The u Portal Roadmap Prepared by Jim Farmer

The u. Portal Roadmap Prepared by Jim Farmer for the JA-SIG UK Meeting Monday, 26 January, 2004 University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Some history JA-SIG Collaborative Version Date Enhancements 1. 0 Jul 2000 1. 5 Feb 2001 Roles 1. 6 Jun 2001 Performance 2. 0 Feb 2002 Introduced XSLT architecture 2. 1 Dec 2002 Remote channel, Web proxy, statistics Jan 2004 Internationalization, WSRP, aggregated layout 2. 2

JA-SIG Collaborative Purpose of version 2. 2 • Introduce significant new features that will require further development. • Support exploration of these new features by users • Fully define how subsequent versions of these features should be implemented • Provide guidance for development of portal-based applications

Version 2. 2 JA-SIG Collaborative • Internationalization • Portal framework • Language choice algorithm • Channel awareness • Remote portlet • WSRP-compliance limited to u. Portal remote channel functions • “Integrated modes” • Preferences mode--user view plus icons and markers--to change user layout rather than current iconic layout more

Version 2. 2 JA-SIG Collaborative • Aggregated Layout • “Layout fragments” consisting of tab and columns • Content “pushed” based on group membership, layout fragment • Enforce “directed” layout through restrictions (priority range, depth, group, immutable, unremovable and hidden restrictions)

JA-SIG Collaborative Limitations of internationalization • Language preferences of browsers inconsistent, numerous; not implemented in 2. 2 • Java localization supports only twocharacter language codes; higher education may need three-character codes of ISO 639 January 2003 as adopted by NISO (libraries) • XLIFF editor not yet developed or integrated with Kajita update utility

JA-SIG Collaborative Limitations of “integrated modes” • Not clear which information should be passed between the Java framework and XSLT style sheets (depends upon future channel developer needs) • Possible improvements in user interaction

JA-SIG Collaborative Limitations of aggregated layout • “Layout fragment” limited to “tab and specified columns and channels” • Layout restrictions supported if specified by portal administrator • Need to further enhance the graphical user interface for publish and subscribe of layout fragments (based on user experience and suggestions)

JA-SIG Collaborative Lessons from aggregated layout • Layout control needs to be delegated to departments and faculty rather than portal administrator • Unclear how to visualize impact of layout restrictions; that is, final layout effect of different layout restrictions since they interact with a user’s personal choices and the priorities and restrictions previously assigned to tabs, columns, and channels or portlets

JA-SIG Collaborative The future – version 2. 3 • In response to Sakai project, implement JSR 168 without concern about performance. May use Pluto code from Apache Software Foundation • Further develop remote portlet following WSRP specification • Deploy further development of 2. 2 features if available

JA-SIG Collaborative The future – version 3. 0 • Implement JSR 168 compliance, also likely using Pluto (subject to January testing) • Performance improvements • Deploy further development of 2. 2 features as available

JA-SIG Collaborative u. Portal and JSR 168

JA-SIG Collaborative Developing features • WSRP and JSR-168 as reference implementations, experience suggest • Internationalization • Use of XLIFF specification • Implement browser language preference if reasonable • User interface • Extend “integrated modes” • Modify as experience suggests • Cornell channel volume, Hull studies, accessibility

JA-SIG Collaborative WSRP support

JA-SIG Collaborative Likely u. Portal priorities • Stability • Performance • Features • Product support • Documentation • Training

JA-SIG Collaborative Likely JA-SIG priorities • Applications implemented as portlets or portal channels, for example: • OSPI e. Portfolio (Indiana University) • Sakai collaboration “tools” based on the University of Michigan’s CHEF tools • Sakai Course Management System • Cu. CMS Content Management System (Columbia University) • Services oriented architecture based on Web Services (XML, SOAP, WSSecurity, SAML)

JA-SIG Collaborative Keep in mind … • JA-SIG priorities and activities represents the interests, needs, and resources of the participants. • Changing needs in higher and further education under increasing pressure for productivity improvements. • Commercial firms are still trying to accommodate to open source software development.

• The end • jim farmer • jxf@immagic. com • +1 -202 -296 -2807

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