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= Picoformats =
= Picoformats =


== Contributors ==
== Contributors == <!-- alphabetical by surname/ nickname -->
* [http://highearthorbit.com Andrew Turner]
* [[User:AndyMabbett|Andy Mabbett]]
* [[User:AndyMabbett|Andy Mabbett]]
* [http://factoryjoe.com/blog Chris Messina]
* [http://factoryjoe.com/blog Chris Messina]
* Andy Stack, [http://mozes.com Mozes]
* Andy Stack, [http://mozes.com Mozes]
* [http://highearthorbit.com Andrew Turner]


== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==


Picoformats represent an effort being undertaken by [http://factoryjoe.com/blog Chris Messina] to codify various standards and openly pursue a nomenclature and syntax for communicating and executing commands with mobile devices over SMS or via command line interfaces (CLI).
Picoformats represent an effort being undertaken led by Chris Messina to codify various standards and openly pursue a nomenclature and syntax for communicating and executing commands with mobile devices over SMS or via command line interfaces (CLI).


An example application is [http://dodgeball.com Dodgeball's] use of the at symbol (@) to express checking in to a place.
An example application is [http://dodgeball.com Dodgeball's] use of the at symbol (@) to express checking in to a place.
Line 17: Line 17:
== Problem Statement ==
== Problem Statement ==


# send messages to user mobiles - via SMS, or a small application,
* send messages to user mobiles - via SMS, or a small application, that contains information like appointment times, locations,
that contains information like appointment times, locations,
directions, and contact info. For example, when2where.com reminds users when they need to leave to get to their appointment, so the
directions, and contact info. For example, when2where.com reminds
users when they need to leave to get to their appointment, so the
message may be like:
message may be like:


  leave @ 4:35PM ~Dentist Office -> Detroit, MI
  leave @ 4:35PM ~Dentist Office -> Detroit, MI


where the text itself is simple and readable, but there *may* be an
where the text itself is simple and readable, but there *may* be an small utility that would parse the @ symbol to add the event to the calendar, the ~ to allow the person to quickly call that contact, or the -> to pull up a Map/directions to the location
small utility that would parse the @ symbol to add the event to the
calendar, the ~ to allow the person to quickly call that contact, or
the -> to pull up a Map/directions to the location


# allow users to write messages to query an application - this is
* allow users to write messages to query an application - this is similar to what Mozes has started with notes:
similar to what Mozes has started with notes:


  when2where: ?today    --- what appointments to I have today
  when2where: ?today    --- what appointments to I have today
  new @ 4PM ~Olive Garden -> Novi    --- add an appointment
  new @ 4PM ~Olive Garden -> Novi    --- add an appointment


In addition to the obvious mobile device arena, I think picoformats
In addition to the obvious mobile device arena, picoformats may be usable in any context where "markup" is too heavy. For example, an IRC bot, whereisbot, that announces user locations as they sign into a channel, or allows people to do:
are usable in any context where "markup" is too heavy. For example, I
also just put together an IRC bot, whereisbot, that announces user
locations as they sign into a channel, or allows people to do:


  .whereami, or .whereis <nick> to geolocate other people in a channel.
  .whereami, or .whereis <nick> to geolocate other people in a channel.


I want to 'markup' the information, but putting actual XHTML or XML is
The intention is to 'markup' the information, but putting actual XHTML or XML is annoying, since IRC doesn't parse the information at all. So right now the response is:
annoying, since IRC doesn't parse the information at all. So right now
the response is:


  ajturner: .whereami
  ajturner: .whereami
  whereisbot: ajturner is in Northville, MI, US  [42.4365 x -83.4884]
  whereisbot: ajturner is in Northville, MI, US  [42.4365 x -83.4884]


So then someone could write a Picoformat parser for
So then someone could write a Picoformat parser for X-Chat/Colloquy/other that would parse the [ #### x #### ] and provide a Map url link.
X-Chat/Colloquy/other that would parse the [ #### x #### ] and provide
a Map url link.


Using arrows to denote time and place, familiar from video recorders and other devices.
Using arrows to denote time and place, familiar from video recorders and other devices.

Revision as of 10:15, 30 September 2007

Picoformats

Contributors

Introduction

Picoformats represent an effort being undertaken led by Chris Messina to codify various standards and openly pursue a nomenclature and syntax for communicating and executing commands with mobile devices over SMS or via command line interfaces (CLI).

An example application is Dodgeball's use of the at symbol (@) to express checking in to a place.

Using the Microformats process and principles of building block design, our goal is to openly develop a complete syntax for interacting with various mobile services using the characters available on most mobile devices.

Problem Statement

  • send messages to user mobiles - via SMS, or a small application, that contains information like appointment times, locations,

directions, and contact info. For example, when2where.com reminds users when they need to leave to get to their appointment, so the message may be like:

leave @ 4:35PM ~Dentist Office -> Detroit, MI

where the text itself is simple and readable, but there *may* be an small utility that would parse the @ symbol to add the event to the calendar, the ~ to allow the person to quickly call that contact, or the -> to pull up a Map/directions to the location

  • allow users to write messages to query an application - this is similar to what Mozes has started with notes:
when2where: ?today    --- what appointments to I have today
new @ 4PM ~Olive Garden -> Novi     --- add an appointment

In addition to the obvious mobile device arena, picoformats may be usable in any context where "markup" is too heavy. For example, an IRC bot, whereisbot, that announces user locations as they sign into a channel, or allows people to do:

.whereami, or .whereis <nick> to geolocate other people in a channel.

The intention is to 'markup' the information, but putting actual XHTML or XML is annoying, since IRC doesn't parse the information at all. So right now the response is:

ajturner: .whereami
whereisbot: ajturner is in Northville, MI, US  [42.4365 x -83.4884]

So then someone could write a Picoformat parser for X-Chat/Colloquy/other that would parse the [ #### x #### ] and provide a Map url link.

Using arrows to denote time and place, familiar from video recorders and other devices. Some thoughts: <past >future ^now (the hat is also mnemonic for Here + At) or >5 (in five days time) >>5 (in 5 weeks time) >>>5 (5 months)

Meeting <Leeds went well. ^Home. See you >london
Sorry, saw them <<2 wanna go see film >3?

Documented Syntaxes

References