[REBOL] Re: Laccio Framework >> PD PureData inspiration
From: jasonic::nomadics::org at: 23-Aug-2007 0:04
Alessandro Manotti wrote:
> I'm in Rome, about 700 km far away from Milano.
>
> But what is the link between PD and dorkbots? How do they use it?
>
Dorkbots is fun regular group event which started at Columbia University
Computer Music Department [Douglass Repetto and others].
They do all sorts of experimental interfacing of devices, ideas,
software, hardware, often musical but may be visual or other.
They are characteristically non-evangelical about solutions -- try
everything , love new ideas, techniques, fusions etc.
PD is used by that department and most other computer music departments
in universities all around the planet.
My idea about using PD and Rebol/Laccio is that one could leave aside
all the specifically musical features. Just focus on the question:
- How to interface openly programmable instruments and components in a
good way? -
As it happens, music imposes a great problem domain (especially since
MIDI) and its fun :-)
Programmable music toolkits must address lots of things -- message
passing, complex timing, event handling, interfacing virtual devices,
filtering and transformations etc etc.
PD scales pretty well. One work in the same interface at a high
[sophisticated] level, but also dive into that to reveal all the sub
component patches and modules which combine to make a whole.
The main paradigm is a 'patch bay' message architecture with graphical
interface. PD objects typically all have at least one input and one output.
You drag the mouse to connect these. Keep adding and combining to create
a useful 'patch'. Patches and objects can talk to each other uses a
nifty 'send' 'receive' object. Very similar to rebol send.
I look at most things as instruments -- piano, computer, telephone,
knife, drill, camera, programming language, hands, ideas....
Rebol is a beautiful language to build internet instruments and components.
Problem is finding versatile way to connect them up and to share the
results with a wide range of people so that they can do useful,
interesting things with them.
By design, rebol is toolkit suitable for laboratory type
experimentation. But it lacks a cool interface metaphor to build on its
inner strengths. It lacks easy interactivity.
It's a lot of work to build and maintain a huge set of functioning
widgets in any language. So why not take good advantage of existing user
interface toolkits?
But not any will do. You need ones which really have a compatible design
philosophy [Carl are you listening ?]
PD is a great candidate.
oh and here's some youtube demos of PD in action
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=PD+pure+data
MaxMSP is also, but its expensive [PD is free]
http://www.cycling74.com/
However, I did test out a Flash interface to Max which worked great as
proof of concept
http://www.nullmedium.de/dev/flashserver/
I'll let you catch up this. keep me posted
Jason
