Project Management

Follow how I set up Git, learned how to create a website, and created my personal Fab Academy project page.

Our Goals

The learning outcomes for week 1 were to understand version control protocols, how to use website development tools, and to create a proposal for our final project.

This week's goals were to build a personal website introducing ourselves and our final project, to draft a proposal of our final project and add it to our website, and to upload our sites to the Fab Lab class repository through Git.

Getting Started with Git

As I was not yet familiar with version control like Git, nor had I ever practiced website development, I first needed to do some background research and work through some online tutorials.

Find the online resources I used to learn more about Git here:
Git Video Tutorial for Beginners
Git Beginners Guide
Pro Git E-Book
Git Cheat Sheet
Git Website- Getting Started
Intro to Distributed Version Control

The first day we worked together to download and set up Git, the distributed version control system recommended by Neil to use for backing up multiple versions of our web development files.
(Find Git's website below)
GIT

This is what the Git terminal looked like when I was linking my local repository to the class archive:

In order to ensure that any changes I made to my file were changes I absolutely wanted to push to the class repository, I made a duplicate file to work on.
Therefore, I had one file to make my changes on, called Website (local), and another file that I would upload the final version I wanted to push via Git, called Website (Git).
These Website folders should look identical in structure, except when I’ve made changes to my Website (local) file that have not been updated in my Website (Git) file.

Before starting my tutorials and research into how to develop my website or change the Bootstrap template, I decided to test and understand the Git commands to properly send my updated website versions to the class repository.

This is what the Git terminal looked like when I pushed my local repository to the class archive:

You can find the steps I took to save the local version before pushing it to the class repository below:

1. First, I make sure that I save any changes in my text editor, in this case Atom.


2. Next, I make a copy of my website file, which is called 300 (my student folder number) and can be found under the ‘student’ folder in the Website (local) folder.
   (This is to copy any changes or additions I’ve made to my file lately.)


3. Then, I paste the copy of my website file (again, called 300) from my Website (local) folder, into the “students” folder in my Website (Git) folder.
   Note: (There will be a prompt asking me if I want to replace the existing file named “300” with this other file with the same name “300”.
   Always choose “Replace” as you are replacing your old website version with the new version reflecting your latest changes and additions.)



Now it’s time to pull the latest version of your file to the class repository.
To do that, first open your Git Terminal, then enter the following commands:


1. git pull


2. git add –A


3. git commit –m “add note here to label what changes you are commiting”


4. git push origin HEAD


5. git status


6. git branch



Once you complete these commands your updated file should be successfully pushed to the class repository!

Here’s some extra information about each command just listed above:

1. git pull

(This command gets all changes done by yourself or others to your file and places it in your local repository. Therefore, it’s best practice to do this command BEFORE you start working, and BEFORE your want to push your file to the class repository. You can and should do this command as often as you can, or whenever you edit files (add/ remove/ edit).


2. git add –A

(This command prepares a package of changed files to commit.)


3. git commit –m “add note here to label what changes you are commiting”

(This command will create a local checkpoint of your work (commit). You need to add a note in the parentheses to label your commit- this can be a few words about what changes you’re committing.)


4. git push origin HEAD

(This will send your work to the remote repository, so in this case our class repository, which our instructor Thomas could then validate and send to the main repository for the Fab Lab Academy.)


5. git status

(This command reflects your current status and whether your repository is in sync with the remote repository that you have just pushed your work to.)


6. git branch

(This command shows a list of local branches (edited). You MUST always be in the staging branch, not in the master branch.)



Now that we’ve gone through the basic commands for how we push our work through Git, we can explore how I went on to build my personal site.

Getting Started with Website Development

First, since I started out knowing nothing about website development, I started by working through some online tutorials to understand the basics of HTML and CSS.

Find the online resources I used to learn more about HTML/ CSS here:
Open Classroom HTML & CSS Tutorial
HTML Cheat Sheet
W3Schools HTML & CSS Tutorials
Bootstrap CSS Tutorial
Shayhowe- Building Your First Webpage Tutorial
Mozilla Developer HTML Info


The first day we worked together to download and set up Atom, the text editor that was recommended by Thomas to use for writing our website code.
(Find Atom's website below).
ATOM


With the advise of Thomas, I decided to use the Agency theme from Bootstrap as the template for my website. So the next step was to download the file for the Agency template as my working file for my website.

This is what the Bootstrap Agency theme looks like (with a small edit):


Find the Agency theme template I used from Bootstrap here:
Bootstrap Agency Theme Template

Although it took longer than just diving into changing the existing Agency Bootstrap template, I decided to first build a practice website in order to grasp the foundations of HTML5 and CSS3.

This is my favorite tutorial was by Open Classrooms:
Here you can see some versions of my test website that I learned to make from Open Classrooms:


This is the code behind my test website on Atom:


Then, I started to play around with changing and adding code to the Agency template, to customize it and start creating my personal site.

Here you can see some of my first changes to the Agency theme template:



This is some code behind a few edits to the Agency template on Atom:



Finishing Touches

I took the last two days to make numerous changes to my website to personalize the layout and sections to fit my needs. I ended up collapsing the original "Services" section in the template and focused on the customizing the "Portfolio" and "About" sections instead. Now, you can see that the original "Portfolio" section is being used for "Assignments" and the "About" section is used for the "Final Project" timeline.

See the new homepage and sections of my site below:


Final Project Proposal

When I began the Fab Academy program I already had a final project idea in mind. I've wanted to create a smart indoor aquaponic system with automation capabilities for a few years, so I didn't need to take too much time to brainstorm project ideas.

I did research on past Fab Academy student projects on the subject of acquaponics to see how my project could differ.
You can find links to the past students projects who I researched this week:

James Akumu
Jia-Hao Chang
Lina Monaco
Sander van Villet
Paul Groneveld
Guillaume Teyssie

Find out more about my final project idea in the Final Project section!

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Computer-Aided Design

Follow how I learned some basic 2D & 3D design skills on Gimp, Inkscape, and Rhino.

Our Goals

The learning outcomes for week 2 were to evaluate and select the 2D and 3D software programs I would want to work with, and to demonstrate and describe the processes used in modelling in these programs.

This week's goals were to model (draw, render, animate, simulate, etc.) a possible final project, and post my work on this website with original 2D and 3D files.

Getting Started with Computer-Aided Design

As I was not yet familiar with any 2D or 3D design programs, I started this assignment by selecting a few softwares to experiment with, then downloading and installing them on my Mac.
With the recommendation of our instructor, Thomas, I chose to use Gimp. Inkscape, and Rhino for now.
After some initial frustration on how/ where to start, as I’ve never used any 2D or 3D software programs before, I began diving into some online tutorials to understand the basics of how to use each software.
I used primarily Lynda.com for in-depth tutorials on each software, as well as some Vimeo links that Thomas recommended by his professor last year, Saverio Silli.

Find the online resources I used to learn more about 2D & 3D design here:
2D & 3D with Inkscape & Rhino
Lynda.com - Up and Running with Rhino
Drawing Simple Parametric Shapes with Rhino
Raster vs Vector Info Sheet
Compress PNG Images Online
Gear Generator

First, I learned how to re-size images in Gimp so that I could upgrade my website’s “Assignments” section on the homepage, since up until today I didn’t know how to change the thumbnail image for each week’s section without distorting the formatting.

See the step-by-step procedure on how to re-size images for your website using Gimp here.

Then I worked through the 2D to 3D with Inkscape and Rhino tutorial to learn how to convert an .svg file in Inkscape to a .pdf file able to be used in Rhino.
This is because Rhino cannot import an .svg file, so you have to use another software that can use an .svg (like Inkscape) in order to convert that file to a format that Rhino can import.

See the step-by-step procedure on how to convert an svg file to pdf in Inkscape, and how to import that image to Rhino here.

While learning the commands and specifications of Rhino, I had to google some terms for reference.
Find some of these reference terms and helpful tips below!

For example:
When importing a file into Rhino it prompts you with an option to keep “Standard Scaling” or choose “Custom Scaling”.
You can set Rhino to work with inches, millimeters, and centimeters.
You can leave the file as is if the file you are working with is in the same measurement as you need, but if not you have to re-define the scale of measurement you need.
For example, if you’re working in inches, but the file you have is in millimeters, you need to do the scaling.

For example:

What is a planar curve?
(Command = Surface / Planar Curves)

A plane curve is a curve that lies in a single plane. A plane curve may be closed or open.

For example:

I learned how to make a vector file into a surface, because when you have a surface in Rhino you can extrude it, change something, and manipulate it in different ways.

This function is very important and handy because you could, for example, draw something by hand (like the example Neil gave in the lecture about the student who drew the PCB board by hand and then scanned this and made a vector file from his drawing to use in Rhino.)

For example:

Since the gear file I’m working with is a planar curve (see definition above) I can make it into a surface by selecting the object, going to the menu and selecting “Surface” and then in the drop down menu choosing “Planar Curve".

See the step-by-step procedure on how to make the planar curve (my gear) a surface in Rhino here & how to make the surface a solid by extruding it in Rhino here.

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Project Name

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Treehouse is a free PSD web template built by Mathavan Jaya. This is bright and spacious design perfect for people or startup companies looking to showcase their apps or other projects.

You can download the PSD template in this portfolio sample item at FreebiesXpress.com.

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Project Name

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Start Bootstrap's Agency theme is based on Golden, a free PSD website template built by Mathavan Jaya. Golden is a modern and clean one page web template that was made exclusively for Best PSD Freebies. This template has a great portfolio, timeline, and meet your team sections that can be easily modified to fit your needs.

You can download the PSD template in this portfolio sample item at FreebiesXpress.com.

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Project Name

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Escape is a free PSD web template built by Mathavan Jaya. Escape is a one page web template that was designed with agencies in mind. This template is ideal for those looking for a simple one page solution to describe your business and offer your services.

You can download the PSD template in this portfolio sample item at FreebiesXpress.com.

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Project Name

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Dreams is a free PSD web template built by Mathavan Jaya. Dreams is a modern one page web template designed for almost any purpose. It’s a beautiful template that’s designed with the Bootstrap framework in mind.

You can download the PSD template in this portfolio sample item at FreebiesXpress.com.

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Ideation Phase

Automated Indoor Acquaponic System.

WHAT IS MY PROJECT?

My vision is to bring the benefits of sustainable agriculture to cities and city-dwellers who want to produce their own food and grow their own plants in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.
My project is to build a connected acquaponic system designed for urban environments and apartments for users to grow herbs and vegetables at home.

WHY DO THIS?

I decided I wanted to create a smart aquarponic system for a few reasons...

1. First, I've always struggled with my desire to be closer to nature, to live sustainably, and to grow and harvest my own food locally, while needing to live in cities for job security and the reality that I most likely will live like this for the foreseeable future.


2. Second, despite countless efforts to grow multiple different plants in my apartments, since I've moved to Paris I've always encountered abnormally high percentages of plant deaths.


3. Third, I find myself starved for greenery and any semblance of nature in Paris, so I wanted to make my home as green and full-of-life as possible, while also serving a cause, like eating more sustainably.



HOW IS MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM DIFFERENT THAN PAST ACQUAPONIC PROJECTS?

The goal of my project is to develop an acquaponic system that will allow users to grow plants in less-than-ideal growing environments, like city apartments.
I want to provide users with a smart way to sustainably grow their own food by developing an automated indoor acquaponic system that measures the plants vital nutirent levels, and is responsive to their needs by delivering the necessary nutrients and resources for optimal growth.


WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM?

My acquaponic system will use arduino sensors to do the following:

• Measure the pH level of each plant's soil;


• Measure the CO2 level in the plant's local environment;


• Measure the level of light at any given time available for each plant.



Future features on this system will be live-video monitoring surveiling the acquaponic system to capture the growth cycle of your plants, as well as have real-time access to your system at all times.
The long-term goal is to have these sensors connected to a mobile app that allows each user to monitor the nutrient levels of each plant as well as the overall health and growth progress within their acquaponic system.

Want these icons in this portfolio item sample?You can download 60 of them for free, courtesy of RoundIcons.com, or you can purchase the 1500 icon set here.
• Date: July 2014
• Client: Round Icons
• Category: Graphic Design
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Design Phase

Automated Indoor Acquaponic System.

WHAT IS MY PROJECT?

My vision is to bring the benefits of sustainable agriculture to cities and city-dwellers who want to produce their own food and grow their own plants in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.
My project is to build a connected acquaponic system designed for urban environments and apartments for users to grow herbs and vegetables at home.

WHY DO THIS?

I decided I wanted to create a smart aquarponic system for a few reasons...

1. First, I've always struggled with my desire to be closer to nature, to live sustainably, and to grow and harvest my own food locally, while needing to live in cities for job security and the reality that I most likely will live like this for the foreseeable future.


2. Second, despite countless efforts to grow multiple different plants in my apartments, since I've moved to Paris I've always encountered abnormally high percentages of plant deaths.


3. Third, I find myself starved for greenery and any semblance of nature in Paris, so I wanted to make my home as green and full-of-life as possible, while also serving a cause, like eating more sustainably.



HOW IS MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM DIFFERENT THAN PAST ACQUAPONIC PROJECTS?

The goal of my project is to develop an acquaponic system that will allow users to grow plants in less-than-ideal growing environments, like city apartments.
I want to provide users with a smart way to sustainably grow their own food by developing an automated indoor acquaponic system that measures the plants vital nutirent levels, and is responsive to their needs by delivering the necessary nutrients and resources for optimal growth.


WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM?

My acquaponic system will use arduino sensors to do the following:

• Measure the pH level of each plant's soil;


• Measure the CO2 level in the plant's local environment;


• Measure the level of light at any given time available for each plant.



Future features on this system will be live-video monitoring surveiling the acquaponic system to capture the growth cycle of your plants, as well as have real-time access to your system at all times.
The long-term goal is to have these sensors connected to a mobile app that allows each user to monitor the nutrient levels of each plant as well as the overall health and growth progress within their acquaponic system.

Want these icons in this portfolio item sample?You can download 60 of them for free, courtesy of RoundIcons.com, or you can purchase the 1500 icon set here.
• Date: July 2014
• Client: Round Icons
• Category: Graphic Design
Close Project

Electronics/ Mechanics Phase

Automated Indoor Acquaponic System.

WHAT IS MY PROJECT?

My vision is to bring the benefits of sustainable agriculture to cities and city-dwellers who want to produce their own food and grow their own plants in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.
My project is to build a connected acquaponic system designed for urban environments and apartments for users to grow herbs and vegetables at home.

WHY DO THIS?

I decided I wanted to create a smart aquarponic system for a few reasons...

1. First, I've always struggled with my desire to be closer to nature, to live sustainably, and to grow and harvest my own food locally, while needing to live in cities for job security and the reality that I most likely will live like this for the foreseeable future.


2. Second, despite countless efforts to grow multiple different plants in my apartments, since I've moved to Paris I've always encountered abnormally high percentages of plant deaths.


3. Third, I find myself starved for greenery and any semblance of nature in Paris, so I wanted to make my home as green and full-of-life as possible, while also serving a cause, like eating more sustainably.



HOW IS MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM DIFFERENT THAN PAST ACQUAPONIC PROJECTS?

The goal of my project is to develop an acquaponic system that will allow users to grow plants in less-than-ideal growing environments, like city apartments.
I want to provide users with a smart way to sustainably grow their own food by developing an automated indoor acquaponic system that measures the plants vital nutirent levels, and is responsive to their needs by delivering the necessary nutrients and resources for optimal growth.


WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM?

My acquaponic system will use arduino sensors to do the following:

• Measure the pH level of each plant's soil;


• Measure the CO2 level in the plant's local environment;


• Measure the level of light at any given time available for each plant.



Future features on this system will be live-video monitoring surveiling the acquaponic system to capture the growth cycle of your plants, as well as have real-time access to your system at all times.
The long-term goal is to have these sensors connected to a mobile app that allows each user to monitor the nutrient levels of each plant as well as the overall health and growth progress within their acquaponic system.

Want these icons in this portfolio item sample?You can download 60 of them for free, courtesy of RoundIcons.com, or you can purchase the 1500 icon set here.
• Date: July 2014
• Client: Round Icons
• Category: Graphic Design
Close Project

Prototyping Phase

Automated Indoor Acquaponic System.

WHAT IS MY PROJECT?

My vision is to bring the benefits of sustainable agriculture to cities and city-dwellers who want to produce their own food and grow their own plants in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.
My project is to build a connected acquaponic system designed for urban environments and apartments for users to grow herbs and vegetables at home.

WHY DO THIS?

I decided I wanted to create a smart aquarponic system for a few reasons...

1. First, I've always struggled with my desire to be closer to nature, to live sustainably, and to grow and harvest my own food locally, while needing to live in cities for job security and the reality that I most likely will live like this for the foreseeable future.


2. Second, despite countless efforts to grow multiple different plants in my apartments, since I've moved to Paris I've always encountered abnormally high percentages of plant deaths.


3. Third, I find myself starved for greenery and any semblance of nature in Paris, so I wanted to make my home as green and full-of-life as possible, while also serving a cause, like eating more sustainably.



HOW IS MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM DIFFERENT THAN PAST ACQUAPONIC PROJECTS?

The goal of my project is to develop an acquaponic system that will allow users to grow plants in less-than-ideal growing environments, like city apartments.
I want to provide users with a smart way to sustainably grow their own food by developing an automated indoor acquaponic system that measures the plants vital nutirent levels, and is responsive to their needs by delivering the necessary nutrients and resources for optimal growth.


WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY ACQUAPONIC SYSTEM?

My acquaponic system will use arduino sensors to do the following:

• Measure the pH level of each plant's soil;


• Measure the CO2 level in the plant's local environment;


• Measure the level of light at any given time available for each plant.



Future features on this system will be live-video monitoring surveiling the acquaponic system to capture the growth cycle of your plants, as well as have real-time access to your system at all times.
The long-term goal is to have these sensors connected to a mobile app that allows each user to monitor the nutrient levels of each plant as well as the overall health and growth progress within their acquaponic system.

Want these icons in this portfolio item sample?You can download 60 of them for free, courtesy of RoundIcons.com, or you can purchase the 1500 icon set here.
• Date: July 2014
• Client: Round Icons
• Category: Graphic Design
Close Project