[MightyMasc]

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Want to interact with your computer musically using physical objects and other fancy-schmancy, science-fiction-y interfaces? Don’t want to rely on Microsoft or [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.]? You’re in luck. It’s like Christmas for DIYers and interactive futurists.

Enter LusidOSC, a set of protocols, libraries, and useful code, and Trackmate, a clever and cheap-to-build system for tangible interfaces. Together, you’ve just got a bunch of tools to help you start playing with blocks — erm, experiencing new spatial interfaces.

• LusidOSC, the library maps “spatial input devices” - really, any tangible devices or sensors in the real world - to applications, like live music or live visuals. It uses the network-savvy OpenSoundControl protocol. The library is available now for Processing, with Java, Python, Flash, and C++ in the works.
• LusidOSC, the apps/code: a set of Processing utilities to get you started includes a basic example app, command launcher, playlist mixer, and a MIDI sequencer. You can build on these for your own Processing apps.
• Your own input device: Tags? Sensors? Markers? Regions? Fingertips? If it’s in physical space, you can map it via LusidOSC. Or, if you want a place to start, try:
• Trackmate: A project of MIT’s Tangible Media Group, Trackmate lets you affix tags to any objects you want and use them as an interface.

LusidOSC is just the protocol; it’s physical applications like Trackmate that get really interesting. In these economically-challenged times, Trackmate gives you tangible interfaces for next to nothing. All you need is a computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux), and a camera (even a webcam will do). Print out randomly-generated tags in the free and open source software, stick them on stuff you want to use, and go to town.

You can make your own Trackmate surfaces out of [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.] or [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.] for as little as $40 in parts. There’s even a Processing-based [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.] so you can experiment without the physical objects. (Good for troubleshooting on the bus or plane, I imagine.)

Trackmate is just one project, though; LusidOSC promises to support other interface ideas, too.

[You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.], the work of “many research institutions and companies.” (Which, I wonder?)
[You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.], a project of the MIT Media Lab Tangible Media Group

Alternatives: [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.], the protocol used in the Bjork-endorsed [You cannot see the link as you're not logged in. Click here to login or here to register.] marches forward, as well. And as both projects are open source, there could be some cross-pollination. I hear a revised TUIO is coming, and in the meantime, LusidOSC acts as a gateway to TUIO.

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