Authors
David Breitkreutz, Dianna Hardy, and Ian Atkinson (James Cook University)
Abstract
The dynamic world of research demonstrates a distinct requirement for improved communication tools that easily facilitate collaboration between those in their fields. More than ever before, the need for solutions that are flexible and economically sound has become a necessity. Traditionally, any individual or organisation requiring an online workspace needed a custom system, created specifically for them, and had to fund its entire development cycle. The usage of corporate information technology systems cannot satisfy requirements either, as the aims of a researcher and an institution rarely align. Thus, in order to better support the ever-growing scientific community, our work demonstrates the necessity for cost-effective infrastructure. When utilised, this can allow the deployment of feature-rich, online systems befitting the noticeable, common requirements of researchers.
Through the development process of many such systems - each for different disciplines of researchers - the similarities in requirements of different groups became evident. Above all, all users need a collaborative workspace to be readily procurable and cost effective, aspects that cannot be achieved easily within the traditional development model. This is because traditionally, online systems serve one organisation, and thus fail to consider others who may share their same goals.
In order to support the research world of today and tomorrow, there is a need for collaborative workspaces that are easily producible and uncomplicated. The described process aims to make these online systems readily available and cost-efficient by removing the typical restraints experienced. By distilling the commonalities in researchers' goals, the aim is a reduction the burden of costs to researchers. In doing so, the target is to deliver impressive, useful workspaces that are flexible enough to meet changing requirements. Once complete, the delivery of any such system allows a researcher more time to conduct their work without fighting what already exists.
About the speakers
At present, David Breitkreutz is the Web Products Developer for the eResearch Centre at James Cook University, as well as one of the Plone systems administrators for the Australian Research Collaboration Service (ARCS). Working closely with researchers and other groups alike, David works heavily with the Plone content management system, developing and designing customised collaboration workspaces. He also functions as a systems administrator for such workspaces.
He was recently awarded Class I in his Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) degree at James Cook University, which involved studying improved methods of processing and modelling geographical data.
Diana Hardy's research emphasises the application of eResearch technologies in collaboration with groups in the humanities dealing with archaeology, anthropology and cultural heritage.
Diana holds a Bachelor of Arts - Computer Science degree from Western Oregon University in the U.S. and a Master of Social Science - Archaeology degree from James Cook University. She is currently working on a PhD in Information Technology, and is employed as a project officer for the JCU eResearch Centre focusing on user interaction and interface design.