Before starting the actual work, we tested around with the previous years' applications to see what standards were set as high and what applications were most similar to ours. Small details from each application were taken into consideration. We noticed that the Brisbane Locator application, for example, had a timer that did not pause once users clicked on a hint, but paused when other elements were clicked on during the game (such as clicking the instructions mid-game). This meant that the time it took users to read the hint was used up in the game play time. This was a feature that our group did not particularly feel was best suited for the game.
After testing a few applications, we decided to assign roles to each member since this was suggested in order to carry out the coding of the application best. While discussing what roles we had, we got carried off and started debating on which programs we had to use for our application (i.e. whether it was best to use HTML, Javascript, PHP etc). In the end, it was suggested by a tutor that using HTML and Javascript was the easiest and that most other groups were also using it. While we had our chance with the tutor, we decided to ask him to guide us through starting the coding since we were in need of advice on where to start.
The tutor proved helpful as he guided us through a series of different tasks such as getting images from Trove and randomising them in a manner that was easy and appropriate. He took us to the basic steps in searching up different animals by basing all the coding from the examples from the course blog. The tutor suggested that we first did the important things, such as attaining images from Trove, then do the tasks that revolved around that, e.g. the response when users would click on the images from Trove and what to do if they were correct/incorrect. It was made clear during this time that the presentation needed not be a complete functionality nor did it need to look appealing. Since we were all only free next tuesday (from the poll on doodle), this gave us a shorter time to work on everything as oppose to other groups who may be presenting on wednesday, thursday or friday. Given that the presentation didnt need to look like out mockups (yet), it was agreed that working on the coding part was our first priority between now and tuesday.
This is what we managed to get done with the tutor.
In the coding, it was specified what animals would come up and they were numbered so that when users searched, only results that we had allowed showed up. In the example above, you can see that all results are mice. In the example, we also only limited the results to be from newspapers.
After the tutor left us, we were still unsure where to actually start working. At this time, Lorna came around and she explained her best on what we should do. This was basically everything that the tutor had told us however we asked some questions regarding our application and were a bit more clear on what to do.
After Lorna had left we went back to the first task after being so carried away and decided who would take responsibility for each part in the application. Because China and I admitted to our weak knowledge in coding (especially Javascript), and would therefore struggle doing any parts ourselves, it was decided that we do everything together but keep constant updates on what we were doing and what information we found in case two people did the same things. Like our documentation which worked well in viewing and modifying the latest of our tasks, we decided that using something like Google Docs would best suit our situation for the coding.
We decided that our homework as group for tonight would be to play around with the coding that we had achieved today, and change/apply any from the examples to reach what our application aims to perform. Tomorrow, we will start researching and adding in more functions in our codes. Everything done will be shared with all group members to avoid wasted efforts of completing any tasks twice.
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Update: I am continuing this post now several hours after i started it because the time slots for the Work In Progress presentations have been uploaded by Lorna, and it seems that our team is still safe to present during our usual thursday contact class and not on tuesday. Hurrah, more time to work on it :)
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