Open Hypermedia Systems Working Group

Scenarios

Introduction

These scenarios are intended to define the scope of open hypermedia systems by example. In order to make this process as open as possible, we actively encourage the submission of scenarios from interested parties. Use the scenario template below to format scenario proposals. Appropriate scenarios will be posted here for discussion amongst the group members.

Scenarios

Examples


• Template - This is approximately what the proposal form looks like after processing.
• Sample - This is a simple example.

Scenarios (in chronological order of submission)


• Navigational 1 - 6 Nov 96 - Peter J. Nürnberg, John Leggett (Texas A&M University)
• Collaboration via OHS - 23 Apr 97 - Jörg Haake (GMD)
• Fred the programmer - 23 Apr 97 - Kasper Østerbye (Aalborg University)
• Spatial 1 - 24 Jun 97 - Peter J. Nürnberg, Frank M. Shipman III (Texas A&M University)
• External 1 - 27 Jun 97 - Peter J. Nürnberg (Texas A&M University)
• Indexer 1 - 27 Jun 97 - Peter J. Nürnberg (Texas A&M University)
• Taxonomic 1 - 5 Nov 97 - Peter J. Nürnberg, Hugh D. Wilson (Texas A&M University)
• The translator - 11 Feb 98 - Roland Grassmann (Institut fuer Telematik, Trier)

Scenarios submitted but not formatted


• Southampton - Wendy Hall, Hugh Davis (University of Southampton)
• Hypermedia and Software Engineering - Serge Demeyer (Brussels Free University)

Scenarios being written

• Dynamic Information - Chao-Min Chiu (Rutgers University)
  

Instructions on submitting a scenario

1. Read the existing scenarios first.


If there are existing scenarios that demonstrate similar functionality as the scenario you would like to propose, it may be more appropriate for you to comment on the existing scenarios first. Your comments may lead to modification of existing scenarios. The forum for commenting on the scenario and protocol work of the OHS working group is an e-mail list called ohs@csdl.tamu.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the list, send a message to listproc@csdl.tamu.edu with a message body of "sub ohs <your name>". Past archives of this mailing list are available from either the list processor (see listproc documentation for more details) or from the home page of this working group in "hypermail"'d form.

2. Download the template scenario.


There are two parts to a scenario on this web site: the scenario proper; and, an analysis. Optimally, you can provide both the scenario itself and the analysis. However, if you have a scenario, but are having trouble filling in the analysis, fill in what you can and submit your work anyway. The discussion on the mailing list about your proposal will help you and the group fill in the analysis. The organizers will format your scenario when it is ready for the web site and provide your scenario a home page. It is best to use the standard scenario proposal form (available here in HTML source) so that the organizers can get your scenario up on the web site as quickly and efficiently as possible.

3. Replace the place holders in the template with your text.


On your first draft, fill in as much detail as you can. It will be easier to remove unnecessary details later than for people to have to retroactively interpret unclear aspects of your scenario. Your text can include links to relevant resources, examples, or detailed clarifications.

4. Review your proposal terminology.


Terminology in the hypermedia research community, as in many areas, is at times annoyingly inconsistent. Whatever terminological set you use, be sure to include a reference to a paper or established line of work with which people in this community would be familiar. Also, be consistent. Once you choose a set of terminology, stick with it throughout the text of the scenario.

5. Have your proposal reviewed by others.


See if a person uninvolved with the scenario authoring understands what is being proposed in the same way that you do. This will help you eliminate cluttering detail or fill in unclear areas. Oftentimes, another party can catch simple errors or omissions better than the original authors. It is best if your reviewer is familiar with this area, but not a member of your immediate working group. Finding someone external to your everyday efforts will help avoid a "groupthink" effect.

6. Submit your proposal.


Mail your submission to pnuern@csdl.tamu.edu. If your scenario consists of only one file, just mail it. Otherwise, it is best if you tar the directory containing all of the files, compress it using a common compression utility (gzip, compress, or zip), uuencode it, and mail the resulting file. It is preferred that you submit as much material as you can instead of simply providing a set of URL's identifying the material. Once your submission is received, the organizers will contact you about any immediate edits we feel should be made. After this initial editing process, the scenario will be made available on this WWW site.

7. Follow the progress of the discussions concerning your scenario.


Hopefully, your scenario will spark discussions about its implications for the group's work. This discussion may lead to the continual updating, editing, and modification of your proposal. It is important that you follow this discussion to see if the intent of scenario you submitted is being preserved!