Office Automation & Intranets

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 1

Office Automation & Intranets

BUSS 909

Lecture 9Intranet Functionality 1: Message Boards, Real-Time Chat,

WebChat etc

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 2

Notices (1)

Hand in Assignment 2I must have the names of people in

teams for Assignment 3, together with one person nominated as Team Leader, before close of business today!

Check my door from tomorrow on for student assignments to teams

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 3

Notices (2)

we will discuss aspects of Assignment 3, the assignment text, required files etc. will be available from the BUSS909 Intranet in the next week…

…after you have organised yourself into groups!!!

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 4

Agenda

in this lecture, we will discuss:Internet CHATWeb-CHATMessage Boards (very briefly)

we will NOT discuss:Internet Phone- only useful as an alternatives

to traditional phonesemail- well known- useful for intranets- trivial

to implement

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 5

Functional Capabilities

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 6

IntranetsFunctional Capabilities

the functional capabilities of an intranet- the subject of the next three lectures- should be determinedaccording to its potential and actual

utility to the organisation, and must be continually evaluated in the

context of overall business objectives

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 7

IntranetsFunctional Capabilities

there are three major kinds of functions that intranets can provide organisations

in order to increasing sophistication they are:providing interactive communicationsdisplaying general informationsharing business data

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 8

Course and Assignment 3Lectures Weeks 10-12

Intranet Functionality 1: Message Boards, Real-Time CHAT, WebCHAT etc

Intranet Functionality 2: Textual Media and Database Integration

Intranet Functionality 3: Temporal (Audio, Video) and New Media (QTVR, VRML)

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 9

Course and Assignment 3Lectures Weeks 10-12

1 Subject Synopsis

2 Data Comms

3-6 OA, CSCW, Groupware

7 SGML HTML, WWW

8-12 Intranets

13-14 Future Developments

I IIIII

A1 A2 A3

Lectures

TutorialsClient-sideNetObjects

Writing in Commerce

Client-sideNetObjects

Team-basedNetObjects

Search Engines

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 10

Internet Chat

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 11

Internet Chat

Internet Chat unlike e-mail can be used to implement synchronous communications tools for intranets:allow two or more users to maintain an

open channelinformation can be sent and received in

real-time (no significant time delay)

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 12

Internet Chat

once text-only, Chat tools support graphics and hypertext links.

unlike other technologies discussed in this lecture, Internet Chat has relatively low bandwidth requirements

makes Chat a good intermediate tool for facilitating synchronous communication among groups on Intranets/Extranets

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 13

Internet ChatInternet Relay Chat (IRC)

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) was designed as a replacement for the UNIX talk function, which enabled two people to converse in text in real-time over the Internet

multiple users converse in text using a shared channel on the Internet.

became very popular, due to its use in the Gulf War etc.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 14

Internet ChatTechnical Protocol

Protocol used in implementing Internet CHAT is described in RFC 1459

three different communication methods are used with the IRC protocol:client to clientone to many: one to a list or to a channelbroadcast: to all IRC servers on the

network

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 15

Internet ChatInternet Relay Chat (IRC)

Consists of a network of > 10,000 users online at any given time. IRC worldwide has on average:about 18,000 users, and 5,000 channels or discussion areas

commercial IRC client products are available to help users communicate using IRC.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 16

Internet ChatIRC Nets

popular IRC Nets include EFnet, UnderNet and DALnet (see Links section).

Chat services, like those at America Online (AOL), account for about 30% of revenues

lots of commands used, and a netiquette surrounding its use

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 17

Internet ChatLogin Procedure

users run a client program, which connects to either the IRC network or the company's own server.

chat servers pass messages from user to user over the Chat network.

logged in, the user can list all the channels, and join the necessary channel.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 18

Internet ChatChannel selection and Paging

on joining a channel, anything the user types can be read by the other channel members.

It is possible to page other users who are in different channels, and to talk to a user privately by using the /msg command.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 19

IRC CommandsGeneral & Private

General Commands

NICK changes your nickname

QUIT exits your IRC session, (same as BYE, SIGNOFF and EXIT)

HELP prints help on the given command

WHOIS displays information about someone

WHOWAS displays information about someone who just left

AWAY leaves a message saying you're not paying attention

Private Conversation Commands

MSG sends a private message

QUERY starts a private conversation

NOTICE sends a private message

NOTIFY warns you of people logging in or out IRC

IGNORE removes output from specific people off your screen

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 20

IRC CommandsChannel Commands

Channel Commands

LIST lists channels, number of users, topic

NAMES shows the nicknames of the users on each channel

JOIN sets your current channel, (same as CHANNEL)

WHO gives a listing of users

INVITE sends an invitation to another user

LEAVE leaves a channel, (same as PART)

KICK gets rid of someone on a channel

TOPIC changes the topic of the channel

ME sends anything about you to a channel or QUERY

DESCRIBE sends anything about you to a person or channel

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 21

IRC CommandsEditing & Client-Client

General Editing Comands

! recalls previous commands for re-editing

HISTORY displays the command history

LASTLOG lists the most recent messages

CLEAR puts some white space on your screen

Client-to-Client Commands

CTCP performs certain client specific actions

DCC handles direct connections to remote clients

DCC SEND initiates a file transfer

DCC GET accepts a file transfer

DCC CLOSE ends a DCC connection or offer

DCC LIST shows current DCC connections

DCC CHAT initiates a secure chat between two clients

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 22

IRC CommandsAdministration

Administrative Commands

ADMIN displays information about a server

LINKS shows the servers on the IRC network

SERVER switches your primary server

MOTD displays the server message-of-the-day

USERS prints users logged on the server machine

DATE shows server current date and time

TIME shows server current date and time

LUSERS gives a brief listing of users, servers and operators

TRACE shows the server connections of the given server

STATS shows some irc server usage statistics

INFO shows useless information about IRC

VERSION shows client and server version number

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 23

Internet ChatMessage Boards

related technology to IRC is that of message boards- where files can be posted to a ‘shared area’

when the user logs in either:an email is sent by the Message Board

System informing them that a message or file is available for download, or

the message or file is simply delivered to them

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 24

Internet ChatBusiness Applications

Business users should use a graphical user interface to IRC- don’t need to learn the commands

until recently, few businesses actually depended on chat systems in the Extranet and Intranet environments.

but, WebChat lends itself to a variety of business communication applications

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 25

Internet ChatBusiness use in Extranets

Easy business case to mount for Extranetscompanies use corporate Web site to

allow public visitors to join a chat group in which particular product information from the company is being discussed

sales representative from the company moderates the chat room

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 26

Internet ChatBusiness use for Intranets

Brainstorming consuming less band-width than video-conferencing, Internet phone conference calls

Special interest discussion groups Real-time technical supportHuman Resources- enhancing

employee training methods Example: Quarterdeck's Global Stage

http://www.qdeck.com/chat/

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 27

Internet ChatIntranets Usage Issues (1)

there are a number of issues relevant to the decision to include Chat facilities on intranets: Restricted channels- Moderated and

unmoderated channels number of simultaneous users what kind of technical support,

maintenance, and upgrades

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 28


Integration with broad range of Web-based member databases

are custom enhancements available or possible

what are the capabilities of the clientclient applications for business should

have graphical or command-based user interfaces. Most IRC clients use slash commands, such as /JOIN

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 29


is the client supported on all relevant machine architectures

is easy the product easy to usedoes the product support open systemsintranet chat is unsecured- what about

extremely sensitive information; privacy issues

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 30

Internet ChatNew Developments

New developments include:Chat directly integrated into 4.0 BrowsersNew proprietary Chat Based technologies

(ICU- see later)Java applet-based chat services3D chat enabled by Virtual Reality Markup

Language (VRML) in which channels become virtual and where users can explore them as spaces

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 31

Internet ChatVRML based CHAT

Users create an avatar to represent themselves in the virtual spacethe avatar can communicate basic chat

expressions such as a grin with simple animations (based on CHAT netiquette)

because of bandwidth limitations, high-speed intranet environment is needed to make it work sensibly

what can it be used for in business?

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 32

Internet ChatVRML based CHAT

software is available that enables you to scan in body parts (your own for example) and create a character that can be used in VRML based Chat sessions

the business case for this kind of capability is dubious at best!

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 33

Internet ChatVRML based CHAT Examples

Active Worlds Chat- one of the first VRML Chat systems. Requires proprietary browser to run demo

Microsoft V-Chat: 'beta' VRML chat field. Free VRML chat client available.

OnLive! Technologies: several beta browsers and clients available with chat sites such as MTV, Monday night football and a kewl world called Utopia.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 34

Extended Chat: ICQ

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 35

ICQ- I Seek You-

ICQ is an example of a technology that provides extended Chat services including message boards etc.

I will attempt to install the Groupware version of ICQ for BUSS909 Intranetprovide chat facilities and conferencing

for individual and group online consultations between lecturers students, students- students, etc...

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 36

ICQ Menus

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 37

ICQUser Services

ICQ is a product based around extensions to Internet Chat

it enables users to know who is on-line at any time and enables users to contact each other at will

it also provides facilities for message boards, data conferencing, file transfers and Internet games

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 38

ICQPeer-to-Peer

supports any peer-to-peer applicationa peer-to-peer network is in effect a ‘server-

less’ network where all the functions are performed through two or more workstations- example of a peer-to-peer network is Lantastic

a peer-to-peer application is in effect a 1:1 application

examples of peer-to-peer applications- Microsoft NetMeeting or Netscape CoolTalk

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 39

ICQSupports Multiple Users

also provides a multiple-user mode, so groups can conduct conferences

client runs in the background, but alerts the user when specific people log-in

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 40

Summary

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 41

Summary (1)

Web browser enabled Chat provides employees to explore a text-based method of real-time communication,

it also preserves bandwidth for other intranet applications

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 42

Summary (2)

while Internet phones and video-conferencing are more sophisticated Internet communications tools

but Chat is a more practical and realistic choice to facilitate synchronous communication within a corporation.

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 43

Further Reading

Earthweb.COM- IT Library: Intranets Unleashed http://www.itlibrary.com/library/1575211157/contents.htm

Fournier, R. (1999) A Methodology for Client/Server and Web Application Development Yourdon Press Computing Series, NJ: Yourdon Press, Prentice Hall

Naik, D. (1998) Internet Standards and Protocols Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press

Greer, T. (1998) Understanding Intranets Strategic Technology Series Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press

Clarke, R. J (2000) L909-09: 44

Links

Connected Media.COM IRC Central Newbies Page http://www.connected-media.com/IRC/newbies.htm

Johansen, O. N. (1999) IRClub on Efnet http://www.irclub.org/

Undernet http://www.undernet.org

DalNet http://www.dal.net

ICQ Inc. http://www.icq.com/index.html

Pioch, N. (1997) A Short IRC Primer http://www.blackened.com/irchelp/ircprimer.html

Groupware ICQ Download http://www.mirabilis.com/groupware/

Sven Technologies- Avatar Maker http://www.avatarmaker.com/products/avatarmaker/

Quarterdeck's Global Stage http://www.qdeck.com/chat/

Documents

Office Automation & Intranets