Sessions about Application Development

This application is about moving towards e-administration in IFAS, University of Florida. The web-based application is used by all IFAS employees when they have to diclose the outside activities and finacial interests. The actors of this application are IFAS employees, department heads, deans and the senior vicepresident. This system is an event-based system that automatically notifies a participant when an event occurs. Differentparticipants react differently to the same event.

This application aims to create a repository for storing publications related to the invasive species and a simulation environment for estimating the economic impact of invasive species. Some of the methods used to estimate are the Markov chain approach, the partial budget approach etc.

With the use of AJAX as a model for server/client interaction, new 2.0 user interfaces can reach heights never thought of on the web. This presentation focuses on how to use AJAX to exploit the asynchronous web to provide a rich user experience: one that is triggered by events versus page reloads. As we do this, we will look at performance, proper coding and encapsulation with JavaScript. The Publication Editor, a real application, will be used to showcase AJAX technology and to see how it has been used successfully in Extension. The editor is used by Extension field staff in publications like annual reports, newsletters, news columns and more. We will quickly look at the backend to see how XML can abstract a JavaScript application from the underlying server technology.

The presentation aims to presentthe limitations of the currentweb technologies and to have a deep look at the new emerging technologies such as AJAX. Two main approaches to RIA (Rich Internet Applications) are presented: the Object-Oriented approach and the Scripting-based approach. Both approaches are illustrated with examples and avantages and disadvantages of each approach are presented.

Participants will gain knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL) and learn how to utilize SQL in their web applications. The session will demonstrate how to create a basic database-driven web application and will cover database design, creating SQL tables, SQL field types, table joins, aggregate functions, code reuse and best practices. Examples will be presented using the open-source MySQL database engine and the PHP scripting language. The concepts and basic syntax will be applicable to other database systems and scripting languages such as Microsoft SQL Server and ColdFusion. Code examples will be available for download after the session. No prior knowledge of SQL is required but participants should be familiar with web development.

Ahoy there, mateys! As video gaming becomes a core staple for the younger generations, it is getting increasingly difficult to connect with them using static media. That's why we built "Science Pirates," a 3D educational game designed to teach kids about the science process using a swashbuckling pirate theme. Take a look behind the scenes and see what it takes to build a game like this. Using less than $1000 of off-the-shelf software and a fairly simple scripting language, a small team of artists and script programmers can create fun 3D games that teach. In this session, we'll first show a demo of the game, and then we'll take a look at the workflow involved in creating it, from modeling to texturing to scripting. And when we're done, you'll take home a handout that provides resources to help you get started developing your own 3D educational media.

Considering or using CMS on your website? Are you using CMS to its potential, or maybe you aren’t sure of its possibilities? Three panelists will explain how technologies can meet organizational goals, gain synergy for data-driven systems, evaluate electronically distributed media, and merge work flows by bringing together media/technology/content experts without major financial investments. Designed for web developers, writers, editors, publishers, designers, administrators, technologists, multimedia producers, photographers, and anyone interested in delivery of education/information. This session builds on requests from audience evaluations from the “Future of Publishing” and “Convergence of the Media” discussions in San Antonio and Quebec City.

With the need for web services increasing and limited budgets, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Communications and Information Technology is developing a centralized web portal Content Management System that departments/units can easily adopt, customize and maintain. Web programmers and designers are developing a smorgasbord of web portals from which department web managers can select to address the needs of their audience. The portals will allow features such as calendars, news feeds, and faculty directories to be updated centrally but published globally. It will use Liferay Portal, an open source portal framework. Modules can work with existing databased systems to present targeted information on the Web, reducing the need for redundant input, or they may be developed to present new information. The system will provide a unified appearance and an intuitive information structure based on reader input. CIT is working collaboratively with UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to survey audience groups and identify their information needs and preferences.

As eXtension begins its third year of implementation, evaluation of this web-based initiative will kick into high gear. Two initial methods of evaluation that will be used with eXtension are web metrics and online surveys. System generated web metrics can be used to document activity on the website and can also provide a picture of user content preferences. Online surveys provide a mechanism to receive direct feedback from users on specific uses and ratings of the website, suggestions for improvement, and indications of self-reported changes from website users. This session will include a presentation of these two evaluation methods as they are being implemented in eXtension and how this information might be useful to communication leaders. In addition, time will be devoted to a general discussion of appropriate web metrics and online surveys and how they might be useful for other web-based applications.

The Illinois Manure Management Plan (IMMP) represents a big programming challenge. How do you get farmers, experts and administrators behind a computer to do something they used to do in paper? The answer is simple: it’s easier. This project uses heavy database manipulation coupled with logic and JavaScript, aided by Google Maps API and driven by four developers. The result is an application which complies with Illinois standards on manure management, is easy to use, is complete and is customizable to the last detail. In this session we will look at the design process, technologies used as well as the benefits and problems of the electronic adaptation of the plan.

The myExtension portal will serve as a central location for University of Illinois Extension staff to share and obtain information vital to their different job responsibilities. It will include a customizable personal area for each staff member (including an RSS aggregator and contacts directory), the resources of the state Extension Intranet, as well as custom pages for teams, committees, and any other Extension group that would like to use the portal resources. The portal toolset will include document and photo sharing, announcements, discussion boards, project management, announcements, and links to a variety of web management tools. The application is written in ColdFusion and Javascript and interfaces with a SQL Server 2000 database. AJAX is used throughout the application. This session will demonstrate the technical aspects of the application and discuss various implementation and staff training issues.

After struggling with a "networked" version of Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment software, we, in Vermont Extension felt that there must be a better way to keep track of our 4-H database. After looking at a few packaged applications, we contracted with a developer to come up with our own application. This web-based application is available to all of our counties and collects all of our information in one central location. It allows administration to view real-time data on a county or statewide level. Users are much happier with the speed of data entry and retrieval.

The U of I Extension Online Registration and Payment Processing System is a web application that allows Extension staff to build custom registration forms, accept online registrations with credit card payments (through integration with a pre-existing payment processing system), track payments (credit card, check or cash), and maintain registration rosters. Released in August 2006, the system was used to process more than 3,200 registrations totaling more than $140,000 in its first five months of operation. The system also allows for no-fee registration tracking. The application is written in ColdFusion MX and Javascript and interfaces with a SQL Server 2000 database. This session will demonstrate the application and discuss various implementation and staff training issues. The system will be available for purchase by other institutions in Spring 2007.

The Planning, Reporting and Evaluation System (PRES) brings together several previously-separate reporting functions for University of Illinois Extension professional field staff and hourly program staff. The system includes activity reporting, demographic contact reporting (for use in federal civil rights reporting), leave reporting, plan of work impact reporting, and annual self-evaluations for academic professional field staff. The application is written in ColdFusion and Javascript and interfaces with a SQL Server 2000 database. This session will demonstrate the technical aspects of the application and discuss various implementation issues.

Web feeds allow software programs to check for updates published on a web site and to share and distribute content. This session will focus on techniques, methods, tools for implementing Atom syndication feeds. Some of the topics that may be discussed will include feed validators, tools for different programming environments, and tags to include for use by eXtension. eXtension has standardized on Atom for its syndication feed format.