Open Wonderland: A Tool for Collaborative Software Development

A Tool forCollaborative Software Development

Nicole YankelovichOpen Wonderland FoundationWonderBuilders, Inc.nicole@wonderbuilders.com

2Copyright 2013, Open Wonderland Foundation

What is Open Wonderland (OWL)?100% Java, free, open-source toolkit for

creating 3D immersive virtual worlds

3Copyright 2013, Open Wonderland Foundation

Build Worlds for...

Collaboration with Live DocsCollaboration with Live Docs

3D Data Visualization and Analysis3D Data Visualization and Analysis

SimulationSimulation

Mixed-Reality InteractionsMixed-Reality Interactions

Integrating with Real WorldIntegrating with Real World

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Education and TrainingEducation and Training

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Modules for Extensibility

• Modules akin to “plug-ins” for addingapps and other functionality to OWL

• Mechanism for packaging & sharing OWL extensions written in Java> Can contain code, artwork, audio,

scripts, web management and web services> Also world configurations for sharing whole worlds> Deliver art assets via embedded HTTP server> Packaged as archive (jar) files

• Modules can depend on other modules

ModuleModule

CodeArtworkScripts

Assembled worldsOther resources

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Modules can add Apps

• Multi-user, interactive 2D apps

• Interactive 3D apps

Mic Twitter Feed PortalAudio Recorder

Whiteboard Screen SharerFirefox Webcam Viewer

2D + 3D Combined

Comp Sci Lesson

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Modules can add Capabilities

• Capabilities are functionality that can be applied to any in-world object

• Each can optionally include a property sheet

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Capability Examples• Audio: Add recorded audio or audio stream

• Container: Group objects; inherit properties

• Portal: Teleport to new location

• EZScript: Add scripting to any object

2

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Modules can add Menu items

• New functionality appears in menu hierarchy

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Wonderland Module Warehouse

• Browseapps &features

• Share• Comment• Rate

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Web-based Admin Console

• Add / remove modules from web UI

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Case Studies, Activities, and Tools

• Look at two case studies of OWL use for collaborative software development> Subsnapshots Project

• Export objects> Postcards Code-a-thon

• In-world screenshots

• Used a wide range of collaboration tools to support full range of software development activities> Planning, coding, debugging, testing, documenting, ...

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Case Study – “Subsnapshot” Project

• Collaborative module development project

• Any developer in the opensource community wasinvited to participate in liveweekly meetings

• All meetings held in OWL• Main purpose

> Help educate developers so more could contribute to project, help fix bugs, and add new features

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SubSnapshot Sessions• Logistics

> All participants remote> 2-3 times per month; 1 hour> Averages 8-12 participants> September 2010 – May 2011

• Learning Community> No formal instructor> OWL architect defacto leader> Participants take turns driving> Focus on understanding, good

coding practices, not speed

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Case Study - “Postcard” Code-a-thon

• Intensive three-day event to create a module• Participants came from US, Canada, and several

European countries• Run by a small organizing committee

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Postcards

• New feature that allowsvirtual world users totake and send pictures.

• Uses a virtual camera to set up shot; simple UI to compose a message and specify how to share

• Differences:> Intensive sessions> Involved more UI design> Non-developers involved

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Project Space Setup

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Activities & Tools• Before/between sessions

> Live in-world planning mtgs.> Asynchronous collaboration

• Google Wave, GoogleDrive, OWL Forum, Facebook

> Setting up the environment> Installing new code on

community server> Testing

• During the live sessions> Synchronous collaboration with high fidelity audio> Suite of collaboration tools support variety of activities

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Activity: BrainstormingTool: Drag-and-drop Images

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Activity: Organizing / User StoriesTool: Card Wall

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Activity: Planning & DesignTool: Multi-user Whiteboard

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Activity: Planning Poker & VotingTool: Voting Tool

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Activity: Consulting the WebTool: Firefox

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Activity: Collaborative CodingTool: NetBeans

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Activity: Collaborative DebuggingTool: Shared Terminal

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Activity: Note TakingTool: Sticky Notes

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Activity: Doc & Desktop SharingTools: DropBox, VNC Viewer

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Activity: DocumentationTools: PDF Viewer / Google Drive

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Activity: Unit TestingTools: NetBeans, Image Viewer

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Activity: Testing the CodeTool: SubSnapshot Module

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Activity: Testing on Remote ServerTools: VNC, Screen Sharer

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Activity: Documenting the ProjectTools: Facebook, Screen Sharer

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Lessons Learned

• Benefits:> Real work accomplished in

the virtual world> Multiple simultaneous activities> Participants highly engaged> Strong relationships developed> Agile techniques worked

remotely

• Challenges:> Time zones> Doing sufficient pre-work to set up the necessary tools

34Copyright 2013, Open Wonderland Foundation

For More Information• WonderBuilders

> http://WonderBuilders.com> Custom worlds, consulting

• Open Wonderland> http://OpenWonderland.org

• WonderBlog> http://blogs.openwonderland.org

• Facebook> http://facebook.com/openwonderland

• Twitter> http://twitter.com/openwonderland> use hashtag: #openwonderland

nicole@wonderbuilders.com