Evaluation of Dynamic Representation of Roles by Environment Model

摘要

Due to the recent development of network and computer technologies, it is important to realize new applications such as virtual organization in networks. For such purposes we need to develop a system with which new applications can be developed easily. We have been developing a system called VIEW Media utilizing CSCW )Computer Supported Cooperative Work) and database technologies. It is used to realize various kinds of such systems like distributed presentation systems, conference systems, distance education systems and so forth. One of the major functions of this system is to provide a powerful and flexible mechanism of dynamic customization based on an environment model. Depending on user's access rights and roles, data and operations used by the user can by dynamically modified. It is more general than the room model which is used in various conventional CSCW systems, since the former is suitable for dynamic situation. Furthermore, inheritance of properties can be utilized in the environment model, which will simplify the definition and usage. The major purpose of this paper is to compare these two models. By the following reasons we believe that the environment model is superior to the room model. (1) There are applications realized by the environment model which cannot be realized by the room model. (2) The same application is developed using the both model and superiority of the environment model is observed. As an example of applications which can be realized by the both models, we selected the debate application. Comparison are made by VIEW Media and Team Wave which is known as a popular and powerful tool to realize CSCW applications based on the room model, and it is shown that the system developed by VIEW Media is reported to be better by real usage. It is actually due to the flexibility of the environment model.