vrije universiteit amsterdampostacademische cursus informatie technologie web applications anton...

vrije Universiteit amsterdamPostacademische Cursus Informatie Technologie

Web ApplicationsWeb Applications

Anton Eliëns

Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

30 maart 1999

http://www.cs.vu.nl/~eliens/cmg

http://www.cs.vu.nl/~eliens/online/courses/cmg/web


TopicsTopics

• Basic Technology• Web Applications • Web-based Education Systems • Site Development Steps• Virtual Organisations - meta data• Case Studies • Conclusions - current developments


If the

Web

is the Answer

What is

the Question?


Basic TechnologyBasic Technology

• HTML, HTTP, MIME• client / server architecture• client-side extensions• server-side extensions

see Glossary Web Terminology and Web Consortium (W3C)


Markup - HTMLMarkup - HTML

• HTML 2.0 - the basic• HTML 3.2 - browser specific features• HTML 4.0 - the standard, with CSS• CSS - Cascading Style Sheets

see MarkUp (W3C)


Protocols - HTTPProtocols - HTTP

• HTTP 1.0 - slow and state-less• HTTP 1.1 - virtual connections• HTTP NG - fast, interaction (state), …

see Protocols (W3C)


Client-side TechnologyClient-side Technology

• Style sheets (CSS)• Document Object Model• Math, Graphics - XML• Applets - Java• Helper Applications -- audio, …• Plug-ins - audio, video, animation, virtual reality• Dynamic HTML - Javascript• ActiveX - from Visual basic to ... Java


Server-side TechnologyServer-side Technology

• HTTP Server - like Apache• server side includes - shtml• CGI - Perl, Python, Tcl• servlets - Java• gateways - CORBA, DCOM, agent-middleware


Web Architecture and Technology - issuesWeb Architecture and Technology - issues

• protocols - HTTP• structured documents - SGML and XML• synchronized multimedia - SMIL• metadata - PICS (rating)• resource description - RDF (enabling search)• privacy - P3P (platform for privacy preferences)• e-commerce - see Ecommerce (W3C)• web accessibility - ...


Web ApplicationsWeb Applications

• combining servers and client-applications• multiple components• multiple technologies• (in construction) the ObjectWeb• ‘the rest of us’ vs Microsoft• communication via IIOP


Basic Client/Server PairBasic Client/Server Pair


• Common Gateway

Interface

Server-side extended with CGIServer-side extended with CGI


The ObjectWeb (1)The ObjectWeb (1)

• The rest of us -- Netscape ONE• Managing Content• Software architecture


Managing Content (in the ObjectWeb)Managing Content (in the ObjectWeb)


Netscape Enterprise ServerNetscape Enterprise Server


The ObjectWeb (2)The ObjectWeb (2)

• Microsoft DNS/DNA• DNS = Digital Nervous System• DNA = Dynamic Network Architecture


Microsoft Digital Nervous SystemMicrosoft Digital Nervous System


Microsoft Dynamic Network ArchitectureMicrosoft Dynamic Network Architecture


The ObjectWeb (3) - JavaThe ObjectWeb (3) - Java

• extensible browser - with Java applets• platform independent• dynamic• code is uploaded from the server• … and (3 tier) client/server applications• (not to forget) Servlets• and CORBA


Java applet with ORBJava applet with ORB


•1 get HTML page•2 get applet•3 start applet

•4 connect to ORB•5 get objects•6 access database•7 display results


Advanced -- browser pluginsAdvanced -- browser plugins

• extend browser with arbitrary functionality• static• platform specific• C and C++


•Example - San Francisco Framework


Education on the WebEducation on the Web

• Virtual Universities• Tele-learning• Education is changing …

see Building a Web-based Education System


Learning and Technology - learning paradigmLearning and Technology - learning paradigm

• scale -- number of participants• symmetry -- focus on participants• perception -- quality of audio/video• interactivity -- time-delay• co-location -- distance between participants• cost -- price per participant• time -- time to achieve learning objective• tools -- the range of choice

... traditional, distance learning, Web-based ...


Learning SupportLearning Support

• Collaboration Tools - XTV, NetMeeting, WEB-4M

• Videoconferencing Tools - MBONE (Vic/Vat)• Web Tools - QuestWriter• Cross-Platform Tools - Unix/X and 95/NT• Environments - CUSeeMe: conferencing,

whiteboard, email, document sharing

see Use of Web technology for Remote Instruction


Benefits of a Web-based ClassroomBenefits of a Web-based Classroom

• computer mediation - store, index, search, convert, distribute

• Geographic independence - lifestyle, quality of learning experience

• Temporal independence - asynchronous participation

• Platform independence - CDROM, shockwave and plugins?

• Unified User Interface - popularity of the Web• increased communication, increased learner control


Problems with a Web-based classroomProblems with a Web-based classroom

• access and resources - …• cost - LAN, ISDN• training - ... the Web can be intimidating …• adopting new methods - pedagogy matches

technology?• infrastructure - support and administration• no uniform quality - (non) robust technology!• copyright, privacy, security, authentication• acceptance - ...


Institutional factorsInstitutional factors

• mission statement, direction• infrastructure and funding• promotion and rewards• changing (teaching) methods• admission procedures• Web publishing policies• Internet access and training

... and what do your collegues say?


Client software and hardware - Q/A?Client software and hardware - Q/A?

• What client operating system is being used?• What is the minimum hardware available?• What client software is available?• What peripherals are available?• What access is there to the client?• How competent are the participants?• Will the staff or students require training?


Server software and hardware - Q/A?Server software and hardware - Q/A?

• What operating system does the server have?• What are the characteristics of the server's

hardware?• What software is available on the server?• What are the capabilities of the software?• What else is the server being used for?• How reliable is the server?• What access do you have to the server?• What support is available for the server?


Technical supportTechnical support

• server software and hardware• network infra structure• training in the use of technology• problems and questions - helpdesk


Planning and DesignPlanning and Design

Step 1: Develop a list of educational goals.

Step 2: Identify implementation methods.

Step 3: Prioritize approaches.

Step 4: Design the structure.

Step 5: Design a page layout.


Navigation structuresNavigation structures

• hierarchical - like a book, ...• sequential - as a guided tour• hypermedia - structural and associative links


GuidelinesGuidelines

• concentrate on content• good design is simple• legibility is the key• context must be clear• consistency means predictability• be accurate!• be unique ...• appearance must match purpose• support a variety of visitors


Page typesPage types

• Home page• index pages• content pages• study guide pages• lectures - presentation pages

Technological limitations• speed, resolution, colors, multimedia


Web Development ToolsWeb Development Tools

• Visual (HTML) Editors• Site Managers• Hypermedia Tools -- rejuvenated• HTML-Database Integration • Publication Wizards• Model-driven Web Generators

based on paper from Piero Fraternali (WWW7)


Visual Editors and Site ManagersVisual Editors and Site Managers

• WYSIWYG, page upload, link repair• Adobe Site/Page Mill, NetObject Fusion,

SoftQuad HotMetal, MS Frontpage


Hypermedia ToolsHypermedia Tools

• Asymetrix Toolbook, Macromedia Director and Authorware

• authoring, multimedia and synchronisation, navigation

• platform-dependent - plugins


HTML-DBPL IntegrationHTML-DBPL Integration

• merge of Web and databases• integrate HTML with database programming

language• Cold Fusion, MS Active Server Pages• form editors, report writers• database publishing wizards• MS Visual InterDev, Oracle Developer 2000


Model-driven Web GeneratorsModel-driven Web Generators

• coverage of all developers activities• from analysis to implementation• state-of-the art software engineering• Oracle Web Developer Suite• AutoWeb, OOHDM, ... - research prototypes


Web Application Development SupportWeb Application Development Support

• structure• behavior• navigation• presentation

... orthogonal features, with peer dignity


Enabling communication - educationEnabling communication - education

• decreasing sense of isolation• increasing flexibility• increasing variety• increasing communication experience• enabling variety of pedagogy


Forms of communicationForms of communication

• asynchronous - email, news, ftp, http• synchronous - IRC, MUD/MOO, chat• face-to-face - audio/video conferencing


Communication Tools (1)Communication Tools (1)

• email - threading, filters, MIME, ..., search• mailing list - majordomo• Web/email-news Gateway - MHonArc

(archives)• news readers • conferencing - …


Communication Tools (2)Communication Tools (2)

• MUD/MOO/MUSH - multi-user shared hallucination

• chat - CGI, IRC, Java, avatar-based• groupware - Lotus Notes• audio communication - Cooltalk, Netmeeting• video communication - CuSeeMe, MBONE


Concept Planning and DevelopmentConcept Planning and Development

• Questions to ask yourself• Issues in concept development• Development steps• Site metaphors

taken from Creating Internet Entertainment


Questions to ask yourselfQuestions to ask yourself

• Should you build a site?

• Do you know how to use the Internet effectively?

• Is your industry/business online?

• Low cost or high cost?

• Is the concept practical?

• Who will create the site?

• Who will develop/maintain the content?

• Who is the audience?

• Does your site fit within a community?

• Is access unlimited or members-only?


Issues in Concept DevelopmentIssues in Concept Development

• Choose a name!• Choose a class - micro or macro?• Choose a metaphor - literal is possible!• Develop a flowchart - navigation• User-centric - adaptive (cookie)?• Interactivity - email, form, bulletin, polls, chat, ...• User evaluation - is it effective?


Development StepsDevelopment Steps

1. Proposal - short summary

2. Description of purpose - economic model

3. Concept - type, site, metaphor, multimedia

4. Implementation facilities - CGI, Java, Shockwave

5. Cost - hardware, software, support

6. Time-table - research, production, development, launch...

7. Maintenance and upgrades - personnel

8. Expansion options - programming and administration

9. Appendix - flowchart and demographics

10. Business plan - funding and marketing


Metaphors for SitesMetaphors for Sites

• spatial - cities, solar system, room, backyard• representational - train, ship, radio• person or entity - home, tax-wizard• time or event - camera, mechanical arm,

fishcam• literal - functional control (tables and lists)


• Ontologies - metadata• Technology - clients, servers• Applications - ... more than chat?• Research issues - agents above and beyond

Virtual OrganisationsVirtual Organisations


Gateway to (Educational) Metadata - GEMGateway to (Educational) Metadata - GEM

• meta-data for networked information discovery and

retrieval

Objectives• domain-specific vocabulary• concrete syntax (using HTML)• tools for retrieving meta-data

• design prototype interfaces to GEM

Background• Dublin Core Element Set• XML, RDF


Educational Metadata - GEMEducational Metadata - GEM

1.Audience

2.Cataloguing Agency

3.Duration

4.Essential Resources

5.Educational Level

6.Pedagogy

7.Quality Assessments

8.Academic Standards


Case StudiesCase Studies

• Navigation Structures in Tutorials• Hypermedia Support for Software Engineering


Recurring questions - Web ApplicationsRecurring questions - Web Applications

• What is the economic model?• Does it scale?• Can you maintain the stuff?• Is there an installed base?


AssignmentAssignment

• Design a web-site for your department, or another subject of your choice - Include a description of the concept, a flowgraph, and a discussion of technical and support requirements.

• Develop a Javascript glossary, quiz or assessment for a subject of your choice.

• Write a 3-page paper on: – The application of meta-data for a particular domain.– The development of three tier business applications.– Site development for a particular kind of business.


Course MaterialCourse Material

• P. Fraternali, Web Development Tools: a survey,

Proceedings WWW7, pp. 631-633, Elsevier 1998.

• K. Maly, C.M. Overstreet, A. Gonzalez, M. Denbar, R.

Cutaran, N. Karunaratne and C.J. Srinivas, Use of Web

Technology for Interactive Remote Instruction,

Proceedings WWW7, pp. 660-662, Elsevier 1998.


ResourcesResources

• Glossary Web Terminology

• Summary HTML (3.2, 4.0) • Javascript examples • Lightbulb tutorials • Browser compatibility test

• WWW5 Workshop - A search for APIs • WWW6 Workshop - Logic programming and the

Web

vrije universiteit amsterdampostacademische cursus informatie technologie web applications anton...

Documents

java slide

objectweb slide

corba slide

orb slide

cgi slide

c slide

iiop slide

protocols w3c slide