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 A Testbed for Collaboration Technologies
We propose to embed the Connection Project video and audio efforts within a broader collaboration environment based on the Sakai  framework being developed by the University of Michigan , MIT , Indiana , Stanford , and the uPortal Consortium . Specifically, we want Connection Project users to benefit from the current Sakai toolset, which includes tools for presence awareness and instant messaging, shared calendaring, mailing list management, and shared file resources.
We also want to use the Connection Project to push development of new Sakai features, such as shared, public displays (akin to multimedia community bulletin boards) where people can post cartoons, announcements, video and audio clips, or posters, and open-source desktop videoconferencing using tools such as the "Personal Interface to the Grid" (or PIG), with single click connection for either point-to-point or multipoint calls.
Infrastracture
The success of the Connection Project relies on a number of basic infrastructure elements. Among the more important are the following:
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High Performance networking |
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Video, audio, and information content for the Connection Project will travel via the University of Michigan's high-performance network, with some facilities linked via dedicated fiber. |
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Video standards |
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The Connection Project will use digital video (DV) for intra-campus links. When available, this will be upgraded to high-definition video, which will produce large-scale, highly realistic images. In addition, Connection Project-equipped facilities will include high-end H.323 and open source Access Grid systems, primarily to support connections outside the University of Michigan campus. |
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Sakai collaboration tools |
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The Connection Project will use the Sakai framework to provide collaboration tools, such as presence awareness and shared calendaring tools. Sakai is being developed at the University of Michigan under funding from the Mellon Foundation , with the cooperation of MIT , Indiana , Stanford , and the uPortal Consortium . |
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