First Repository Looks

During last two weeks I was developing the first repository and wiki instances for the project. Using DSpace, I now have a general understanding on how to install it and its dependencies, how customize it and change the look of the user interface, metadata, submission workflow etc. Although all of this is done on the "localhost" but at the same time, the university IS team are setting up a virtual server for us so the same practice must be done on the server.

Here is a screen capture of the first look of the repository homepage:

and the Wiki homepage:

ELOGeo repository - first actions

After getting advice from Thomas Amber (JISC Innovation Group) I realized that two "repository" serving applications are suggested: DSpace (http://www.dspace.org/) and EPrints ( http://www.eprints.org/software/). Also I realized that there are many implementation of those repository applications are available around the globe, including Jorum (partly uses DSpace) and the Nottingham University's EPrints implementation (http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/). Jorum may not be well used as a back-end for us and finally that both DSpace and Eprints are highly customizable. Also I found that although DSpace and Eprints are good at being repository, they are not designed to be a "social media" type of website

I and Suchith thought the best action to start the repository is to install and customized a DSpace instance. I did this on my localhost and at some stages this has to be transferred n a proper server. I found DSpace an expert product and capable of being the ELOGeo repository. The basic functionalities we expected are coded: User register, login, material upload, license agreement, permissions control, metadata control, search, RSS, etc. It will finally be hosted on the Manchester side of the project but at the moment it will be a good practice to install it here on a server at Nottingham University.

JISCMail List for ELOGeo

A mailing list has been made for the project under JISCMail system. This will also help us to make the online community of the project collaborators and users. Messages emailed to elogeo@jiscmail.ac.uk will then be delivered to the list members. To subscribe in this list, please follow the "subscribe" link on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/elogeo

Social Media and Jorum

For the ELOGeo project, the final product will be a website (that can ideally be any kind of social media) where people can share, find and discuss about the learning materials and after the project deadline the geospatial community with minimal management can continue to update and reuse the shared materials. So in addition to developing a limited number of courses (for the top requested ones, according to the survey we have recently done) the project aim is also to establish community involvement to share/update/reuse other's learning materials under CC license for the long term sustainability.

For the website framework, I was looking at making wiki-type media but I am not sure what could be the best option and what reusable codes can be used to make our website. I recently came across JISC-funded Jorum http://www.jorum.ac.uk/   I understand EDINA and MIMAS (who are also our project partners) jointly run Jorum.Today also Suchith and I had a teleconference with Nicola Osborne, the social media officer of EDINA and she also had guided us on how to make social web for ELOGeo, particularly in using Jurum. She may be also able to "flag up" each uploaded course to the community.

Jorum design seems to me a good option for reuse tailored for ELOGeo needs.  It enables the users to share, learn, find and discuss about the courses. ELOGeo framework will be a cut-down version of this because there will be no university authentications (open to all)  and the subject area will be only focused on  Geospatial domain.

On the other hand Kamie encouraged me to use JISCMail as the email list and announcement management. I have requested an count for ELOGeo on JISCMail and that is now ready. I will send an invitation to subscribe in that email list to the people who have already expressed their interest. I also realized that JISCMail is not only a mail tool, but lots of other community activities are included, like file sharing, online meetings etc.

I think finally that I should have been briefed about what infrastructures JISC can provide to us.

Amir.

Which Framework?

Me and Suchith and Kamie had a teleconference today and I think one of the main issues now is to work on the "framework". By Framework we mean a set of templates, guidelines and web tools that the community of users can create, read and edit the available course materials. This will be very important for the sustainability of the project. In general, Wiki is a good idea to follow, but there may be some other similar solutions.

We welcome any ideas about how to implement such a framework to fit our purpose. 

Survey Results

The summary of the user's requirement survey can be found here.

The survey is now closed

We have received more than 100 replies to the questionaire during the past two weeks and I am analysing and summerizing the results. The survey period is now closed. Thanks to all of the participants and to Yin from Landmap and her team for running the survey and collecting the results. Updates about this will come soon.