Prototyping is serious business.

Not that I would know. I haven't actually started besides that one I drew with a pink highlighter in class. However, I'm pretty sure it's serious business because I had originally intended to start as soon as class was over, and I have yet to begin. These past few weeks have been very busy. Besides the job search (which is going well ... I'm pretty certain I have a job offer), I've also been crazy because of the magazine I edit. I just proofed it today, and 1,200 copies should be printed by Friday. So, now that the job search and the magazine have wound down, it's time to focus on school. And unfortunately the prototypes do not have nearly as tight of a deadline as other things. Now that I've made excuses, here's the plan for the next few days.

First things first, I'm going to put all of the reports I've received into a spreadsheet. All of them. The other prototypes are going to be worthless without that one aspect. I'm hoping that the spreadsheet itself counts as one prototype.

The next prototype will be a crime map. Once I get a chance to really explore the options, I'm going to pick one service and use it to plot all of my points. Prototype three, done. (Well, not done, but you get the point.)

Next, I'm going to create multiple pages on my original spreadsheet. I'm not doing this originally because this is a step that will only happen if I have time. And let's be honest; it's the middle of November. We're pressed for time.

The next step is to create a database out of the spreadsheets. I realize this should ideally be done before making a map. However, I want to get the map done. That's going to be the most impressive thing that comes from this semester probably.

After the database is done, I'll probably create another map with another mapping service. Prototype number whatever, done.

And finally, I still want to draw out what I want the final product of the website to look like. I just need another big sticky note, and I'm having trouble getting one of those right now. If worse comes to worse, I'll draw it on a sheet of notebook paper with Sharpie pens. Yes, I said Sharpie pens. I bought some for my birthday, and they're amazing. But I rarely get to use them. And, I hope, that will be prototype number seven. Unfortunately I feel like I could have an entire semester and not get all of that done. Unless it were my job ... I could so do it then. It's just that with everything else going on, I feel like I'm pushing these prototypes to the back burner. Perhaps because I am ...