Günther Drevin

A framework to determine the suitability of software development methodologies for the development of location-based games

To determine the suitability of an SDM (software development methodology) for the development of location-based games, it has to be determined to what degree SDMs address aspects that need to be addressed in the process of developing location-based games. These aspects have been identified from information gathered from the literature and were then validated using a survey. Their importance in the development process was also measured using the survey.

Aspects that Need to Be Addressed During the Development of Location-Based Games

To determine the suitability of a software development methodology (SDM) to aid in the development of location-based games, it is necessary to determine to what degree SDMs address certain aspects that need to be addressed in the process of developing location-based games.

The Development of a Systems Development Methodology for Location-Based Games

Currently, there is a lack of systems development methodologies (SDMs) suitable for the development of location-based games. This research introduced a newly developed SDM to aid in the development process of location-based games, called the developmental methodology for location-based games (DMLBG). The DMLBG was based on SDMs most often used for developing mobile applications, as well as mobile and traditional games. Four case studies were used to test the DMLBG. During the case studies, independent games development teams used the DMLBG extensively to test the feasibility of the SDM. The results showed that the SDM did aid all four of the teams to successfully develop a location-based game. The teams documented the development process and gave critical feedback on their experiences. This feedback was used to revise and improve the SDM. The DMLBG addressed the lack of an SDM that is suitable for the development of location-based games.

Extracting the Ground Level Enhancement Event of February 1956 from Legacy Cosmic Ray Recordings

Early continuous recordings of cosmic rays, as measured with Carnegie Type C Ionization Chambers, were made on rolls of photographic paper. This paper describes the extraction of the ionization data of a ground level enhancement (GLE) event from the ionization chamber recordings of three stations, viz.: Godhavn, Cheltenham, and Christchurch. The extracted ionization data was then converted to percentage increase above background cosmic ray levels and compared to existing neutron monitor data. The recordings share common attributes, such as a sharp rise to a peak which tapers off more slowly. This trend, seen in all three data sets, is consistent with the neutron monitor data.

Security awareness and the use of location-based services, technologies and games

Rapid expansion and development in the modern mobile technology market has created an opportunity for the use of location-based technologies and games. Because of this fast expanding market and new technology, it is important to be aware of the implications this expansive technology could have on computer security. This paper will endeavour to measure the impact of location-based technologies and games on the security awareness of first- to fourth-year computer science university students. A questionnaire, posted on the web, and completed by computer science students from different year groups, was used to collect the data for this study. The major results of this study are the following: there is a difference in the security awareness of students who use and play location-based services, technologies and games and those who do not. This study also determined that the computer science students are cautious of security implications although they do not take preventative measures.

The Creation of Synthetic Digital Ground-Truth Images of Historic Cosmic Ray Data Recordings

The aim of this paper is to develop a set of algorithms for the automated construction of synthetic digital ground truth images from historic cosmic ray recordings. These images can subsequently be used to test data extraction algorithms. This takes place in a larger research context of an effort to retrieve and digitize the data contained within more than 20 years (1934–1956) of historic cosmic ray data from around the world. The creation of synthetic ground truth images can logically be broken down into component tasks, which can be approached individually. These tasks include: binarization, segmentation, as well as generation of optical artefacts and distortions. The approach and details of the algorithm are described.

Reflections on the Ethical Content of the IT Honours Program Project Module

Honours programs in South African universities must include a research project module. There are external pressures from professional bodies and government that influences the nature of the project module. This paper presents a reflection on the process of managing the project module at a South African university taking into account internal and external demands. The focus for this paper is on the ethical content of the projects. Examples of projects are presented after which the ethical awareness of the students is discussed. Not all projects have ethical, legal or social issues, however ethical aspects need to be reflected upon and awareness of these issues is essential during the planning of the project. The awareness that students have on ethical, social and legal issues is investigated in this paper.

Evaluating methods to binarize historic cosmic-ray recordings

Three adaptive image binarization approaches are evaluated to find the method best suited for the binarization of historic cosmic-ray data. The methods are optimized by fine tuning their parameters and they are then compared to each other. Binarization of historic cosmic-ray data is essential to enhance foreground elements prior to their segmentation, extraction and digitization.