aMap pocket argument guides, argument mapping and critical thinking stuff! » General

Feedback please!

Chris — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:08:09 +0000

So since our online launch back in Feb, we’ve been busy beavering away developing up the aMap product ready for full launch in to shops. One of the key things we’ve been wrestling with is our “point of sale” device – or as we like to call them “Argument pods” – which we plan to seed across the world, so we can get more people arguing.

We’ve had two initial designs made (see below), and we’d love your feedback on which you like best – the key differences are “simple” (pink) or “busy” (blue).

Huge thanks for your help!

Satisified customers

Chris — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:59:52 +0000

I was sent these photos earlier in the week of some pretty happy customers enjoying the delights of aMaps (in slightly alternative ways)

Launch success????

delib — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:28:24 +0000

I’m pleased to say that tonight’s mini-launch event at Demos seemed to go down very well. I only had a very quick 5 minute spot to talk about aMap, however I think (given it was my first public presentation) I managed to get over the main features of aMap. The table full of aMaps were snapped up pretty quickly too – which was a good sign. Seemingly the most popular arguments were “Does God exist?” and “Are Children worth it?” – as these disappeared first.

Anyway, it would be great if anyone from the event could provide feedback that would be great.

Cheers! The launch process goes on . . .

Interesting people in the information visualisation world

Chris — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:33:03 +0000

I was randomly chatting to my friend Jack the other day about argument visualisation, and he put me on the trail of other “information visualisation” people and interesting sites including:

Manuel Lima and Visualcomplexity.com - this is a kinda hub / collection of lots of different information visualisation projects / uses – covering technology (web 3.0 etc.) through politics (e.g. Oil Money) to the NYC tube redesign.

Andrew Vande Moere and Infosthetics.com - Andrew describes his site as exploring “the symbiotic relationship between creative design and the field of information visualisation” – and is again an eclectic collection of projects from around the world.

At the mo I’m planning to write up a piece on “argument visualisation” – which will be a collection thoughts from the different people involved in aMap for the last 2 years or so . . .

Monty Python’s argument clinic

Chris — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:33:00 +0000

This is a argument classic from Monty Python

Barcode porn

Chris — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:17:06 +0000

I’ve worked in Soho for around 2 years now – and surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) I’ve never been into a porn shop.

Until today.

After finally finding out of how to make book barcodes, and buying the software to create them, I then discovered that there are two types of barcode, and wasn’t quite sure which one to use.

Given that we’re surrounded by bookshops on the Charing Cross Road I thought it would be a good idea to pop along to one of them and ask about barcodes.

Having been initially failed by the sales desk lady at Foyles, I headed across the road to the Soho Bookshop (one of the last independent bookshops in Soho – which sells mainstream books on one level, and then has a porn section in the basement). The sales lady in the Soho Bookshop didn’t know anything about barcodes, but said her manager might – who worked in the basement (obviously).¬† So I boldly descended into the basement, passed walls of porn mags and a carefully constructed butt-plug display, to find the manager standing at the sales desk.¬† Carefully putting my example barcodes on the till desk – adorned by a montage of giant cocks and the like – I explained my barcode dilemma to discover he knew nothing about barcodes (again)- but that if I wanted a porno, they had a great 2-4-1 offer . . .

So emerging from the basement barcode in hand (and porn free), I headed over to Borders to see if they knew their barcodes.¬† And thankfully they did.¬† Without a cock or butt-plug in sight, the nice Borders Lady advised me on which was the correct barcode for books – which was a relief.

Molehills (not mountains) to climb

Chris — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:25:26 +0000

So things are a bit behind schedule.¬† The 3 main reasons for this are:
1) I’ve spent the last 2 weeks in the US indulging in sun, steak and Obama-mania
2) We were hit with a “where the f*ck do you get a barcode from” problem
3) I’ve been busy with my day job

Anyways, we’re slowing getting back on track.¬† I briefed the aMap widget team (Ben¬† and Dan)yesterday – who should be cracking on next week + have also booked in a designer (James) and developer (Nigel) so we’re ready to start the final website build.

Finally, I received the aMap covers from the cover people – which should give a nice bit of shine to the product.

All the delays basically mean that we’re not going to be able to get the product out fully in time for Christmas – hey ho.¬† Instead we’re now planning a staggered launch – where we’ll be launching aMap to friends and family on December 15th + then running a full launch in January.¬† This isn’t ideal, as we’d have loved to get aMap selling for x-mas, however sh*t happens . . .

The eagle has landed

Chris — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:32:14 +0000

So here we go.¬† This about the 8th blog I’ve set up and contribute to – which kinda begs the question of when do I have time to write anything or more importantly when do I do any proper work . . .

The answer is – THIS IS MY WORK!

From now on this blog will be the main home to my ramblings about the trials and tribulations of my new aMap project.¬† For about 2 years now I’ve been slowly beavering away developing aMap – and at the beginning of December I’ll be launching the virtual (and real) product to the world (in theory anyway).

If you’re interested in following me in my merry work, then please do sign up to RSS feeds + also join my wee mailing list (on the right).

Cheers!

Chris Q