Collaboratory Life: Support for Science over the Internet Thomas A. Finholt & Joseph B. Hardin School of Information
As we may work? electronic resources (e.g., the Web) represent a tremendous opportunity gains for knowledge workers are possible...but not automatic the challenge: How to maximize the likelihood of beneficial change?
A familiar pattern More Time Performance Less hype raw performance of technology “real performance” “reality gap”
Interdisciplinary synergy Behavioral & Organizational Science Computer & Communication Science The User’s Domain
SPARC: Facilitating a revolution in space science A discipline at a crossroads Emerging predictive phase requires collaboration (e.g., space weather forecasting) Globally distributed instruments and scientists
SPARC Environment
Past: remote observatories Kangerlussauq, Greenland
Impact: access to complementary expertise Past: access limited by time and distance –single scientists doing experiments –watch but don’t touch Today: SPARC increases access –diverse expertise is available during SPARC experiments –students are in a computer-mediated community of learners
Impact: New experimental paradigms Past: focus on views from instruments –local data; one person = one instrument Today: SPARC allows simultaneous views from instruments and models –shift in focus to a global perspective –emphasis on phenomena, not instruments
Generic frameworks for collaboration Custom-coded solutions –WIRED Java application running within NCSA’s Habanero environment –Distview (SPARC), Tango - sharing applets –tradeoffs of coding time, download costs, software revision control, etc…; platform independence; network load (needs testing); feature comparisons (e.g., record and playback); possible integration with emerging systems (e.g., Salamander, GLOBUS) Off-the-shelf solution –Microsoft NetMeeting
Benefits to Research Community Allows real time interaction Extends communication with text and images Expands access to limited resources Distributes expertise over distance
NCSA Habanero
DOE-2000 at PNNL - Habanero Real-Time Collaboration Scientist's Notebook Instrument Control & Experiment Analysis
VisAD - 3D Java Hablet
Microsoft NetMeeting Combination of OS and Internet based application Windows 95/NT, Sun & HP Unix (via DC Share), Mac (via Timbuktu) Variable bandwidth usage, standards-based –Modems/LANs/ISDN/T-x –Compliant with data and video conferencing standards (e.g., T.128 & H.323) Features –Audio, Video, File Transfer, Text Chat, Whiteboard –ARBITRARY application sharing Free
WIRED Shared via Habanero :1210:1310:14 Time Kilobits per Second Total vat (audio) vic (video) Habanero
WIRED Shared via NetMeeting :4410:4510:4610:47 Time Kilobits per Second Total vat (audio) vic (video) NetMeeting
Challenges of Next Generation Collaboratories in HEP Seamless integration of same-time and different-time collaboration Across different platforms Drive advanced networking capabilities Dramatically more scalable Security and access control
Opportunities Presented by HEP Collaboratories Matches model of large international collaborations of the future Promotes team development and integration Provides some capabilities now, during facilities construction phase Incentivizes cross-platform design, development solutions Drives increased network capabilities - positive feedback relationship