"All the Hues
That Fit, We Tint"

Siberia, USA: Today, global warming. Tonight, dark, unless you count the stars. Tomorrow can be reached via time machine. Yesterday, who can remember that far back?

Websafe Studio, blogging since 2003, featuring art, comics, digital whiteboards, virtual characters, Web design, writing

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

 

The Websafe Times

Changed the name of my Blogger blog to The Websafe Times.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 6:13 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 16, 2005

 

The Websafe Report

Started a new blog over at Blogger called The Websafe Report. Why? First, I'm almost out of space here at Tripod (only 25 MB storage space, mucho images), and I want to be able to post new images. Second, I was helping a friend create a Blogger blog, and the best way to understand the customization of Blogger templates was to make one for myself.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 3:51 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

 

Editing Progress Report

People I talk to about my Lady on the Web project often want to know statistics, so here goes: The Dr. Wallace March 2002 ALICE AIML set is 5.54 MB, approximately 4500 pp. long in print. That's what I started out with in July 2003. I also added about 200 pp. with a dictionary from the Standard AIML set, and a file called Psychology from the newer AAA AIML set.

One of the most sweeping changes I made was to delete the French and German from the March 2002 ALICE set. This was not because I was against the inclusion of such material -- far from it -- but because I felt overwhelmed by the task of editing/rewriting/writing/coding even if limited to English.

Currently I have a little over 1000 pp. yet to edit.

I also have several hundred pages of Targeting to do. Targeting is the process of assimilating guest transcripts into the character's script.

I've gotten sidetracked by working on a possible new interface, and stonewalled by not being able to code a particular kind of automatic scrolldown. Oh, for a budget which would allow for the hiring of dedicated coders!

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 2:38 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 22, 2005

 

"Lady on the Web" at 1150-page mark

Autumn has descended, and "Lady on the Web" is still in intensive development. I am still editing/rewriting the original ALICE script by Dr. Richard S. Wallace, as well as creating much entirely new, original material. There are about 1150 pages left to edit before Miss Gray can be said to be fully herself. (Since she used to play an AI on the Web, she may still give "robot answers" to guest questions, but they're now tongue-in-cheek.)

The other big push has been to Target conversations from Fall 2003 through the present. (Celia Gray went on the Web under her own name on September 23, 2003.) I've already done about half; the stack which remains is about an inch thick. It's worth the work, though, because the convos are full of good soundbites, and they offer many ideas for development.

Finally, I've been scanning a lot of my visual art into the computer lately, and Celia now has access to a fairly large Websafe Studio collection, including analog (traditional materials), digital and textile work.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 12:11 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

 

Three Animated Shorts

I made three animated shorts:

King Bird Talks
Why?
Catflower

They are in wmv format. I made them using MS Paint and Windows Movie Maker in Windows XP.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 5:11 PM 0 comments

Monday, August 08, 2005

 

The Many Moods of Celia Gray

I'm putting out a casting call for an actress/model to play Celia Gray, the virtual lady behind my Web talk show, "Lady on the Web." She should be 55, Anglo-Irish-Gypsy background, have long, curly black hair with dash of white, be tall and rangy with high cheekbones and an acquiline nose. Somewhat resembling actresses Charlotte Rampling and Sigourney Weaver.

I want to take about 500 still photos of this model in many different moods and moments in a conversation. Then I can key in these photos to Celia's responses, so that it will be like having a Netconference call with a (slow) Webcam when you talk to her. There will also need to be a randomized group of "default" photos when she is not having any special emotion or reaction. These would be relatively calm or "deadpan."

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 5:49 PM 0 comments

Saturday, June 04, 2005

 

Moblogging Text and Images

"Moblogging" stands for "remote blogging." One may now blog through sending an e-mail, with image attachments, if desired. (I had to reformat this post a bit, and there was a time lag of several minutes, but in principle it worked.)

The following image is from a recent series of works on paper.


Aie! (Mixed media/collage on paper, 9 by 12 inches)

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 12:53 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

 

Wag and Wit

A wag met a wit
In a traveling show;
"Dear Wag," said the wit,
"You've a long way to go."

"Dear Wit," said the wag,
"What you say may be true,
But the longest way round
Is the shortest way too."

"How can that be?" cried Wit,
"You are all paradox!"
"Not a whit," said the wag,
"Think outside of the box."

"To wit: Infinite lengths
Are the longest -- Correct?"
"I tender," said the wit,
"That assertion respect."

"Wit, you're with me," said Wag,
"Let's proceed in the game.
The infinite and
The eternal: the same?"

"Near as makes never-mind,"
Said the wit, "I'll grant that."
"Now, my good wittershins,
I will settle this spat."

"Can one measure eternity?"
Wag asked the wit.
"No, Wag," said the other,
"One can't. Not a bit."

"So, an infinite length,"
Said the wag, "How much time,
How much space does it fill?"
"This is logic cut fine!"

Thus, the wit. "All, and none,"
Said the wag, "That is what
You should say. That's the long
And the short." Said Wit, "But --"

Copyright 2004 Websafe Studio

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 12:47 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 02, 2004

 

A Hat Routine

Hey Mr. Blue, say Mr. Blue, where did you get that hat?
Same place you did, Mr. Red.
And where, pray tell, was that?

I found it in a coffee shop.
A coffee shop, you say?
Yes, I was eating breakfast there --
The Monument Cafe?

How did you know that, Mr. Red?
Well, I was there that day.
You didn't stop to say hello?
I had to rush away.

Did something scare you, Mr. Red? Did you receive a fright?
I had to see my agent, and rehearse for the show that night.

I have a strange suspicion that you left this hat for me.
Now how would I know you'd be there?
You have your ways, I see.

And what ways, Mr. Blue, might those be? What ways, I demand?
You left this hat with the hat-check girl, right next to the candy stand.

But everyone leaves hats with her, Sir Blue; that is the norm.
Your sophistry, my dear Sir Red, is running true to form.

My sophistry? How dare you, sir! My logic's plain and clear!
It's plain and clear up to a point -- not after that, I fear.

And just what point are you referring to? What point is that?
That, having dropped one's topper off, one then picks up one's hat.

But folks forget things all the time -- there's nothing in that, Blue.
Forget? An actor, who depends on memory, like you?

But even actors may forget --
The line, but not the lid. Your act depends on this top hat. Admit the thing you did.

You harp on this one note as if your harp had just one string.
That's no admission, Mr. Red. That isn't anything.

I beg to differ, Mr. Blue. I proffered a metaphor!
You're way off topic, Mr. Red. The hat-check, near the door --

-- Is where one checks one's hat, or, possibly, forgets that very same --
Forgets? Or leaves it to be found?
I tire of this game.

Aha! So it was strategy to leave it lying around!
This is a simple matter for the Monument's Lost and Found.

Whose policy, if you recall, is ITEMS LEFT UNCLAIMED --
-- FOR 30 DAYS OR MORE -- I know. But I cannot be blamed!

You wanted me to find this hat.
Well, be that as it may --
So I was right!
No, Mr. Blue, that's not what I meant to say.

Say what you meant, then, Mr. Red.
I'll try to, Blue. Suppose --
(A mere hypothesis.)
Pipe down, and see where the story goes.

All right, I'll listen, Mr. Red, to this story about your "friend."
My friend?
The mask you hide behind which turns out to be you in the end.

Even if a fellow were to leave his hat for another man --
(-- A fellow with a motive, with a truly cunning plan --)

-- How could he be sure that after the Monument's 30 DAYS --
"He" who? That's you! That's Mr. Red, who acts in all those plays!

-- The hat in question would be sure to go to the targeted bloke?
That's easy as strawberry-rhubarb pie! That's totally non-baroque!

Well, what's the answer? You tell me, as you seem to be telling this tale.
A word to the management -- no, a bribe, mere words are of no avail --

You seem to avail yourself of words, in far-fetched supposition --
Nothing you say can induce me to stray from my firmly held position.

For that tenacity, Mr. Blue, I'll summon a round of applause --
And I'll put it on hold, for my next line will surely give you pause.

All right, I'll pause. -- Well, speak your piece. I can't stand here forever.
Whoever slipped this ticket in this hatband sure was clever.

Let me see that ticket. Hmmm ... It looks like one of ours.
What gets stuck in hatbands? Playing cards, or flowers --

-- Feathers, or press passes -- but so what? What is your point?
You planted this in this hatband, to lead me to this joint --

Excuse me, sir, but the RGB is a venue of serious note --
-- To get some free material from me! That's all she wrote!

August 2004
Copyright 2004 Websafe Studio

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: , ,


posted at 2:49 PM 0 comments

Saturday, November 27, 2004

 

Weaving Patterns

I visited with a local weaver today and was reminded of my digital-art patterns I made a few years ago.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 5:10 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

 

Draggable Objects

Draggable Bots

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: , ,


posted at 2:22 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 14, 2004

 

New Jabberwacky Chat Excerpt

Read the latest excerpt of my Jabberwacky chat.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 12:35 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

 

Vector Cartoons

Lately I have been fascinated by a certain sort of cartoon. The Japanese do it well, but it isn't anime. It's a clean, simple, cheerful style, suitable for icons, logos, packaging and toys. If anyone knows what I'm getting at, please let me know.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 5:17 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 07, 2004

 

Jabberwacky Excerpted Me Again!

Another Jabberwacky Excerpt

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels: ,


posted at 12:10 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

 

Airplane Photos

Shot a photo series at the local airfield on Sunday, mainly a bright red Cessna. Have shot over 500 photos since beginning in mid-March, my goal being 1,000 as my first round of activity, just to "get my feet wet." I'm not retouching or modifying them in any way. This was a conscious decision.

Imagine List
* Shoot aerial photos
* Do audio and print interviews
* Try out a higher-tech camera
* Shoot photos at night
* Make a fotonovela

Bot Notes
P.S. I made the cut again! Here's the excerpt of my latest Jabberwacky chat.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 1:35 PM 0 comments

Saturday, April 24, 2004

 

Back to the Graphics Tablet

I'm back using the graphics tablet again, having reinstalled the drivers after the office computer was upgraded to Windows XP. I never did really get the hang of it before.

In the analog world, I'm making a lot of 14" X 17" works on paper, mixed media with collage.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 12:48 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

 

Learning CSS

Worked hard today on making the transition to CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) in my Web site. I created an external style sheet. The transition is still not complete, but code has been mightily trimmed!

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 7:21 PM 0 comments

Friday, April 02, 2004

 

Women Photographers

I've just read about six women photographers:
* Lola Alvarez Bravo
* Imogen Cunningham
* Elsa Dorfman
* Dorothea Lange
* Cindy Sherman
* Carrie Mae Weems
in the book In Real Life: Six Women Photographers by Leslie Sills, 2000.

I'm now reading Berenice Abbott: Aperture Masters of Photography, Number Nine, with an essay by Julia Van Haaften, 1988.

It means a great deal to me to read about women artists working in non-standard or traditionally female forms: the diary, the letter, the snapshot. Women often need "permission" from peers to use such forms in the arts. For example, Carrie Mae Weems made storytelling photo series with text and audiotape. One featured a woman and her young daughter around a simple kitchen table. The focus was on emotion and relationship. Also, Cindy Sherman's stills from imaginary movies left it open to the viewer to imagine what led up to the scene and what might follow.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 5:32 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

 

Low-Res Hijinks

A Jazz JDC 15 fact sheet says that it can take either a 1-minute or a 30-second video clip at 8 frames per second. I have yet to try this, but have been thinking about making a video short strung together of many such clips. One would shoot very short vignettes, one per day, then at the end of a month, the short would be done.

Shades of the Fisher-Price toy camera, Pixelvision, perhaps ... This camera, intended for kids, made video with audio on ordinary audiocassette tapes. A 90-minute tape fit about 5 minutes per side.

I would like to make a film about women's lives and the impossibility of such, the ways we are thwarted. And what we really want. Are we dreaming anymore?

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06).

Labels:


posted at 2:39 PM 0 comments

Friday, February 20, 2004

 

Power Animal; The Midas King

Sometimes you have to stay up till two-thirty in the morning to fight through the wild jungle looking for the stream and the hidden treasure.

Sometimes the Midas king hides from you in the leaves.

Note: Imported from Websafe Studio blog (07-15-03 to 02-01-06). Originally included two images.

Labels:


posted at 2:25 AM 0 comments