Collaborative working systems to support user interaction within a Virtual Science Park

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dew, Peter | Leigh, Christine | Drew, Richard | Morris, David | Curson, Jayne

Affiliations: Virtual Science Park Project, Virtual Working Environments Laboratory, School of Computer Studies, School of Geography, University of Leeds LS29JT, United Kingdom. E-mail: dew@scs.leeds.ac.uk, rich@scs.leeds.ac.uk, davem@scs.leeds.ac.uk; chris@geog.leeds.ac.uk; geojmc@west-01.novell.leeds.ac.uk

Abstract: The paper reports on the progress at Leeds University to build a Virtual Science Park (VSP) to enhance the University's ability to interact with industry, enhance its applied research and deliver workplace learning activities. The VSP exploits the advances in real time collaborative computing and networking to provide an environment that meets the objectives of physically based science parks without the need for member organisations to relocate. It provides an integrated set of services (e.g., virtual consultancy, workbased learning) built around a structured person-centred information model. This model supports the integration of tools for: (a) navigating around the information space; (b) browsing information stored within the VSP database; (c) communicating through a variety of person-to-person collaborative tools; and (d) editing the information stored in the VSP including the relationships to other pieces of information that support the underlying model. The paper gives an overview of a generic virtual working system based on X.500 directory services and the World-Wide Web that can be used to support the Virtual Science Park.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-1995-15305

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 213-227, 1995