ShedCode review for 2017

Introduction

Deep Search

In 2016 I put together a crack team to build a prototype for the Sheffield University Multi-Faith Chaplaincy. Deep Search is a tool for thinking about change, for those with or without a faith.

The Deep Search home page

Drone Warfare

At the end of 2016 I worked on a project with Dean Vipond for The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Dean worked on the design whilst I worked on the tech. In 2017 the project was shortlisted for the Data Journalism awards of 2017 in the News Data app of the year category. Sadly it didn’t win but it was still amazing to be shortlisted!

The Drone Warfare site in action

The Iris Murdoch Information Service

Iris Murdoch is my favourite author and I’ve been working on this side project on and off for a couple of years. I was aided with the design and build by my usual collaborators Dean Vipond, who came up with a fantastic design and Richard Jones who transformed the design in to code I could use.

The Iris Murdoch Information Service

Yoomee

After a number of chats over the years, 2017 was the year when I was finally able to do some work with Yoomee ! We built a prototype ready for launch in 2018 which was a lot of fun to build and also I’ve been working on some new features for Comoodle, a great way of helping you to lend and borrow things within your community.

Yoomee

Octopub

One of my resolutions for ShedCode in 2017 was for me to do more collaboration with other technologist/developer/engineers. It felt like a good time to work with others to sharpen my skills a bit. A fantastic opportunity then came up which I was really pleased to be chosen for:

Octopub

Run an Empire

Having done some work with Pan Studios in 2016, it was great to have the opportunity to do a little bit of work with them again on Run an Empire. I spent a week working on the new team functionality, which was really interesting. They are now (unrelated to my work!) doing a reboot of the game with a new architecture, it’s due to go in to Beta early 2018.

Run an Empire Map

Scopitones

ShedCode still look after the website and merchandise shop for Cinerama and The Wedding Present. Only a few tweaks were required this year, although the shop has been really busy with the 30th Anniversary of the George Best debut album by The Wedding Present. Total gigs attended this year: 3

The cover for the George Best 2008 re-recording

Water and Sanitation Programme

One of the main projects for the early years of ShedCode was building a reporting tool for the Water and Sanitation Programme with the brilliant international development consultancy IODParc. 2017 was the final year in which the reporting tool is due to be used, so some de-commissioning has been taking place ready to switch the service (and server) off.

BBC Research and Development

After the success of the Peaky Blinder’s Story Explorer, back in 2016 and the Home Front Story Explorer in 2015, I was happy to be approached to work on a new Story Explorer, due to be launched in March 2018. We’ve kicked off this project but can’t really say much more about it for now, watch this space for the launch information nearer the time!

Conclusion

2017 was a feast and famine year in terms of work which meant I was able to make some good progress on the Iris Murdoch project when times were quiet. 2018 is already looking to be busier with a few projects in the pipeline, keeping me busy until the beginning of summer. Exciting times!

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Technology for Arts, Culture & Heritage

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