eXpresser v1-2819a

The latest version of eXpresser is now released for further testing (download migensystem-1-2819a.zip).

This release comes configured to start with a familiarisation task that requires grouping.

This version addresses several of the bugs of the previous release (see expresser-v1-2775a post). In addition:

• It shows the potential colour of the tiles in the ‘General World’  to avoid confusions with the choice of colour for the rule.
• It shows building blocks of 1 tile in 16X16 rather than the old 32X32, to support the notion that tiles are what  is repeated.
• It allows overlaps of the same colour to be shown either as darker shades or as crosses (see configuration options)

Known (important) issues

• We are working on being able to name numbers while in the expression area (Issue 564). So far numbers can only be named while they are in a property list or on the canvas

eXpresser v1-2775a

After several iterations and user feedback, the latest version of expresser is released (download migensystem-1-2775a.zip).

This version includes

• Undo for deleted patterns.
  • we are working on undo for expressions
• Feedback (highlighting) for making clear which property list belongs to which pattern.
• Improved naming of variables
  • i.e. “Give name” has to be selected first in order to give a name
    (what do you think of the phrase “Give name” ?)
  • After that naming is compulsory and it has to be unique in this session of expresser
    (perhaps it should be unique across all users in a networked activity?)
  • Note that locked numbers -i.e. constants- can be named as well
    (what do you think about that?)
• ‘mirroring’ of user actions from “My world” to “General world”
  • e.g. property lists open in both worlds
  • we are working on mirroring actions on expressions on canvas
    (will also make more clear the change of the value of the unlocked number with the general one when dragged in the expression)
• Prototype of integrated task description
  (click the Task button near the Play button)
  • Treat it as an object to think with, it needs improvement so your feedback will be valuable.
  • e.g. we are working on being able to show below the pattern a variable changing values while the pattern is animated

Note: This version is configured for a classroom study and therefore doesn’t make available tiles of negative colours. This will be introduced in later sessions (if you want the default configuration use the Configure button when the system starts).

Known issues

• Names of variables should be mirrored on “General world” (Issue 548)
• Dragging an expression from “My world” appears behind the “General world“
  (this will be resolved when mirroring of expressions is implemented)
• Closing property lists in “My world” is not mirrored in “General world” (Issue 543)
• Opened property lists in the “General world” appear in the task description (Issue 553)
• Of course there are no other bugs

eXpresser v1-2690

A new release is available (download migensystem-1-2690a.zip). It includes several bug fixes in the light of the 5th Teacher Advisory Meeting.

Comments welcome.

eXpresser v1-2385

Exciting new release (download migensystem-1-2385a.zip) that includes an implementation of tiles with negative colours. Turn these tiles into a pattern and add them on top of any overlaps you have. The overlaps are ‘erased‘ !

To colour your patterns in the parallel world, you need to subtract the number of tiles of a negative coloured pattern from the total  number of positively colour tiles. Confusing ? It may be, but the functionality provides an opportunity for interesting discussions with students.

What do you think ?

This version also replaces completely the editing of expressions with the menu-driven editing.

eXpresser v1-2305a

A new version of the system was released for testing with students here at LKL (download migensystem-1-2305a.zip).

This version employs the metaphor of locked/unlocked numbers for representing specific vs general numbers. That is, unlocking turns the number essentially to a general number. It lets you change its value but it also lets the system change its value in the  “General World“. The animation then in the parallel world is the way to evaluate your construction.

Comments?

Note: This version also includes a prototype implemention of the help request mechanism through drop-down menus that we envisage students will use to ask help from the system. At the moment it is used for wizard-of-Oz studies (so don’t expect any help, the wizard is away )

eXpresser v1-2121a

The latest version of expresser was released today (download migensystem-1-2121a.zip).

After several cycles of improvements and testing with students this version, apart from several bug fixes, demonstrates:

• Improved tile creation (tiles are dragged from the toolbar and placed on canvas)
• Revamped property list to make more apparent:
  • repetition of the base shape
  • shapshot as button to open property list
• Expression for construction
  • see the properties of the base shape of patterns of group of tiles

eXpresser v1-2044a

Release 1-2044a is now available. It includes major UI changes from previous versions. In particular most actions are now performed through context-aware menus. In addition, student’s world (left) is perceived as the area where students specify the pattern for the computer to animate in the parallel world (right). It is painted appropriately after they have defined the total units per colour that are needed (bottom right area).

eXpresser v0-1053

The latest version of the system (v0-1053) now includes a mock-up of ‘resource allocation’. Each colour now has a numeric limit. By default this is 10 per colour. Once this number of basic blocks of that colour have been used up, blocks are no longer painted using that colour but instead are shown with a thick red border since the resource has ‘run out’.

The aim here is for the user to see value in analysing their constructions as they construct them not after they construct them. Ultimately, in the case of the footpath pattern for example, we want the user to be able to say that the number of green needed is 5 times the number of red plus 3. Rather than seeing this as a secondary phase, resource allocation is a mechanism for integrating both analysis and construction (as discussed in previous meetings and in Issue 237.)

At any time, users can use ‘color icon variables’ in the same way as ‘iterations’ icon variables. The expression toolbar has been updated to include an extra button ‘color’ which provides this functionality. A lot more work needs to be done here.

Currently there is nothing to stop the user just allocating (say) 10,000 to each colour and working without worrying about the algebra. We have yet to design and implement mechanisms for what happens if the user has too many resources.

Note that there are some bugs with repainting but it generally works well enough to function as an object to think with. Note also that currently expressions can only consist of a single operator optionally repeated. For example, 3 + 5 + 2 is fine as is 4 * 3 * 2 but 3 * 4 + 2 is not parseable yet. This means that the expression 5n + 3 is not parseable yet either. This will be addressed in the near future.

eXpresser v0-990

The latest release of the system is now version 0-990. Here is a brief description of the updated and new features:

• The slow-down experienced in earlier versions is not so noticeable. This is due to the fact that patterns really are made out of constituent shapes now rather than spoofing them.
• Configuration files can be specified. The default config filename is ‘config.txt’ and this should be located in the same directory as the jar. If you want to use a different config filename, you can specify it on the command-line via a shortcut.
• Logging is now in place.
• The default colour for initial blocks is now green (!)

The observant amongst you may notice that this is a siginificant numeric jump from 0.27. This is not indicative of changes of this magnitude, however. Instead, it is due to the fact that we have changed our release naming convention. So release 0-990 is in fact subversion revision 990 of our repository. The prefix ‘0′ means that it is pre-release. i.e. not 1.XX. Notice the hyphen instead of a decimal point.

eXpresser v0.26

Release 0.26 of the MiGen System is now available. This provides some important new features:

• Attribute lists now allow the editing of expressions in a very limited manner. In preparation for the next user session, the software now provides icon variables for iterations.
• Selection is now ’strict’ in that you must click inside of pattern (rather than its bounding box) in order to select it.

Since editing expressions requires the use of the minus sign (and the user is also able to type the = sign at the moment), the zoom in and out shortcuts now require the use of the CTRL key.