Colton J. Provias

Tonight, I quickly tossed together four themes for zymio (okay, one of them was already in place before hand).  They are called zymio-blue (default), zymio-red, zymio-black, and zymio-dark (may not be included at release unless dramatically altered).  Here are the screenshots:

zymio-blue

zymio-red

zymio-black

zymio-dark

Due to conflicts in my schedule, zymio is delayed to the 8th of August. I just don’t want to release an unfinished service.

For those who are curious, I am trying to find the best way to simplify college networking while keeping it verbose.

Also, if you guys want, put your college and high school in a comment to this post. I’ll try to add them in before the site opens so there is less chaos.

Finally, social.proviasdigital.com will be taken down before zymio launches. For those that haven’t seen it, it’s an early version of zymio.

zymio’s profile module is under heavy development right now.  However, I just couldn’t resist giving you guys a sneak peak at the site.

Due to some technical issues, I have to redevelop large portions of zymio.  Thus, zymio’s progress has just dropped from 61% to 43% completion.  However, it’s not that big of an issue.  I’m just trying to work out some kinks with the code.  You should start seeing things progressing back to implemented soon after I check every module to make sure there are no major issues.  I am still on schedule for August 1st at this point.

To answer another question about zymio, the site is not done by the MyMIT.info team.  It’s simply a solo project.

I’ll be posting zymio’s progress on my Twitter starting tomorrow.

In a side note on real life, I have gotten my housing assignment for Penn State.  I’ll post pictures when I get up there on August 18th.  And it looks like I have a concert on Sunday/tomorrow and I still don’t know what time it is at.

Over a couple of hours, I have completely rebuilt the suggestions application and it is now the first application set for final deployment.  Now to continue on the photos application and try to get that completed.

On a side note, I quickly wrote another piece of music last night.  It is based off of Apex (uses the same files and I would often play it in the middle of Apex).  You can listen to it here.

zymio is still being worked on and I’m rushing to complete it for this coming week. Right now, I’m trying to create the image upload module for the site. Tonight at about 11 PM EDT, I’ll be doing a quick broadcast test. This is due to the fact that I’ll be broadcasting the launch on ustream.tv. You can watch the broadcast test by clicking the Live Broadcast link on the top right of this blog.

And if you haven’t tried it yet, click the “view verbose status” link on zymio.com to see the progress of the entire site, module-by-module.

Well, due to a lack of time to develop zymio, I’ve had to delay the release at least a week.  However, this should give me more time to create a better service.  Also, don’t panic if the progress bar on zymio.com suddenly drops instead of progresses, I’m just going back and fixing something from earlier on.

Also, the chat will be handled through a ustream broadcast.  I may even be holding a small party at my home for the launch.

Right now, the launch is set at the 22nd.  However, this will most likely change based upon the rate of development over the next several days.

I have a small challenge for anyone who is willing to take it on.  Frankly, I’m a horrible lyricist and Apex, in my opinion, deserves to have some proper lyrics.  If any of you want to try writing lyrics for the piece, here are the files and information needed.  If you do take the challenge, you can email your finished lyrics (coltonprovias at proviasdigital dot com) to me and if I like them, I’ll get them recorded and put in the song.

MP3: http://coltonprovias.com/apex-musical-new-2.mp3

Vocal Part:  Page 1 Page 2 Page 3

Notes:

• The piece is meant for live performance, or more specifically the closing number of a performance.
• A duet can be performed with the piece.  Just trade off at the start of each verse to make it seem like a conversation.
• Over the first 16 bars, there would be dialog spoken by the vocalist to introduce the piece as the last piece of the night.  It can be repeated if necessary.
• Verses (17-32, 51-66, 91-106, 163-178): The sixteenth notes can be eighth notes instead if needed, starting of the fourth beat of the respective measures instead of the and of the fourth beat.
• 49’s vamp: The vocalist ends the vamp by starting into the next verse.
• Choruses: If needed, the 8th beat from each 2 measure phrase can be split into two half notes, much like the tenor sax part in the piece.
• 179-182: The vocal part can be rewritten to better build the energy.  I just simply provided a base note.
• 123’s Vamp: As it is the last piece of the show, a section is placed here to give a spot to introduce the members of the band.  A cue would be given by the vocalist to let the band know that the piece is ready to continue, at which point the band would continue playing without repeating.
• 199-214: A separate part comes in on the alto sax to help bring the piece to a close.  If desired, another vocalist can be added for a duet.  Or, the chorus can be repeated while the alto sax takes lead in closing the piece.
• 215-End: Light vocal harmony to the piano (Oohs and etc.) can be added if desired.  The notes to pay attention to are C and D.  A kick drum can also be added on the final beat of the piece to help accent the piano.

The most unique challenge about the trip I am presently on has to be developing while on the road.  It involves sitting in a vehicle for up to eight hours, no internet, trying to program zymio.  Meanwhile, the interruptions are abundant, such as stopping at New River Gorge, Stone Mountain, and other random places (see my Twitter profile for my updates).  There were also hundreds of text messages being sent to me (I’m a compulsive replier).  And now I have arrived in the intended destination of Orlando and lack the long periods of time that would otherwise be spent on software development.

I am still trying to get zymio done on time.  If I have to, I will cut the calendar application from the launch.  The permissions application took me all day to rewrite so then it wouldn’t take down the database server.

I find it kind of strange that I come to Walt Disney World for a vacation and yet spend my time working instead.  Ah well, I just want to get this site launched on time.

I have yet another untitled piece of music that I have completed recently.  It uses the same instruments as Apex.  The piece is 2 minutes long and took me only 40 minutes to write.  Just remember, it’s only a draft.

Another Piece