This piece is part of a video installation describing the way keywords migrate on the Internet, and how they connect people to content and people to people. A short description of the overall project may be found here.
With this piece we are letting people insert their name, their favorite keyword and their comment and be able to see these three items appearing in a larger network of keywords and people. This piece is called “TagPlant” to emphasize the fact that Tags are like seeds that grows, disseminate and migrate (on the Internet).
Technical Set-up, Behaviors and Interactions :
- One CPU is connected to 2 computer monitors (2 x [800 x 600]). The left monitor displays the “Form”, full screen, the monitor on the right displays the TagPlant (full screen). A wireless keyboard is available so that any visitor may type his/her name, keyword and comment + hit return. There might be no mouse (frequently disappear/are broken etc).
- Behavior of the Form and TagPlant :
- When the user arrives, a cursor is flicking in the first field. He she types a word of 32 characters max in the “Your Keyword” field ; then hits “TAB” to go the next field. The “Name” field can contain 32 characters as well. Hit “TAB” once more to access the “Your Comment” field. It can contain 200 char. max, no HTML links or email addresses accepted.
- Once the form is completed, the user hits “RETURN” an audio feedback + visual animation are triggered on the left hand side screen displaying the Tag Plant. Also, the Keyword/Name/Comment of the user appear on the bottom left hand side of the screen.
- When the form is left idle for over 5 minutes, the TagPlant starts displaying, in turn, randomly, any of the “Keyword + Name + Comment” posted since the beginning of the exhibition. The cycle is stopped whenever a user enters a new post and starts again if the form is left idle for over 5 minutes, and so on.
Specific Behavior, for on line users only (as opposed to visitors at the exhibition who won’t have a mouse).
On line user may roll over any “red circle” composing the TagPlant to display the corresponding “Keyword + Name + Comment”. This feature may also be experienced by visitors at the exhibition, if ever we decided to plug-in a mouse and mouse pad.
Back-Office Behavior :
Each post (“Keyword + Name + Comment”) is stored in a database that can be accessed and edited by one administrator.
Option
For technical reasons (i.e bad or unreliable Internet connection) all of the above might need to be stored “locally” on the CPU, in the exhibition.
