Category Archives: Announcement

Hackers on Forking

Announcement, Conference Contributions, F/L/OSS Track, Full Research Papers, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks

Title: Hackers on Forking

Authors: Linus Nyman (Hanken University, Finland)

Abstract: All open source licenses allow the copying of an existing body of code for use as the basis of a separate development project. This practice is commonly known as forking the code. This paper presents the results of a study in which 11 programmers were interviewed about their opinions on the right to fork and the impact of forking on open source software development. The results show that there is a general consensus among programmers’ views regarding both the favourable and unfavourable aspects that stem from the right to fork. Interestingly, while all programmers noted potential downsides to the right to fork, it was seen by all as an integral component of open source software, and a right that must not be infringed regardless of circumstance or outcome.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Cross-fertilization vs. Collaboration in Simulations of Open Innovation

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, Open Innovation Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks

Title: Cross-fertilization vs. Collaboration in Simulations of Open Innovation

Authors: Albrecht Fritzsche

Abstract: Evolutionary models allow us to approach innovation by the means of computer simulation with genetic algorithms. Open innovation can be considered in these models in different ways. A popular model by David Goldberg connects re-combinations of elements during evolutionary processes with the exchange of information in cross-fertilization activities. Another possibility is to model the collaboration of contributors with specific skills and experiences through sophisticated change operators that work systematically on improvements with respect to certain aspects of the innovation context. A simulation of this procedure on an instance of the permutation flow shop scheduling problem shows that the usage of these operators can indeed increase the performance of the solution generation, if certain constraints are kept in consideration.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Collaborative Learning of Translation: The Case of TransWiki in Macao

Announcement, Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Experience Reports, OpenSym 2014

Title: Collaborative Learning of Translation: The Case of TransWiki in Macao

Authors: Hari Venkatesan (University of Macau), Robert P. Biuk-Aghai (University of Macau), Michele Notari (University of Teacher Education Bern)

Abstract: Pedagogy has undergone a paradigm shift since the focus changed from uni-directional transmission to collaborative construction of knowledge. The social constructivist approach calls for pedagogy to facilitate interaction between learners involved in collaborative problem solving of real life tasks. This paper describes a wikibased implementation of this approach (TransWiki) in the learning of translation. The paper examines issues that arise both from the perspective of the learner/user and the pedagogue and discusses solutions supported by the customization of the wiki system. User surveys and a case study indicate that the platform for collaboration is generally well received, but there is marked ambivalence with regard to the advantages of asynchronous collaboration through TransWiki over real-time face-to-face discussions. From the perspective of the instructor, the platform is seen as enabling scaffolding and providing a wealth of data that could inform pedagogy.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Accept, Decline, Postpone: How Newcomer Productivity is Reduced in English Wikipedia by Pre-publication Review

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Wikipedia Track

Title: Accept, Decline, Postpone: How Newcomer Productivity is Reduced in English Wikipedia by Pre-publication Review

Authors: Jodi Schneider, Bluma S. Gelley, Aaron Halfaker

Abstract: Wikipedia needs to attract and retain newcomers while also increasing the quality of its content. Yet new Wikipedia users are disproportionately affected by the quality assurance mechanisms designed to thwart spammers and promoters. English Wikipedia’s Articles for Creation provides a protected space for drafting new articles, which are reviewed against minimum quality guidelines before they are published. In this study we explore how this drafting process has affected the productivity of newcomers in Wikipedia. Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, we show how the process’s pre-publication review, which is intended to improve the success of newcomers, in fact decreases newcomer productivity in English Wikipedia and offer recommendations for system designers.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

XML Documents in MediaWiki

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Data Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers

Title: XML Documents in MediaWiki

Authors: Johannes Nanninga (University of Duisburg-Essen), Benjamin Weyers (RWTH Aachen), Wolfram Luther (University of Duisburg-Essen)

Abstract: Wikis allow for the collaborative creation and management of a wide variety of informal data. However, certain use cases require collaborative creation of formal, structured documents. XML and related technologies can be used to specify document formats but have so far not been comprehensively incorporated into Wikis. We present an extension for the MediaWiki software that enables it to create, store, validate and transform XML documents, schemas, and style sheets. The extension’s applicability is shown by the example of a use case on a wiki for the creation of XML-based user interaction patterns.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Opening Lesson Plans to Support Teaching Innovation and Open Educational Resources Adoption

Announcement, Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Experience Reports, OpenSym 2014

Title: Opening Lesson Plans to Support Teaching Innovation and Open Educational Resources Adoption

Authors: Manuel Caeiro Rodríguez (Universidad de Vigo)

Abstract: Edu-AREA is a web 2.X application that aims at supporting teaching during the whole life-cycle of lesson plans development, from design, facilitating the creation and the re-use of previous lesson plans, activities and resources provided by other users, to monitor and reflection, enabling teachers to register all types of evidences and comments. Edu-AREA also allows users (e.g.,  other teachers, students, parents) to comment and provide feedback to OLP. Accounting for these pieces of feedback will contribute to the detection of problems, the adoption of innovations and the implementation of effective improvements. In addition, the development of an appropriate recognition policy (e.g. badges for teachers) and the provision of “curation” facilities will support the identification of valuable educational resources, activities and experiences. In this contribution we show the main ideas and functionalities underlying this application.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

WikiBrain: Democratizing Computation on Wikipedia

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Wikipedia Track

Title: AWikiBrain: Democratizing Computation on Wikipedia

Authors: Shilad Sen, Matt Lesicko, Ari Weiland, Rebecca Gold, Yulun Li, Benjamin Hillmann, Toby Jia-Jun Li, and Brent Hecht

Abstract: Wikipedia is known for serving humans’ informational needs. Over the past decade, the encyclopedic knowledge encoded in Wikipedia has also powerfully served computer systems. Leading algorithms in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, data mining, geographic information science, and many other fields analyze the text and structure of articles to build computational models of the world. Many software packages extract knowledge from Wikipedia. However, existing tools either (1) provide Wikipedia data, but not well-known Wikipedia-based algorithms or (2) narrowly focus on one such algorithm. This paper presents the WikiBrain software framework, an extensible Java-based platform that democratizes access to a range of Wikipedia-based algorithms and technologies. WikiBrain provides simple access to the diverse Wikipedia data needed for semantic algorithms and technologies, ranging from page views to Wikidata. In a few lines of code, a developer can use WikiBrain to access Wikipedia data and state-of-the-art algorithms. WikiBrain also enables researchers to extend Wikipedia-based algorithms and evaluate their extensions. WikiBrain promotes a new vision of the Wikipedia software ecosystem: every researcher and developer should have access to state-of-the-art Wikipedia-based technologies.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Supporting Awareness of Content-related Controversies in a Wiki-based Learning Environment

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Educational Resources Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Posters, Research Tracks

Title: Supporting Awareness of Content-related Controversies in a Wiki-based Learning Environment

Authors: Sven Heimbuch (University of Duisburg-Essen), Daniel Bodemer (University of Duisburg-Essen)

Abstract: User generated content in Wikis is mainly distributed on the article view and its corresponding talk page. Potentials of analysing and supporting discussants’ knowledge construction processes on the level of talk pages have still been rarely researched. The presented experimental study addresses this issue by providing external representations of content-related controversies which were led by contradictory evidence between discussants to foster awareness on socio-cognitive conflicts which can be beneficial for learning. Its aim is to investigate how increased salience of controversies can guide participants’ (N = 81) navigation and learning processes. Three conditions differing in their degree of awareness support were implemented in this study. Results indicate that the implementation of awareness representations helped students to focus on meaningful discussion threads. Findings suggest that Wiki talk page users can benefit from additional structuring aids.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

The Social Shaping of Open Data through Administrative Processes

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Data Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers

Title: The Social Shaping of Open Data through Administrative Processes

Authors: Sirko Hunnius (IfG.CC), Bernhard Krieger (IfG.CC)

Abstract: Many models have been provided in the last years that aim at describing an optimal open data publication process. However, they fail to explain the different outcomes of open data initiatives. Based on qualitative research this paper conceptualises the open data phenomenon as a set of techno-political arenas in which different interests of a variety of actors potentially and actually collide. The micro-political arena model constitutes an instrument to delineate the social and institutional context of open data that can be employed to explain the successes, as well as the failures of individual open data projects.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Wikirate: A Claims-based System for Collaboratively Reviewing Corporate Behavior

Announcement, Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Demos, OpenSym 2014

Title: Wikirate: A Claims-based System for Collaboratively Reviewing Corporate Behavior

Authors: Vishal Kapadia (Wikirate e.V.), Ethan Mccutchen (Grass Commons), Lucia Lu (Wikirate e.V.), Philipp Kühl (Grass Commons)

Abstract: Wikirate.org is a community effort to review and rate companies’ ethical behavior. Wikirate.org is built using Wagn, whose atomic data approach allows Wikirate contributors to integrate rich qualitative and quantitative data in innovative, accessible ways. In the qualitative realm, data can be browsed by Company or by Topic, and the site’s core Articles cover the intersection of the two (eg. BP+Climate Change). Because source data in the corporate transparency realm in notoriously biased, Wikirate enhances traditional wiki mechanisms for ensuring data quality patterns by […]

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.