1. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20101 Attribute Harmonisation: Is it Possible? Andrew Cormack Chief Regulatory Adviser, JANET(UK) Andrew.Cormack@ja.net

2. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20102 Tricks of Language Languages have things in common –“Computer” (EN) == “Computer” (IT) Things that look common but aren’t –“Cheque” (EN) != “Check” (US) –“Bill” (EN) != “Bill” (US) –“Pavement” (EN) != “Pavement” (US) Things that are untranslatable –“Saudade”, “Hiraeth”,...

3. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20103 How about Attributes? Federations develop –Common origin –Adapt to local needs e.g. Course catalogues –May absorb local culture too Can we communicate between these? –When I say “tomato” do you Understand? Misunderstand? Look blank?

4. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20104 Attribute Esperanto? International attribute standards –eduPerson –SCHAC –Etc. Should mean we use same words But let’s look at a common attribute –eduPerson[Scoped]Affiliation –Specification has a controlled vocabulary

5. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20105 Good News Most values are used consistently –Member, faculty, student –Alum, affiliate, library-walk-in At least as consistent as the real world –What is a student? Or a member? –When is an alumnus? –Where do I walk in? –...

6. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20106 Bad News Staff –UK: anyone who works here –Everyone else: a worker who is not faculty Employee –UK: a worker who is not faculty –Some others: anyone who works here –Some others: anyone with a contract –Some others: value not used Some federations have local additions

7. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20107 Does it Matter? Maybe less than it appears Many services only need member –E.g. Site licences Some external services need enumerated lists –So broken values don’t matter –Use ePE (IdP enumerated) or ePPN (SP enumerated) Some internal services need internal categories –So broken values don’t help –And don’t matter, because per-fed they are consistent Anyway: individual may be staff & student & employee!

8. Copyright JNT Association 2009-10TNC2010, 1 st June 20108 What to Do? Define the really important stuff –Test the definitions –With your country/language and others Document problems for others’ benefit Don’t expect too much –Remember that you aren’t in Kansas –Things may really be different over there