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Virtual Research Environment of SFB 882

Virtual Research Environment of SFB 882 in practice


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Demo System and source code

A public demonstration system of the Virtual Research Environment can be found here. It features access to the research documentation app (sfb882_doc) developed by the INF project and shows its interaction with network drives.
The source code of the documentation app is licensed as free software under AGPL and can be accessed here.

 

 Features of latest developments

 

Collaborative working with wikis

An individual and separate MediaWiki (known from Wikipedia) is exclusively available for each SFB project and its members. If required, guest accounts can be created for researchers of other projects as well. It is possible to integrate picture files located on network drives of the projects in a wiki page directly.
 

File access

After logging in to the research environment, project members gain automatic access to related network drives. Files can be moved, deleted, up- and downloaded as usual. Many file types (e.g. PDF, ODT, text documents or picture files) can be opened instantly within the research environment without any prior download being necessary. 
 

Calendar and synchronisation

The calendar app can be surrounded with several levels. This extension offers advantages such as an automatic synchronisation with dates of the SFB website. Furthermore, users are able to create individual calendars with other SFB members (e.g. projects, project areas). In addition to that, files can be exported to mobile devices.
 

Own URL shortener

In times of long URLs it is recommendable to involve a service that creates short aliases for any URLs redirecting to corresponding websites. These short aliases usually consist of a few characters and are easier to remember/more memorable when being distributed via blogs, emails and social networks.
 

Virtual gallery

The Picture App organises automatically every picture file of your working environment. Additional functions such as arranging, sharing (with SFB projects or via email) and controlling (with whom you would like to share which contents) are as well part of the numerous functions.

Further Features

User Interface

A user interface that is easy to use, with a clear structure of applications and visual presentations of contents.

LDAP / Active Directory

Integration in the user administration of the university.

Secure Connection

The virtual research environment can be accessed exclusively within the internal network of the university and demands for an encrypted connection via HTTPs at any time.