About this project
June 30, and a new video explaining our tech ambitions, and why we are continuing to push well past our funding goal, is posted here. Thank you for your support!
English Version (version française ci-dessous)
Overview:
This collection of seven nautical fables is an interactive fiction (for tablet computers) and a limited-edition leather-bound book (for coffee tables). Each fable is illustrated with 3-5 paintings and a moral which the reader may find at their own risk. It will be published in both English and French. The fables are both contemporary and antique, written with the amusement of some young friends principally in view.
Our Status:
This project began in Paris, France, in 2001. Dreaming of the sea, surrounded by Montmartre, and immersed in classic fables I wrote over 100 of these stories and since then I've been illustrating one fable every two months (give or take). Some music and interactive design got into the mix along the way, I developed an iOS prototype app, and now, working with Sean Brunwin (and four other folks), we're shuffling this little beast forward towards the light of day.
As of June, 2011 the stories are written (note the text shown in these pictures is filler)), the illustrations are (mostly) drawn, sound files are prepped, music's recorded, printer's tested, and a framework for the app has been proven to be totally, maddeningly buggy. Fortunately the good Mr. Sean Brunwin, a brilliant genius of a madman who I've had the pleasure of working with in the past, has taken the reigns on that horse. Now, together, we still have a good few months' of work to do. Here's where we were a month or so ago (a snapshot of the iPad with the app running):
Format and Media:
Though this is primarily a digital project, both media are good for telling stories, and for different reasons. They can also compliment one other.
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Digital: This app - for iPad (for now) - is a garden varietal of a graphic novel, a videogame, a piece of art, and a pack of lies. The stories are tangled up in one another and navigation is done across an island that has as many easter eggs as the Easter Bunny's own warren. We can't call it a video game, but there's game-like activities, physics simulations, a treasure map navigation, and a reward or two. We can't call it a puzzle, but there's mind-benders to solve, and a reading structure you can turn on its head then turn inside out. And of course we have little pigs that oink when you poke 'em! In the end it's a narrative with consequences - a little world you sculpt via your decisions. In a later version we hope to add conversational non-player characters.
- Print: As a large-format art book (the cover's about as big as your
forearm), the prints are on water-color paper stock, printed with the
highest quality methods in the galaxy (UltraChrome eleven-ink mega-whoodinger).
This limited run (in French and in English) will be bound in
high-quality engraved leather mostly because it is what properly-dressed fables should wear.
The idea behind using two media is to use each for what it's best used for. Owning both the app and the book makes details and structure in the other more clear. It's like using both eyes, and hints can be found in one to help discover things in the other. The core characters, stories, and legends work for both, but we want to make them available for people that both enjoy the interaction of a screen and the feel of a book.
Next Steps:
The production work that remains is, principally, finishing the app, finishing the animations, and adding Box2D physics. This will require a good few months of our time but once this is done, de-bugged, and approved we'll be 95% there. Then we'll post it, print it, bind it, distribute it, and promote the hell out of it. We will be building it for iOS for now as we want to start simple but later we want to do Android and open Web. Getting the core app finished is our next step. From there other versions will be possible with better, and newer, features.
It's worth noting that Sean and I have developed a system that allows characters to 'talk.' You type to the character and it types back. It's a bit like a chatbot with emotions. While we don't plan on implementing that technology in this system (again: we want to start simple, and budget constrains us here), we do hope to do so in Version #2. If we can get this off the ground implementing NPCs is our next major design goal. Your help is what will get us there.
Your Support:
Most of the help for this project will support the time we need to finish the app, build animations, and add features. So you're supporting the 25 weeks of our production at $300 per week ($7,500). If funded we hope to finish it in early October, of 2011.
Materials are also needed. That will be around $2000. Fabrication can get pricey, especially for a book like this (hand-sewn leather covers ain't cheap) and we need to pay for some services such as editing, printing, stitching, postal fees, and other baselisks that'll wake up with bright eye and bushy tail if we're lucky enough to make our funding goal.
Should things go well this will be the first of a series of high-seas adventures. We're glad you're on-board for the voyage.
Thank you for your support, and very much!
Once upon a time, two brothers lived in a small village by the sea. The younger of the two was very short and he had a rather large head but he was quick on his feet and good with his hands. The other brother was quite clever, able to map the rotations of the stars and conceive all manner of grand and mystic things.
Naturally, growing up in a fishing village, they became crab fishermen and naturally, being brothers, they worked together on the crab boats. They were known throughout the region as great fishermen. Some days they brought back one thousand crabs. They accomplished this through the most clever means because the older brother, as easy as you breathe, knew exactly where the crabs were. Then the younger brother, as quick as you blink, would collect them with a marvelous trap they had designed together. After they collected the crabs, the brothers quickly set the oars and rowed home with their haul.
Nature takes many courses that are true, and as the years went by these two brothers became wealthy and the wind smiled on them and they never suffered misfortune. They worked well together and relied on one another and ran a very good operation. Their special traps were always well-mended and they always had plenty to eat. But there was some unrest between them because it seemed to the older brother that collecting crabs was not their destiny, and perhaps there was some other land, more important, waiting to be discovered....
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~ version française ~
A propos de ce projet
Résumé :
Cette collection de sept fables sur le thème de la mer est une narration interactive (pour tablettes, type iPad) et un livre en édition limitée, avec couverture en cuir (pour tables, type salon). Chaque fable est illustrée avec 3 à 5 peintures et renvoie à une morale que le lecteur pourra trouver à ses risques et périls. L'ensemble sera publié, à la fois en anglais et en français. Les fables sont contemporaines et classiques, écrites pour des adultes particulièrement jeunes ou des enfants particulièrement vieux.
L'état d'avancement du projet :
Ce projet est né à Paris, en 2001. Rêvant de la grande bleue, enclavé à Montmartre et immergé dans les fables classiques, j'ai alors écrit plus de 100 de ces histoires, que je me suis mis à illustrer, à raison d'une fable tous les deux mois (avec du prendre à laisser). De la musique et un concept interactif sont venus ensuite étoffer le projet et de là, un prototype pour l'application iOS (système d'opération d'Apple) est né. Maintenant, travaillant avec Sean Brunwin (et quatre autres personnes), nous essayons de faire voir le jour à notre petit Frankenstein.
A l'heure où j'écris ces lignes (juin 2011), beaucoup d'éléments sont déjà en place : les histoires sont écrites, les illustrations (pour la plupart) dessinées, les fichiers polis et organisés, la musique enregistrée, l'imprimante testée …. reste notre système de programmation qui pourrait gagner le record des « bug » informatiques. Heureusement, le bon Mr Sean Brunwin, qui a le brillant génie des hommes fous, et avec qui j'ai eu le plaisir de travailler dans le passé, a repris les rênes du carrosse et nous avons encore un bon mois à travailler ensemble. Voilà où nous étions il y a un peu près un mois (c'est un cliché de l'iPad avec l'application en marche, ne faites pas attention au texte, c'est du latin de remplissage !)
Format et médias :
Même si ce projet est avant tout numérique, j'ai choisi de le développer conjointement sur deux médias (numérique et papier). Tous deux sont, pour différentes raisons, d'excellents supports pour raconter des histoires mais sont aussi complémentaires.
L'idée sous-jacente à l'usage de ces deux médias est d'exploiter le meilleur de chacun.
Avoir l'application et le livre permet de rendre les détails et la structure de l'autre plus évident. C'est comme utiliser nos deux yeux séparément. Des allusions pourront être trouvées dans l'un pour aider à découvrir des subtilités dans l'autre, même les personnages principaux, les histoires et légendes sont les mêmes dans les deux.
Le numérique : Cette application – conçue pour iPad (pour le moment)- est une espèce hybride entre l'histoire illustrée, le jeu vidéo, l'oeuvre d'art, mêlé à un bon lot de rêves ! Les histoires s'imbriquent les unes aux autres et la navigation se fait au travers d'une île virtuelle qui a autant d' « oeufs de Pâques » (mini-jeux dissimulés dans l'histoire) que la cloche de Big Ben ne pourrait en laisser échapper. Si on ne peut l'appeler un jeu vidéo, elle offre des activités sur le même mode, des stimulations physiques, une carte au trésor pour se déplacer ainsi qu'une ou deux récompenses à aller décrocher. Si on ne peut pas parler de puzzle non plus, elle est composée de casse-têtes à résoudre, de structures à renverser ou à retourner. Par contre, ce qui est sûr, c'est que nous avons des petits cochons, qui couinent lorsqu'on vient les chatouiller avec la souris ! Au final, c'est une narration au sein de laquelle le lecteur peut influer sur la suite du récit – un petit monde que vous sculptez selon vos décisions. Dans la version à venir, nous espérons agrémenter des personnages non-joueurs qui répondront à l'utilisateur.
L'impression papier : les impressions seront réalisées sur papier aquarelle et dans un format large, typique du livre d'art (la couverture est à peu près aussi large que votre avant-bras). Nous avons aussi opté pour le matériel d'impression avec la meilleure qualité de la galaxie (le machin chose UltraChrome à 7 encres) et un tirage limité (en français, en anglais). Le tout sera relié dans une couverture cuir soigneusement gravée. Quelle autre parure pouvait porter des fables ?
Les prochaines étapes :
Le travail de production qu'il nous reste à réaliser est, principalement de finir l'application, les animations et insérer des physiques «Box2D.» Cela nous demandera quelques mois mais une fois que cela sera fait, approuvé et sans « bug » à vue, nous serons à 95% de notre objectif. Il nous restera alors à l'envoyer, l'imprimer, le relier, le distribuer et faire une publicité du diable.
Si pour débuter simple, nous nous avons choisi de nous concentrer sur la construction de l'application pour iOS, plus tard, nous souhaiterions développer une version similaire pour Android, et l'internet ouvert. L'insertion de personnages non-joueurs sera notre autre défi, pour la version 2. Sean et moi avons développé, il y a quelques années, un système qui permet aux personnages de « parler ». Vous écrivez au personnage (en tapant sur votre clavier) et il vous répond en tenant compte de vos émotions (un peu comme une «chatbot», en anglais).
Mais rien ne pourra voir le jour si notre prochaine étape n'est pas franchie : l'application iOS. C'est seulement à partir de là, que d'autres versions seront disponibles, et que des éléments pourront être améliorés et réactualisés.
Votre aide actuelle est ce ce qui va nous permettre d'y arriver.
Votre soutien :
La majorité de l'argent investi de ce projet est destinée à nous donner le temps nécessaire pour finir l'application, construire les animations et affiner les détails. Vous soutenez ici 25 semaines de production à $300 (210 €) par semaine (soit $7,500, équivalent à 5230 €). Si le projet est financé, il devrait être terminer début octobre 2011.
Nous avons aussi besoin de matériel pour construire ou produire tous vos cadeaux ou contreparties. La fabrication du livre est coûteuse (les couvertures en cuir cousues à la main sont artisanales) et nous devront aussi payer pour certains services, comme l'édition, l'impression, la couture, les frais postaux et autres hôtes non-invités à la fête. Ce budget est évalué à $2000 (soit 1390 €)
Si les choses tournent bien, ce projet sera le premier d'une séries d'aventures en haute mer. Nous sommes heureux que vous fassiez partie du voyage.
Merci pour votre soutien, et même merci beaucoup.
Il était une fois, deux frères qui habitaient dans un petit village, sur la mer. Le plus jeune des deux était très petit, avec une grosse tête mais agile sur ses jambes et adroit de ses mains. L'autre frère se démarquait lui, par une remarquable intelligence, capable de cartographier les rotations des étoiles et concevoir toutes sortes de choses, grandes et mystiques.
A grandir ainsi dans un village de pêcheurs, ils devinrent tout naturellement pêcheurs de crabes et parce qu'ils étaient frères, ils se mirent tout aussi naturellement à travailler ensemble sur le même bateau. Leur réputation de pêcheurs s'étendit vite à toute la région. Parfois, ils ramenaient jusqu'à mille crabes. Pour accomplir un tel exploit, ils avaient leur astuces. Tout d'abord, le plus âgé des frères savait exactement où se trouvaient les crabes. Il les sentaient comme vous respirez. Le jeune frère, les collectaient alors en un clin d'oeil, en usant d'un fantastique casier qu'ils avaient conçu ensemble. Leur butin à bord, les deux frères ajustaient alors leurs avirons et se mettaient à ramer vers leur demeure.
La nature montrant souvent le bon chemin, au fil des années, les deux frères devinrent riches. Le vent était définitivement avec eux. Jamais, ils ne connurent d'infortune. Jamais ils ne se trouvèrent face à une assiette vide. Leur affaire tournait, leur casier spéciaux étaient toujours raccommodés. Ils travaillaient bien ensemble, pouvant compter l'un sur l'autre. Seul point de discorde : il semblait au plus âgé des frères que collecter des crabes n'étaient pas leur destinée, et que peut-être il existait d'autres terres, plus importantes, qui ne demandaient qu'à être découvertes …
FAQ
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Totally. I'm happy to break things apart as you like, so just plug into the normal process and when I get back to you via e-mail asking for details, just let me know then who to send it to.
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It's a temporary solution. We want to develop for Android and open Web, but a multi-touch interface is a part of the design, the iTunes store is easy to deal with, and we want to keep all our bugs in one jar. But once we get this done we intend to support other platforms. If you have ideas on how we can do better, or otherwise, we'd love to hear it.
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Now the boat's rockin! First, these seven fables are from a collection of 100 that are already written, so there's more chapters of this world to develop. Additionally, Sean and I have developed some chatbot-style technology that we'd like to wire up to the characters, allowing them to reply to questions, so that's top of our list. We'd probly need double this amount, but let's sail that sea when we come to it. There are SO many things we want to do - not just with more tech and more content, but integrating people into the development process, amplifying the fables' play experience, doing it in 3D, doing deeper and more detailed work, and on and on..
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Absolument, je suis heureux de désassembler les pièces de ce produit à votre souhait. Le mieux est de suivre, dans un premier temps, le procédé normal puis de discuter ensuite par email pour affiner les détails ( les particularités de la commande, l'adresse où l'envoyer, etc.)
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C'est une solution temporaire. L'application iOS présente l'avantage d'avoir une interface multi-touche, qui est une partie de notre design. La boutique iTunes est, par ailleurs, facile à gérer et puis, nous souhaitons conserver tous nos « bugs » (problèmes techniques) dans le même bocal. Une fois que l'application tournera sur iOS, nous avons l'intention de développer le projet sur Android et l'internet libre. Si vous avez des suggestions de développement, nous sommes ouverts à vos suggestions.
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Alors le bateau commence à sérieusement giter ! Tout d'abord, nous ajouterons d'autres chapitres de cet univers. Ces sept fables font partie d'une collection de 100 qui sont déjà écrites. Par ailleurs, nous souhaiterions insérer aux personnages de nos fables une technologie de type chat-box, que Sean et moi avons développé, il y a 2 ans et qui leur donnera le « super pouvoir » de répondre aux questions des lecteurs. Attendons toutefois d'arriver dans ces eaux, avant de lever les voiles. Il y a TANT de chose que nous souhaiterons développer - en terme de technologie et de contenu, mais aussi d'expérience du jeu au sein des fables. Nous pourrions les faire tourner en 3D, rendant le travail plus recherché, plus détaillé …
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Serious as a tsunami! Bring a friend, even two. I'm a USCG certified captain and I've lived on the boat with my wife for five years. The island trips are something we do whenever we can, and If you come sailing with us you will never forget what you'll see. I promise. If you can get yourself to Central America we'll cover all the costs after you get off the airplane. These trips normally sell for thousands of dollars, so it's a pretty good deal. Plus we'll have fun.
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Aussi sérieux qu'un tsunami ! Venez avec un ami, voire deux. J'ai mon permis hauturier et je vis avec ma femme à bord d'un bateau de 11 m depuis 5 ans. Les expéditions dans les îles sont des virées que nous faisons aussi souvent que possible. Si vous êtes du voyage, vous n'oublierez jamais ce que vous verrez, je vous le promets. Il suffit de nous rejoindre en Amérique centrale et de là, nous couvrirons tous vos frais.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
144
Backers
$16,402
pledged of $9,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 2, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
For this amount you get a gift code for two (2) copies of the app when it's released and a PDF of the book (which you can print, copy, edit, share). A ceremonial drum shall be struck, once.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Ten dollars wins you the PDF of the book, and a gift code for three (3) copies of the app. A moment of appreciative drumming will be done, but privately.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Fifteen dollars wins you a gift code for three (3) copies of the app, the PDF of the book, and a chance to tell us how to improve it during a pre-release beta review. Two moments of appreciative drumming will be done, but still privately.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
With twenty dollars you receive a gift code for three (3) copies of the app, the PDF of the book, beta review membership, and an explanatory video of how the pencils, inks, watercolors, photos, and final animation process all fit together. Three moments of appreciative drumming are performed, with accompaniment by one swamp frog.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Real-world goodies begin appearing in your mailbox! For this level of support you receive two blank postcards (illustrations from the book) to use as you see fit. But probably well before that appears, in your email, you'll get the PDF of the finished book and gift code for three (3) copies of the app so you can give it away as gifts to dear friends and total strangers. We will begin some singing and the drumming may last for several moments, and at sunset.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
WOOD MEDAL AWARD! More goodies in your mailbox! For this level of support you receive four blank postcards (all from the book), and a little surprise that will delight and horrify. But probably well before that appears, in your email, you'll get the PDF of the finished book and gift code for four (4) copies of the app when it's out. A pituitary dwarf and his mule will join in the singing and the drumming.
Pledge $45 or more Pledge $45 or more
COPPER MEDAL - Poster + Other Goodies: This solid pledge awards you a poster (a print of your choice of the illustrations from the book), sent to any terrestrial address in our high-class pre-industrial water-proof card-board tubes. With it comes the two postcards, also illustrations from the book, and in your email you shall find the PDF, and five (5) giftcodes of the app when it's released. Drumming is now accompanied with lively chanting, and it is done with other celebrants - mostly woodland creatures. Thank you!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
BRONZE MEDAL - A Signed Print + Other Goodies: This advanced level of admirable performance allows you to choose a signed print from the book, sent in a super-luxury cardboard tube via registered mail to your favorite address anywhere on planet earth. We'll also add into that box a few thank-you postcards just after we email you the PDF and ten (10) gift codes to reflect your generosity. Offerings and chants will be made to the gods in your name (of course with drumming), and we'll probably burn something that's nearby.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
MERCURY MEDAL - A Signed Book + Other Goodies: This admirable level of advanced performance brings you a signed copy of the book, all seven fables in bound edition. We'll also add into that box the little thank-you postcards, and we'll email you the PDF and ten (10) gift codes to share with your friends. Here we give up singing and beating of drums, for praises of your support shall be passed to the birds to sing themselves.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
SILVER MEDAL - A Signed Book + A Poster + Other Goodies: Such esteemed achievers earn themselves not only a signed edition of the leather-bound book but also a poster of their choosing from this book. Your patronage cultivates other fruit, such as the PDF and ten (10) gift codes of the app, but more than this it cultivates the advanced pace of drumming, singing, and chanting, by both birds and humans (and the dwarf), as we set larger things on fire.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
GOLD MEDAL #1 - A Signed Book + Sponsor Credit + a custom iPad case + Other Goodies. A backer of such strong abilities needs their name engraved in the hallowed halls! You receive a signed book, your name in the app as a supporting sponsor, and a custom-leather case for your iPad (let us know if we are to add your name to it!). You also receive several post-cards, the ten (10) gift codes, and the PDF you can share to show others of the work you helped produce. The insects and birds of the field pick up their tiny drums to accompany the singing and praises.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
GOLD MEDAL #2 - A Signed Book + A Unique Print + Other Goodies: Those who have exhibited such outstanding achievements in this field receive both a signed edition of the leather-bound book as well as a signed and unique print. Astonish friends and relatives with the ten (10) gift codes, the PDF you can share, and several post-cards you can use at your rampant disposal. Your name shall be engraved in the next available rainbow and your praises sung from the ramparts by all the birds and insects of the field.
Pledge $550 or more Pledge $550 or more
GOLD MEDAL #3 - A Clay Doll + A Creepy Belt + Other Goodies: But perhaps you are not interested in such floppy paperwork as books and prints, but prefer more robust items like a figurine of one of the characters (hand-sculpted and painted by the author) plus a hand-carved leather belt with the characters dancing upon its shiny length. (*Belt buckle not included. *All clay models are under eighteen years of age.) We'll also add into that shipment the thank-you postcard and we'll promptly email you the PDF and ten (10) gift codes to share with your friends. Should you so desire, small animals will be sacrificed in your honor (but quietly, quickly, and painlessly). All sacrifices sanitized for your protection.
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
PLATINUM MEDAL - A Sailing Adventure + A Customized Edition of the Book + Other Goodies: Extra-curricular excellence deserves extra-curricular activities! First, come sailing with us. Visit a jungle island (in Central America) for three days and we'll provide all food, drink, bed, adventure, and sunscreen. Second, the donor of this level receives a signed edition of the book with a new chapter in which you name a character making this book a unique one-of-a-kind object. You may suggest what to do with that character in the story and I may most likely follow that suggestion (please note that fables harbor not mundane voyages nor unimaginative vessels). The leather-bound book is then printed, signed and shipped, along with the unique and signed print, preceded, as you may expect, only by the email flock of the PDF and the ten (10) gift codes to share with your friends, strangers, and unsuspecting colleagues. Campfire dancing and singing, of course, immediately ensues, now with small animals, birds, and the bugs we have previously solicited. Some rainbows not included.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
RHODIUM-TITANIUM MEDAL WITH LITHIUM BATTERY - A Sailing Adventure + An iPad + An Original Watercolor, A Signed Book + Other Goodies: Clearly only for the super-human of supporters, you will be invited to sail with us to a Costa Rican, Panamanian, or Nicaraguan island for three days, conveniences, necessities and adventures included (Pirates limited only to participating shores). You will also receive an iPAD 2 (WiFi + 3G, 32g, black or white) in a leather-bound case made by the author. With it you will receive the leather-bound book, signed, and in it will find one of the original watercolors from the book enclosed. These things will be collected into a varnished wooden box which will make a handsome addition next to the other awards and trophies you surely have collected through your remarkable life. Shortly after you receive postcards, the PDF, and as many gift codes as you can use, you might find angels camping on the roof of your house and faieries camping on your lawn, cavorting with birds and toads of all sorts, because your patronage will be legendary and the hot topic of gossip through all the kingdom.
Project By
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I'm an author, illustrator, inventor, and sailor. I've published books, exhibited paintings, developed technologies, started companies, and though I'm able to leap buildings with a single bound it's only because my wallet is so empty it serves as a kind of super-powered levitation balloon. And ...
I'm conjoined to Sean Brunwin. Sean has over twenty years' experience in design and development of database, content management, internet presence, and knowledge engineering solutions for more industries than you can point a cursor at. He lives in a jungle laboratory with a roommate named Dr. Moreau.
Sean and myself are co-conjoined to Michelle Borok, Anne Horowitz, Maribeth Back, and Robyn Ewing.
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Je suis un auteur, un illustrateur, et un marin. J'ai publié des livres, exposé mes peintures, développé des technologies, lancé diverses entreprises et malgré le fait que je garde dans mon placard ma cape de superman me donnant le superpouvoir d'enjamber les immeubles en un saut, c'est seulement parce que mon portefeuille est vide qu'il me sert de ballon de lévitation. Et ...
J'ai été rejoint par Sean Brunwin. Sean a un peu plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans la conception et le développement de bases de données, et la gestion de contenu. IL connait les solutions d'ingénierie pour plus d'industries que vous pourriez pointer au curseur. Il habite dans la jungle des laboratoires avec un colocataire nommé le Dr Moreau.
Sean et moi avons à notre tour été rejoints par Michelle Borok, Anne Horowitz, Maribeth Back, et Robyn Ewing.
