Showing papers on "Web application published in 1996"
Book•
23 Dec 1996TL;DR: This chapter discusses Electronic Commerce and Banking, the Internet and the Access Provider Industry, and the role of Java in Electronic Commerce.
Abstract: 1. Introduction to Electronic Commerce. Defining Electronic Commerce. Brief History of Electronic Commerce. Forces Fueling Electronic Commerce. Electronic Forces. Marketing and Customer Interaction Forces. Technology and Digital Convergence. Implications of Various Forces. Electronic Commerce Industry Framework. The Information Superhighway. Multimedia Content and Network Publishing. Messaging and Information Distribution. Common Business Services Infrastructure. Other Key Support Layers. Putting the Framework into Action: Microsoft Corporation. Types of Electronic Commerce. Inter-organizational Electronic Commerce. Intra-organizational Electronic Commerce. Consumer-to-Business Electronic Commerce. Intermediaries and Electronic Commerce. Key Questions for Management. Competitive Pressure. External Threat. Incorporating Changes. Designing New Organizational Structures. Managerial Options and Priorities. Summary. 2. The Internet and the Access Provider Industry. Internet Service Providers. Key Market Drivers for the Internet. Who Is Making Money on the Internet. Clarifying Internet Terminology. Companies Providing Internet Access. Internet Topology. Differentiating Market Segments: Commercial versus Consumer. Internet versus Online Services. Open versus Closed Architecture. Controlled Content versus Uncontrolled Content. Metered Pricing versus Flat Pricing. Innovation versus Control. Predicting the Future of the IAP Market. Convergence Leading to Competition. Service and Capacity Management. Customer Service, Loyalty, and Retention. Marketing. Customer Education. Changing Technology behind Internet Access. Changing Technology behind the Access Provider. Summary. 3. World Wide Web--Applications. Brief History of the Web. What Exactly Is the Web? Why Is the Web Such a Hit? The Web and Ease of Use. The Web and Ease of Publishing. The Web as a New Distribution Channel. The Web and Network-Centric Computing. The Web and New Intra-Business Applications. The Web and Electronic Commerce. The Web and Intra-Business Commerce. Other Intranet Applications. Intranet Advantages and Disadvantages. Management of Intranets. Understanding the Intranet Architecture. Summary. 4. World Wide Web--Concepts and Technology. Key Concepts behind the Web. Overview of the Web's Technical Architecture. Interactive Web Applications. Interactive Applications. Interactivity and Information Integration. Web Extensions for Interactive Applications. Web and Database Integration. Web Database Products. HTML Forms and CGI Programs. Web Software Developmental Tools. Need for Better Programming Languages. New Programming Language: Java. Technically Speaking: What Exactly Is Java? Role of Java in Electronic Commerce. How Does Java Work? Business Reasons for Using Java. Multimedia Web Extensions. Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). RealAudio. Internet and Web-based Telephony. Directories and Search Engines. Lycos. Summary. 5. Firewalls and Transaction Security. Firewalls and Network Security. Types of Firewalls. Firewall Security Policies. Emerging Firewall Management Issues. Transaction Security. Types of Online Transactions. Requirements for Transaction Security. Encryption and Transaction Security. Secret-Key Encryption. Public-Key Encryption. Implementation and Management Issues. World Wide Web and Security. Netscape's Secure Sockets Layer. Security and Online Web-based Banking. Summary. 6. Electronic Payment Systems. Overview of the Electronic Payment Technology. The Online Shopping Experience. Limitations of Traditional Payment Instruments. Electronic or Digital Cash. Properties of Electronic Cash. Digital Cash in Action. Electronic Checks. Benefits of Electronic Checks. Electronic Checks in Action. NetCheck: A Prototype Electronic Check System. Electronic Check Project. Online Credit Card-Based Systems. Types of Credit Card Payments. Secure Electronic Transactions (SET). Other Emerging Financial Instruments. Debit Cards at the Point of Sale (POS). Debit Cards and Electronic Benefits Transfer. Smart Cards. Consumer, Legal, and Business Issues. Summary. 7. Electronic Commerce and Banking. Changing Dynamics in the Banking Industry. Changing Consumer Needs. Cost Reduction. Demographic Trends. Regulatory Reform. Technology-based Financial Services Products. Home Banking History. Why Will It Be Different This Time? Home Banking Implementation Approaches. Home Banking Using Bank's Proprietary Software. Banking via the PC Using Dial-Up Software. Banking via Online Services. Banking via the Web: Security First Network Bank. Open versus Closed Models. Management Issues in Online Banking. Differentiating Products and Services. Managing Financial Supply Chains. Pricing Issues in Online Banking. Marketing Issues: Attracting Customers. Marketing Issues: Keeping Customers. Back-Office Support for Online Banking. Integrating Telephone Call Centers with the Web. Summary. 8. Electronic Commerce and Retailing. Changing Retail Industry Dynamics. Overbuilding and Excess Capacity. Demographic Changes. Consumer Behavior. Technology Improvements in Electronic Retailing. Online Retailing Success Stories. Online Retailing: Peapod's Experience. CUC International. Wine on the Web: Virtual Vineyards. Web-based Travel Agencies. Mercantile Models from the Consumer's Perspective. Distinct Phases of a Consumer Mercantile Model. Prepurchase Preparation. Purchase Consummation. Postpurchase Interaction. Management Challenges in Online Retailing. Come Up with a Retailing Strategy. Manage Channel Conflict. Learn to Price Online Products/Services. Deliver a Satisfying Shopping Experience. Design the Layout of an Online Store. Manage Brands. Create the Right Incentives. Summary. 9. Electronic Commerce and Online Publishing. Why Online Publishing? Online Publishing Strategies. Online Publishing Approaches. Full-Text and Bibliographic Databases. Personalized and Customized News. Business Information and News Delivery. Edutainment = Education + Entertainment. Online Publishing Success Stories. PointCasting. Time Warner's Pathfinder. Disney Online. Integrating TV and Data Streams: Intercasting. Advertising and Online Publishing. An Online Publishing Missing Piece: Measurement. Digital Copyrights and Electronic Publishing. Online Copyright Protection Methods. Summary. 10. Intranets and Supply-Chain Management. Supply-Chain Management Fundamentals. Pull versus Push Supply-Chain Models. Elements of Supply-Chain Management. Integrating Functions in a Supply Chain. Managing Retail Supply Chains. The Order Management Cycle (OMC). Supply-Chain Application Software. Software for Supply-Chain Management. Recent Trends in Application Software. What Is the Business Market? Understanding the Application Software Architecture. Future of Supply-Chain Software. Intranets and Network-Centric Computing. Intranets and Application Software. Impact of the Web on Application Software. Elaborating on the Intranet Architecture. What Remains to Be Done? Summary. 11. Intranets and Customer Asset Management. Why Customer Asset Management? Challenges in Implementing Customer Asset Management. Customer Asset Management and Supply Chains. Online Sales Force Automation. What Is Sales Force Automation? Elements of Online Sales Automation. Intranets and Sales Automation. What Are the Management Issues? Online Customer Service and Support. The Web and Customer Service. The Role of Technology in Customer Service. What Are the Business Requirements? The Enabling Intranet Technology. Technology and Marketing Strategy. Marketing Decision Support Systems. Marketing Decision Support Applications. Summary. 12. Intranets and Manufacturing. Defining the Terminology. Integrated Logistics. Agile Manufacturing. Emerging Business Requirements. Customer-Driven Manufacturing. Rapid Internal Response to Demand Changes. Efficiently Managing Supply Chain Complexity. Manufacturing Information Systems. Discrete versus Process Manufacturing Market. Types of Manufacturing Information Systems. Intranet-Based Manufacturing. Customer-Driven Manufacturing. Real-Time Decision Support. Intelligent Process Management. Logistics Management. Problems with Traditional Logistics Management. Case Study: Microsoft Corp Integrated Logistics. Objective of Modern Logistics Function. Forecasting. Purchasing. Distribution Management. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Benefits of EDI. EDI in Action. Why Has EDI Adoption Lagged? Summary. 13. Intranets and Corporate Finance. Intranets and Finance. What Exactly Are Financial Systems? What Do Financial Systems Do? Financial Intranets. Understanding the Different Software Modules. Transaction Accounting and Electronic Commerce. Financial Analysis and Management Accounting. Inventory Accounting. Payment Management. Treasury and Cash Management. Human Resources Management Systems. HRMS Functions. Size/Structure of Financials Software Market. Product Strategy. Financial Data Warehouses. How Are Firms Using the Web for OLAP? Desirable Software Requirements. Summary. 0201880679T04062001
1,145 citations
Book•
1 Jan 1996
TL;DR: This Fifth Edition is completely revised and expanded to cover JavaScript as it is used in today's Web 2.0 applications, with new chapters that explain everything you need to know to get the most out of JavaScript.
Abstract: This Fifth Edition is completely revised and expanded to cover JavaScript as it is used in today's Web 2.0 applications. This book is both an example-driven programmer's guide and a keep-on-your-desk reference, with new chapters that explain everything you need to know to get the most out of JavaScript, including:Scripted HTTP and AjaxXML processingClient-side graphics using the canvas tagNamespaces in JavaScript--essential when writing complex programsClasses, closures, persistence, Flash, and JavaScript embedded in Java applicationsPart I explains the core JavaScript language in detail. If you are new to JavaScript, it will teach you the language. If you are already a JavaScript programmer, Part I will sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of the language.Part II explains the scripting environment provided by web browsers, with a focus on DOM scripting with unobtrusive JavaScript. The broad and deep coverage of client-side JavaScript is illustrated with many sophisticated examples that demonstrate how to:Generate a table of contents for an HTML documentDisplay DHTML animationsAutomate form validationDraw dynamic pie chartsMake HTML elements draggableDefine keyboard shortcuts for web applicationsCreate Ajax-enabled tool tipsUse XPath and XSLT on XML documents loaded with AjaxAnd much morePart III is a complete reference for core JavaScript. It documents every class, object, constructor, method, function, property, and constant defined by JavaScript 1.5 and ECMAScript Version 3.Part IV is a reference for client-side JavaScript, covering legacy web browser APIs, the standard Level 2 DOM API, and emerging standards such as the XMLHttpRequest object and the canvas tag.More than 300,000 JavaScript programmers around the world have made this their indispensable reference book for building JavaScript applications."A must-have reference for expert JavaScript programmers...well-organized and detailed." -- Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript
723 citations
Patent•
20 Sep 1996
TL;DR: In this article, a system and method for providing classified ads over the Internet is described, which includes a plurality of regional newspaper World Wide Web servers, and associated newspaper classified ad generators; a central classified ad information collection and distribution facility, and a central World Wide web application server facility, all connected to the Internet such that Internet users can connect to the newspaper Web server and central Web application server to search for and obtain classified ads.
Abstract: A system and method for providing classified ads over the Internet. The system includes a plurality of regional newspaper World Wide Web servers, and associated newspaper classified ad generators; a central classified ad information collection and distribution facility, and a central World Wide Web application server facility, all connected to the Internet such that Internet users can connect to the Newspaper Web server and central Web application server facility to search for and obtain classified ads. The Web application server facility includes one of more application servers and one or more newspaper classified ad database servers. The system apparatus features elements which enable Internet users to enter the system at the newspaper Web server and subsequently search for classified ads held in the ad databases at the database servers thorugh the application servers at the central Wed application facility. Additionally, the system features elements to enable users to search for the newspaper classified ads at the database servers using a client-server method that includes a common gateway interface procedure. Additionally, the system ad generator includes elements for automatically generating ad records for inclusion at the database servers of the central Web application facility which are derived from the newspaper print ad feed. Still further, the system includes elements at the collection and distribution facility for automatically collecting ads produced at the newspaper ad generators and providing them to the database servers on a scheduled bases. The method features steps for supporting the common-gateway-interface searching procedures which can be carried out in multiple stages. Additionally the method features steps for automatically generating classified ad record information in substantially numerical form which is pre-sorted to support improved speed in search the ad record databases.
381 citations
6 May 1996
TL;DR: This work examines the Java language and both the HotJava and Netscape browsers which support it, and finds a significant number of flaws which compromise their security.
Abstract: The introduction of Java applets has taken the World Wide Web by storm. Information servers can customize the presentation of their content with server-supplied code which executes inside the Web browser. We examine the Java language and both the HotJava and Netscape browsers which support it, and find a significant number of flaws which compromise their security. These flaws arise for several reasons, including implementation errors, unintended interactions between browser features, differences between the Java language and bytecode semantics, and weaknesses in the design of the language and the bytecode format. On a deeper level, these flaws arise because of weaknesses in the design methodology used in creating Java and the browsers. In addition to the flaws, we discuss the underlying tension between the openness desired by Web application writers and the security needs of their users, and we suggest how both might be accommodated.
354 citations
Patent•
1 Jul 1996TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a Web document based GUI for use on a client computer that is networked with server computers, which enables a user of the client computer to initiate specific operations that are performed on the client computers and that define a particular application.
Abstract: A Web document based GUI for use on a client computer that is networked with server computers. The GUI enables a user of the client computer to initiate specific operations that are performed on the client computer and that define a particular application. The GUI comprises GUI Web documents and a Web browser. Each GUI Web document is located at the client computer or one of the server computers and comprises one or more links and one or more applets. Each link provides a link to a corresponding GUI document when selected by the user with the client computer while being displayed on the client computer. Each respective applet generates, when executed on the client computer, an interactive image that is displayed on the client computer. The user can initiate a respective operation (i.e., one of the GUI's specific operations) by acting on the interactive image with the client computer to invoke the respective applet to perform the respective operation on the client computer. The Web browser runs on the client computer and, each time a displayed link of a displayed GUI Web document has been selected by the user with the client computer, loads in, if not already loaded, and displays on the client computer the corresponding GUI Web document. The Web browser displays the corresponding GUI web document by executing each of the one or more applets of the corresponding GUI Web document and displaying on the client computer the corresponding interactive image and by displaying on the client computer the one or more links of the corresponding GUI Web document.
296 citations
Patent•
28 Jun 1996TL;DR: In this article, a function calling protocol and methodology allow local function calls to be embedded within HTML documents, using standard HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tags, such that a user can selectively initiate the function calls while viewing the documents with a standard Web browser.
Abstract: A function calling protocol and methodology allow local function calls to be embedded within HTML documents, using standard HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tags, such that a user can selectively initiate the function calls while viewing the documents with a standard World Wide Web ("Web") browser. User-invocable functions are thereby added to Web documents without modification to either existing Web browsers or HTML. In accordance with the invention, when a user initiates a local function call (by clicking on a button or other content item from within the Web browser), an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) POST message which contains the information for making the function call is generated by the standard Web browser. This message is routed from the Web browser to an application (which runs on the same computer as the browser) using a conventional Local Host service of the computer's TCP/IP stack. The application then uses the function-calling information to make the function call on the computer. In an electronic shopping embodiment, the application is an electronic shopping client application which allows Web users to securely engage in commerce with on-line merchants over the Internet, and the Web documents of the system include functions for performing actions such as displaying the contents of a shopping basket object or a wallet object to the user.
188 citations
Patent•
13 Dec 1996TL;DR: A system for providing a primarily audio environment for world wide web access includes a system for rendering structured documents using audio, an interface for information exchange to users, a non-keyword based WWW search system and a few miscellaneous features as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A system for providing a primarily audio environment for world wide web access includes a system for rendering structured documents using audio, an interface for information exchange to users, a non-keyword based WWW search system and a few miscellaneous features. The system for rendering structured documents using audio includes a pre-rendering system which converts a HTML document into an intermediate document and a rendering system which actually generates an audio output. The interface includes a non-visual browsing system and an interface to users for visual browsing environments.
168 citations
Patent•
IBM1
TL;DR: In this article, the preferred embodiment provides a computer system and method for providing secure access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW. The system allows a user of the web browser to access the software application after performing appropriate security checks.
Abstract: The preferred embodiment provides a computer system and method for providing secure access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW. The system and method allows a user of the web browser to access the software application after performing appropriate security checks. The user inputs data via the web browser, which is communicated to the web server application. The web server application then authenticates the web browser, and passes appropriate input data to an application gateway, including data to uniquely identify the web browser. The application gateway then uses authentication data received from the browser to determine whether the user of the browser is authorized to access the software application. According to the preferred embodiment, the browser authentication information is used to correlate the user to appropriate authentication information for the software application. The application gateway then uses this new authentication information to gain access to the software application. The application gateway then performs the function requested in the web server input data by formatting appropriate commands for the software application. The software application responds by outputting data to the application gateway that includes an identifier that the application gateway uses to match the output data with the web browser that requested the output data. This system thus allows numerous web browsers access to the software application simultaneously.
121 citations
Patent•
IBM1
TL;DR: In this paper, a computer system and method for providing access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW is described, where the user inputs data via the web browser, which is communicated to the web server application, which passes the input to a CGI module.
Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment, a computer system and method for providing access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW is disclosed. The system includes one or more computers executing a web browser, a web server application, an application gateway, and a software application. The system and method allows a user of the web browser to access the software application. The user inputs data via the web browser, which is communicated to the web server application, which passes the input to a CGI module. Based upon the web browser input, the CGI selects an HTML template containing at least one variable. The variable is passed to an application gateway which requests a value for the variable from the software application. The value is passed back to the CGI and inserted into the HTML template in place of the variable. The completed HTML template is then sent back to the web browser. The application gateway comprises a web based interface to the software application in combination with templates that specify variables.
82 citations
Patent•
IBM1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose an interface between the application and the database that is connection oriented, i.e., the connection is retained across several invocations of the application, and the backend of the interface is long living.
Abstract: Many web applications require access to a relational database. The requirements of such web applications are different from conventional applications that access a database. Web applications need to have selective recoverability and need to have support for different transaction structures, other than the flat transaction structure of conventional database applications, including nested and chained transactions. To achieve this, an interface between the application and database has the following functional features: 1) the interface to the database is connection oriented, i.e., the connection is retained across several invocations of the application; 2) the backend of the interface is long living, i.e., it exists across multiple invocations; 3) state information about a session in progress is maintained, and more specifically, it is distributed between the backend of the interface and the hidden fields of the HTML output document.
76 citations
1 May 1996
TL;DR: The WebWriter system is described, an integrated system for constructing Web applications that supports the creation of Web pages by non-programmers, and issues of server-based authoring tools, and some example applications.
Abstract: Constructing server-based Web applications requires creating both Web pages and programs that generate Web pages. This requires a knowledge of the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) protocol, and a programming language, such as C++, Python, or Perl. While this is not a barrier for programmers, it is for non-programmers. This paper describes WebWriter, an integrated system for constructing Web applications that supports the creation of Web pages by non-programmers. WebWriter includes a direct manipulation Web page editor, the WebWriter Editor, which runs in a Web browser as a CGI service, and the WebWriter Page Generator, which creates new pages as an application runs. As in HyperCard, users create a Web application as a stack of pages, where each page can contain output regions that are filled in at runtime by a script. This paper describes the WebWriter system, issues of server-based authoring tools, and some example applications.
3 Sep 1996
TL;DR: CAT improves on previous Web-based algorithm animations by providing a framework that makes it easy to construct new animations, including those that involve multiple views, which is particularly well-suited for electronic classrooms.
Abstract: The paper describes CAT, a Web-based algorithm animation system. CAT augments the expressive power of Web pages for publishing passive multimedia information with a full-fledged interactive algorithm animation system. It improves on previous Web-based algorithm animations by providing a framework that makes it easy to construct new animations, including those that involve multiple views. Because views of the same running algorithm may reside on different machines, CAT is particularly well-suited for electronic classrooms. This strategy is an improvement over the electronic classroom systems the authors are aware of which simply display the same X window on multiple machines. They believe their framework generalizes to electronic textbooks in arbitrary domains.
Patent•
IBM1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a system and method that allows access to a software application from a web browser over the world-wide web (WWW) using a web server and an application gateway.
Abstract: A computer system and method provides access to a software application from a web browser over the world-wide web (WWW). The system includes one or more computers executing a web browser, a web server application, an application gateway, and a software application. The system and method allows a user of the web browser to access the software application. The user inputs data via the web browser, which is communicated to the web server application. The web server application authenticates the web browser and passes appropriate input data to an application gateway, including data to uniquely identify and track the user's request. The application gateway then performs the function requested in the web server input data by formatting the appropriate commands with the software application. The software application responds by outputting data to the application gateway that includes an identifier that the application gateway uses to match the output data with the web browser that requested the output data. This system thus allows numerous web browsers access to the software application simultaneously.
Patent•
30 Dec 1996TL;DR: In this article, a method and apparatus for managing a network attached storage system is presented which includes a web based user interface, which allows for the execution of many different commands on several different storage system attributes without loss of context between command execution.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a network attached storage system is presented which includes a web based user interface. The interface allows for the execution of many different commands on several different storage system attributes without loss of context between command execution. The interface is HTML based and provides dynamic construction of Javascript object lists based on a database read by a CGI program executing on an HTTP server. The interface eliminates the hierarchical structure of menu navigation associated with other interfaces.
Proceedings Article•
12 Nov 1996TL;DR: A tool for data visualization and navigation of the textual redundancy web based on the technology of HTML and the World Wide Web is described and a coming together of well-established ideas from the areas of database design and hypertext document preparation with the new web-based technologies is attributed.
Abstract: Understanding the source, data, and documentation files associated with legacy systems in preparation for maintenance or reengineering is an increasingly important problem for many organizations. A useful tool to support these activities considers the collection of files as text and supports analysis and navigation by exploiting connections that result from the occurrence of exact matches of substrings that derive from the languages used, the design process, the use of common idioms, and maintenance activity. By navigating these paths some understanding of the overall structure can be inferred.A tool for data visualization and navigation of the textual redundancy web based on the technology of HTML and the World Wide Web is described. After an introduction to underlying technology of Analysis of Redundancy in Text and its normalized data model, the entity types are mapped to HTML pages, each of which represents an entity instance and is connected to its neighbours by hypertext links.In order to improve the usefulness of the resulting pages a certain amount of denormalization and careful layout was found to be necessary. The success of this prototype can be attributed to a coming together of well-established ideas from the areas of database design and hypertext document preparation with the new web-based technologies.
19 Jun 1996
TL;DR: W3DT (World Wide Web Design Technique) is described, a new approach for the design of Web-based hypermedia applications which completely supports the graphical notation and facilitates the generation of a working prototype at every step of the design process.
Abstract: We describe W3DT (World Wide Web Design Technique), a new approach for the design of Web-based hypermedia applications. The proposed methodology consists of a modeling technique as well as a computer based design environment, which completely supports the graphical notation and facilitates the generation of a working prototype at every step of the design process. The authors focus on the collaborative design of distributed Web sites. In the case of large WWW applications several designers are often planning different aspects of the overall system of an organization. Also locally distributed systems often require submodels for each location. In order to allow a collaborative design process it is useful to integrate submodels into a unified organization-wide model. W3DT is not only suited to the design of single-server based Web-sites, but also the design of large organization-wide systems covering various aspects like distributed locations or the different organizational units.
6 Aug 1996
TL;DR: This work proposes that the requirements for transporting code between computers and for establishing flexible, dynamic communication structures in ubiquitous supercomputing systems be satisfied by enhancing the Java programming language with global pointer and remote service request mechanisms from a communication library called Nexus.
Abstract: We use the term ubiquitous supercomputing to refer to systems that integrate low and mid range computing systems, advanced networks, and remote high end computers with the goal of enhancing the computational power accessible from local environments. Such systems promise to enable new applications in areas as diverse as smart instruments and collaborative environments. However, they also demand tools for transporting code between computers and for establishing flexible, dynamic communication structures. We propose that these requirements be satisfied by enhancing the Java programming language with global pointer and remote service request mechanisms from a communication library called Nexus. Java supports transportable code; Nexus provides communication support. We explain how this NexusJava library is implemented and illustrate its use with examples.
Proceedings Article•
1 Jan 1996
Patent•
IBM1
TL;DR: In this paper, a system and method for providing access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW is disclosed, which allows a user of the web browser to access the software application.
Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment, a computer system and method for providing access to a software application from a web browser over the WWW is disclosed. The system includes one or more computers executing a web browser, a web server application, an application gateway, and a software application. The system and method allows a user of the web browser to access the software application. The user inputs data via the web browser, which is communicated to the web server application. The application gateway then generates a conversation identifier to identify this conversation between the web browser and the software application. The application gateway performs the function requested in the web server input data by formatting the appropriate commands with the software application. The operation of the software application can be suspended at any time by calling a disconnect mechanism. The disconnect mechanism directs the application gateway to save the state of the software application such that the software application can be restarted later. This system thus allows complex software application processes that may need to be suspended before completion to be directed from a remote based web browser.
1 Jan 1996
TL;DR: KMi Stadium enables organisations to make better use of the invaluable resource that can be found in expert speakers' presentations, and makes it easier for any staff member or team to share their expertise in a small, medium or large setting.
Abstract: KMi Stadium is a Java-implemented medium for hosting distributed events on a very large scale on the Internet (or an Intranet), allowing thousands of simultaneous participants even over 28.8Kbps dial-up modems. Stadium makes available as a reusable resource audio, coordinated visuals, and secondary resources such as relevant documents, demonstrations and Web sites. Client-based desktop computers and set-top boxes with appropriate browsers can download custom applets which enable the client machines to participate in presentations and other events mediated by a linked-server network. Most of the available bandwidth is dedicated to audio delivery and custom sound effects to help capture the mood of live events. After describing the design philosophy and implementation of Stadium, we consider its niche in the design space of organisational knowledge systems. With very low capture overheads, it enables organisations to make better use of the invaluable resource that can be found in expert speakers' presentations, and makes it easier for any staff member or team to share their expertise in a small, medium or large setting. We briefly consider its possible impact on working practices, both with respect to staff as knowledge consumers, and as knowledge creators.
Proceedings Article•
1 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Construction of applications using the World Wide Web architecture and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents is relatively simple and several advantages and disadvantages to this approach to prototyping clinical applications are predicted.
Abstract: Construction of applications using the World Wide Web architecture and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents is relatively simple. We are exploring this approach with an application, called PolyMed now in use by surgical residents for one year. We monitored use and obtained user feedback to develop new features and eliminate undesirable ones. The system has been used to keep track of over 4,200 patients. We predicted, several advantages and disadvantages to this approach to prototyping clinical applications. Our experience confirms some advantages (ease of development and customization, ability to exploit non-Web system components, and simplified user interface design) and disadvantages (lack of database management services). Some predicted disadvantages failed to materialize (difficulty modeling a clinical application with hypertext and inconveniences associated with the "connectionless" nature of the Web). We were disappointed to find that while integration of external Web applications (such as Medline) into our application was easy, our users did not find it useful.
Proceedings Article•
25 Jul 1996TL;DR: Virtual-U™ is a World Wide Web-based networked learning environment customized for the design, delivery, and enhancement of post-secondary education that builds on lessons learned from a decade of field research in online course delivery.
Abstract: Virtual-U™ is a World Wide Web-based networked learning environment customized for the design, delivery, and enhancement of post-secondary education. One of the main design goals is to provide a flexible framework to support advanced pedagogies based on principles of active learning, collaboration, multiplicity, and knowledge building. The framework consists of tools to support core activities including course design, individual and group learning activities, knowledge structuring, class management, and evaluation. The design of Virtual-U™ builds on lessons learned from a decade of field research in online course delivery. A brief history of that experience is presented to illustrate the motivation behind some of the decisions made in the design of the system. A description of Virtual-U™ and lessons learned from initial experiences with users are reported.
1 Mar 1996
TL;DR: A curriculum that maintains a high level of scientific rigor, while making use of the new technology of HTML and the World Wide Web to instruct and motivate, and a tool capable of abstracting the functionality and style of HTML documents.
Abstract: In order to be effective, the content of the introductory curriculum must strike a proper balance between the highly motivating (i.e. "fun") aspects of programming and the development of sound scientific background and analytical thinking. As part of an NSF-funded Education Infrastructure project at Oberlin College, we have developed a curriculum that maintains a high level of scientific rigor, while making use of the new technology of HTML and the World Wide Web to instruct and motivate. We provide our students with an integrated experience which includes web-based guided-study laboratory materials, an interactive programming environment and a syllabus which emphasizes the interplay between abstract and formal concepts on the one hand, and concrete implementations and experimental investigations on the other. Scheme is used as the primary programming environment, to illustrate the salient features of the imperative and the object-oriented paradigms, along with the functional paradigm with which it is usually associated. We believe that our approach: 1) revitalizes the material for students who expect a more modern presentation; 2) provides a balanced view of competing perspectives on programming style and methodology; and 3) provides a well-balanced mixture of formal analysis and experimental measurement.In order to produce laboratory materials without the overhead entailed by creating them directly in HTML, we have developed a tool capable of abstracting the functionality and style of HTML documents; thus we can engage both faculty and student authors in the development of laboratories with a uniform style. The very tools used to develop the online materials are themselves an excellent illustration of the empowerment which results from a thorough understanding of the principles of abstraction.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A custom HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language, the language used to create Web documents) converter and database manager allow librarians with subject expertise but no HTML experience to contribute to and maintain INFOMINE in a time-efficient manner.
Abstract: INFOMINE is a World Wide Web virtual library which provides indexing, annotations and links to Internet resources ofscholarly use to the academic community. Thousands of Internet resources covering most major disciplines are present. A custom HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language, the language used to create Web documents) converter and database manager allow librarians with subject expertise but no HTML experience (or those with HTML knowledge but no time to maintain several HTML indexes) to contribute to and maintain INFOMINE in a time-efficient manner. INFOMINE was developed by the Library of the University of California, Riverside.
Proceedings Article•
1 Jan 1996TL;DR: The design and implementation of a Web-based Repository Manager (WRM), which provides an application programmer's interface for controlling applications, generating HTML documents, handling Web forms, and managing multi-media data is described.
Abstract: The Web provides a rapid prototyping environment for building platform-independent graphical user interfaces. A Web-based console can be implemented as a suite of CGI scripts that generate HTML code, manipulate files, execute system commands, and invoke external tools. Often these tools share data by reading and writing flat files, which must be explicitly maintained by the CGI programmer. In a repository system, meta-data about each file object are maintained in a database, and access to all data is regulated by a layer of control services. This paper describes the design and implementation of a Web-based Repository Manager (WRM), which provides an application programmer's interface for controlling applications, generating HTML documents, handling Web forms, and managing multi-media data. The WRM is being used to develop a console for the Brain Mapping Framework, a system for visualizing cortical stimulation data obtained during neurosurgery.
10 Jul 1996
TL;DR: Audience1TM, an end-to-end publishing tool for the World Wide Web, which uses Tcl and MTtcl, a multi-threaded Tcl extension library is presented, arguing that server-side programming will remain an important part of client-server Web applications.
Abstract: Although innovations on the World Wide Web are currently dominated by exciting client-side products (ie Java, VRML, Netscape Plug-Ins, etc), we believe that there is an equally rich server-side programming opportunity In this paper, we argue that server-side programming will remain an important part of client-server Web applications We then argue that server language(s) and client-side languages have very different requirements, and don't have to be the same language
As a running example, we present Audience1TM, an end-to-end publishing tool for the World Wide Web, which uses Tcl and MTtcl, a multi-threaded Tcl extension library Currently, Audience1 is providing web service and mass customization features for the HotBot search engine (a joint venture between Inktomi and HotWired) HotBot can be found at http://wwwhotbotcom
Proceedings Article•
1 Jan 1996TL;DR: In this paper, a scripted text conversion process that uses the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) as structural markup rather than as display markup, automated linking by the use of relational databases and the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), integration of text, images, and multimedia along with interface designs which promote multiple contexts and collaborative study is presented.
Abstract: In preparing for a full featured online curriculum, it is necessary to develop scaleable strategies for software design that will support the pedagogical goals of the curriculum and which will address the issues of acquisition and updating of materials, of robust content-based linking, and of integration of the online materials into other methods of learning. A complete online curriculum, as distinct from an individual computerized module, must provide dynamic updating of both content and structure and an easy pathway from the professor's notes to the finished online product. At the College of Physicians and Surgeons, we are developing such strategies including a scripted text conversion process that uses the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) as structural markup rather than as display markup, automated linking by the use of relational databases and the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), integration of text, images, and multimedia along with interface designs which promote multiple contexts and collaborative study.
6 Nov 1996
TL;DR: Tutorials that build the skill to interpret the simulations and provide models that guide the student in choosing the parameters for the simulation will be presented and techniques to produce the tutorials will be discussed.
Abstract: Software that simulates physical processes can greatly enhance the learning process in physics; however, meaningful simulations are dependent upon choosing interesting parameters, and students rarely choose interesting parameters because the material is new to them. To make simulation software effective there must be tutorials that build the skill to interpret the simulations and provide models that guide the student in choosing the parameters for the simulation. Using HTML, JAVA, and animation files, tutorials can be constructed that are cross platform and can be used by any JAVA aware World Wide Web (WWW) browser. It also allows the tutorials to be freely distributed on the WWW. All of these are significant issues, but more importantly, the students can use a browser with which they are familiar. This greatly reduces the time spent learning to use the computer and operating system; thus leaving more time to concentrate on the physics. In this paper some examples from electricity and magnetism will be presented, and techniques to produce the tutorials will be discussed.
1 Mar 1996
TL;DR: The Illustra Web DataBlade makes it easy for you to take full advantage of the Illustra server's many important features, including extensible data types, an underlying rules system, and Time Travel capabilities, all of which make Illustra the database of choice for managing all types of content on the World Wide Web.
Abstract: Illustra's Web DataBlade module is a comprehensive toolset for creating Web-enabled database applications that dynamically retrieve and update Illustra database content. You can construct simple query front ends in a matter of minutes and powerful Web applications in just a few hours with the Web DataBlade module. The Illustra Web DataBlade makes it easy for you to take full advantage of the Illustra server's many important features, including extensible data types, an underlying rules system, and Time Travel capabilities, all of which make Illustra the database of choice for managing all types of content on the World Wide Web.