Public Sphere Project Liberating Voices! A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution

People use a vast universe of information and communication systems. Unfortunately these systems are failing in many ways. It's time to assert the people's right to the systems they need, to better face the future as engaged and empowered citizens.

We are now in the 6th year of a 12-year project to help understand, motivate and inform the worldwide movement to establish full access to information and communication — including the design and management of information and communication systems.

We're working together to develop one or more "pattern languages" which can help people think about, design, develop, manage and use information and communication systems that more fully meet human needs now — and in the future.

Our "pattern language" is a holistic collection of "patterns" that can be used together to address an information or communication problem. Each "pattern" in this pattern language, when complete, will represent an important insight that will help contribute to a communication revolution.

Millions of us are working on the same project.     
        We're just not making all the connections!

Sample Patterns (different every time)

\n"; select_pattern (1,15); select_pattern (16,30); select_pattern (31,45); echo "\n"; ?>

\n"; select_pattern (46,60); select_pattern (61,75); select_pattern (76,90); echo "\n"; ?>

\n"; select_pattern (91,105); select_pattern (106,120); select_pattern (121,134); echo "\n"; ?>

Look

• Liberating Voices! Patterns for the 2008 MIT Press book
• Book pattern references
• Pattern Links Still a draft but exciting nevertheless!
• Pattern Pool. Browse all submitted patterns (many incomplete)
• I feel lucky! Look at a random pattern

Participate

• Authorized Editors: Work in the development environment
• Authorized Administrators: Administer the system
• New Authors: Open an account to submit pattern ideas
• Current Authors: Add a new pattern or edit patterns you've already submitted
• Pattern Language Mailing List Join the Liberating Voices!discussion!
• submitted patterns:

Pattern Development Preparation Guide

Using a Network of Patterns

All patterns in the system will ultimately be linked to each other into a network. All patterns are intended to be used independently — and with other patterns. The example above illustrates how several patterns might be selected to be used together to solve a particular problem. (Click on pattern name to view pattern.)

Pattern Language Documents

• Contributors
• Statement of Purpose
• Preamble / Introduction to Project
• Principles
• About Patterns
• Pattern Advice
• Project Milestones

Related Articles

• Pattern Language Presentation Gothenburg, Sweden and San Francisco
• A Pattern Language for Living Communication Malmo, Sweden
• Uncovering and Understanding Our Common Language Contains six patterns in progress.

Miscellany

• Display Pattern Ideas See other pattern candidates
• Graphic Version of Pattern Development Progress Inscrutable!
• Look at Pattern Images

Links

• Other Pattern Languages. A small sampling of related work
• Public Sphere Project, a CPSR project
• Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility

This is a work in progress. There are many ways in which you can help — on our book project or other aspects of the Public Sphere Project!

 

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
 

Updated: August 20, 2007

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