VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF AND INTERACTIONS WITH COMPUTING AND NETWORK EQUIPMENT IN A PHYSICAL SPACE

Techniques are described herein for facilitating user interactions with computing and networking equipment in a physical space using augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) techniques. In particular, the techniques described herein enable a person to, using a AR/VR mobile device, walk through a physical space and have presented to them, against a view of the space, information about the various network equipment in the space, including network switches, wireless local area network access points, routers, video teleconference equipment, Internet of Thing (IoT) switches, ruggedized outdoor network switches, beacon devices, etc

The impact of ICT sophistication on geographically distant networks: the case of space physics as seen from France

This paper examines scientific collaboration between French public research teams and distant partners. We first analyse the role and the development of trust and then, the relation between the degree of sophistication of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the constraint of geographical proximity. In that purpose, we present a typology of the different kinds of knowledge and a classification of technologies. A case study in the field of space physics allows us to confront our theoretical elements to real life. We study the evolution of ICT sophistication parallel to collaboration patterns. Finally, we give some recommendations for public funding of virtual networks.collaboratory, knowledge transfer, trust, ICT classification, space physics

The implications of a change in business travel policy on the wider organisation and public policy

Business travel, although only accounting in the UK in 2008 for 3% of trips and 9% of the UK's domestic distance travelled (Department for Transport, 2009, pp28), form a higher proportion in major cities (15% of mileage in London), where transport networks are most congested. Additionally, business journeys can be time consuming and tiring for the business traveller, affecting work/life balance and productivity, and also costly for businesses and the economy. The carbon emissions from business travel are an important factor due to longer distances travelled and the high proportion of journeys undertaken by air. In some cases business travel can be as much as two thirds of an organisations total carbon emissions. This paper reports the findings of a study designed to understand the motivations and attitudes of key actors in private sector organisations towards business travel. These motivations include: • The increasing importance of business travel on business costs and productivity due to the recession • Reductions in carbon emissions and the links to corporate responsibility • The demands of customers to reduce carbon emissions through the procurement process • The extent to which advancements in virtual communication technologies reduce the need to travel • A greater awareness of the vulnerability of travellers and to business continuity highlighted by the volcanic ash cloud. The insights into these causal factors and an understanding of the business practices that support, and barriers that hinder a reduction in business travel, are important in forecasting and developing public policy to produce a more holistic approach to managing personal travel, for both business travel and the commute. This paper will report some of these insights and discuss how a change in business travel policy can have extensive repercussions within an organisation, resulting in major impacts on business travel behaviour

Effects of a Virtual Church on the Perceived Spiritual Well-Being of the Elderly: A Qualitative Study of Participants in a Virtual Religious Community

The study purposed to ascertain if the virtual church is a viable alternative to brick and mortar church; and uniquely tailored to virtual teleconference church. It delved into the perceptions of the elder population regarding the phenomenon of virtual church. The study also sought to determine whether there are obstacles in either physical or virtual churches that would impede spiritual growth and can be overcome. Suler’s analysis of virtual church attendee’s experiences guided this qualitative study and theoretical framework. The research was conducted through in-depth, semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions. The questions explored the perceptions of elderly congregants of the virtual teleconference church to determine how the virtual church affects their spiritual growth, the participants’ reasons for choosing a virtual church, and the participant’s comparison of their virtual church experience with their participation in the conventional brick and mortar institution This study found that for the elderly in a virtual church environment (a) neither their denomination nor physical proximity were concerns, (b) there is connectivity with the virtual teleconference church, (c) interaction is important, (d) the virtual teleconference church is not necessarily a replacement for brick and mortar church, (e) the elderly acquiesce to a changing world. Recommendations for further research include surveying a broader field of participants in virtual church, such as the population below the age of 65, the incarcerated, ex-convicts and their families, the differently-abled, homebound, residents of nursing homes, rehabilitation and adult living facilities, hospice patients, and those who fear attending brick and mortar church

Distributed collaboration between industry and university partners in HE

Over the past three years the School of Design has been experimenting with an innovative curriculum design and delivery model named ‘the Global Studio’. The Global Studio is a cross-institutional research informed teaching and learning collaboration conducted between Northumbria University and international universities and industry partners based in the UK, USA, Netherlands and Korea. The aims of the Global Studio are directly linked with current and future industry needs that are related to changes in the organisation of product and service development. These changes highlight the importance of equipping design students with skills for working in globally networked organisations particularly the development of skills in intercultural communication and collaboration. In this paper we will focus on the Global Studio conducted in 2008 which included Northumbria University (UK), Hongik University (Korea), Auburn University (USA), Intel (USA), Motorola design studios located in the UK and Korea and Great Southern Wood (USA). These projects will be used to illustrate challenges and benefits of international collaborative industry-based projects undertaken in distributed settings

The role of telehealth technology in the remediation of pediatric feeding disorders

Teletherapy, the use of video conferencing technology to deliver therapy services, has the potential to provide ongoing services to children that might not otherwise be able to receive traditional intervention that it essential for them to thrive. Among children who are diagnosed with developmental disorders, as well as those who are typically developing, feeding related concerns are highly prevalent. The current report discusses the nature of feeding disorders in children across the continuum of development and diagnoses, synthesizes the current literature of feeding and non-feeding related intervention programs for children in various settings, and discusses their value for future clinical use and research.Communication Sciences and Disorder

The emergence of a user determined narrative in telematic environments

My work in the field of telematic arts explores the emergence of a user-determined narrative by bringing remote participants together in a shared telepresent environment. Through the use of live chroma-keying and videoconferencing technology, two public rooms or installations and their audiences are joined in a virtual duplicate that turns into a mutual, visual space of activity. Linked via an H.323 Internet videoconference connection, this form of immersive interactive exchange can be established between almost any two locations in the world. The audiences form an integral part within these telematic experiments, which simply wouldn’t function without their presence and participation. Initially the viewers seem to enter a passive space, but they are instantly thrown into the performer role by discovering their own body-double in communication with another physically remote user on video monitors in front of them. They usually adapt to the situation quickly and start controlling and choreographing their human avatar. Nevertheless, the installation set up in the form of an open accessible platform offers a second choice of engagement: the passive mode of just observing the public action, which often appears to be a well-rehearsed piece of drama confidently played out by actors. Compelling to watch, it can be a complex issue to discover that the performers are also part of the audience and are merely engaging in a role. The entire installation space then represents two dynamic dramatic functions: the players, controllers, or puppeteers of their own avatar, absorbed by the performing role; and the off-camera members of the audience, who are themselves awaiting the next available slot on the telematic stage, soon to be sharing this split dynamic. However, the episodes that unfold are not only determined by the participants, but by the given dramatic context. As an artist I am both designer of the environment and therefore ‘director’ of the narrative, which I determine through the social and political milieu that I choose to play out in these telepresent encounters

Cultural diversity and information and communication technology impacts on global virtual teams: An exploratory study.

Modern organizations face many significant challenges because of turbulent environments and a competitive global economy. Among these challenges are the use of information and communication technology (ICT), a multicultural workforce, and organizational designs that involve global virtual teams. Ad hoc teams create both opportunities and challenges for organizations and many organizations are trying to understand how the virtual environment affects team effectiveness. Our exploratory study focused on the effects of cultural diversity and ICT on team effectiveness. Interviews with 41 team members from nine countries employed by a Fortune 500 corporation were analyzed. Results suggested that cultural diversity had a positive influence on decision‐making and a negative influence on communication. ICT mitigated the negative impact on intercultural communication and supported the positive impact on decision making. Effective technologies for intercultural communication included e‐mail, teleconferencing combined with e‐Meetings, and team rooms. Cultural diversity influenced selection of the communication media