This project has its origins with a project that started at the University of Manchester. The goal was to try and create tools to enable scientists to rapidly model their experiments. The technologies that were eventually used for this were Java (to create the application) and XML (the source of the models). Very quickly, we discovered that the software could be used to model more than just specific types of science experiments. We also discovered that the forms tehmselves could easily be used for actual data capture as well as data modelling. The software was open source from the beginning and the project was a big success and was used in a variety of other projects. However, as with many academic ventures, funding was not indefinite. The departure of the development team lead to the original project there being re-deployed for the specific needs of those still there.
Now, the development team (that's us by the way) has moved on and has transformed the original idea into Project 35. It's still open source, still uses Java and XML, and comes with documentation both online and with the download. Original work with a colleague, formerly of Manchester, lead to the prototyping of a version of the software for Tablet PCs. We have continued this and significant changes have been made at a variety of levels to the programmes to address issues relating to such things as internationalisation and users who may have vision problems. We have always been keen to work with other developers who may want to contribute to the project. See our Feedback page for information on getting in touch with us.
It all depends on what you're doing. You may think that 'Project 35' is an odd name for a software application. Well, you might be right! However, when we were trying to decide on a name, we wanted one that wouldn't distract people from the application itself, one that wouldn't have any kind of demographic-specific meanings or conotations, and one that could be easily translated across the world. We thought this allowed for a greater sense of ownership within the user community if they could refer to it in their own language without needing any understanding of a cultural context other than their own. Numbers can be understood by everyone, but some cultures attach special significance to certain values. We picked "Project 35" because we just felt that neither the word nor the number held additional meanings which would vary from culture to culture. We realised that it can take just as long to come up with a name with no meaning as one with meaning!
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Kevin Garwood Kev is the primary developer on the project and is responsible for the code and most of the architectural desicions. He is interested in how the software could be applied to projects in the developing world. In particular, he is interested in biodiversity studies, the information needs of humanitarian agencies, data management in disaster responses, and aspects of internationalization and security. He has worked in a variety of IT fields including telecommunications, medical imaging, and bioinformatics, as well as in journalism. Kev holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Victoria and a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Manchester. Visit his web page. |
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Christopher Garwood Chris is in charge of documentation, testing, training, and is currently investigating changes to the core programme's schema reader. He has a wide range of interests with regards to the project's application but is most interested in how the software can be used to help model infectious disease and be applied to issues relating to security and internationalisation. He has worked in a variety of IT fields including medical imaging, oil and gas, bioinformatics, and semiconductor products, as well as in journalism, teaching, and business analysis. Chris holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia, a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Victoria, an MA in International History and Intelligence from the University of Salford, an MSc in Biomedical and Forensic Studies in Egyptology from the University of Manchester, and is completing an MA in Russian and East European Cultures and Societies from the same institution. Visit his web page. |