creation of three new applications.
1. e2info AIR application: Create or collaborate on presentations as described above.
2. e2info mobile client: Flash Lite 3.x/ActionScript2. View presentations and attach comments. Utilise Touch UI, but support keypad based navigation for phones without touch. This application will be targeted primarily at the Nokia 5800 Express Music, but implemented in such a way to support other devices and smaller screens.
3. PHP+mySQL: Server-side software. Allows for collaboration and sharing of presentations.
Functions
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e2info AIR application Create new cardstack project Import images Import vector illustrations Import spreadsheet graphs Create text Create lists Drag, Resize and rotate Button and hotspot links Create URL Links Share online resources Preview (various screen sizes) Save and Load to filesystem Share the cardstack project Set up groups and privileges Search shared cardstacks View cardstacks and comments Leave your own comments | e2info mobile client View cardstacks and comments Leave your own comments Forward to friend(s) Add to favourites Touch and keypad navigation |
PHP+mySQL Maintain group information Maintain access privileges Store cardstacks Handle requests from AIR application Handle requests from mobile client |
Problems Solved
A lot of the ground work for this project has already been accomplished. e2vector already allows the user to create and arrange text, images and vector illustrations on a screen. It already supports .svg file imports, and uploading illustrations from an online library. e2spreadsheet already allows a user to create tables and graphs. Hence there is plenty of scope for code re-use, which will save time and uncertainty. Some of this code can also be ported to Flash Lite 3.x/ActionScript2 to form the basis of the mobile client application.
(Note that e2vector and e2spreadsheet are clever - but still prototypes. They were created in my own time with no funding).
Watch a video introduction to e2vector here.
Watch a video introduction to e2spreadsheet here.
New Challenges
1. I will devise a new algorithm to scale, rearrange and hide content in order to match it to the client's screen size.
2. A new UI to navigate online presentations. It will allows you to create groups of friends, and restrict access of information to particular groups.
3. I will release an open-source export object. This will allow other developers to enable their AIR applications to export files that I can import into e2info. So I'll be able to incorporate their content into e2info cardstacks.
Transparency
While Nokia and Adobe have reassured developers about confidentially, we think that transparency would benefit the developer community. While we won't open our source code, we intend to blog and twitter about this project, so that other developers can learn from our approach.
The Team
Daniel Freeman will be the Lead developer.
Nivedita Patel will oversee the project. She is responsible for quality, testing, maintaining focus and deliverables.
We will involve another designer/developer who has specific responsibility for the appearance of this product.
There will be a team of volunteer online beta testers.
Milestones
The project entails an estimated 90 days of development over six months. There is a milestone at the end of each month.
Month 1: Proposed look-and feel. Icon designs. Create an online forum for beta testers.
Month 2: Prototype AIR application. Just the essential functionality, but with the ability to save and load to the filesystem.
Month 3: Server-side software in place. And a new version of the prototype AIR application that enables sharing.
Month 4: e2info mobile prototype.
Month 5: Updates to AIR and mobile client software. Now fully functional. Final beta-test trials.
Month 6: Project completion.
The Budget
US$54,000. (Estimated 90 days development)
Distribution
The mobile client will be distributed free, primarily through Nokia's Ovi store. The AIR application will be distributed through the Adobe AIR Marketplace, and web downloads. This global service will be available in English.
The AIR application will be free, but in the future we may charge the user to upgrade to a newer version, or to subscribe to privileged services.
Who Are We?
Daniel Freeman is an accomplished software expert with over 21 years professional experience. His experience of mobile telephony goes back to his early career when he was involved in the creation of the first GSM Mobile standard. He is the inventor and author of a patent for Voice Activity Detection. His algorithm is implemented in every GSM mobile handset. He has founded and directed two companies. He was an early pioneer of Rich Internet Applications. In 2001, he started using Flash and ActionScript to develop sophisticated applications.
Nivedita Patel has many years experience in management of Operations, Administration and IT projects. She has successfully managed the development of internet and intranet applications, predominantly within the medico-legal industry. An Administrator and Internal Auditor by profession, Nivedita considers and incorporates Risk and Quality Management issues into a customer's business requirements to ensure the implementation of “best case scenario” systems and processes. Nivedita's overall experience spans several industries including hospitality, retail, manufacture, medical, legal, industrial equipment installation, and information technology.