Full Semantic Transparency: Overcoming Boundaries of Applications

Abstract

Abstract. Complex workflows require intelligent interactions. In this paper we attack the problem of combining user interfaces of specialized applications that support different aspects of objects in scientific/technical workflows with semantic technologies. We analyze the problem in terms of the (new) notion of full semantic transparency, i.e., the property of user interfaces to give full access to an underlying semantic object even beyond application lines. In a multi-application case full semantic transparency is difficult, but can be achieved by representing the semantic objects in a structured ontology and actively supporting the application-specific framings of an object in a semantic interface manager. We evaluate the proposed framework in a situation where aspects of technical constructions are distributed across a CAD system, a spreadsheet application, and a knowledge base.

Towards an Interaction-based Integration of MKM Services into End-User Applications

“…This paper tackles the problem of MKM services lacking adequate tool support when integrated into end-user applications. The Semantic Alliance framework [Dav+12], developed for reducing MKM service integration costs without sacrificing usability, was successfully used for integrating MKM services into spreadsheet [Dav+12], CAD [Koh+13], text and image [Bre+14] processing software. In the process of developing these integrations, several extensibility problems of the framework became very apparent and yet could not be predicted from the original architecture presented in [Dav+12].…”

“…In this way, once an MKM service was integrated, through the SAlly Framework, with Microsoft Excel, it would work "out of the box" in Open/Libre Office Calc. Later work, added support for CAD [Koh+13], text and image [Bre+14] editors as well as allowed creation of crossapplication MKM services, e.g. allowing seeing costs of a CAD component in the pricing spreadsheet document, leading to the Multi-Application Semantic Alliance Framework (MA-SAlly) [Koh+13].…”

“…Later work, added support for CAD [Koh+13], text and image [Bre+14] editors as well as allowed creation of crossapplication MKM services, e.g. allowing seeing costs of a CAD component in the pricing spreadsheet document, leading to the Multi-Application Semantic Alliance Framework (MA-SAlly) [Koh+13]. This paper explores extensibility challenges we have encountered in the process of integrating new MKM services into end-user applications.…”

Web Designer / Client Communication: An in-situ development and evaluation of tools and methods to support the collaborative design of interactive technologies

“…Cross-application understanding of data is important, with meta-data providing information to non-specific applications about its meaning. Additionally, "users need to use multiple applications offering support to address specific rather unpredictable aspects of a task" (Kohlhase, Kohlhase, Jucovschi, & Toader, 2013).…”

“…Cross-application understanding of data is important, with meta-data providing information to non-specific applications about its meaning. Additionally, "users need to use multiple applications offering support to address specific rather unpredictable aspects of a task" (Kohlhase, Kohlhase, Jucovschi, & Toader, 2013).Users typically register to the enSense application through an enSense enabled tool or through the enSense website, and can add a number of accounts of communication channels that they currently use in practice. Where possible, these credentials are added using industry standards such as OAuth to ensure security and assist in adoption.…”