Temporal Modelling Project: Update 2003

1. Temporal Modelling Project:Update 2003 Johanna Drucker & Bethany Nowviskie University of Virginia

2. Update on Project Goals: We’ve succeeded in creating the working model of the composition space or “PlaySpace,” the first part of our two-part tool for making interpretive timelines. In practical terms, we’ve moved from conceptualization of a design to implementation of a working PlaySpace in which a user can model temporal relations using a set of defined elements. The same set of graphical elements will be used in the “DisplaySpace” in the final phase of the design process. We’ve demonstrated that interpretive modeling using constrained graphical forms can generate XML output so that content modeling and visual interpretation occur simultaneously. Our research colleagues at the University of Virginia have responded enthusiastically to our designs and working model and are eager to begin using the tool. Through invited lectures and conference presentations, we’ve created an initial audience of interested users for this tool. Temporal modeling is generating considerable interest among humanities scholars with interests in visualizing temporal relations. We look forward to publicizing this project more broadly as the functional prototype is completed.

3. 2. Outline of Work: Progress on Conceptualization, Design, and Implementation Phase One (2001/02) included broad interdisciplinary research, a week-long faculty and staff seminar at the University of Virginia with invited guests, scholars, and technical consultants, and development of a visual demonstration of our design. Phase Two (2002/03) has focused on implementation of a working prototype through iterative cycles of conceptualization and design, and publicizing the project through presentations and publication. Implementation has involved: • -         Completing specifications for the basic elements of the PlaySpace including the graphical and functional design of lines, points, events, and fundamental distinctions between semantic and syntactic inflections; • -         Development of graphical vocabulary for annotation, customization, and labeling including color, typeface, “inspector” for extended notation; • -         Iterative design of now-slider in “continuous” and “catastrophic” modes; • -         Design of log-in protocols and user-group management in anticipation of making the tool available for on-line server access; • -         Implementation of XML output suitable for designing DTDs or other functions. Results of Phase Two (still in progress) can be seen at: http://www.iath.virginia.edu/time Phase Three (03/04): Refinement of the composition space and construction of the display space, a method of integrating our model with existing databases for display.

4. 3. Basic Arguments and Issues Our practical goal of creating a basic visual scheme and interactive tool set is on the way to being fulfilled. We continue to emphasize the representation of temporal-relations for humanities-based or qualitative work. Initial response to our current working model from our two humanities research groups has been extremely enthusiastic. Subjective interpretation: Our model is proving to be useful for interpretation of the information and documents that are central to humanities research. But in addition, it demonstrates the possibility of visualizing a subjectively-based model of interpretation. The graphical basis of the tool is proving very persuasive in proof of our original concept – that visual methods of interpretation could be used as a primary mode of creating analysis. Proof of concept: Thus our original rhetorical goal of bringing visualization into the early content modeling phase of humanities computing can now be supported in the working model of the composition space. Fuller proof of concept will come when humanities scholars begin to work in the composition space on a sustained basis and when a wider audience of users with interests in time – historians, literary scholars, bibliographers, genealogists, individuals interested in family history, or personal memoirs – make use of the tool. Technical issues: The use of Flash and Flash Actionscript has proved successful in creating a working prototype. The XML output generated from our constrained visual tool set permits simultaneous creation of an interpretive model and a content model.

5. 4. Fundamental Issues and Ongoing Activities Now that proof of concept has been demonstrated, the crucial issues facing the project are to create a set of behaviors for the “inflections” (semantic and syntactic attributes) that will be used to modify the basic temporal elements. In addition, the challenge of creating a DisplaySpace that can be used in a fluid dialogue of composition and display remains, along with the goal of inviting users to create modular “plug-ins” that can customize and expand the “library” of inflections, visualizations, and tools for a shared user-base. Our basic set of temporal objects, actions, and relations is now set. But we are still interested in expanding some of our visual modeling capability through consultation with scholars and researchers in the areas of narrative analysis (including possible worlds), more complex temporal visualization (including topological mapping), and graphical display of subjective experience (from artistic and imaginative perspectives). Our unique contributions in this project continue to be the design of graphical elements with imaginative capabilities: the now-slider, inflections, “stretchy” timelines with variable scales and multiple granularities, and multiple timelines. Also significant, however, is the suggestive potential of our model of subjective interpretation and its implications for humanities-based research.

6. 5. Conclusion This has been a most successful year of research and development. Consultants: We’ve had the benefit of consultation from John Maeda (MIT), Henry Jenkins (MIT), designer Petra Michel, and Flash programmer Jim Allman (Interrobang). In the year ahead, we anticipate consultants in narrative (David Herman, Marie Laure Ryan, if possible), topology (to be determined), and diagrammatography (Jonathan Gangle, other to be determined). Testing and Development: Students in Media Studies, scholars Ben Ray (Salem Witch Trials) and William Thomas (Yancey Family Papers, Race and Place), are eager to beta-test this project. Creative writing faculty Chris Tilghman and Lisa Spaar are interested in working with this tool in their classes. We intend to schedule work with a group of visual artists to generate graphical suggestions from their experiments. Spin-offs and Tie-ins: UVa Professor of English, Jerome McGann, winner of a Mellon Lifetime Achievement Award, is interested in extending the subjective-interpretation model and the graphical-visual features of Temporal Modeling in a new project to be funded by Mellon in collaboration with our Intel-sponsored activities. This new project will be designed along the same technical specifications as Temporal Modeling, which serves as a demonstration of new principles for use of graphical interfaces for humanities computing. Publications and presentations: We will continue to publish and present our research findings, mainly within a community of humanities scholars, teachers, and researchers. We expect to make Temporal Modeling available online within the year ahead.