THESIS PROCESS WEBSITE
Students are expected to share their progress with the instructor and class using their process website. Some options for setting up your site:
- Create a dedicated wordpress via http://wp.nyu.edu
- Get wordpress installed via sites.bxmc.poly.edu (see below) in a directory labeled thesis
- If you already have a sites.bxmc.poly.edu account, have elton install another instance of wordpress in a directory labeled thesis (see below)
- Alternatively create a thesis directory if you already have server space of your own via an ISP (Internet Service Provider), and install wordpress in that directory.
- If you prefer to make a tab in an existing site, that is ok, but please ensure that the content can be viewed publicly. I prefer that you do not use tumblr.
Wordpress Registration
New Server Accounts and Wordpress sites for students at faculty can be applied for at: http://bxmc.poly.edu/techsupport/?page_id=67
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IDM’s FTP server info: http://sites.bxmc.poly.edu(Use active mode to connect)
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Create a thesis folder
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Install wordpress in this folder
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Make an appointment with Elton to connect a database to this particular wordpress installation
What your thesis process website should contain
- Weekly Thesis Progress/Process
At least, 1 post per week DUE at noon the day of class. If it is not posted by noon, you will not receive credit. The majority of the posts should be images and updates on your project process, as well as your writing. You may also include:
- An About Page (about you)
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The “elevator pitch” / Thesis Statement
- Project Advisor meeting notes (2-4x)
- Accountability partner meeting notes
- pdfs of any presentations (annotated)
- notes taken about your project, paper, and presentations by you or your accountability partner
- Milestones / Tasks that have been completed
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Include who or what was involved.
- Pre-thesis:
- A link to your pre-thesis site
- A link to a pdf of your pre-thesis defense presentation
- Documentation (i.e. hi-res images and/or video) of your prototype from pre-thesis
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Sourced & Annotated Research / Reference / Inspiration
- Compile a list of published works that inform your project. Cite all sources: if it is a website, provide a link. If it is a book, provide a bibliography. If it is an image, cite the reference. If it is a quote, who said it or who did you poll or interview?
- Annotated means with notes: 1 to 2 thoughtful, contextual sentences is more than enough. So, “This was inspirational,” would not be a good note as it provides no context for your thesis. However, “This book discusses how nostalgia is a useless emotion because nostalgia is based on the past. This point of view is antithetical to my thesis because I’m trying to demonstrate how the sentimentality of nostalgia is valuable to the human experience.” is a viable note.
What your thesis process website should NOT contain
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How you are feeling about your MS thesis? This is different than evaluating or reflecting about what is working and what is not working. In other words, don’t rant, complain, blame, self-deprecate or make excuses on your thesis website.
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This is a public representation of you as an artist, designer, creative technologist and/or entrepreneur. You want it to be as professional as possible. You want prospective employers, gallery owners, venture capitalists, and/or possible collaborators to take you seriously.
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Any content that is NOT related to your thesis explicitly.
Examples of previous process websites
https://charmainektsum.wordpress.com/](https://charmainektsum.wordpress.com/)