Category Archives: Conference Contributions

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.

Consider the Redirect: A Missing Dimension of Wikipedia Research

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

Title: Consider the Redirect: A Missing Dimension of Wikipedia Research

Authors: Benjamin Mako Hill, Aaron Shaw

Abstract: Redirects are special pages in wikis that silently transport visitors to other pages. Although redirects make up a majority of all article pages in English Wikipedia, they have attracted very little attention and are rarely taken into account by researchers. This note describes redirects and illustrates why they play an important role in shaping activity in Wikipedia. We also present a novel longitudinal dataset of redirects for English Wikipedia and the software used to produce it. Using this dataset, we revisit several important published findings about Wikipedia to show that accounting for redirects can have important effects on research.

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

Creme de la Creme: Elite Contributors in an Online Community

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Wikis and Open Collaboration Track

Title: Creme de la Creme: Elite Contributors in an Online Community

Authors: Katherine Panciera, Mikhil Masli, Loren Terveen

Abstract: In open content communities like Wikipedia and StackOverflow and in open source software projects, a small proportion of users produce a majority of the content and take on much of the required community maintenance work. Understanding this class of users is crucial to creating and sustaining healthy communities. We carried out a mixed-method study of core contributors to the Cyclopath geographic wiki and bicycle routing web site. We present our findings and organize our discussion using concepts from activity theory. We found that the Cyclopath core contributors aren’t the dedicated cyclists and that the characteristics of the community shape the site, the rules, and the tools for contributing. Additionally, we found that numerous aspects about the surrounding ecology of related systems and communities may help to shape how the site functions and views itself. We draw implications for future research and design from these findings.

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

Open Data for Air Transport Research: Dream or Reality?

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

Title: Open Data for Air Transport Research: Dream or Reality?

Authors: Marc Bourgois (EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre), Michael Sfyroeras (EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre)

Abstract: The role of open data in air transport research is analyzed by means of a sample of over 300 research articles. The most used (or available) data types, their sources and their access policies are identified, both for the US and the EU. The analyses show that 70% of research in air transport is heavily reliant on data, that 70% of the data sources are curated by governmental bodies and that the US publicizes a wider set of sources, leading to wider usage. Areas for improving accessibility of (mainly European) data sources are outlined and alternative avenues to obtain data are sketched. The fact that Europe is lagging considerably in making its sources readily available to the research community means Europe missing out on entrepreneurship, innovation and scientific discovery, the presumed benefits of open data.

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

OpenSym Doctoral Symposium with Keynote on “A Strange Animal Called Peer-reviewed Publishing”

Doctoral Symposium, OpenSym 2014, , , ,

On Tuesday before the official opening of this year’s OpenSym conference, the Doctoral Symposium Workshop will be held at Wikimedia Germany, Tempelhofer Ufer 23/24, 10963 Berlin. We are very happy that Prof. Gordon Müller-Seitz (University of Duisburg-Essen and TU Kaiserslautern) agreed to give an opening keynote on “A Strange Animal Called Peer-reviewed Publishing”.

Please find the preliminary DocSym program below:

Introduction & Keynote

  • 10:00 – 10:10 AM:  Welcome & introducing the day by Leonhard Dobusch and Claudia Müller-Birn (DocSym Chairs)
  • 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Participant introduction roundtable
  • 10:30 – 11:15 AM: Gordon Müller-Seitz: “A Strange Animal Called Peer-reviewed Publishing” (Introductory lecture and Q&A)

Part I: Open Source Software

  • 11:30 – 12:00 AM: Ann Barcomb: “Volunteer Attraction and Retention in Open Source Communities”
  • 12:00 – 12:30 AM: Jose Teixeira: “Understanding Coopetition in the Open-Source Arena: The Cases of WebKit and OpenStack”
  • 12:30-13:00 AM: Ahmmad Youssef: “Impact of Collaboration on Structural Software Quality”

Lunch Break

Part II: Open Institutions

  • 2:00 – 2:30 PM: David Rozas: “Drupal as a Commons-Based Peer Production community: a sociological perspective”
  • 2:30 – 3:00 PM: Maximilian Heimstädt: “The Institutionalization of Digital Openness – How NGOs, Hackers and Civil Servants Organize Municipal Open Data Ecosystems”
  • 3:00-3:15 PM: Summary & Closing

OpenSym participants who want to attend as visitors, please send an e-mail to the DocSym chairs Leonhard Dobusch and Claudia Müller-Birn because space is limited.