gridorbit - chi2011
DESCRIPTION
The success of a volunteer computing infrastructure depends on the contributions of its users. An example of such an infrastructure is the Mini-Grid, a local peer-to-peer system used for computational analysis of DNA. The speed of analysis increases as more users join the Mini-Grid. However, the invisible nature of such an infrastructure hinders adoption, as it is difficult for users to participate in an infrastructure they are not aware of. This paper introduces GridOrbit, a system designed to increase user awareness, fostering contributions to this infrastructure. We designed GridOrbit using a participatory design process with biologists, and subsequently deployed it for use in a biology laboratory. Our results indicate that the number of contributors to the Mini- Grid increased with the use of awareness technologies. In addition, our analysis presents their motives and behaviors. Finally, a characterization of user interaction with GridOrbit emerged, which enabled us to understand how awareness systems can be better designed. We see GridOrbit as an example of a broader class of technologies designed to create ‘Infrastructure Awareness’ as a means to increase the contributions to technological infrastructures.TRANSCRIPT
GRIDORBIT – AN INFRASTRUCTURE
AWARENESS SYSTEM
For increasing contribution in volunteer computing
Juan David Hincapié-Ramos, Aurélien Tabard & Jakob E. Bardram
May 11, 2011 – CHI 2011 – Vancouver, Canada
GridOrbit Personal Notifications
Mini-Grid
GridOrbit Public Display
GridOrbit Public Display
GridOrbit Personal Notifications
Increased Participation
What did awareness systems lead to?
GRIDORBIT – AN INFRASTRUCTURE
AWARENESS SYSTEM
For increasing contribution
in volunteer computing
Juan David Hincapié-Ramos,
Aurélien Tabard & Jakob E. Bardram
GRIDORBIT – AN INFRASTRUCTURE
AWARENESS SYSTEM
For increasing contribution
in volunteer computing
Juan David Hincapié-Ramos,
Aurélien Tabard & Jakob E. Bardram
Data deluge and
scientific computational analyses alternatives:
• Big PC: takes a lot of time
• Local servers: expensive in man-power and $
• Grid computing / Cyber-Infrastructures
• Volunteer computing infrastructures
- SETI@HOME
- World community grid
Problem
Local vs. Worldwide
Symetric vs. Master-Slave
Low cost
The Mini-Grid volunteer infrastructure
Invisibility
Problem of volunteer computing
A local Volunteer Computing infrastructure
means we can leverage existing social ties!
How do we get people to
participate to the Mini-Grid?
• Grid Capacity
• Grid Activity
• People
Fieldwork and Partipatory Design
Details in the paper…
GridOrbitPublic Displays1 Notification System2
GRIDORBIT
GRIDORBIT PUBLIC DISPLAYS
Corridor in front of the Cafeteria
Building 2:Elevator +Mail Box Waiting Area
Building 1:
1
GRIDORBIT PUBLIC DISPLAYS
folding
biology
research
DNA
GRIDORBIT PUBLIC DISPLAYS
GRIDORBITAmbient Zone
(x > 70cm)
Notification Zone
(40cm < x < 70cm)
Interaction Zone
(x < 40cm)
Group Activation
You contributed 12% less than
other contributors this week
Personal Motivation
You contributed for less than 40
hours to the Mini-Grid this week
GRIDORBIT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM2
2x
Experimental Design
1- See what the impact of these
awarness technologies is in the
recruitment of volunteers.
2- Gather empirical information about the
relation of users and these awareness
technologies.
Goals
1- See what the impact of these
awarness technologies is in the
recruitment of volunteers.
2- Gather empirical information about the
relation of users and these awareness
technologies.
Experimental Design
BASELINE
Mini-Grid
Official Start
PUBLIC DISPLAYS
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Baseline Computers
Public Displays Novelty Factor
Experimental Design
BASELINE
Mini-Grid
Official Start
PUBLIC DISPLAYS
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Baseline Computers
Public Displays Novelty Factor
Jun 2
Wed
Jun 14
Mon
Jun 21
Fri
Jul 2
Fri
Results
Increase in Contributions
Baseline Public Displays
Notification System
Mini-Grid installed
AVG Computers
Contributing
+75%
+51%19
35
8,02
5,33
Types of Contributors
•Dedicated Secondary Computers
• Work Desktops
• Laptops (intermittent use)
• Bootstrapping Computers
Visits to the public displays Δt = 1500
Explorer 10% of the Visits
Interaction Zone
+ Touch Interaction
Curious30% of the Visits
Int + Notification Zone
- Touch Interaction
Aware60% of the Visits
Ambient Zone
Visits to the public displays
+-# Visits
ActivityCapacity
Other Results
From: Participant X
Date: Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Re: GridOrbit hide details 6/16/10
Hi Juan
I got the plugin installed and the whole thing should be
up and running. Now I just need to figure out how I
can get my picture on the screen in the main
building... Do I need to set up some profile
somewhere or something like that?
Cheers
Face Time!
• The on-screen messaging
functionality (bulleting board) was not
used. We saw only 5 messages for the
whole deployment.
• We did not find any significant impact
of the different notifications strategies.
No Results
• Awareness Technologies can support recruitment
75% increase in total participants, and
51% increase in hourly average participants
• Different patters of contribution of work
desktops, secondary computers and laptops.
• There are sustained patterns of visitors:
aware, curious, explorer.
• Design for stressing out activity levels.
• Find proper ways to scale visualizations.
Conclusions
Thanks@jhincapie @aurelient @jbardram
Stick
Force participation: hidden daemon installed by
admins
Infrastructure properties: you can only use it if you
donate
Carrot
Rewards
Competitions
Beyond stick and carrot
Persuasive technologies
Awareness technologies
Strategies for increasing contribution
Motivations
Visits to the public displays sig <= 0,1
10% - Explorer 30% - Curious 60% - Aware
+ ++- --
Nr of Visits
ActivityCapacity
Free Pizza
Enforcement
2 1 3
Points and Rewards