Preserved Topic: Wes' Always Thinking II (Page 1 of 2)

continue from here.

Everything sounds good guys, keep the ideas coming.

I like VP's Ideah. Yah! Lets do THAT

. . .

Yeah, thats a great idea. I also like the webcam idea, where each person uploads pictures of whats in the box, or whats new since the last time someone had the box. And pictures of the box in strage and new places around the world. maybe we should have some sort of upload section for people to upload picture on the net, and keep them all together?

hate to be a cynic but check the ring around the Asylum and see if you can make it, around that is

Jason

Oh well, I didn't try, but I guess it doesn't work. Okay, many brilliant ideas and suggestions but weak execution, is this what you point to? But I still like The BOX idea a lot and I think we should give it a try. Maybe, we should not plan too long term. But as Emp stated, we need to organize it. Up to now, we have a lot of different ideas posted. We could collect some more and then someone (any volunteers? I would raise my hand...) has to sum them up and make a huge list and either Wes determines the further proceedure or we will be democratic and make a vote. I don't want to sound authoritarian, just thinking about JKMabry's words.

I could definitely be counted on to keep the route unbroken. Great idea yes =)

Jason

I'm in!
I can't believe I just checked this thread. This would be so much fun.



:[ Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila. ]:

me too!

what a great idea!!

I don't travel much, but count me in.

mobrul

lol
I had an idea for "the box" how about a computer case. There's many models out there than might work. I have dreams of a cleaned out G3 or G4 case with those handy handles but it might be too bulky to mail.



:[ Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila. ]:

As MissTerry says we have a lot of (possibly contradictory) ideas but I'm sure Wes (as FATHER of THE BOX) or the Doc (as GODFATHER of THE BOX) will be able to sift through for the gold (and probably trim things down to something that is more practical - some of the ideas have been great but I suspect we'd be better off keeping things as simple for the first run and see how that goes before doing anything 'creative').

Some thoughts:

Webspace: any ideas? It shouldn't require too much space just room for explanations, pictures, etc. Perhaps it might be time to dip in our pockets and donate a few pennies (via PenPal) - it should cost too much.

The name: You'll be suprised to hear that www.CrazyLikeABOX.com (.org, .net, .co.uk, .info, etc.) is free (well I thought it worth checking)!! All the thebox and the-box variants are taken apart from the-box.biz , which could have potential (motto: 'our business is THE BOX, THE BOX is our business'). theboxtm, the-boxtm and the-box-tm are all free.

"If found please return to ...": We need some kind of notice very firmly attached to the box saying what it is, where it should be return to if lost (Wes, the Doc), etc. All sorts of things could happen to it as it is carried and shipped around the world and we'd hate for the thing to go missing and not have anyway of getting home. It might also go some way to stopping suspicious border gaurds snapping on the rubber gloves as a poor inmate gets stopped trying to cross a frontier with a strange box and an explanantion that doesn't really sound very sensible ('well we are all in a virtual asylum run by a doctor with nurse and mad scientists running around but not many of us have met so we thought we'd pass a box around the world, by hand where possible, and.... blimey you could have warmed your hands up').

"I'll be wearing a pink carnation and carrying a copy of the Financial Times": Should we have some stupid way of idenitfying the HOLDER of THE BOX which no-one (except a few like the FATHER of THE BOX) knows what it is? Now there I go complicating matters...

Just some assorted thoughts to chew on...

Emps

Count me in to support The Fellowship of the BOX, and do my part to keep in in transit.

And whatever else I can do to help...

emps: how about - "i'll be the one holding a BOX?"?


also, as far as ".coms" go, this may seem a little cheap, but i don't see why we can't use a subdomain, if doc is feeling generous.

TheBOX.ozoneasylum.com sounds cool to me, and it keeps its links with its place of origin. (doc, feel free to shut this idea down if you don't like it)



- - r e i t s m a - -
(tifkab)

YEAH! Man this ROX!!!
(wonder what this topic is about...hmm I guess I'll have to play along)
Yes I agree!

reitsma: Good point (although I have heard people suggest other things for the BOX!!) - I quite liked the idea of people opening the box to find they had to wear a leopard skin thong to hand the box over (or something like that - a Groucho Marx mask!!). Of course, it would have to be washed/fumigated after certain Inmates had warn it but...

A subdomain is good too - these projects usually get floated off but it might be nice to keep this close to home.

Emps

yeah... keeping this one close to the asylum could be nice, i mean, we want to imply that it is for asylumnites only...
that way we can limit The BOX? recipients to asylumnites psychopaths.
don't want no normal psychopath stalkers here, thanks!


- - r e i t s m a - -
(tifkab)

I like the idea of wearing something strange when handing over The BOX. How about these masks that only cover the face around the eyes - don't know how they are called. Like Zorro has one. We could go and embroider 'The Keeper of The BOX' on it.

And we should carefully read the custom guidelines.

<edit>stupid fingers</edit>

[This message has been edited by MissTerry (edited 03-06-2002).]

How about an ASYLUM party hat, a cookie costume, a dead fish duct taped to your face, a shirt from http://www.ozones.com/store/ , a pic of you with a black pill in your mouth (eew, especially if it was the same pill!) How bout a straight jacket?

it's be kinda funny to watch 2 schitzos in straightjackets try to hand off a heavy box


Harmonizing new illusions...
ICQ: 67751342

Cool idea .. Project Box Up the World .. I'm in!

and as to distinquish the difference between a asylumite and a regular .. we should throw in our favorite pill .. THE BLACK PILL .. work that in the black pill is handed over from each asylumite to the next .. something rather much like that "Fight Club" thing .. where they all had a bar or soap or from that other movie "The Shadow" where he gave all his helpers a ring .. but for us it is a black pill

Woohoo! Gettin' crazy, gettin' crazy. I love it.

I've read through everything and made a few notes. As Father of THE BOX (hee hee), I present my thoughts in no particular order:

- I like capitalizing THE BOX. It gives it punch. I prefer all caps for THE and BOX, as the two words should be invariably yoked.

- Adding photos to THE BOX, as someone pointed out, will get weighty. Let's publish the pictures online and keep them out of THE BOX. That way, we never have to bother with mailing anything back to home base when it gets too full. Plus, everyone can see the photos without having to wait for THE BOX. (Don't worry, there will still be surprise to THE BOX.)

- There will be a log book inside THE BOX. I'll find something nice. Whoever is the Holder of THE BOX will sign it, date it and leave his mark. Each Holder will get one page and one page only to leave a message, drawing, sticker, whatever. It's up to the Holder as long as it doesn't take up more than one page. (We're not talking full 8.5x11. Probably half that.)

- The log entries will not be published online. This is to give the Holders something to look forward to seeing and to retain some mystery to THE BOX.

- However, there will be a separate message board online where Holders can, and must, share their experiences with THE BOX.

- Further mystery: Each Holder, upon opening THE BOX, will discover a prize - a little gifty. The Holder will take the gifty and leave a new gifty for the next Holder. These gifties should not accumulate. As the gifties are discovered, they'll be published online so we can share in the fun.

- I do like the idea of having a mask or something distinctive in THE BOX that the Holder must wear when passing on THE BOX. However, I'm afraid that it somewhere, somehow will get us into trouble. Besides, whatever it is will take up room in THE BOX that can't be used for the gifties. The circumstances of the rendezvous should be left up to the meeting parties. Those circumstances can be part of the stories published online.

- Once THE BOX has been passed on, the new Holder must not open THE BOX in the presence of the previous Holder. Take it home and open it in private to discover your gifty, to take time reading the log and to create your own log entry.

- I originally thought that giving a time limit on how long you can hold THE BOX would help speed things along, but let's not enforce that to begin with. I'm sure that if THE BOX stalls with anyone, the Holder will be berated with plenty of "What's the holdup?" e-mails. At least for now, we'll keep it moving through peer pressure.

- I'll include an "If lost, contact..." envelope inside THE BOX for emergencies.

- Please, let's not plan THE BOX's route, nor allow a randomizer to determine its next destination. Holders should coordinate with potential Holders to determine where they can most easily pass it on next. Besides, I think it will be far more fun to see where it ends up from month to month, rather than letting a program tell us where it has to go.

- The official Web site of THE BOX should have a place for travelers to enter their planned trips. For example, if I'm planning to drive to Kentucky, I'll enter into an online form my destination, the dates I'm traveling and the duration I'll be there. Someone could write a script that would allow visitors to read a list of planned trips by order of destination (alphabetically) or by date of travel. That would make it easy for all of us to keep up on who's going where so we can maybe get THE BOX to someone who will be traveling a great distance.

- We will need a board on the site where we can all coordinate hand-offs. Doing this publicly will allow others to jump in and say, "Hey, I'm on your way. You can pass it on to me, then I can get it to so-and-so."

Also, we do need to come up with a domain. I just tried boxproject.com and it's taken. Throw out some ideas. Something easy for the newspapers to get right.

BTW, Doc, can you change my "Mad Scientist" to "Father of THE BOX"?

since this BOX will be sent around the world .. how's this for a domain

projectboxuptheworld.com .. it only makes sense .. each asylumite is going to put something into the box .. and it is going to be sent around the world .. that would be sweet

or just:
boxuptheworld.com

both are free to be used

or

travelingbox.com

I'm tossing shit out now



[This message has been edited by RammStein (edited 03-07-2002).]

It came to me in the shower. I have just registered passthebox.com.

My taquitos are ready...gotta go.

Very detailed list, Wes. I like it a lot. Seems as if we have our first 'Rules of THE BOX'. Weeeee... I'm soooo curious on how this project will develop. passthebox.com - that's what we do! Sometimes it's worth to take a shower...

Oh wow! Just WOW!

I only just discovered this thread! What an amazing idea.

Mark up another aussie on that list. It's a pitty no one ever comes to Brisbane However I do fly down to sydney every arrr... once in a blue moon. Oh and my uncle's constantly traveling all over the world as he's the QUANTAS head Chef. Which means I might be able to help when it comes to getting the box in and out or Australia.

But I think it would be nice if THE BOX had a name, after all it's about to be a star! Maybe something like Betsy, or Wilber, or Bob....

Heh, B.O.B = Box Of Blah

And to think, THE BOX is likely to see far more of the world first hand they any single asylumate.

And this BOX will be the envy of all boxes all over the world. No box will be as cool or hip as this box. Yeah, I think it needs a life like name.

I'd also like to spend some time with the box when I got it... You know, take it out drinking with ma buddies.. take it to Uni for a day so it can sit in on some lectures. Take it to a dinner and the movies then out clubbing, more drinking. I'd want lots of photos of 'when THE BOX came to visit'. You get the idea.

.

Another idea I'd like to throw in.. Thinking back to the suggestions about there being two boxes, the box never finishing it's journey and that the box would take a long time to travel around...

We could have many boxes! Say we start about 5 in different corners of the globe and just keep passing them round. It would be like a network of never stopping boxes traveling the globe collecting personality. Although that might detract from the excitement of finally getting THE BOX (Frank) for a week or so. Yeah... that was a rather dumb idea but it's on the table none the less.

I'd also be willing to help out in any way possible. Be it with the box itself (I like the idea of DB knocking up a box for us) or the web site.

I really think that I like the novelty of one BOX.

As a one-of-a-kind item, THE BOX will carry a certain prestige and importance that two boxes or more couldn't possibly hope to equal.

Imagine how great and memorable a story you will have to share of your experiences with getting and passing of THE BOX if you get to touch it only once or twice in your lifetime!

Are those memories going to be nearly as sweet and exciting if you are running around passing off another random box every other week?

I would even suggest that we consider ammending the name of THE BOX to THE ONE BOX to reflect the fact that all others are merely inferior imitations.

I would agree that it's going to be difficult for people to wait to receive THE BOX when there is only one, but all that anticipation and frustration is just all a part of the excitement of THE BOX.

And yes, I do believe, "There is only one" would be a great phrase for the website and should certainly appear in sticker form of some sort on said box.

Wes: You truly are THE FATHER of THE BOX (I'm not sure what is done in caps and what isn't!!). That all looks good to me (as does the domain!!).

Dracusis: That is a good contact to have (I'm sure we can dig out more). I quite like the idea of nominating someone to pass on the box (rather than posting it which seems very impresonal - although we will have to do it I'm sure), although they would also have to be shown the contents just to satifsy them that nothing dodgy is being smuggled!! I know quite a few people who have to fly off to the Near East and places like South Africa once or twice a year so I could probably get them to take a box if need be.

It already has a name: THE BOX!!

As I said previously I think it is probably best to start with one box although if that works we could unleash a couple of others with different rules (random or no posting say).

Emps

Fine, call it THE BOX. When I get it i'll be calling it franky.

This is cool. I'm in =)

(The locator map is halfway wrong about me, I go to college near Albany, NY, so I travel between Boston and there periodically.)

OK, so I've been searching for a box to become THE BOX, while also thinking about how I might build a box. Nothing was really standing out and all the materials and designs I was considering never really satisfied me.

See, considering the traveling that I hope this thing will go through, it has to be very durable. It has to withstand bumps, drops, moisture, hot, cold, dust, dirt, sand -- all kinds of accidents and atmospheres. I realized that, although they are durable around the house, no Rubbermaid or similar product was going to make me feel safe. Even the ones that had snap closures would come open too easily. And any material I came across out of which to build a box -- wood, plastic, plexiglass, etc. -- was either going to be too heavy or too weak.

Then it came to me. Pelican cases. These beauties can withstand anything. I purchased a large one to protect my precious video equipment and it has stood up to all kinds of abuse. The latches will stay closed when you close them. They employ an O-ring to keep out moisture and dirt. They have a pressure-equalization valve that can be released if the case changes altitudes enough to make opening difficult. You can jump up and down on the damn things, even run over them with a car, and you won't make a dent. Plus, they have a handle, which I wanted on THE BOX to begin with. Would make transport much less awkward.

Frankly, having thought of Pelican cases, I can't imagine trusting anything else. Of course, the exterior will have to be customized to make it unique. But, that shouldn't be a problem.

The only setback is the price. I'm looking at the 1300 -- looks to be a convenient size while still providing enough room for a gifty, yet still small enough to ship fairly easily. Retail, they go for about $60. Ebay has one for purchase at $37.

Having just moved, I'm not sure if I can afford to get one right away, though. In the meantime, perhaps, we can discuss decorative ideas.



[This message has been edited by Wes (edited 03-09-2002).]

I though the case was going to be decorated with stickers from it's travles.

Well, let's discuss that.

While I like the image of a sticker-covered box like a cartoon steamer trunk, I think I like the idea of a strangely decorated box better. Something unique, odd, mysterious. Besides, have you ever looked for a sticker representing your state or country? I'm sure I could find one somewhere, but it would probably take some doing to find a good one that wasn't for a theme park. I don't think everyone's going to be willing to run around looking for one to stick on THE BOX.

Making your mark in the log book is sufficient, IMO, and you can do anything you want. THE BOX itself should be disctinctive -- something that, when you receive it, is instantly recognized from the photos you've seen.

A couple of the ideas that have passed through my head: Painted black and covered with evenly spaced, silver, rivet-like protrusions. Silkscreened with a stylized "THE BOX" and URL. Painted with a representation of the continents in distinctive colors (like the Asylum Locator).

Any other thoughts?

minimalistic, dank.
dark grey/chrome (ie gunmetal grey) and black.
matching with website colour and style.
THE BOX.
URL.
if found, please return to.
i think that is all that's needed on THE BOX.
world map would be cute, but i think it's unnecessary.

nice choice wes.



- - r e i t s m a - -
(tifkab)

Yeah, I'm in! gotr back just in time to take part! Whew!
I like the One Box best. More special that way. And original hand-drawn
art would be cool.

Love passthebox.com Wes!

Thing is how do we know who to send it to next? Maybe there should be a list of us in the box with the journal? We check off our name and send it on? We could all be in the loony box.

I tried to read everything before this page but maybe I missed that. anyway, I'll be glad to pass it to
whomever is clostest to me...hey, maybe us left-coast types could meet somewhere!

Whatever, count me in

Allewyn

[This message has been edited by Allewyn (edited 03-11-2002).]

Well, ideally, the Web site will incorporate something like the Asylum Locator.

Which, actually, brings up another concern of mine. If this thing extends, as it probably will, beyond the Asylum regulars, how do we make sure THE BOX doesn't get lost or stolen? How do we make sure that some unknown schmuck doesn't decide to stick it in his closet just to be "the guy who stole THE BOX"?

There's got to be some way to keep track of who's going to get it so we can always be sure whose hands it's in.

We could plan out the route in advance and have those who are going to be "keepers of the Box"(Gaurdians of THE BOX?, BOX-bearers?) could give the Box-lord physical adresses, email, and a phone #. That would make it easy enough to spam someone who stole the BOX.

Or, we could require a sample of their scent (some piece of clothing) before the thief recieves the Box. We could then release the Hounds of the Asylum(they are usually used to keep the inmates in) track the thief down and tear him asunder.

Seriously, alot of the passing will have to be done on the honor system. if the box is stolen then the mission was a failure and I guess we could flame the thief on the boards but thats about it.

----
tiki

http://www.globalspyshop.com/Chapter11a.html

Yah, I was thinking similar thoughts DB, but then I thought that maybe spending $800 to track a $37 BOX might be overkill, heh heh. (Although, I have worked with a couple of projects that allowed such devices to be tracked online, using a Java applet. Maybe we could get a tracking device for THE BOX's first birthday?) I like gun-metal grey, and I like some dark, dungeon-y flourishes, I used to have a mental picture of the box for the Asylum server, it should be made of iron and welded closed, rough but cool.

I'd be willing to bet that if someone shoots for the title of "the THIEF of the BOX", we'll be able to track them down, the person who had it before it went missing should have some idea of who got it, no? If it gets ripped along the way, we have to simply hope for the best, it might then be time for "THE BOX v2.0". We can worry about that when the time comes.

Your pal, -doc-

- Grey/black colors, shiny letters and mat box or vice versa.
- Big letters: THE BOX and URL.
- Small letter: Return address.

I agree, that we should care about troubles if they happen. If we really manage to mostly hand out the box from person to person, then the risk of getting lost or stolen seems to me not that big. As Doc said: the person
who had it before it went missing should have some idea of who got it.

And for the GPS: nice stuff, but a little too expensive I think. And it minimizes the thrill. THE mysterious BOX should only live through the momentary Keeper. He has to report into the weblog and take photos and so on. And while I write this: I think that's a lot of controll...