Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

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Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

Robert Stehwien
I've been primarily a Windows C++ developer for 12 years with a little
Java, Perl, Python, and lately Ruby along the way.  I've never looked
at line of Smalltalk until recently.  But that all changed when I
decided to get a Masters in CS and since a PhD isn't out of the
question write a thesis.

When asked by a co-worker what my thesis topic would be, I said "maybe
something with peer-to-peer, gaming, collaborative environments, 3D,
education, visual programming, interaction design, or languages" (big
list I know but somewhat ordered).  I started digging around and
noticed a pattern... Smalltalk, Squeak, Croquet, and Seaside kept
coming up (although it took a little while to notice the mouse icon
and 3d bunny.

So I've ordered the book "Object Land", downloaded all the free books
and Squeak (ordered the DVD too), and joined the list.  But I'm still
having trouble narrowing down a thesis topic to present to my advisor
(for adjustment I'm sure).

Anyone have any suggestions for a thesis topic?  Maybe there is some
part of Squeak that the community would like
documented/researched/implemented.  P2P gaming/collaboration using
Croquet sound interesting, but I'm pretty open for suggestions.

Thanks,
Robert

PS: As a working C++ developer it will take a while for me to finish
the thesis and my masters.
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Re: Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

Michael van der Gulik-2
Hi Robert.

I recommend asking the main "squeak-dev" mailing list! I'm sure you'll get a very warm reception there. The Croquet mailing list is also a good place to ask. Croquet has many unexplored academic opportunities.

If I was in your shoes, I'd be looking at finding some other area of science / technology / business where Croquet would be profoundly useful. Personally I'd be looking at re-creating a useful, virtual office environment with shared documents and system for managing information, but then I'm boring.

Michael.

On 6/13/07, Robert Stehwien <[hidden email]> wrote:
I've been primarily a Windows C++ developer for 12 years with a little
Java, Perl, Python, and lately Ruby along the way.  I've never looked
at line of Smalltalk until recently.  But that all changed when I
decided to get a Masters in CS and since a PhD isn't out of the
question write a thesis.

When asked by a co-worker what my thesis topic would be, I said "maybe
something with peer-to-peer, gaming, collaborative environments, 3D,
education, visual programming, interaction design, or languages" (big
list I know but somewhat ordered).  I started digging around and
noticed a pattern... Smalltalk, Squeak, Croquet, and Seaside kept
coming up (although it took a little while to notice the mouse icon
and 3d bunny.

So I've ordered the book "Object Land", downloaded all the free books
and Squeak (ordered the DVD too), and joined the list.  But I'm still
having trouble narrowing down a thesis topic to present to my advisor
(for adjustment I'm sure).

Anyone have any suggestions for a thesis topic?  Maybe there is some
part of Squeak that the community would like
documented/researched/implemented.  P2P gaming/collaboration using
Croquet sound interesting, but I'm pretty open for suggestions.

Thanks,
Robert

PS: As a working C++ developer it will take a while for me to finish
the thesis and my masters.
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Beginners mailing list
[hidden email]
http://lists.squeakfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners


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Re: Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

Marcin Tustin
In reply to this post by Robert Stehwien
Consider something about how continuation-based frameworks/smalltalk are more accessible to end users/allow them good scripting/customising times? Of course, it would be difficult to find test subjects for this, and I don't know how many credible office apps there are implemented in squeak. Of course, that may be going over old ground.

Actually, the phrase that springs to mind is "ad hoc collaboration" - do something about managing and supporting groups or individuals who need to develop and document processes that they create and change on the fly. Journal-based user interfaces? Of course, I suspect that you'll want to keep your coding to a minimum, so you can focus on measuring results.

On 6/13/07, Robert Stehwien <[hidden email]> wrote:
I've been primarily a Windows C++ developer for 12 years with a little
Java, Perl, Python, and lately Ruby along the way.  I've never looked
at line of Smalltalk until recently.  But that all changed when I
decided to get a Masters in CS and since a PhD isn't out of the
question write a thesis.

When asked by a co-worker what my thesis topic would be, I said "maybe
something with peer-to-peer, gaming, collaborative environments, 3D,
education, visual programming, interaction design, or languages" (big
list I know but somewhat ordered).  I started digging around and
noticed a pattern... Smalltalk, Squeak, Croquet, and Seaside kept
coming up (although it took a little while to notice the mouse icon
and 3d bunny.

So I've ordered the book "Object Land", downloaded all the free books
and Squeak (ordered the DVD too), and joined the list.  But I'm still
having trouble narrowing down a thesis topic to present to my advisor
(for adjustment I'm sure).

Anyone have any suggestions for a thesis topic?  Maybe there is some
part of Squeak that the community would like
documented/researched/implemented.  P2P gaming/collaboration using
Croquet sound interesting, but I'm pretty open for suggestions.

Thanks,
Robert

PS: As a working C++ developer it will take a while for me to finish
the thesis and my masters.
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Beginners mailing list
[hidden email]
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Re: Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

Robert Stehwien
In reply to this post by Michael van der Gulik-2
Michael,

>  I recommend asking the main "squeak-dev" mailing list! I'm sure you'll get
> a very warm reception there. The Croquet mailing list is also a good place
> to ask. Croquet has many unexplored academic opportunities.
>

I'll try casting my line on those two lists.  I too feel that croquet
has much unexplored potential.

>  If I was in your shoes, I'd be looking at finding some other area of
> science / technology / business where Croquet would be profoundly useful.
> Personally I'd be looking at re-creating a useful, virtual office
> environment with shared documents and system for managing information, but
> then I'm boring.
>

Not completely boring :).  A virtual office could be quite useful.

--Robert
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Re: Fishing for a Masters Thesis Topic

Robert Stehwien
In reply to this post by Marcin Tustin
Marcin,

Thanks for the suggestions.  Once I decide on a topic (and get adviser
approval), I'll probably post it to the list.

--Robert

On 6/13/07, Marcin Tustin <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Consider something about how continuation-based frameworks/smalltalk are
> more accessible to end users/allow them good scripting/customising times? Of
> course, it would be difficult to find test subjects for this, and I don't
> know how many credible office apps there are implemented in squeak. Of
> course, that may be going over old ground.
>
> Actually, the phrase that springs to mind is "ad hoc collaboration" - do
> something about managing and supporting groups or individuals who need to
> develop and document processes that they create and change on the fly.
> Journal-based user interfaces? Of course, I suspect that you'll want to keep
> your coding to a minimum, so you can focus on measuring results.
>
> On 6/13/07, Robert Stehwien <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > I've been primarily a Windows C++ developer for 12 years with a little
> > Java, Perl, Python, and lately Ruby along the way.  I've never looked
> > at line of Smalltalk until recently.  But that all changed when I
> > decided to get a Masters in CS and since a PhD isn't out of the
> > question write a thesis.
> >
> > When asked by a co-worker what my thesis topic would be, I said "maybe
> > something with peer-to-peer, gaming, collaborative environments, 3D,
> > education, visual programming, interaction design, or languages" (big
> > list I know but somewhat ordered).  I started digging around and
> > noticed a pattern... Smalltalk, Squeak, Croquet, and Seaside kept
> > coming up (although it took a little while to notice the mouse icon
> > and 3d bunny.
> >
> > So I've ordered the book "Object Land", downloaded all the free books
> > and Squeak (ordered the DVD too), and joined the list.  But I'm still
> > having trouble narrowing down a thesis topic to present to my advisor
> > (for adjustment I'm sure).
> >
> > Anyone have any suggestions for a thesis topic?  Maybe there is some
> > part of Squeak that the community would like
> > documented/researched/implemented.  P2P
> gaming/collaboration using
> > Croquet sound interesting, but I'm pretty open for suggestions.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Robert
> >
> > PS: As a working C++ developer it will take a while for me to finish
> > the thesis and my masters.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Beginners mailing list
> > [hidden email]
> >
> http://lists.squeakfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Beginners mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.squeakfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners
>
>
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