UCISA WLF / UKOLN Workshop: Further information about the technologies


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Background

The WiFi network is available for use during the workshop. In addition delegates have been invited to bring along their own networked devices (laptops, PDAs, etc.)

AUP

In order to ensure the network and tools are used in a productive and effective manner an AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) has been written. Please read this document. Please note that this is intended as a pragmatic document and not a legal document!

Useful Tools

The following software applications will be mentioned at the workshop and possibly used during the workshop. You may find it useful to install the software prior to the workshop in order to gain experience or the software and possibly make use of the software at the workshop.

GAIM
The GAIM instant messenger software can be used to send and receive instant messages from various IM services including MS, Jabber, etc. Note that you should also get a IM ID, such as a Jabber ID.
Adium X
The Adium X is an instant messenger application for the Apple Macintosh platform which can be used to send and receive instant messages from various IM services including MSN and Jabber. Note that you should also get a Jabber IM ID, such as a Jabber ID.
JabberPalm or Chatopus
Palm users may wish to try the JabberPalm or Chatopus instant messenger applications. However JabberPalm is old and Chatopus is commercial (but 30 day trial available) and doesn't seem to do chat, only IM (thanks to Jon Warbrick for this information). Note that you should also get a Jabber IM ID, such as a Jabber ID.
Skype
The Skype software can be used for Internet telephony.
Firefox
Version 1.0 of this Web browser.
Wikalong
A Firefox extension which provides access to a Wiki which can be used for annotating pages.

If you would like to experiment with the Wiki, see the Wiki test pages.

Use Of The Tools - Instant Messaging

We will set up a number of rooms which can be used during (and prior to the workshop).

Name Details
ucisa-ukoln-wlf-social To be used for testing, social chit-chat, etc.
ucisa-ukoln-wlf-tech To be used for technical discussions (is the network working, how to I configure my IM client, ...)
ucisa-ukoln-wlf-content To be used for discussions about the content of the talks.

We will set up rooms for MSN users and Jabber users.

An illustration of a virtual room is shown below.

Room in GAIM

Please note that it may be difficult to follow discussions if many people are posting.

Use Of The Tools - IM ID Issues

You should obtain an IM id prior to the workshop. We recommend obtaining a Jabber id (e.g. foo@jabber.org. The simplest way of obtaining an ID is to install GAIM (see below) and use this to register an ID.

We recognise that many delegates may have an MSN id. WE will therefore provide a room for MSN users. Note, however, that MSN and Jabber users cannot (easily) communicate with each other :-(

An alternative approach is to use a Web-based browser. The JWCXhat client has been tested and it appear to work successfully for Jabber IDs. This is a simple Web-based client. The MSN2Go client is available for MSN users. Note that this is a Java client.

Use Of The Tools - IM Configuration Issues

GAIM Interface If possible install the GAIM IM client prior to the workshop.

Familiarise yourself with GAIM configuration options. In particular set an alias which gives your name and organisation details (e.g. Brian Kelly, UKOLN). This will provide additional information which allows others to map an ID to a name, as illustrated.

GAIM Interface You should also be aware of issues such as privacy, potential danger of IM spam (SPIM), etc. For this reason, we propose that you should join a chat room, rather than the organisers inviting you to join.

When you join a chat room, for the "handle" give your name and organisation, as illustrated.

You should note that there is a major issue of trust here, as users can choose whatever name, organisation, etc. they want! At the workshop this should not be an issue, but this will need to be addressed if such tools are to be used in a wider context.

Use Of The Tools - Skype

We hope to use the Skype Internet telephony tool to allow a small number of selected remote users to listen to some of the talks. As well as providing free and (over broadband) high quality calls between individuals and to provide conference calls with up to 4 people. It would also appear to have the potential to enable users who can't attend an event, meeting, etc. to be able to listen in and contribute.

Use Of The Tools - Wikis

A Wiki is a collaborative Web-based authoring environment. We will be providing access to an externally-hoisted Wiki in order for participants to (a) comment on the presentations and (b) use to record discussions at the breakout sessions.

The easiest way of using the Wiki is to install the Firefox browser and the Wikalong extension.

If you can't do this, you can still use other browsers, although the interface is not as nice.

Further details (and a test area) for use of this Wiki is available.

Use Of The Tools - Firefox

The Firefox browser provides a powerful, richly functional browser together with the extensibility for installing a range of extensions such as RSS readers, Wiki tools, RSS editors, IRC clients, etc.

Note that it it is not possible to install Firefox on your PC/laptop you may find Portable Firefox useful. This allows you to run Firefox by bugging a memory stick in your PC's USB drive.


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