The goal of this thesis is to present the virtual environments research community with a thorough investigation of collaborative awareness in Tele- immersion and related immersive virtual environments. Tele-immersion was originally defined in 1996 by Tom Defanti of the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL), is "the union of networked VR and video in the context of significant computing and data mining" [Leigh, et. al., 1997]. Since then, research on Tele-immersion has outgrown most of its system and performance-related issues and now focuses supporting collaborative interaction and usability. Tele-immersion now deals with the "[creation of persistent virtual environments] enabling multiple, globally situated participants to collaborate over high-speed and high-bandwidth networks connected to heterogeneous supercomputing resources and large data stores" [Leigh, et. al., 1997, p. 1 of 9]. In the early stages of Tele- immersion there were two main factors driving the research: the significant processing load of real-time and simulated computational steering, and the sheer bulk of the data sets being generated for scientific visual analysis [Leigh, et. al., 1997]. Now the growing number of immersive VR sites is motivating a need to support human-to-human interaction and work over wide networks of immersive virtual environments. This research focuses heavily on issues of collaborative awareness in these networked, immersive virtual environments. Collaborative awareness, in this context, is a concept that encompasses the caveats of one's knowledge about the CVE and its occupants. As a result of this study, software has been designed to provide support not only for collaborative awareness, but also for several other dimensions of collaboration. / Master of Science

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar e explorar uma metodologia na área de Trabalho Cooperativo Apoiado por Computador (Computer Supported Cooperative Work – CSCW), que aborda processos colaborativos unindo indivíduos, assim como grupos, para que possam trabalhar em conjunto visando metas comuns, estando fisicamente ou não no mesmo local, atuando de forma síncrona ou assíncrona. A metodologia proposta procura reunir o conhecimento de várias pessoas sobre determinados temas, por meio de um sistema de comunicação em rede de computadores, transformando o grupo de indivíduos em uma única voz, sendo o sistema o Interlocutor do grupo. O Sistema Interlocutor funciona em rede e depende de três módulos: o Interrogador que é a comunicação com o meio externo, o Colaborador que é o canal para participação dos membros do grupo, e o Servidor que controla o funcionamento de todo o aplicativo. A metodologia Interlocutor é inspirada em conceitos extraídos de várias áreas tais como Inteligência Coletiva, método Delphi, estrutura de Comitês, Sistemas de Apoio à Decisão (Group Decision Support System - GDSS), Grupos de Trabalho (Groupware) entre outros. Esta metodologia pode ser empregada em situações críticas, que demandam respostas rápidas e precisas, ou mesmo em contextos planejados nos quais se deseja estudar alternativas detalhadamente. Na presente tese são apresentados três possíveis cenários de aplicação da metodologia proposta, bem como possíveis configurações para futuros estudos mais apurados. São apresentados ainda os resultados dos testes efetuados em um desses cenários que validaram a metodologia. Em conclusão, a metodologia Interlocutor é uma forma para a criação e o funcionamento de sistemas capazes de obter resultados de Inteligência Coletiva. / The present research aims to identify and to explore a methodology in the area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), encompassing cooperative processes that joint individuals, as well as groups, in a way that they can work seeking common goals together, being or not physically in the same place, acting synchronously or asynchronously. The proposed methodology searches to gather the several people's knowledge on certain themes, through a communication system in net of computers, transforming the individuals' group in a single voice, being the system the Interlocutor of the group. The Interlocutor System works in net and it depends on three modules: the Interrogator that it is the communication with the external middle, the Collaborator that it is the channel for participation of the members of the group, and the Servant that controls the operation of the whole application. The Interlocutor Methodology is inspired in extracted concepts of several such areas as, among others, Collective Intelligence, method Delphi, structure of Committees, Group Decision Support System (GDSS), Groupware. This methodology can be used in critical situations, that demand quick and necessary answers, or even in planned contexts in which it is wanted to study alternatives in full details. The present thesis presents three possible sceneries of application of the proposed methodology, as well as possible configurations for futures approaches. It is also presented the results of the tests made in one of these sceneries that validated the methodology. In conclusion, the Interlocutor Methodology is a form for the creation and the operation of systems capable to obtain results of Collective Intelligence.

O desenvolvimento de trabalhos em grupo tornou-se uma tarefa cada vez mais comum nos dias atuais. Com isso, houve também um crescimento na utilização e no desenvolvimento de aplicações computacionais que implementam os processos de apoio à cooperação entre as pessoas, as quais possibilitam um considerável ganho de produtividade nas tarefas realizadas pelo grupo. A integração de várias dessas aplicações pode resultar em um acréscimo de funcionalidades, aumentando as possibilidades de uso e a flexibilidade para o usuário. Com o objetivo de agregar funcionalidades e melhorar os potenciais usos dos sistemas de software, aplicações integradas possuem, em geral, mais funcionalidades e maiores possibilidades de uso do que aplicações isoladas. Assim, foi desenvolvido o WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work), um Web Service que tem como objetivo facilitar a integração de ferramentas e sistemas CSCW. O WS4CSCW permite o gerenciamento de usuários, grupos, recursos, permissões e papéis de usuários e grupos, disponibilizando funcionalidades para aplicações voltadas ao trabalho em grupo, bem como para facilitar a integração entre essas aplicações, permitindo um co-funcionamento mais direto, consistente e coeso. / Nowadays, the achievement of tasks made in groups has become a habitual concern by people. In this way, a rise of using and developing computer programs that support cooperative work process has been noted. The programs aim to provide productivity improvements on work made by groups. Integrating the software could result in increasing functionalities, augmenting both its use possibilities and flexibility. Integrated softwares have, in general, more features and use's potential than isolated applications. As a result, WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work) -- a Web Service to assist CSCW application's integration was developed. WS4CSCW allows management of users, groups, resources, permissions, and user and group roles, by making available functionalities to applications for group work, making easy the integration among these applications and providing a straighter, more cohesive and consistent cooperation.

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar e explorar uma metodologia na área de Trabalho Cooperativo Apoiado por Computador (Computer Supported Cooperative Work – CSCW), que aborda processos colaborativos unindo indivíduos, assim como grupos, para que possam trabalhar em conjunto visando metas comuns, estando fisicamente ou não no mesmo local, atuando de forma síncrona ou assíncrona. A metodologia proposta procura reunir o conhecimento de várias pessoas sobre determinados temas, por meio de um sistema de comunicação em rede de computadores, transformando o grupo de indivíduos em uma única voz, sendo o sistema o Interlocutor do grupo. O Sistema Interlocutor funciona em rede e depende de três módulos: o Interrogador que é a comunicação com o meio externo, o Colaborador que é o canal para participação dos membros do grupo, e o Servidor que controla o funcionamento de todo o aplicativo. A metodologia Interlocutor é inspirada em conceitos extraídos de várias áreas tais como Inteligência Coletiva, método Delphi, estrutura de Comitês, Sistemas de Apoio à Decisão (Group Decision Support System - GDSS), Grupos de Trabalho (Groupware) entre outros. Esta metodologia pode ser empregada em situações críticas, que demandam respostas rápidas e precisas, ou mesmo em contextos planejados nos quais se deseja estudar alternativas detalhadamente. Na presente tese são apresentados três possíveis cenários de aplicação da metodologia proposta, bem como possíveis configurações para futuros estudos mais apurados. São apresentados ainda os resultados dos testes efetuados em um desses cenários que validaram a metodologia. Em conclusão, a metodologia Interlocutor é uma forma para a criação e o funcionamento de sistemas capazes de obter resultados de Inteligência Coletiva. / The present research aims to identify and to explore a methodology in the area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), encompassing cooperative processes that joint individuals, as well as groups, in a way that they can work seeking common goals together, being or not physically in the same place, acting synchronously or asynchronously. The proposed methodology searches to gather the several people's knowledge on certain themes, through a communication system in net of computers, transforming the individuals' group in a single voice, being the system the Interlocutor of the group. The Interlocutor System works in net and it depends on three modules: the Interrogator that it is the communication with the external middle, the Collaborator that it is the channel for participation of the members of the group, and the Servant that controls the operation of the whole application. The Interlocutor Methodology is inspired in extracted concepts of several such areas as, among others, Collective Intelligence, method Delphi, structure of Committees, Group Decision Support System (GDSS), Groupware. This methodology can be used in critical situations, that demand quick and necessary answers, or even in planned contexts in which it is wanted to study alternatives in full details. The present thesis presents three possible sceneries of application of the proposed methodology, as well as possible configurations for futures approaches. It is also presented the results of the tests made in one of these sceneries that validated the methodology. In conclusion, the Interlocutor Methodology is a form for the creation and the operation of systems capable to obtain results of Collective Intelligence.

IP-basierte Konferenz- und Kollaborations-Systeme entwickeln sich mehr und mehr in Richtung Rich Media Collaboration, d.h. vereinigen Audio- und Videokonferenzfunktionalität mit Instant Messaging und kollaborativen Funktionen wie Presentation Sharing und Application Sharing. Dabei müssen neben den Live-Medienströmen auch Inhaltsobjekte wie Präsentationsfolien oder Dokumentseiten in Echtzeit innerhalb einer Session verteilt werden. Im Gegensatz zum klassischen 1:n-push-Schema wird dafür in der Arbeit ein Ansatz für wahlfreien Zugriff auf durch die Teilnehmer selbst gehostete Inhaltsobjekte - also n:m-pull-Verteilung - vorgestellt. Dieser Ansatz hat in Anwendungsszenarien mit gleichberechtigten Teilnehmern, wie zum Beispiel virtuellen Meetings von Projektteams, signifikante Performance-Vorteile gegenüber den traditionellen Ansätzen. Mit dem Content Sharing Protocol (CSP) wurde eine Protokoll-Engine bestehend aus neun Mikroprotokollen entwickelt, implementiert und evaluiert. Sie beinhaltet neben der Kernfunktionalität der Inhaltsauslieferung auch Unterstützung für Caching, Prefetching und Datenadaption, sowie dynamische Priorisierung von Datentransfers und Interaktionsunterstützung.

<p>The aim of this thesis is to exploit the technological capabilities of computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) in the field of collaborative Modelling and Simulation (M&S). The thesis focuses on addressing two main problems: (i) providing flexible means of consistency management in collaborative M&S, and (ii) the ability of providing platform and application independent services for collaborative M&S.</p><p>In this work, some CSCW technologies and how some of the concepts can be incorporated in a distributed collaborative M&S environment, have been studied. An environment for component based simulation development and visualization, which provides support for collaborative M&S, has been designed. Some consistency policies that can be used in conjunction with distributed simulation and the High Level Architecture (HLA) have been investigated. Furthermore, the efficient utilization of HLA and XML in combination, as the foundation of a CSCW infrastructure has been proved. Two consistency policies were implemented utilizing HLA, a strict and an optimistic, in the distributed collaborative environment. Their performance was compared to the performance of a totally relaxed policy, in various collaboration situations.</p>

O desenvolvimento de trabalhos em grupo tornou-se uma tarefa cada vez mais comum nos dias atuais. Com isso, houve também um crescimento na utilização e no desenvolvimento de aplicações computacionais que implementam os processos de apoio à cooperação entre as pessoas, as quais possibilitam um considerável ganho de produtividade nas tarefas realizadas pelo grupo. A integração de várias dessas aplicações pode resultar em um acréscimo de funcionalidades, aumentando as possibilidades de uso e a flexibilidade para o usuário. Com o objetivo de agregar funcionalidades e melhorar os potenciais usos dos sistemas de software, aplicações integradas possuem, em geral, mais funcionalidades e maiores possibilidades de uso do que aplicações isoladas. Assim, foi desenvolvido o WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work), um Web Service que tem como objetivo facilitar a integração de ferramentas e sistemas CSCW. O WS4CSCW permite o gerenciamento de usuários, grupos, recursos, permissões e papéis de usuários e grupos, disponibilizando funcionalidades para aplicações voltadas ao trabalho em grupo, bem como para facilitar a integração entre essas aplicações, permitindo um co-funcionamento mais direto, consistente e coeso. / Nowadays, the achievement of tasks made in groups has become a habitual concern by people. In this way, a rise of using and developing computer programs that support cooperative work process has been noted. The programs aim to provide productivity improvements on work made by groups. Integrating the software could result in increasing functionalities, augmenting both its use possibilities and flexibility. Integrated softwares have, in general, more features and use's potential than isolated applications. As a result, WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work) -- a Web Service to assist CSCW application's integration was developed. WS4CSCW allows management of users, groups, resources, permissions, and user and group roles, by making available functionalities to applications for group work, making easy the integration among these applications and providing a straighter, more cohesive and consistent cooperation.

The aim of this thesis is to exploit the technological capabilities of computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) in the field of collaborative Modelling and Simulation (M&amp;S). The thesis focuses on addressing two main problems: (i) providing flexible means of consistency management in collaborative M&amp;S, and (ii) the ability of providing platform and application independent services for collaborative M&amp;S. In this work, some CSCW technologies and how some of the concepts can be incorporated in a distributed collaborative M&amp;S environment, have been studied. An environment for component based simulation development and visualization, which provides support for collaborative M&amp;S, has been designed. Some consistency policies that can be used in conjunction with distributed simulation and the High Level Architecture (HLA) have been investigated. Furthermore, the efficient utilization of HLA and XML in combination, as the foundation of a CSCW infrastructure has been proved. Two consistency policies were implemented utilizing HLA, a strict and an optimistic, in the distributed collaborative environment. Their performance was compared to the performance of a totally relaxed policy, in various collaboration situations. / QC 20101222

The aim of this thesis is to locate current problems concerning the process of finding common ground between a creative producer and its respective client, furthermore it aims to propose a solution to this problem in the context of collaborative video editing. The paper starts off by exploring research related to the topic. After that, it establishes, through interviews with experts within fields of video editing and graphic design, what the currently existing problems are concerning communication within their line of work. As a solution to these problems, a collaborative software is proposed with the idea of bridging the understanding between the video editor and its client. The paper ends with some conclusions surrounding the current state of the topic and proposes a way forward for both practitioners and researchers.

Typical hospital setups comprise units such as clinics, inpatient wards, outpatient services, casualty services, operating theatres, laboratories, medical schools (for university hospitals) and out-reach medical camps. Healthcare professionals are required to support these different units hence the need to be constantly mobile in undertaking their duties. These duties require that they frequently consult colleagues, receive handover from previous duty staff or share information on previous work undertaken. Successful use and adoption of handheld devices such as PC tablets, PDAs and smartphones integrated to health information systems can minimize the physical mobility. Information sharing using M-health solutions in complex and diverse healthcare settings draw focus beyond the spatiality gains to the coordination of the teams, processes and shared artefacts in healthcare. CSCW research abounds with various concepts that can be useful in characterizing mobility and communication amongst collaborating health workers. Design for mobile health solutions, therefore, provides an opportunity to further ground theoretical frameworks from exemplary studies on health information systems. The overall objective of the study is to propose design suggestions that target successful information sharing in the deployment and use of M-health solutions. To achieve this objective, the thesis investigates and analyses factors influencing the use and adoption of M-health solutions. A qualitative literature review is used in the study to explore significant factors in the acceptance and use of health information systems. A questionnaire developed from these key factors is used to determine the perceptions of healthcare professionals on M-health solutions based on related literature and on a field study. Finally, the findings are discussed using concepts from CSCW literature namely, mobility, common information spaces, temporality and cognitive and coordinative artefacts. As a result, a conceptual model integrating constructs from the Technology acceptance model (TAM) and IS Success model was developed that can be useful in investigating perceptions in the use of M-health solutions. Design suggestions were proposed for the development of future M-health solutions that aim to achieve successful information sharing amongst healthcare professionals.