What should MUSE3 be?

Mobile MUSE has been operating for almost four years and we’d love ideas from our communities about future directions. 

During phase 1 (ending March 2005) we built our collaborative applied research Network, implemented the first version of our unique innovation model, and undertook a set of projects that established technology frameworks, rapid public prototyping techniques and research methodologies for mobile cultural media. It was a great foundation of know-how on a variety of levels.

During MUSE2 (ending March 2007) we set a more strategic approach, driven primarily by our experience of how hard (spelled “i-m-p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e”) it is for typical cultural and community groups to create a mobile presence for themselves within the constraints of available skillsets and technologies.  Our “Urban Mesh” vision was designed to start crossing this chasm with shared platform capabilities, proven sustainability models, and concerted capacity development. It’s gone very well.  We now have a Mobile Services Platform that rides above the network and makes it easy to deliver bi-direction SMS, MMS and VoiceXML functionality, amongst other features.  Our projects have sturdy ‘legs’ in their own cultural sectors, along with exciting crossover potential into other domains of cultural expression and social interaction.  We’ve also made great strides in capturing what works, sharing knowledge, and preparing the way for broad participation in mobile culture. 

And yet there’s still so far to go!  MUSE’s mission is clear: when BC hosts the 2010 Olympics we want mobile media to propel an unprecedented community-engaged and world-welcoming experience.   We propose that MUSE3 will be about further collaborative, applied research to build the publishing, broadcasting and participation engine required, and deeper cultural engagement to mobilize the myriad organizations and groups that will be essential to a resonant experience for all. 

That’s a broad and tall order.  Over the next three months we will focus and refine our plans into a cohesive, well-partnered strategy.  If you have some ideas about how to do it right, some resources you’d like to put on the table, or some collaboration you’d like to propose, now is the time.   Your ideas as comments below or privately to me at david@mobilemuse.ca are most welcome. 

Thank you!