WebCollab Guest

We have launched an ambitious project called "ShareTone" to build a web-based collaborative problem-solving environment. This project is aimed to facilitate collaboration among researchers and practitioners over the Internet. Users in the problem-solving environment (PSE) can share pertinent information and ideas, demonstrate their new findings, and solve a particular problem collaboratively.

The kernel of this project is built upon an efficient knowledge management mechanism. We integrate the Zope open source utility with the Plone content management system to construct a unique type of knowledge portal that supports fundamental functions of collaboration, i.e., data sharing, software warehousing, application sharing, and workflow control. The content management mechanism also allows users to implement discipline-dependent content types within given ontology. We have implemented a knowledge portal, called "OpenCPS," (http://www.opencps.org), in which knowledge at this demonstration website is regarded as a map relating instances among problem, solution, and implementation spaces.

The Plone/Zope software system supports Python language for further development of plug-in packages. Based on its easy plug-in property, we develop tele-conferencing and concurrent collaboration service packages to enhance the performance of the collaborative problem-solving environment. The tele-conferencing service includes Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and videoconference systems. The concurrent collaboration service is referred to as the ShareTone CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) system, in which we provide reusable system components and some useful applications such as "CollabJEditor" and "Composer". The CollabJEditor is an editor that allows concurrent editing from multiple users; the Composer is an authoring system which handles backend collaborative tasks and helps users develop collaborative applications easily. All these add-on applications are in client-server architecture. The client-side programs are written in Java language and embeded into the whole system by running Python scripts in response to web users' communication and collaboration requests.

The ShareTone Replication Center (STRC, http://www.sharetone.org) is now available for users to replicate our model of collaborative PSE. Users can download the most updated system cores to set up their own knowledge portals equipped with fundamental collaboration functions, i.e., content type management, software warehousing, application sharing, and workflow control. The above-mentioned communication tools and concurrent collaboration applications are optional for users to select and plug-in.

In addition to the general model of the web environment, users can develop extra applications for use in a particular discipline. For example, we have developed the following applications for the OpenCPS knowledge portal that make it a useful practice platform in an algorithm design course of "Geometric Computing and Visualization":

 (1) GeoBuilder: A collaborative visual debugging tool built upon the ShareTone CSCW components. GeoBuilder supports 2D and 3D geometric algorithm visualization. During 3D algorithm visualization, the drawing engine can dynamically decide the camera position for users to effectively track 3D geometric objects.

(2) Concept map generator: A visualization tool to display the sitemap of the knowledge portal and observe the concept map of group knowledge. This map generator supports both the learner- and expert-modes to interact with the knowledge portal. Users not only can learn from but also can contribute to the group knowledge through the concept map.

(3) Algorithm benchmark system: A Python service package integrated with a database and a group of task servers. This system can compare the memory usage, the CPU time, and the experimental results of various algorithms. It can also help users observe the growth of space complexity and time complexity of an algorithm with input size.

Last Update on 2009/3/16