Journal Papers by Steve Goschnick
Universal Access in The Information Society, Feb 2006
Intelligent agents can play a pivotal role in providing both software systems and augmented inter... more Intelligent agents can play a pivotal role in providing both software systems and augmented interfaces, to individual users from all walks of life, to utilise the Internet 24 h a day, 7 days a week (24×7), including interaction with other users, over both wireless and broadband infrastructures. However, traditional approaches to user modelling are not adequate for this purpose, as they mainly account for a generic, approximate, idealised user. New user models are therefore required to be adaptable for each individual and flexible enough to represent the diversity of all users using information technology. Such models should be able to cover all aspects of an individual’s life—those aspects of most interest to the individual user themselves. This paper describes a novel intelligent agent architecture and methodology both called ShadowBoard, based on a complex user model drawn from analytical psychology. An equally novel software tool, called the DigitalFriend based on ShadowBoard, is also introduced. This paper illustrates how aspects of user cognition can be outsourced, using, for example, an internationalised book price quoting agent. The Locales Framework from Computer Supported Co-operative Work is then used to understand the problematic aspects of interaction involved in complex social spaces, identifying specific needs for technology intervention in such social spaces, and to understand how interactions amongst mobile users with different abilities might be technically assisted in such spaces. In this context, the single user-centred multi-agent technology demonstrated in the DigitalFriend is adapted to a multi-user system dubbed ShadowPlaces. The aim of ShadowPlaces is to outsource some of the interaction necessary, for a group of mobile individuals with different abilities to interact cooperatively and effectively in a social world, supported by wireless networks and backed by broadband Internet services. An overview of the user model, the architecture and methodology (ShadowBoard) and the resulting software tool (the DigitalFriend) is presented, and progress on ShadowPlaces—the multi-user version—is outlined.
Papers by Steve Goschnick
Artemis - the application of a data base management system to research project reporting at ARRB
Australian road research, Sep 1, 1983
DBMS in research project management
Presented in this paper is a case study of the use of dbms to implement a system for research pro... more Presented in this paper is a case study of the use of dbms to implement a system for research project management. It covers the stages from specification and system design through to implementation of the working system, now operated at the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) by the executive and their administrative staff. The data base currently contains 77 data fields (mostly text), including project aims, program and progress statements, findings, committee recommendations, directors decisions, budget details, publications, keywords and a keyword thesaurus. The system is integrated with the overall information function of ARRB. Various subsets of data are used by many people at ARRB, for numerous purposes. Production reports selectable from the system range from subject keyword indexes, to project status reports, through to an annual projects budgeted report, which is sent directly to a high quality printer or online to an inhouse phototypesetter as a final copy for publication. Access to the data base is catered for at a number of levels; selection menus for the infrequent or non technical user, interactive ad hoc searching of the data for the more sophisticated user, and direct program interface for the applications programmer (a).
Merging Social Networking With Learning Systems to Form New Personalized Learning Environments (PLE)
IGI Global eBooks, Jul 8, 2022
The future of learning environments lies with the merging of the better aspects of learning manag... more The future of learning environments lies with the merging of the better aspects of learning management systems (LMS), with those popularized in social networking platforms, to personalize the individual learning experience in a PLE (personal learning environment). After examining the details of a particularly flexible LMS, followed by the investigation of several key data structures behind the Facebook social networking platform, this chapter demonstrates how such a merging can be done at the conceptual schema level, and presents a list of novel features that it then enables.
The development of a data base for individual choice models
Advances in computer and electrical engineering book series, Apr 4, 2018
The miniature Raspberry Pi computer has become of interest to many researchers as a platform for ... more The miniature Raspberry Pi computer has become of interest to many researchers as a platform for building sociotechnical IoT systems for end-users; however, for the end-user to design and build such apps themselves requires new people-oriented tools and design methods. This chapter describes a people-oriented design method called TANDEM and demonstrates the use of it in detail, by way of a case studythe design of a mashup of services and local data stores-that solves the so-called movie-cinema problem. An implementation of the newly designed movie-cinema app is then built within the DigitalFriend, an end-user programmer IDE. Furthermore, a significant part of the TANDEM design method is then automated within the development tool itself. This automation removes the most skilled task required by TANDEM of the end-user: the automation of the process of data normalization. The automation applies data normalization to the initial model of components and data sources that feed into the mashup. The presentation here relies on some understanding of data normalization, so a simple example is presented. After this demonstrated example of the method and the implementation, the authors discuss the applicability of a model achievable by end-users using TANDEM coupled with the automated normalization process built into the IDE vs. using a top-down
International journal of people-oriented programming, 2012
Mashups are newly envisaged applications, made up from local information sources and processes, W... more Mashups are newly envisaged applications, made up from local information sources and processes, Web services and other distributed resources, bound together technically in some way. Interactive Development Environments (IDE) used to build mashups are becoming more accessible to end-user programmers. Design methods that end-users may apply to a given problem addressed by a mashup, are much less prevalent. This paper describes an end-user-friendly design method called TANDEM and demonstrates the use of it in detail, by way of an example: the design of a mashup of services that solves the so-called movie-cinema problem. An implementation of the newly designed movie-cinema app is then built within the DigitalFriend, an end-user programmer IDE. Furthermore, a significant part of the TANDEM design method, is then automated within the development tool itself. This automation removes the most skilled task required by TANDEM of the enduser: the automation of the process of Data Normalization. The automation applies data normalization to the initial model of components and data sources that feed into the mashup. The presentation here relies on some understanding of Data Normalization, so a simple example is presented. After this demonstrated example of the method and the implementation, the paper discusses the applicability of a model achievable by endusers using TANDEM coupled with the automated normalization process built into the IDE, versus, using a top-down model by an experienced information analyst. In conclusion, the TANDEM method combined with the automation as demonstrated, does empower an end-user to a significant degree in achieving a workable mashup or distributed application. And furthermore, the TANDEM method does have broader applicability to designing a broad class of logic programs, complementing the use of collected patterns in logic programs.
The Performance of a Heavily- Trafficked Concrete Block Pavement at the Shire of Flinders
Australian road research, 1984
This report describes the design, construction, trafficking and performance of a concrete block t... more This report describes the design, construction, trafficking and performance of a concrete block test pavement at the Shire of Flinders, Victoria. The block pavement was over-designed compared to the Australian specification. The report describes the method used to determine the amount of traffic that used the pavement and the variation in rut depth, recoverable surface deflection, moisture content and subgrade CBR over time and trafficking. The pavement operated as an access road to a quarry. Its performance over two years service and about 150,000 ESAS was satisfactory. The skid resistance of the block pavement showed the same seasonal trends as two asphalt control sections, though the values obtained on the block pavement were nearly almost higher than those obtained on the asphalt pavements. The grading of the bedding sand used in the tests satisfied the Australian specification. (Author/TRRL)
ShadowBoard: an Agent-orientated Model-View-Controller (AoMVC) Architecture for a Digital Self
Innovative Methods, User-Friendly Tools, Coding, and Design Approaches in People-Oriented Programming
The miniature Raspberry Pi computer has become of interest to many researchers as a platform for ... more The miniature Raspberry Pi computer has become of interest to many researchers as a platform for building sociotechnical IoT systems for end-users; however, for the end-user to design and build such apps themselves requires new people-oriented tools and design methods. This chapter describes a people-oriented design method called TANDEM and demonstrates the use of it in detail, by way of a case study—the design of a mashup of services and local data stores—that solves the so-called movie-cinema problem. An implementation of the newly designed movie-cinema app is then built within the DigitalFriend, an end-user programmer IDE. Furthermore, a significant part of the TANDEM design method is then automated within the development tool itself. This automation removes the most skilled task required by TANDEM of the end-user: the automation of the process of data normalization. The automation applies data normalization to the initial model of components and data sources that feed into the m...
IAT 2014 Program Committee Members
2014 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Joint Conferences on Web Intelligence (WI) and Intelligent Agent Technologies (IAT), 2014
The TANDEM Design Method A Design Method for Logic Language-oriented MAS that use Web Services
This paper details a new design method suitable for logic programming in general, but particularl... more This paper details a new design method suitable for logic programming in general, but particularly within multi-agent systems (MAS). The DigitalFriend is an example of a userfriendly MAS aimed at the end-user as developer, with a built-in logic language interpreter. It uses fragments of logic code as dynamic glue, bringing together numerous subagents that may exist as Web services, to form new services. A gap in current logic language design methods is identified. The well-established techniques of Task Analysis and entity relation Normalization are brought together in a new Design Method (called TANDEM) to address the gap. This method is demonstrated with an example application-the ‘movie-cinema problem’- built using the DigitalFriend. 1.
Chapter 1 UTILIZING WEB SERVICES IN AN AGENT BASED TRANSACTION MODEL
Abstract: The web services paradigm is an opportunity for a universal programmatic interface to t... more Abstract: The web services paradigm is an opportunity for a universal programmatic interface to the Internet, one that could parallel the web-browser, human usercentered interface, in scope and adoption. However, there remains a great challenge in being able to perform reliably transactions in the loosely coupled web services environment, hosted by independent web service providers, running on heterogeneous systems. The ACID properties in traditional transaction models cannot be guaranteed in this environment, due to unreliable communication, the uncertain duration of individual services and the decentralized nature of server management. We draw lessons from the long history of research into distributed transactional systems. We note that the recent WS-Coordinate protocol, draws upon some but not all of those lessons. Unlike WS-Coordinate, we are interested in being able to incorporate independent take-it or leave-it web services, into orchestrated systems- not just those that agree...
This paper introduces SQL+PaWS- a simple technology that allows SQL databases and people to becom... more This paper introduces SQL+PaWS- a simple technology that allows SQL databases and people to become Web Services. The data delivery mechanism is a simple two dimensional uniform table in HTML, used to represent sets or a vector of data. SQL+PaWS has two levels of use both of them are easy and flexible: SQL+PaWS is readable by people and is also machine-readable by client-side programs that consume web services. SQL+PaWS is writable either by people with web-page editors following a simple protocol, or via a small piece of code that retrieves data from SQL-oriented database management systems. The users who wish to use SQL sourced data feeds can prototype and hone their SELECT statements via a single text-area field in a HTML form- almost all web-servers have an SQL DBMS on them of some sort, giving broad availability. Individuals who author web-pages with mundane editors such as DreamWeaver, can become providers of web-services, in turn read by people or by software. The client-side ...
Innovative Methods, User-Friendly Tools, Coding, and Design Approaches in People-Oriented Programming
The future of learning environments lies with the merging of the better aspects of learning manag... more The future of learning environments lies with the merging of the better aspects of learning management systems (LMS), with those popularized in social networking platforms, to personalize the individual learning experience in a PLE (personal learning environment). After examining the details of a particularly flexible LMS, followed by the investigation of several key data structures behind the Facebook social networking platform, this chapter demonstrates how such a merging can be done at the conceptual schema level, and presents a list of novel features that it then enables.
A Design Method for Logic Language-oriented MAS that use Web Services
This paper details a new design method suitable for logic programming in general, but particularl... more This paper details a new design method suitable for logic programming in general, but particularly within multi-agent systems (MAS). The DigitalFriend is an example of a userfriendly MAS aimed at the end-user as developer, with a built-in logic language interpreter. It uses fragments of logic code as dynamic glue, bringing together numerous subagents that may exist as Web services, to form new services. A gap in current logic language design methods is identified. The well-established techniques of Task Analysis and entity relation Normalization are brought together in a new Design Method (called TANDEM) to address the gap. This method is demonstrated with an example application the ‘movie-cinema problem’built using the DigitalFriend.
Enacting and an Agent-based Digital Self in a 24x7 Web Services World
Abstract. As broadband access to the Internet becomes pervasive, the need for a 24 hours a day, s... more Abstract. As broadband access to the Internet becomes pervasive, the need for a 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24x7) interface within the client devices, requires a level of sophistication that implies agent technology. From this situation we identified the need for a user-proxy++, something we have termed the Digital Self that acts for the user gathering appropriate information and knowledge, representing and acting for them when they are off-line. With these notions in mind we set about defining an agent architecture, sufficiently complex to deal with the myriad aspects of the life of a busy time-poor modern user, and we arrived at the Shadowboard architecture. For the theory, for the model of mind, we drew upon the Psychology of Subselves, a modern strain of Analytical Psychology. For the computation engine we drew upon Constraint Logic Programming. For the hundreds of sources of sub-agency and external intelligence needed to enact a Digital Self within the 24x7 Internet environment, we drew upon the Web Services paradigm. This paper presents the theory, the architecture and the implementation of a prototype of the Shadowboard agent system. 1
Workshop on Web services And Agent-based …, 2003
The web services paradigm is an opportunity for a universal programmatic interface to the Interne... more The web services paradigm is an opportunity for a universal programmatic interface to the Internet, one that could parallel the web-browser, human usercentered interface, in scope and adoption. However, there remains a great challenge in being able to perform reliably transactions in the loosely coupled web services environment, hosted by independent web service providers, running on heterogeneous systems. The ACID properties in traditional transaction models cannot be guaranteed in this environment, due to unreliable communication, the uncertain duration of individual services and the decentralized nature of server management. We draw lessons from the long history of research into distributed transactional systems. We note that the recent WS-Coordinate protocol, draws upon some but not all of those lessons. Unlike WS-Coordinate, we are interested in being able to incorporate independent take-it or leave-it web services, into orchestrated systems-not just those that agree at the outset, to provide a particular service, with a mutually agreed quality-of-service regime. To address these issues, we call upon the flexibility of the agent-oriented paradigm, and propose an agentbased transactional model (ABT) that orchestrates multiple, often independent web services, into new robust services. We assert the use of multi-agent technology to manage and orchestrate transactions, is the right choice in the web services environment-the choice most-likely to propel the web services paradigm to levels of adoption that approach those of the web-browser interface.
This chapter explores the construction of identity in online communities and websites for social ... more This chapter explores the construction of identity in online communities and websites for social purposes, and its consequences in terms of how one’s online identity may be utilized to such an extent that one’s real-world identity is either enforced or eroded. It does so by investigating the very nature of identity, coming predominantly from a cultural studies research and philosophical view, although it also cites some related findings and advances in computing and information systems (IS) research. The central argument across the chapter is two-fold: firstly, in promoting an initial shift in focus from the management of online identity to the nature and significance of identity itself whose construction may be conceptualized as a process of sense making and strengthening; and only then, armed with a better understanding of identity, one can focus back upon the management of it more effectively, with a view to the individual taking more control of their own identity within cyberspa...
This paper presents an intra-agent architecture called Shadowboard, one that takes abstractions f... more This paper presents an intra-agent architecture called Shadowboard, one that takes abstractions from analytical psychology. The Shadowboard architecture is a foundation upon which to build a whole-agent an individual autonomous agent no more, but one made up of many sub-agents. Such a wholeagent approach to modelling enables a psychologically sound, finer-grained approach to applying behavioural abstractions such as BDI, while incorporating the selection of capabilities and plans, together with learning and optimization. An individual agent built upon Shadowboard is also capable of collaboration and cooperation in a wider MAS system. The strong degree of self-awareness that a Shadowboard agent intrinsically has, not only allows it to improve its own performance and effectiveness over time, it also offers significant advantages in modelling other agents in an encompassing MAS system.
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Journal Papers by Steve Goschnick
Papers by Steve Goschnick