Monday 21 April 2014

Raptor training - conclusions.

Dr. Rhys Smith from JANET and Cardiff University presented to the group about the Raptor software that they have developed. This was a JISC funded project.

The idea was to capture the usage of multiple resources, access using multiple methods and make the data accessible to people who need statistics but don't have technical skills, as after all statistics prove value to academic departments etc.

Raptor is Open Source. It is based on Java enterprise, embedded Jeyy, all AJAX, and uses SPRING. It uspports LINUX and WINDOWS.

The software sits on the server, it is jave based, and looks at log files. (old log files can be imported.) It is a multi unit aggregator (MUA) which stores data in a database, with a web java servlet for user access to reports.

You can have a hierarchy >
Feed local raptor data into a central 'HEA' raptor server, and control what data is sent by implementing 'policies'.

Set up is needed for LDAP integration. Configuration can handle attribute inclusion (dept. etc.)
Attainment can be examined > Library use V Final Award.

If +1,000,000 events are anticipated it is best to use a real DB and not VM.

Reports are generated using a graphs wizard, which generates graphs that can then be downloaded and shared. Examples include, top 5, event type, acategory, date, time interval in minutes.
This means for example you can filter the top 10 resources by department, or look at undergraduate usage. Reports export in csv or pdf.

Raptor is available at http://ram.cf.ac.uk/Raptor

There is a user list
It does not fit with COUNTER standard
Currently only implemented with EZProxy.
Must be installed on server authentication is being made to > Millennium server. 

Friday 4 April 2014

LIR Seminar 2014 (Headlines) PART 2 (Afternoon)

My previous post about the LIR Seminar was focused on my presentation 'Open Source for Libraries: feel the fear and do it anyway", but here are the headlines from the other presentations.



LIR HEAnet User Group for Libraries

2014 Annual Seminar

Pride and Prejudice: the Challenges with Open Access and Open Source
Friday, March 21st
Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing and Midwifery
D'Olier Street Dublin 2.

PROGRAMME - WITH LINKS TO PRESENTATIONS AND VIDEO

Scott Wilson, OSSWatch, Oxford University.
Niamh Walker Headon, ITT Dublin : Institute of Technology Tallaght
David Kane, Waterford Institute of Technology

Hugh Murphy and Padraic Stack, NUI Maynooth
Jennifer Collery, University College Dublin
Lightning talks
Deirdre Judge  (slides) IADT / David Kane (slides) WIT  / Michael Ladisch, UCD (Slides)

Headlines and Highlights

Scott Wilson

This talk outlined that it is not just the software license that has financial implications for an organisation, but a myrid other items arise. 

Other costs include: 
  1. Support
  2. Infrastructure (physical and virtual)
  3. Training
  4. Security
  5. Liability
  6. Upgrading 
  7. Maintenance

For publicly funded organizations it is essential that transparency of process is guaranteed.Look for OS (Open Source) projects that have vital communities, regular updates, and consider joining the project if it does.  

Sustainability should be considered when choosing software, as should risk management and a comprehensive exit strategy. 
  • Establish how you get your data out in a format that is compatible with other software and is usable.
  • Ask yourself will the software be around in 5 years' time. (Consider the long procurement cycle in HE)
    • OS data is public
    • How many commits to the software per month
    • How many contributions to the code per month
  • Avoid lock in 


User needs should be central, and a local trial of the product's usability should be undertaken during any pilot phase. Assess any software against the recognized 'best of breeds' ... you will find that OS is the market leader in some fields. UK government G-Cloud was given as an example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Government_G-Cloud

How do you account for OS in the procurement process? 

Make sure you are procuring within your organisations procurement policy, and establish whether OS is excluded by that policy. 

Approaches used
  1. Agnostic: Don't mention open source or closed source in you specification documents. 
  2. Equal consideration: to all options
  3. Preferential consideration: state preference will be given to OS solutions. 

The Process

Shallow engagement > Mature OS, customize locally 
Deep engagement: contribute back to the project, lead how the project is developed. 

NOTE: it is hard to do a 'trial' with OS. There is often no 'vendor' behind it to set it up for testing etc. 

Engage in active pre-procurement processes. Do your own survey of the market, and identify solutions yourself to inform your procurement process. Procurement processes can be designed to include a paid discovery stage. If an OS solution looks like the beat fit then go externally for support and services at this stage. 

Un-bundling can identify bundle deficiencies. 

In Sweden a parallel purchasing model is used. Two separated competitions are run and the results of both are compared. 

Is your organisation prepared to participate in 'deep engagement' with external partners, if it is a project fit? 

Evalution

  • Should be open
  • Meritocracy
  • Open governance
  • Business case: doesn't need to create more bureaucracy. 
  • In practice are there 'people barriers' to the software's acceptance by users?
      • Are staff / users aware of the procurement?
  • Are those involved in procurement aware of the staff / user needs and abilities? 
    • Are they all aware of policy, tools and how OS works? 
    • Understanding is needed
    • Capacity is needed to deliver both of the organisation and the staff / users. 
  • Cultural alignment needs to be attained as there will be differing levels of readiness for software change. 

Niamh Walker-Headon 

See previous post: http://anleabharlannai.blogspot.ie/2014/03/open-source-software-for-libraries-feel.html

David Kane (1)

WIT institutional repository (e-prints) needed more user friendly submission form. The solution was found by workign with CalTech, to create a html form eprintshelper. 
Github was used to manage the collaborative process. It was simple to use, maintaainable and provided a single source for the php needed. Changes are vetted by the library/s before they go live. 


Hugh Murphy & Padraic Stack 

NUIM's digital archive is hosted by the Digital Repository of Ireland http://dri.ie/national-university-ireland-maynooth

Omeka http://omeka.org/ has recently been used to curate two exhibitions online. An advantage of this is the avoidance of  vendor lock in as Omeka is 'free and open source'. Omeka was used to re-imagine NUIM's exhibition space and reinterpret it to an online environment. It is low cost, flexible, customizable, and intuitive to use. 2 different exhibitions were delivered this way, using two different workflows, and two different install methods. It is cheap, very low risk, and maintained by an academic institution.  One hosted locally, one hosted online.
Tools, plugins and themes are all supplied. 
COINS compatible, csv import, drop box plugin, Dublin CORE extended. There were some issues with data in incorrect fields. 

The development community is quite small. There are .org (download) and .net (upload) versions. 
These can be compared at http://bitly.com/compareomekas


Jennifer Collery

Reused and open edutation resource (OER), the online Plagarism tutorial from ITT Dublin (IT -Tallaght), available at http://millennium.it-tallaght.ie/screens/tut.html. It complimented a VLE quiz,  

OER's can be found at Jorum, floc, google, Slideshare, youtube etc.

To reuse the tutorial local branding was applied, navigation was changed to allow the user full control, and made mobile device ready via Articulate Storyline. This was then taken a step further and translated into Irish with a narration 'As Gaeilge' supplied. 

Positives from the project include the development of collaborative links, and time efficiency. 

Deirdre Judge

The concept of the Open Lirary as per the Danish model was introduced and outlined as the library being open without staff, but with staff hours. More details are available at http://cordura.dk/en/software/products/open-library/ including an overview of the type of technology needed to deliver such a service.  


David Kane (2)

The Bookscanner, open source hardware project was outlined. A DIY book scanner project was located online,  blueprints were downloaded, and a cradle built from them. A camera etc was then installed to create a low cost book scanner. 


Michael Ladisch

The ORCID ID scheme was discussed. It was outlined that the scheme is accepted by multiple organisations, and ties into the 'OPEN' movement, in that it is an Open Researcher ID, a 16 digit DOI for researchers if you will. The aim is to eliminate name ambiguities, increase the discoverablility of research and researchers, and reduce the amount of data entry needed. SFI will require ORCID ID's from next year. 

It was suggested that perhaps batch registering could be considered for organisations. 

There is currently no ID vetting on ORCID, not validating that people are who they say they are. 

Thursday 3 April 2014

As Easy As Raspberry PI event @ UCD 2nd April, 2014 (#easyaspi)

I attended the As Easy As Raspberry PI event at UCD yesterday. There was a lot of information given on the day so here are my highlights! This is heavily edited and biased towards my 'Systems Librarian' hat... 
(This is a longer post than usual as I am also gathering information to come back to later myself including interesting links and videos.)

As always any errors, omissions or inaccuracy's are my own, so check it out online for yourself if you want additional information. (let me know if I got it wrong...) Dodgy iPhone photos from the day are liberally scattered about the blog post. This first series shows it connected to other hardware fulfilling day to day technology roles / different configurations. 







About the PI

Raspberry PI is a general use pc. Raspberry PI is available from RS Components, and can be purchased online.  It has a small range of accessories, like an 8 GB SD card pre-loaded with Raspbian (V. of Debian needed to run). All you need to run the PI is available online to download via raspberrypi.org. It really is the size of a credit card. The PI store has free (and small fee) apps, games, tutorials etc. to install for further functionality. In Ireland they are Radionics Ltd. (rswww.ie apparently, but I can't get it to resolve today!) 

The Raspberry Pi can be bought at  http://raspberrypi.rsdelivers.com/default.aspx?cl=1 : 
(Copy and paste of details from the previous URL on 3/4/14)

Raspberry Pi with SD Card Bundles

Type B with 8GB SD card

The Raspberry Pi Model B is a credit-card sized computer board that plugs into a TV. It’s a miniature ARM-based PC that can perform many of the functions of a large desktop PC. While it can run office programs like spreadsheets and word processors, the Model B is intended as a platform for learning computer programming in languages such as Scratch and Python. It plays High-Definition video in multi-media applications and can access the Internet via a suitable connection. Comes with an 8GB SD card pre-installed with the Raspian operating system.
£32.88(£27.40 exc. VAT)

Click here for full product details 
RS Components in Ireland are offering Type B from a base price of €27.50 + VAT


It was designed to encourage children to program as many don't have access to PCs, rather games consoles etc.

Specifications include (model B) 512 MB RAM, runs on SD card, DualCoreVideoCore IV. (see more at http://www.raspberrypi.org/help/faqs/) 

It can be run on batteries (AA or AAA) (see more at http://www.daveakerman.com/?page_id=1294) 

Open Source applications can be run on the unit like Libre Office etc., making it a multi-tasking machine, not just for child prodigy programmers or 'computer geeks'.



Alan Lund: Product Compliance Manager - RS Components

spoke first. He works for RS Components who partner with the Raspberry Pi foundation http://www.raspberrypi.org/. Alan gave an overview of their customer and product groups to illustrate how becoming involved in the Raspberry PI was a change in corporate direction for RS Components. Traditionally the company is engaged in B2b retail with a strong online presence. Therefore beginning tos ell the Raspberry PI to personal customers was a big strategic shift for them. 


Dr. Crystal Fulton introduces Alan Lund


RS Components, having a Global presence was well placed to assist with compliance to standards and regulations in multiple countries in addition to providing access to a global sales / provision network. For example the EU's CE mark is a different-kettle-of-fish to China's CCC mark etc. They assisted with resolving compliance issues globally. (CE, RoHS, WEEE, REACH Article 33 in the EU alone). in addition they assisted with IP licensing and compliance. 

+2.5 million Raspberry PI units have been sold so far... 

Alan pointed out that RS Components don't just supply the Raspberry PI, but also other emerging technologies... 

Dr. Eben Upton: Raspberry PI foundation

was the second speaker. He outlined the perceived need of a general purpose computer which would offer children the opportunity to engage in programming activities in the same serendipitous way as I did as a child with the ZX Spectrum 48 at home. [I even had geeky books as a pre-teen that included locating code in fiction to create programs... ] Basically the opportunity to engage with the black 'command' screen with the white cursor does not arise for every child as games consoles have replaced PCs in many homes. 

The fall in applications for 3rd level places in the computing sciences at Cambridge sparked the idea of creating a cheap, robust, portable, fun to use unit that could be put into a child's bedroom. 

An early proptype can be seen at the 

FLOUNDERS: THE SCIENCE GALLERY FAIL BETTER EDITION


The initial concept emerged in 2006, but didn't go on sale until 2012. The unit kept evolving the whole time. The initial plan was to produce 1,000 units to entice school children into studying computing science at Cambridge. An initial components list included DRAM, a processor, network connectivity, PCB... the working unit now has +180 components. 

By the end of 2011 it was known that the unit could be built for the price envisioned originally (that of a school text book), and that there was a huge community of interest behind the concept (+600,000 views of the original YouTube video about the PI). The foundation was set up as a not-for-profit entity and it was at this stage planned to produce 10,000 using funding raised by the founders. However website traffic indicated a higher demand... making the foundation abandon the plan to produce them in batched of 10,000 with each batch funding the succeeding one. 


Dr. Upton addressing the audience


An e-mail via RSDesignSpark (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=pcb (maybe?)) resulted in the production of the unit being sourced in Wales with Sony rather than in China (for which costings had been sought). Dr. Upton wonders if the tipping point has come and manufacturing is now becoming competitive in the West... 

Working with RS Components changed the business model from a capital intensive one for the foundation to one where the selling of 100,000 units on the 1st day of availability was possible. To date +2.5 million have been sold and applications for computing science at Cambridge have increased too. 

The usage pattern for the Raspberry PI has evolved over the past three years, this is reflected in the foundation's blog posts, illustrating that it is achieving what it set out to do. 
  • Year 1 = about the PI [foundation posts]
  • Year 2 = about what adults were doing with it [...geeks...]
  • Year 3 =about what children are doing with it

Adults tend to use it to control things, everything home security or home breweries has been tried. 

The Raspberry Pi has also been used to create stacked photographs (usually requiring expensive photographic equipment ), play retro nintendo games, synthesize music, control art installations (there is a n artist in residence at the foundation), control weather ballons, take photos in space and much more. 

There is a strong community and user groups around the PI. Get togethers called Raspberry Jams occur. 


Dr. Upton mentioned that Google have been very supportive, helping provide +15,000 units for use in the classroom. This sponsorship has helped reach more schools faster than planned. Some units were also distributed via Coder DoJo (http://coderdojo.com/) and Codeclub (https://www.codeclub.org.uk/)

The MagPI publication is available through the PI store and in print. 

Accessories are available for the PI which are produced by 'cottage industies'. For example no case was include in the design, so there are several options for procuring one. 
  • The punnet > Printable PDF for use with card. 
  • Lego case (made by an 11 year old)
  • Pibow, plastic casing

Applications that run on the PI includes the MIT Scratch Programming scheme. Minecraft (game) for PI includes a programming interface. 

See where people own Raspberry PI's on Rastrack (http://rastrack.co.uk/) designed by a 14 year old. 

2014 sees the introduction of support materials for teachers to help in the delivery of the new 'blessed' subject of computer programming for GCSE's in the UK. It is hoped that this will see a uniform basic skill level in new entrants to third level c. 2020.  No immediate plans exist for upgrading the unit exist. 

Dr. Upton indicated that computer programming skills are foundation skills for the upcoming generations or a literacy skill. 

Cambridge Assessment have been involved in the creation of a MOOC for GSCE Computer Programming, (120 short videos).http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/ 

To complete the event 10 anniversary editions of the Raspberry PI were given away to attendees. 


Some of the Raspberry PI winners

Recommended title: 

Adventures in Raspberry Pi by Carrie Anne Philbin

  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (6 Dec 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1118751256
  • ISBN-13: 978-1118751251

What it does - if you don't have the foggiest... [4 min]





How to get it started... [+8 min]





Tweets of the day curated on Storify.com

The event trended in Twitter for Ireland - here are those tweets curated via Storify. 

TCD RASPBERRY PI Events this week... 

from https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/events 
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 - 18:00 TO 19:15
€5 - PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Most kids don't program computers anymore. Eben Upton co-invented the Raspberry Pi, a tiny and affordable computer, so that kids could rediscover the satisfaction you get when you write your own programs. Over two million Raspberry Pis have been sold since the company launched in 2012, and there have been several prototypes along the way.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2014 - 12:00 TO 17:00
€35 (BYO PI) OR €75 (PI + SD CARD INCLUDED)
A one-day intermediate-level workshop for Raspberry Pi with Vicky Lee that includes a free ticket toEBEN UPTON’S TALK ON THURSDAY APRIL 3RD and an opportunity to pitch your idea to Eben directly, just before his talk. 

Photos from Raspberry PI @ UCD 2nd April, 2014.