GPN Digest

Over the past two years, representatives from the gigapops have gotten together on a regular basis to discuss common problems. The Great Plains Network has participated in those discussions from the outset, providing help with meetings and even some web space.

The gigapops are now very close to formalizing this organization. It is called the Quilt. The term is not an acronym, but rather serves as a metaphor for the gigapops themselves - a very diverse collection of regional networks which are pieced together to span the country with advanced networking.

One project initiated by the Quilt has already been successful. At a meeting in Kansas City in July, the representatives from the gigapops wrote a white paper which proposed having Abilene consider connections from the state networks. This lead to a change in the Conditions of Use of Abilene (Internet2) and at least 12 state networks (including MOREnet) have now applied for such connections.

GPN is a charter member of the Quilt and will continue to participate in intra-gigapop activities in the near future. I hope to write more about the Quilt in coming articles, and in particular about the evolving K20 initiative and other projects involving the Quilt.

EMAIL RICK

Earlier this month I spoke at the Access Grid (AG) Human Factors Workshop. (AG is the digital video collaboration tool of the future.) I rated each of my AG experiences on a scale from one to ten and identified key positive and negative factors. I was asked about video and audio quality, and I pointed out that, while the quality is usually excellent, the best experiences are those in which I'm so absorbed that video and audio quality don't matter. I went on to explain by relating this story.

For Christmas I gave my Mom a PC camera and arranged high-speed (ADSL) service to her home in Chicago. After locating and explaining the software (NetMeeting), finding IP addresses, and dialing/answering the computers, we made a connection. When that happened, my whole concept of communication across long distances changed: My Mom and I can be together. The picture quality may not be great, but the quality of the experience is overwhelming. I rated it a 10+.

But I needed another opinion. So, I asked Jeanne, my wife, to try it out. (Jeanne is the head of psychology at a state agency here in Topeka.) It seems that, until the video quality improves, Jeanne prefers phone for casual conversation. She does see immediate application of the technology for her staff and clients who often spend the better part of a day traveling from Topeka to Kansas City for a brief psychiatric

consultation.

We're now at the point where my Mom shares her desktop so that I see and can take control of her computer. This has revolutionalized our technical support interactions. We've conquered jargon hurdles and audio feedback problems (headphones and/or unidirectional microphones are great). I transfer digital pictures to my Mom's computer, and we use the whiteboard together to develop todo lists.

Since the AG workshop, I've tried to learn about more sophisticated video conferencing tools from a workshop colleague, but we often fall back on NetMeeting. It's like training wheels.

There is no single solution. But I recommend giving digital video conferencing from your desktop a try. Start by getting a PC Camera (recommendations at our GPN Research Tools page). Then download NetMeeting. For more information, register for the April GPN Member Meeting. When you need help, email the Great Plains Video List with a question.

You can also join the GPN Video List or email me.

ScienceWise
Reviewed by Greg Monaco
Q: What's a web site, a funding database, a proposal submission engine, and a place to collaborate with others called?
A: ScienceWise. Billed as "The workplace for Science and Engineering," I found it useful for the social sciences, as well. Here's what I learned:

You must join ScienceWise in order to use it. Get Premium Service for $120/year or free for... Guess what I chose?
:-) Well-designed user interface and GOOD COLORS.
Use Search Agent to find funding for research, small businesses, and scholarships, as well as job opportunities.
:-) Good search control: Search all funders, search by category of funders, search a specific funder (my favorite is US Corporations-Burger King), and/or use keywords; but use THEIR keywords.
:-) There seem to be more funders in ScienceWise than in COS (Community of Science).
:-) Search results are sorted by title OR deadline!
:-) Only announced grants seem to be listed--no automatic rollover as with COS.
:-( Search results appear to be reformats of original RFPs. ScienceWise DOES NOT PROVIDE A LINK to online RFPs.
:-) Sign up for funding alerts by email, using keyword and/or funder (e.g., send all announcements about climatology plus all from NASA).
:-( No database of funded proposals as in COS.

Overall, I like ScienceWise a lot. But I keep my COS account active and often go directly to a funder's web site to get the skinny.

ScienceWise also provides collaborative tools and online proposal submission. I'll review those next time.

Kristen Klaver
At the last four Internet2 member meetings, researchers from Oklahoma demonstrated groundbreaking technology (e.g., Diabetic Retinopathy Digital Disease Detection and Tracking System), played a lead role in pioneering Internet2 for music education and performance, have been an award-winning part of Megaconference and Megaconference II, and played significant roles in the Internet2 performance events.

Behind the scenes is Kristen Klaver, the University of Oklahoma's I2 representative. Kristen's title is Facilitator of Advanced Networking Applications for the University of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa. Kristen explains Internet2 to researchers, helps identify how to enhance research through advanced networking, helps identify software and hardware needs (including locating trial units from manufacturers), and even helps identify funding opportunities and assists in proposal writing.

Before returning to Oklahoma, Kristen worked for Apple Computers, managing marketing programs, training, and advertising efforts for all of Apple's ComputerLand accounts.

Kristen lives in Norman with her three year old son, Michael.

NetWord of the Week:
Mbone (Multicast backBONE) A collection of sites on the Internet that support the IP multicast protocol (one-to-many) and allow for live audio and video conferencing.