The ‘Frameworks’ Project
The ‘Frameworks’ Project was initiated around 2011. The FIRST PHASE has been completed: with the Publication of the ‘Frameworks’ Book, the Updating of the Magic Browser Website to include “The ‘Frameworks’ Browser” – which includes the launch of the web-based Prototype ‘Frameworks’ Tool. The Second Phase will hopefully follow – when time and funding allow.
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE ONE: 2011-March 2025
From thinking about the then “state-of-the-art” in hypermedia (web pages and social media) to reflecting on my past IMP Project (1990-1998) to going back to the drawing board (ref. the CLCV Browser and IMPFW Prototype) and designing the ‘Frameworks’ Methodology and Programming and Coding the design into Prototype Web-Based Information Modelling//Thinking Tool.
In 2019, reviewing a proposal to fund the Programming and Coding, and subsequent Testing and Evaluation of the ‘Frameworks’ Methodology (Target Education Schools Teachers and their Pupils) the “Panel” observed that ‘Frameworks’ and a ‘Type C project’* (9 months, 3 key people. deliverable a testable prototype) was rather “Theoretical” (presumably rather impractical)?
In November 2024 – PHASE ONE of the ‘Frameworks’ Project (self-funded, supported by a part time programmer and coder (otherwise conducting a major UK Government Environmental Project and latterly as an apprentice School Teacher of Computing) delivered a Book and a Website with the Web-Based prototype ‘Frameworks’ Tool, Version 3.1.
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE TWO: March 2025* – April 2026*
The idea is that the TALK (the theoretical, the design and the proposed PHASE ONE project) has been transformed as the WALK i.e. a Book (with video animations of the ‘Frameworks’ What and How) and a Website with the Web-Based prototype ‘Frameworks’ Tool, Version 3.1. – will promote the support key funding of PHASE TWO (key inputs of programmer/coder, illustrator/animator; research assistant) to complete the implementation of the design and methodology – to complete the implementation of the the SAVE MODEL Colour Meta Model with functional Stuff Box and Elaborate Button.
Short ‘Type C Project‘ (ref: CHI KeyNote The Future of Computing, Alan Kay & Vishal Sikka)
* For a 13 month ‘Type C’ Project to (i) Test & Evaluate ‘Frameworks’ Tool Version 3.1; analyse feedback; to complete, test and evaluate ‘Frameworks’ tool Version 4.0.
The IMP project and evolutionary series of information modelling tools and applications were focused on simple graphical interfaces – where the GUI (HUI, hypermedia user interface) was the Model – the Model as a Browser ( a Map, or Schema) for the Domain or System being modelled and represented. Small menus with the fewest buttons to provide the “user” (information modeller) with a way of constructing simple graphical models as top-level interfaces to large and complex bodies of information (Domains and Systems). The Information Model as the Interface (with a few buttons).
Based on the IMP Project, The Evolutionary Series of Information Modelling Tools and Hypermedia Applications
The ‘Frameworks’ Project was initiated around 2011. Reflecting on my past work at the University of Leeds – the ‘IMP’ Information Modelling Programme, established in 1989 with funding from IBM UK New Technologies Team to explore my vision of “Interactive hypermedia” employing the new IBM PCRT Workstation with high resolution graphics, running IBM AIX OS and X11 Windows and employing games programming and object-oriented programming C++. Next, with support from Sun Microsystems – The IMP Evolutionary Series of Information Modelling Tools and open systems platform-independent hypermedia applications distributed on the network. Looking around at the state-of-the-art in “computer-based multimedia” – the internet WWW websites – and the growing number of smart phone apps – I found the state-of-the-art to be wanting in a number of respects: the interfaces were slick and the apps and websites with plenty of “bells and whistles” – BUT – the state-of-the-art appeared to me to be geared up for consumption (websites as brochures) and the interfaces constructed by IT highly skilled IT professionals employing “big software” (with big menus and lots of functionality). Appearing to be beyond most “ordinary people”. I wondered what “information modelling” ordinary people were engaged in?
Examples of HUIs/”Browsers” from the IMP Evolutionary Series
The STILE Browser (“Media Language’), University of Leeds Textiles Department, 1991
The ‘EFC’ Browser, University of Leeds Environment Centre, 1995
The ‘CVLV Browser’, Asian Development Bank & Agricultural Research Council Government of Pakistan, 1996
The ‘IMPFW” Prototype, 1997 for Automated Modelling Tool for Microsoft Windows.
The ‘Frameworks’ Core Spinal Model
The ‘Core Spinal Model’ as part of the ‘Frameworks’ Meta Model is derived from the CLCV and IMPFW prototypes.
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE ONE
The ‘Frameworks’ Methodology realised (programmed and coded) as a Prototype Tool for “Thinker Modellers” to construct simple graphical models of their Thinking and their Understanding.
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE ONE delivered the ‘Frameworks’ Meta Model (with the Core Spinal Model encapsulalted in the Thinking & Modelling Space).
The ‘Frameworks’ Meta Model is an object-oriented construct: Objects:Designed to be composed of Frame; Thinking & Modelling Space; Core Spinal Model (Nodes Focus, Context and Instances); Stuff Box; Elaborate Button.
In PHASE ONE – this Meta Model and the step-by-step process of model construction – is partially implemented in the Prototype Tool Version 3.
The idea is that when the Thinker-who-would-be-Modeller logs on to ‘Frameworks’ to engage in the ‘Frameworks’ modelling process- they get the ‘Frameworks’ Meta Model: Ghosted out, static design and the ‘Frameworks’ Meta Model – with the Focus Node highlighted! Drawing their attention too the First Step in the ‘Framework’s modelling process: Specify & Name YOUR Focus.
The Thinker-who-would-be-modeller – is presented with the Prototype ‘Frameworks Tool (Version 3.1). Here (version 3.0) their attention id directed to the highlighted Focus Node!
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE TWO
The ‘Frameworks’ Project PHASE TWO – to implement and test the complete SAVE MODEL functions and the Stuff Box (the acquisition and verification of Stuff from the Digital World).
To situate the Tool Prototype 3.1 in the classroom with teachers and their pupils – and to Test & Evaluate the Methodology and Tool Prototype Version 3.1.
The SAVE Model functions in Prototype Version 3.1 (PHASE ONE) are Save to ‘Frameworks’ Data base and Save an .SVG file (for display and sharing). The SAVE MODEL functions will be completed in PHASE TWO Prototype Version 4.0 – when the Model is saved from the Thinking & Modelling Space of the Tool to the Display Space of the Coloured Meta Model (which will be interactive: providing the functional Stuff Box and the Share/Edit Elaborate Button).
