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on April 20
WinterRoot
Posted project update #16Android App Beta is Available!
Post CommentWe've got a few more important updates to share this week..
First of all, the Android Version of Wildflowers of Detroit is finally in the Android store! This one gave us a bit of headache getting out, hence it coming a full month behind the iPhone version. If you are an Android user, keep in mind that this is a Beta release, so while it's working well over here, there could be unexpected bugs. If you run into bugs please don't hesitate to report them back to us, and we'll fix them right up.
Next, we're going to be transitioning our updates to our new email list. We've made a lot of new friends, but not all backed the project originally so we need a forum that can include new folks and also allow the community to give feedback and discuss. Sign up here: https://groups.google.com/group/rhus/ We'll still update the kickstarter blog for the next few months, but if you want in on the real action get on the email list!
Also we've been noticing datapoints showing up from folks in the D. Check out some nice pictures from user Kirsten of the Green Alley behind Motor City Brewery! Let's keep those pictures flowing and fill out the database so we can have a nice look at change across the seasons at the end of the year.
For those interested in the open source part of this project, we now have a wiki up at http://rhus.winterroot.net that gives you more details and has links to our githubs. We're definitely looking for more collaborates at this time - either in terms of new uses of the software or contributors to building features into the open source projects themselves. If you AREN'T in Detroit but would like to be involved in fun projects that test the software itself, contact us directly and we can send you some files.
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on April 10
WinterRoot
backed a project
#AirQualityEgg by #Sensemakers
A community-led air quality sensing network that gives people a way to participate in the conversation about air quality.
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370% funded $144,592 pledged
- 927 backers
- Funded Apr 26, 2012
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on April 5
WinterRoot
Posted project update #15Lots of New Developments
Post CommentWhat a crazy few weeks it's been...
First and foremost, we want to report on our incredible trip back to Detroit to introduce our work on Wildflowers of Detroit, and thank the backers that made it out to the seed exchange to see the software in action. The entire effort was big success - we piped in wi-fi and got some first time users walking around in the alley, geotagging the first plants of spring in the city. It was great to meet everyone who came!
For those that didn't make to the launch, we'd like to remind you that you can now see our interactive map live at http://www.wildflowersofdetroit.org. While in Detroit, we did an early spring tour of some interesting areas in the city (Rouge River, Palmer Park). What we found were mostly buds and mosses, so we hope to see more images of these same locations as spring comes into bloom.
We also ran into a problem - Apple's release of iOS 5.1 and sluggish movement on allowing our app into the App Store made it impossible to install our software for some of the people that made it out to the seed exchange. We've since patched the problem, and fixed small bugs, so you can now download the app in the Apple store!
You'll notice that the website map shows some suggested timeline areas - geographical subdivisions that we think will inform how we see development and change in Detroit's urban ecology. We have some important plans for these timeline areas (for instance updating them to more correctly represent watersheds) so stay tuned as they develop.
Also, we're just about ready to start receiving backdated images - so if you have images of plants within the city limits, and you can confidently place their locations on a map (or better if you used a GPS enabled camera they may already be geocoded) please get in touch with us via email at admin @ wildflowersofdetroit.org!
If you are among those who are waiting for the android application, that suspense is almost at its resolution. In a couple of days the app will be available for download and we will update this blog with details on how to get it.
We were also really excited to see Wildflowers of Detroit make it into the Huffington Post!
We hope everyone is enjoying their spring (now get out there and tag some plants!)
-Matt and Gwen
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on March 13
WinterRoot
Posted project update #14Introducing The Wildflowers of Detroit - This Weekend!
Post CommentMy my, we have been busy little bees. Spring hasn't quite arrived but we're ready to launch the alpha version of Wildflowers of Detroit this weekend!!
Thats right- the website, Android, and iPhone applications will all be available starting This Sunday (March 18th). Alley Culture's Seed Exchange has offered their space for us to debut and get people started using the software.
See the staging site here:
http://wildflowersofdetroit.org/
And more info about Alley Culture's Seed Exchange here:
http://72.29.73.163/~vox/ac/seed.html
There will be muffins, coffee, and of course, seeds to trade at the launch in addition to the software. If you are in Detroit, please stop by! If not, follow us that day on Twitter or Facebook and see the first photos as they come in! The Seed Exchange goes from 2-4pm. Additional info (directions etc) can be found through the staging site or messaging us here.
See you soon Detroit!
-Gwen and Matt
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on January 19
WinterRoot
Posted project update #13It Begins...
Post CommentHello everyone. Happy 2012! We here at WinterRoot are very excited for the coming year, as it promises to hold a lot of interesting developments.
SOFTWARE developments! heh heh...
Thats right, in early January we began building the mobile application software which will be come Wildflowers of Detroit. Soon we will post an update with snapshots of the design and information about what sort of technology we are using to build both the apps and website.
In the mean time, if you haven't filled out the survey we sent (yes YOU), then how can we give you the reward you requested?! If you don't want to give us your address or have some other reason why you didn't submit the survey message us with a response please and thank you! That being said, the first round of rewards have gone out- if yours hasn't come yet, hold tight. We will send the second round out soon.
Below are some progress photos to wet your whistle:
(making a stamp for the booklets)
(hoodies!)
(paper making in progress)
(packaging!)
-Gwen and Matt
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on September 29, 2011
WinterRoot
Posted project update #12Wow!
Post CommentWe reached our funding goal (plus a little extra) and you made it happen!!! This process has been Quite A Rollercoaster and honestly when, nine days ago, we were still at only 19%, predicting this outcome was impossible. That being said,
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
We are super excited to being the process of creating the rewards and software, and will be updating here with our progress. In the mean time check out the comments or the main page of this project to read a really great descriptive write-up from Alley Culture's Seed Exchange about the project. Here is an excerpt:
"It can be used on a state level, neighborhood, city, country side or county level. Whatever you decide as your boundaries. It's designed to be directed by the community - the constituents. The mapping is done by the people affected, rather than the other way around."
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on September 28, 2011Funded!
The Wildflowers of Detroit : Community Ecology by WinterRoot
An open source suite of mobile software for indexing wildflowers (or any type of data) on an interactive map and searchable database.
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104% funded $4,161 pledged
- 77 backers
- Funded Sep 28, 2011
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on September 26, 2011
WinterRoot
Posted project update #11We and Fleabane Are Hearty, Hard-Workers
Post CommentTwo days left and we are SO CLOSE. Truth be told, close does not cut it and we are working Hard at that last $1,000. Have we mentioned that 40% of the project funding has come within the last seven days? The anticipation is almost too much! But still, fellow flower enthusiasts, we remain vigilant: posting on forums, responding to emails, tweeting, moving and shaking. We've been finding out about a lot of exciting ideas and making new connections, here are some highlights:
Permaculture in Chicago
This link was passed on by Alley Culture's Seed Exchange who could see a new use for Wildflowers of Detroit. They say, "Chicago is already experiencing and responding to climate change. One of the ways they are tracking it is through the species of plants that are showing up. They now figure their climate is becoming similar to southern Illinois. Wildflowers of Detroit put into use now in Detroit will place a ground reading, and as these changes move through the plants and trees, we will have a tracked by date map of this change. It will also show the types of vegetation that are finding the change tolerable. Chicago is finding certain species are going to be comfortable here and others are not. In this case, northern oaks and pines will less tolerate the change, where as Sweet Gum, a southern tree would begin to grow well. Watching our fields can give a forecast for future street tree species to be planted." This week... How an American city in the grip of climate change is trying to cool its streets, one alley at a time. http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/dispatches_20110922_25346.mp3 (keep an ear open for Janet Attarian- she's the brains behind Chicago's repaving)This intriguing forum was brought to our attention by someone who was interested in our project, which is where the link will take you, but make sure you check out the other forums. There are entire discussions dedicated to epiphytic & parasitic plants!Very little needs to be said about this. Just follow the link and watch it. It's important. Which brings me to our next, and sadly last, flower update:
Fleabane
Now this, is one hearty flower. You'll find it growing in hot, dry fields with lots of clay and poor drainage. Fleabane can have a green base stem in wet areas, then woody in dryer conditions. Summertime in Michigan is HOT, setting the stage for the delicate-looking flower to be a primary late September food source for honey bees.
Also known as summer starwort, fleabane can have white, purple, or pink flowers but they each have a familiar daisy-like flower head and narrow leaves. Don't get too discouraged if you have trouble identifying this fleabane from its relatives, a member of the Aster family, there are over one hundred other flowers in this family and most look similar.
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on September 22, 2011
WinterRoot
commented on a projectAlley Culture Seed Exchange asked us to post this commentary::: Chicago is already experiencing and responding to climate change. One of the ways they are tracking it is through the species of plants that are showing up. They now figure their climate is becoming similar to southern Illinois. Wildflowers of Detroit put into use now in Detroit will place a ground reading, and as these changes move through the plants and trees, we will have a tracked by date map of this change. It will also show the types of vegetation that are finding the change tolerable. Chicago is finding certain species are going to be comfortable here and others are not. In this case, northern oaks and pines will less tolerate the change, where as Sweet Gum, a southern tree would begin to grow well. Watching our fields can give a forecast for future street tree species to be planted. janet atarian (sp) http://www.cbc.ca/dispatches/ This week.. How an American city in the grip of climate change is trying to cool its streets, one alley at a time. http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/dispatches_20110922_25346.mp3
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on September 22, 2011
WinterRoot
commented on a project update@Paul - its suppose to be humorous and based on a drawing. The flowers are obviously larger-than-life. If you'd like to see photos of real wildflowers you can check out our project video or wildflowersofdetroit.org. Thanks for the feedback!
WinterRoot
Oakland, CA
WinterRoot is a technology collaborative started by Southeast Michigan natives and centered in Detroit for a solid 7 years, now operating from Oakland, CA. WinterRoot develops software that bridges ecologically aware practice together with dynamic in... view more
