A centre of expertise in digital information management An Update On Web Standards Brian Kelly UKOLN...

A centre of expertise in digital information management

www.ukoln.ac.uk

An Update On Web Standards

Brian KellyUKOLNUniversity of BathBath, BA2 7AY

[email protected]://www.ukoln.ac.uk/

UKOLN is supported by:


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Contents• Introduction• Standards• The Original Web

Architecture• Architectural

Developments• Deployment Issues• Discussion

Aims of Talk• To give brief overview

of Web architecture• To describe

developments to Web standards

• To briefly address implementation issues

Aims of Talk• To give brief overview

of Web architecture• To describe

developments to Web standards

• To briefly address implementation issues

Please feel free to ask questions at any time, especially to clarify any unexplained TLAs or XTLAs

Please feel free to ask questions at any time, especially to clarify any unexplained TLAs or XTLAs


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About MeBrian Kelly:

• UK Web Focus – a JISC-funded post to advise HE and FE communities on Web developments

• Based in UKOLN - a national focus of expertise in digital information management based at the University of Bath

• Involved in Web since 1993, while working in the Computing Service at University of Leeds

• Represent JISC on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)


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Standards in HE/FE Context

Standards are important in the HE and FE sector to:

• Ensure widespread access to resources• Enables resources to be reused and repurposed• Ensure scholarly resources can be preserved• Address accountability of public funding • Minimise resource costs for upgrading systems • Provide universal access to resources (cf

disability legislation)


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Standards

Need for standards to provide:• Platform and application independence• Avoidance of patented technologies • Flexibility and architectural integrity• Long-term access to data

Ideally look at standards first, then find applications which support the standards. However it can be difficult to achieve this ideal!

Before the Web

Access to resources typically required use of software vendor’s software – which was only available on limited no. of platforms. Often the software would be licensed.

The goal of the Web was to provide universal access to resources. Who could argue with this goal?

Before the Web

Access to resources typically required use of software vendor’s software – which was only available on limited no. of platforms. Often the software would be licensed.

The goal of the Web was to provide universal access to resources. Who could argue with this goal?


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Standards and the Web

W3C• Produces W3C

Recommendations on Web protocols

• Managed approach to developments

• Protocols initially developed by W3C members

• Decisions made by W3C, informedby member & public review

IETF• Produces Internet

Drafts on Internet protocols• Bottom-up approach to developments• Protocols may be developed

by interested individuals• "Rough consensus and working

code"

ISO• Produces ISO

Standards• Can be slow moving

and bureaucratic• Produce robust

standards

Proprietary• De facto standards• Often initially appealing

(cf PowerPoint, PDF)• May emerge as

standards

PNGHTMLZ39.50Java

PNGHTMLZ39.50Java

HTML, XML, PNG, …HTML, XML, PNG, …

HTTPURNwhois++

HTTPURNwhois++

HTML extensionsPDF and Java?

HTML extensionsPDF and Java?


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The Case For W3C Standards

Why use open standards developed by the W3C? Why not leave it to the marketplace?

W3C’s open standards have been developed in an open environment, with the aim of achieving platform and application independency

Commercial companies develop proprietary formats in order to maximise their profits and dividends to shareholders

W3C’s open standards have been developed to interoperate with each other according to W3C’s design vision

Commercial companies typically develop proprietary formats in isolation, or along the lines of a company vision


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Challenges For The W3C

W3C can be regarded as a “force for good”:• Neutral trusted body• Have a vision

But W3C are facing a number of challenges:• The increasing complexity of the Web• Ambiguities in specs, overlapping areas, …• Reaching consensus• Developing solutions now or developing the best

solution• Patents


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Standards, Architectures, Applications, ResourcesThis talk touches on several areas

Architectures: models for implementing systemsArchitectures: models for implementing systems

Standards: concerned with protocols and file formatsStandards: concerned with protocols and file formats

Open standards vs. Proprietary

HTML / XML vs. PDFCSS / XSL vs. HTMLGIF vs PNG

Which standards are applicableNT / UnixFile system / database applicationHTML tools / content management

Apache / IISFrontPage / DreamweaverOracle / SQLServerColdFusion vs ASP

Development vs. Migration costsUse of in-house expertiseIn-house vs. out-sourced Licensed vs. open source

Resources: financial and staff costs needed to implement systems

Resources: financial and staff costs needed to implement systems

Applications: software products used to implement systems

Applications: software products used to implement systems

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GIFAs an example of the dangers of use of proprietary solutions, consider the GIF file format:

• Unisys announce that they hold patent to compression algorithm used in GIF images and users of GIF will have to pay

• Following much debate, Unisys require payment for licence from software developers - and also for end users of unlicensed software ($5,000!)

• Web community responds with PNG format• See <http://burnallgifs.org/>

WARNING:• There is no guarantee that payment will not be

required for proprietary file formats which are currently free

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How Does The Web Work?The Web has three fundamental concepts:

• URLs: addresses of resources• HTTP: dialogue between client and server• HTML: format of resources

The Netsoft home page

1 User clicks on link to the address (URL)http://www.netsoft.com/hello.html

2 Browser converts link to HTTP command (METHOD):Connect to computer at www.netsoft.com

GET /hello.html3 Remote computer sends file

Welcome toNetsoft

4 Local computer displays HTML file

Web Browser

Web server

<HTML><TITLE>Welcome</TITLE>..The <A HREF=“…”>Netsoft</A> home page


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Approaches To HTMLEmphasis on managing HTML resources inappropriate:

• HTML is an output format, which cannot easily be reused (e.g. WAP, e-Books, etc.)

• Need to manage HTML fragments (only partly achievable with SSIs)

• Need to manage collections of resources• Need to have single master source of data• Need to support new developments such as

personalisation• Difficult to integrate with new formats

Issues• Should we stop giving HTML courses?• Should we stop buying HTML authoring tools?

Issues• Should we stop giving HTML courses?• Should we stop buying HTML authoring tools?

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XMLXML:

• Extensible Markup Language• A lightweight SGML designed for network use• Addresses HTML's lack of evolvability• Arbitrary elements can be defined (<STUDENT-NUMBER>, <PART-NO>, etc)

• Agreement achieved quickly - XML 1.0 became W3C Recommendation in Feb 1998

• Support from industry (SGML vendors, Microsoft, etc.)

• Support in latest versions of Web browsers

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XML Concepts (1)Well-formed XML resources:

Make end-tags explicit: <li>...</li>

Make empty elements explicit: <img ... />

Quote attributes <img src="logo.gif" height="20"

Use consistent upper/lower case and are different

XML Namespaces:Mechanism for ensuring unique XML elements:

<?xml:namespace ns="http://foo.org/1998-001" prefix="i">

Insert <i:PART>M-471</i:PART>

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XML Concepts (2)XML Schemas

• Allow constraints to be applied on XML attributes• Express shared vocabularies and allow machines

to carry out rules made by people• Richer than DTDs• See <http://www.w3.org/XML/Schema>

XSLT• A language for transforming XML from one DTD

to another, or to another format (e.g. PDF)• Written in XML• Knows about XML (e.g. tree structures, etc.)• See <http://www.xslt.com/>

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XML Concepts (3)XLink provides sophisticated hyperlinking:

• Links that allow you to choose multiple destinations• Bidirectional links• Links with special behaviours:

• Expand-in-place / Replace / Create new window• Link on load / Link on user action

• Link databases• See <http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2000/09/xlink/>

XPointer• Provides access to arbitrary portions of XML resource

• See <http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/XML/XPointer/page1.html>

England

France

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Getting to XML With XHTML

XHTML:• HTML represented in XML• Some small changes to HTML:

Elements in lowercase not Attributes must be quoted <img src="logo" height="50"> Elements must be closed:

... )<img src="logo" ... />

• Gain benefits from XML• Tools available (e.g. HTML-Kit from http://www.chami.com/html-kit/)

• See <http://www.webreference.com/xml/column6/>, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XHTML-L/> and <http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue27/web-focus/>

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CSS

CSS:• Cascading Style Sheets• XHTML/XML defines structure, CSS describes

the appearance• CSS 1.0 and 2.0 now W3C recommendations• CSS 3.0 in preparation (modularised)• We should be using CSS:

Part of architecture Ease of maintenance Becoming much richer Accessibility

• See <http://www.w3c.org/Style/CSS/>

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SVGSVG:

• Scalable Vector Graphics• A language for describing two-dimensional

graphics in XML• See <http://www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG/Overview.htm8>

• Also see presentation on XML written in SVG at <http://www.w3c.org/Talks/2001/12/IH-Euroweb/W3CInTheWorldslide.svgz>

• WWW 2002 talk at <http://www.w3c.org/2002/Talks/www2002-SVG/>


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SVG Example

http://www.karto.ethz.ch/neumann/cartography/vienna/http://www.karto.ethz.ch/neumann/cartography/vienna/


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SVG and XSLT

This example:• Originally

written in Java• Author

realised that XSLT would be easier

• Uses SVG for chess board and pieces

• Uses XSLT to move pieces

http://people.w3.org/maxf/ChessGML/http://people.w3.org/maxf/ChessGML/


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CML, SVG and XSLThttp://www.adobe.com/svg/demos/cml2svg/html/index.htmlhttp://www.adobe.com/svg/demos/cml2svg/html/index.html

A molecule described in CML can be transformed using XSLT into SVG, allowing it to be displayed and manipulated

A molecule described in CML can be transformed using XSLT into SVG, allowing it to be displayed and manipulated

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SMIL

SMIL:• Synchronized Multimedia Integration

Language • A language for authoring of interactive

audiovisual presentations• Allows you to synchronize text, images,

audio and video in a document • An XML Application• See <http://www.w3c.org/AudioVideo/>


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SMIL Example

http://www.kevlindev.com/tutorials/basics/animation/svg_smil/index.htm

http://www.kevlindev.com/tutorials/basics/animation/svg_smil/index.htm

http://www.reseau.it/smil/smilapp_en.htmlhttp://www.reseau.it/smil/smilapp_en.html

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MathMLMathML:

• An XML application for maths

• Various plugins, dedicated readers, etc.

• Mozilla renders natively

See <http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/>See <http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/>

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Modularisation

How can you:• Include XML resources such as MathML,

ChemML, etc in XHTML documents? • Provide a subset of XHTML features in browsers

on devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc.?

The answer is:• XHTML modularisation (modularization )• See

<http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml-modularization/> and<http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/01/16/xhtml-m12n.html>


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Addressing (1)

URLs have limitations:• Lack of long-term persistency

Univ. changes name or department shut down or mergedDirectory structure reorganised

• Inability to support multiple versions (mirroring)

URIs:• Were an address of a resource – and moving a

resource was annoying but not critical • With the development of “Web services”, structured

resources, B2B communications, etc. the availability of URIs will be of great importance

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Addressing (2)

Solutions:• Unique identifiers possible, but resolution

difficult• Solutions include DOIs, PURLs,

OpenURLs, etc. • Interest mostly in publishing sector• "URIs don’t break - people break them" • Think about URL persistency & naming

guidelines:<http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue31/web-focus/>


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Transport - The Original Roadmap

HTTP/0.9 and HTTP/1.0: Design flaws and implementation problems

HTTP/1.1: Addresses some of these problems 60% server support Performance benefits! (60% packet traffic

reduction) Is acting as fire-fighter Not sufficiently flexible or extensible

HTTP/NG: Radical redesign using object-oriented

technologies Undergoing trials Gradual transition (using proxies)

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Transport - Today Today:

• Responsibility for development moved from W3C to IETF

• Little progress with HTTP/NG• Problems with HTTP/1.1:

Lengthy (176-page) specification without much explicit rationale for design decisions

Environment has become more complex Lack of a clean underlying data model …

• See “Clarifying the Fundamentals of HTTP” <http://www2002.org/CDROM/refereed/444/>

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SOAP SOAP:

• Simple Object Access Protocol• Facilitates development of machine-to-machine

communications using Web protocols by providing a richer XML-based messaging mechanism

• A protocol for invoking methods on servers, services, components and objects

• Codifies existing practice of using XML and HTTP as a method invocation mechanism

• See FAQ at <http://www.develop.com/soap/soapfaq.htm>


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MetadataMetadata - the missing architectural component from the initial implementation of the web

Metadata - RDF

PICS, TCN,

MCF, DSig,

DC,...

AddressingURL

Data formatHTML

TransportHTTP

Metadata Needs:• Resource discovery• Content filtering• Authentication• Improved navigation• Multiple format support• Rights management

Metadata Needs:• Resource discovery• Content filtering• Authentication• Improved navigation• Multiple format support• Rights management


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Metadata Examples

DSig (Digital Signatures initiative):• Key component for providing trust on the web• DSig 2.0 will be based on RDF and will support

signed assertion:• This page is from the University of Bath• This page is a legally-binding list of courses

provided by the University

P3P (Platform for Privacy Preferences):• Developing methods for exchanging Privacy

Practices of Web sites and user

Note that discussions about additional rights management metadata are currently taking place

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RDFRDF (Resource Description Framework):

• Highlight of WWW 7 conference• Provides a metadata framework ("machine

understandable metadata for the web")• Based on ideas from content rating (PICS),

resource discovery (Dublin Core) and site mapping (MCF)

• Applications include: cataloging resources resource

discovery electronic commerce intelligent

agents digital signatures content rating intellectual property rights privacy

• See <URL: http://www.w3.org/Talks/1998/0417-WWW7-RDF>


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RDF ModelRDF:

• Based on a formal data model (direct label graphs)

• Syntax for interchange of data

• Schema model

Resource ValuePropertyType

Property

page.html £0.05Cost

23-Mar-99

ValidUntil

RDF Data Model

page.html £0.05

23-Mar-99

Property

Cost

InstanceOf

ValidUntil

ValuePropObj

Cost

PropName


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Browser Support for RDFMozilla (Netscape's source code release) provides support for RDF.

Mozilla supports site maps in RDF, as well as bookmarks and history lists

See Netscape's or HotWired home page for a link to the RDF file.

Trusted 3rd

Party Metadata

Embedded Metadata

e.g. sitemaps

Image from http://purl.oclc.org/net/eric/talks/www7/devday/Image from http://purl.oclc.org/net/eric/talks/www7/devday/


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RDF Conclusion RDF is a general-purpose framework RDF provides structured, machine-

understandable metadata for the Web Metadata vocabularies can be developed

without central coordination RDF Schemas describe the meaning of

each property name Signed RDF is the basis for trust

But:• Is it too complex?• Is it the right approach?

But:• Is it too complex?• Is it the right approach?

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RSS – An XML/RDF Application

RSS (Rich / RDF Site Summary):

• Initially XML, now an RDF application

• Used for news feeds• Lightweight

approach that we should be investigating (e.g. see news page on IWMW 2002 Web site)

See example of an RSS authoring tool and parser at <http://rssxpress.ukoln.ac.uk/>

See example of an RSS authoring tool and parser at <http://rssxpress.ukoln.ac.uk/>


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Model For News Feeds

Good For UserThe end user can choose her news feeds, including local news, news from JISC services and news from third partiesGood For ServiceThe service can chose its own informationflow model. Its news is disseminated automatically.

Good For UserThe end user can choose her news feeds, including local news, news from JISC services and news from third partiesGood For ServiceThe service can chose its own informationflow model. Its news is disseminated automatically.

RSS Institution (e.g. Bath)

RSSCommunity(e.g. MIMAS)

RSSExternal

(e.g. BBC)

Local News..JISC News..National News

XHTML converted to RSS

Structured database converted to RSS

Zope CMS outputs to RSS & XHTML

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What About Tomorrow?

Two interesting areas:

The Semantic Web• Will allow intelligent agents to know about

resources • AI and ontologists meet the Web• Uses RDF (Resource Description Framework) –

W3C’s framework for metadata• Some concerns over scale of problem• See <http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/>

Web Services• Highlight of the WWW 10 and WWW 2002

conferences

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Web Services

The Web:• Initially used for viewing static resources• Then interactive services built (e.g. e-learning)

We now want:• Programmable Web services which can be used

by other Web services using standards Web protocols

We have experience of the first generation of externally-hosted Web services (stats services, voting systems, etc.) - see <http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue23/web-focus/>.

The next generation will be programmable and machine-understandable

Note that concerns over outsourcing may be an issue

We have experience of the first generation of externally-hosted Web services (stats services, voting systems, etc.) - see <http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue23/web-focus/>.

The next generation will be programmable and machine-understandable

Note that concerns over outsourcing may be an issue


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ExampleSome examples at gotdotnet.com:

• Mailsender• Thumbnail

Generator

Concepts been around for some time (see Auditing & Evaluating Web Sites workshop)

Now being standardised (UDDI, WSDL, SOAP, …) http://www.gotdotnet.com/playground/

services/thumbnailgen.aspx

http://www.gotdotnet.com/playground/services/thumbnailgen.aspx


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We’ve Been Here BeforeReusable components available on the network:

• Sounds like COM/DCOM, CORBA, etc. for reusable program components

Network services for use within a community:• Sounds like JISCmail, RDN, EDINA, MIMAS,

BIDS, Mirror Service and other JISC Services• It’s outsourcing – but it’s OK!

Web Services And UK HE / FE CommunitiesSounds like a great idea:

• We’ve the organisational framework to develop national services (JISC, etc.)

• We’ve got the network• We’ve a community which is willing to exploit centrally-provided

services and wants to avoid reinventing the wheel (haven’t we?)

Web Services And UK HE / FE CommunitiesSounds like a great idea:

• We’ve the organisational framework to develop national services (JISC, etc.)

• We’ve got the network• We’ve a community which is willing to exploit centrally-provided

services and wants to avoid reinventing the wheel (haven’t we?)


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Currently...

End user

Local content National content International content

Web Web Web Web Web Web

We should be moving away from providing separate Web services with their own interfaces …

We should be moving away from providing separate Web services with their own interfaces …


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Currently...

End user

Collection Description(e.g. Agora)

User Profile(e.g. Headline)

Authentication(Athens)

Local content National content International content

Web Web Web Web Web Web

… and separate metadata repositories and access services (which are sometimes centralised) …

… and separate metadata repositories and access services (which are sometimes centralised) …

Agora and headline are eLib Hybrid libraries


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Future...

Content

End user

User profile

Collectiondescription

Authentication

Metadata Services /Access (Web) Services

Application Services?

Bookmarks

Spell-checker

.. and move to Web-accessible, machine-understandable Web services as well as seamless access to content

.. and move to Web-accessible, machine-understandable Web services as well as seamless access to content

Brokered access provide by

institutional portal(MLE, …)

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Other W3C Areas

See• W3C site map at

<http://www.w3c.org/Help/siteindex>• TimBL’s Web Design Issues at

<http://www.w3c.org/DesignIssues>

• Web Architecture from 50,000 feet at <http://www.w3.org/DesignIssues/Architecture.html>


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Architectures

Let us consider the following areas:• Content Management• Systems Architecture• Access (Browser support)


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Position TodayWhat should we be doing today?

• Move away from creating new content in HTML• Move to XHTML as part of the migration• Deploying XML applications• Storing structured information in a neutral

database• Using a CMS to manage our content• Deploying B2B applications to avoid human

bottleneck (such as RSS)

Note that these are aspirations. We will, of course, be constrained by existing systems, resource implications, vested interests, inertia, etc.

Note that these are aspirations. We will, of course, be constrained by existing systems, resource implications, vested interests, inertia, etc.


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The CMS To The Rescue

HTML authoring tools have limitations (as has HTML).

A CMS (Content Management System):• Allows fragments to be managed• Allows collections to be managed• Allows resources to be stored in a neutral format

(backend database)• Allows resources to be reused• Often provides access control• Often provides workflow processes and project

management

Issues• CMS can be expensive• CMS can be free but have support implications• Which one to choose?

Issues• CMS can be expensive• CMS can be free but have support implications• Which one to choose?


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Content ManagementStoring resources in HTML and GIF/JPEG is:

Easy to do and is a low cost solution Makes reuse and management of resources difficult

GIF /JPEG

XML

TIFF /….

On-the-flyor batch conversion

WMLHTML

Use

r-ag

ent

N

eg

otia

tion

Content Management System for:• Management of content (content maintenance, metadata

management, access rights, project management, …)• Delivery of content (e.g. user-agent negotiation, alternative file

formats [such as WML], etc.))


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Systems Architecture

Issues for you to consider:• Operating System:

Should you go for a Unix OS or Windows NT?If Unix, should you go for Linux?

• Open Source vs Licensed Solution:Should you go for an open source solution or buy a licensed application?

• Package vs Do It Yourself:Should you make use of a pre-packages solution or develop your own solution based on a toolkit (e.g. database, scripting language, …)?

There are no global solutions – your choice should be based on expertise available locally, resourcing issues, discussions with partners, solutions provider, etc.

There are no global solutions – your choice should be based on expertise available locally, resourcing issues, discussions with partners, solutions provider, etc.

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Browser IssuesWhich approach to browser issues should you take?

Old browsers are broken and fail to implement technologies which provide (a) richer functionality (b) support for new devices and (c) better support for people with disabilities.

Therefore you should use the latest stable versions of XHTML, CSS, etc.

Old browsers are broken and fail to implement technologies which provide (a) richer functionality (b) support for new devices and (c) better support for people with disabilities.

Therefore you should use the latest stable versions of XHTML, CSS, etc.

Web sites should be usable to old browsers as these are still in use and we aim to maximise access. Therefore you should deliver HTML 2.0 / 3.2 & avoid technologies such as JavaScript and CSS.

Web sites should be usable to old browsers as these are still in use and we aim to maximise access. Therefore you should deliver HTML 2.0 / 3.2 & avoid technologies such as JavaScript and CSS.

NOTE• Use of ‘clean’ HTML should

degrade gracefully• XHTML is a useful transition• User-agent negotiation may

be relevant

QUESTION• Should organisations /

community implement a browser policy? <http://www.webstandards.org/act/campaign/buc/>


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ConclusionsTo conclude:

• Standards are important• HTML won’t do the job• XHTML is a useful transition• Many new standards being developed• Need to keep up to date and avoid devoloping

systems with built-in obsolescence • We’ll need a CMS to manage richly functional

institutional Web services• “Web services” should be important – and we

shouldn’t be too concerned about using remote services


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Questions

Any questions?

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