Dialogues with a talking face for web-based services and transactions

In this paper we discuss our research on interactions in a virtual theatre that has been built using VRML and therefore can be accessed through Web pages. In\ud the virtual environment we employ several agents. The virtual theatre allows navigation input through keyboard and mouse, but there is also a navigation\ud agent which listens to typed input and spoken commands. Feedback of the system is given using speech synthesis. We also have an information agent which allows a natural language dialogue with the system where the input is keyboard-driven and the output is both with tables as with template driven natural language generation. In development are several talking faces for the different agents in the virtual world. At this moment an avatar with a cartoon-like talking face driven by a text-to-speech synthesizer can provide users with information about performances in the theatre

Specification Techniques for Multi-Modal Dialogues in the U-Wish Project

In this paper we describe the development of a specification\ud technique for specifying interactive web-based services. We\ud wanted to design a language that can be a means of\ud communication between designers and developers of interactive services, that makes it easier to develop web-based services fitted to the users and that shortens the pathway from design to implementation. The language, still under development, is based on process algebra and can be\ud connected to the results of task analysis. We have been\ud working on the automatic generation of executable prototypes\ud out of the specifications. In this way the specification\ud language can establish a connection between users, design\ud and implementation. A first version of this language is\ud available as well as prototype tools for executing the specifications. Ideas will be given as to how to make the connection between specifications and task analysis

Flare: Architecture for rapid and easy development of Internet-based Applications

We propose an architecture, Flare, that is a structured and easy way to develop applications rapidly, in a multitude of languages, which make use of online storage of data and management of users. The architecture eliminates the need for server-side programming in most cases, creation and management of online database storage servers, re-creation of user management schemes and writing a lot of unnecessary code for accessing different web-based services using their APIs. A Web API provides a common API for various web-based services like Blogger [2], Wordpress, MSN Live, Facebook [3] etc. Access Libraries provided for major programming languages and platforms make it easy to develop applications using the Flare Web Service. We demonstrate a simple micro-blogging service developed using these APIs in two modes: a graphical browser-based mode, and a command-line mode in C++, which provide two different interfaces to the same account and data.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Comparative Study of Web-Based Services and Best Practices Offered by Top University Libraries in the World and "A” Grade Accredited University Libraries in India

In this study 64 web based services (bibliographical, patron education, patron communication and patron publication services) and best practices offered by the 70 top world university libraries and 39 top Indian University libraries were studied using different data analysis techniques like cross-tabulating for average scores and Pearson correlation coefficient and tests like Chi-Square Test and T-Test were applied to the raw data collected for final results. The library rankings as per their web-based services were correlated with their university rankings as per Webometric rankings and found that library web-based services rankings are correlating with their university rankings. Therefore, developing countries like India should improve their library web-based services rankings to improve their rankings at global level

Public Domain GIS, Mapping & Imaging Using Web-based Services

In this paper, we outline a series of related applications and a web service designed to enable non-expert users to develop online visualizations which are essentially map-based. In the last five years, public domain GIS (geographic information systems) software for map display and beyond has become available for non-expert users in the public domain, the best examples being the various products from Google such as Google Maps and Google Earth. We have devised various software to enable non-experts to take appropriate map data in standard formats and to transform them so that can be displayed by these software in a one stop action. The first system is called GMapCreator and we show how the software can be used to produce any number of map layers which can be overlaid on Google Maps, can be combined and toggled in combination, and whose transparency can be varied for a myriad of presentation purposes. We then evolve this into a form called ImageCutter which takes any large image and puts this into a Google Map so that the zoom and pan features of the software can be exploited. These software are now available through a site we call MapTube which is a server pointing to various maps created by GMapCreator which is a rudimentary archive of virtual map resources. Finally, we sketch how these software are being moved into 3D using the capabilities of Google Earth and Second Life to display geographic imagery

Web-based Services in University Libraries: A Pakistani Perspective

This study is a content analysis of websites of 56 General University Libraries (GULs) of Pakistan. Content included existence of library website, hyperlink on university home page, type (static or dynamic) of library website, and six categories of library and information services. The six categories included general information, web OPAC, reference service, collection, circulation, and document delivery service/Inter Library Loan. Results indicate that web-based services in GULs of Pakistan are in their infancy. LIS professionals must recognize the significance of web-based library services and take initiative provide web services to library users. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), LIS educators, and professional associations should provide training opportunities to librarians to develop required skills

Development of web-based services for the marine sciences

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Knowledge and Awareness of Web-based Services among Library Professionals in JMI Library

The present study attempts to evaluate the level of awareness and attitude towards the application of web-based services among library professionals of central university Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. The questionnaire technique is used to collect the data from 34 library professionals working in the library system of JMI. The result of the work explains that the majority of the library professionals employed in the Jamia library system are aware of web-based services with the highest level of awareness about the use of open access e-resources with WAM value (9.30) and lowest value of RSS feeds (7.33). The investigation likewise uncovered that library professionals of Jamia have an uplifting mentality towards the execution of web-based services in libraries. It was also found that library professionals lacked adequate training on the use of web-based technologies applications in libraries to enhance library services