On 8.2.2012, at 22.03, Tom Morris wrote:
> I have contacts to the European Fablab folks and
we probably could start with them a project on an Incubator.
Just noticed that the Incubator is now only for new languages. Is it so that the Wikimedia
is not looking for new projects?
Fabbing isn't the primary thing I'm interested
in. I think far more
interesting for Wikipedia is now that WebGL exists, we could tie 3D
models into Wikipedia articles. It'd have ridiculous educational
value: just imagine, you want to see how big a dinosaur is?
I agree. This is another good reason for Wikimedia to consider starting to support and
coordinate creation of free 3D models. All the articles on Wikipedia about different kind
of common utensils, tools, instruments, home appliances, furnitures, engineering pieces
etc. could come with a 3D model of them. The models could then be used 1) to view and 2)
to make them.
I ma sure many mechanical engineering pieces, such as propellers, grinding mills etc.
would be useful in the Global South. Having scale model of the David by Michelangelo,
Parthenon in Athens, arrowheads from stone age etc. would also have a huge educational
value.
I'm wondering whether 3D Wikipedia would be
possible: some kind of
WebGL-based JavaScript 'player' that has a few pluggable physics
presets. Then the ability to load models from Commons.
I also, at first thought, that the 3D models should be in the Commons, but I think it
could also be a new Wikimedia project.
I think the 3D models are not media, similar way as pictures, videos and audio. 3D models
are different - one can "make them". It is hard to say if there is a critical
mass of people interested in to work with the project, but at least the FabLab folks
around the world could join this.
I don't know
enough about file formats and licensing and so on, but, this could be
really exciting if it is possible.
Neither do I.
- Teemu
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Teemu Leinonen
http://www.uiah.fi/~tleinone/