The Mashstream Projects

Building Cloud Computing and Communication Tools and Processes

by Michael Hiatt @ Mashstream.com

At Mashstream.com, we are taking it to the virtual streets. We are joining the egalitarian revolution of open web protocols, open cloud development practices, open data streaming, open information sharing, and open global markets. Now is the time to take the theoretical ideas of Web 2.0 socialization and cloud computing techniques and move them further into the realm of real-life solutions. To that end, we introduce the Mashstream Projects. These open source, ongoing projects are designed to help focus our understanding of emerging technologies and to generate new ideas through research and collaboration.

As coordinator and project manager for the Mashstream Projects, I have been working with Jeffrey Hanson from the Mashstream Advisory Committee to identify an array of current challenges that can be met using Web 2.0 practices and emerging cloud computing technologies. These projects will allow us to research a variety of topics, such as mashup applications using mixed data and services, information aggregation portals, real-time web streaming, and linked data processes for a variety of vertical businesses and disciplines.

Quick Note: I will be updating content to the initial projects listed below and adding new projects as they are suggested and approved. Check back often to see updates and progress on the projects and to comment and join in on the fun. Additional postings will address many of the basic issues of the technologies used in these projects. We will highlight case studies, educate ourselves on basic concepts, and design systems for the next generation of Web 2.0 moving to Web 3.0 technologies and trends.

Learning by Doing

Throughout the research and execution of the Mashstream Projects, we plan to learn by doing—to learn new technologies and tools by immersing ourselves into common problems and challenges. I am relying on this goal-based approach to better learn about Web 2.0 tools and technologies by applying them to real-world challenges. We can employ our shared expertise as a community to define requirements, proffer ideas, and find workable solutions. Oh yeah, and to change the world of knowledge development as we know it thereby saving the planet. All in a day’s work.

As a community of web developers, information developers, and content strategists, we are all students in this brave new world of emerging cloud computing and virtual interaction. It’s time to put our heads down, set some goals, and immerse into the Age of Information.

For deep-dive technical questions, we will go to experts like Jeffrey Hanson and other technical gurus and resources for guidance and a periodic reality-check. We will also seek input from those working in the trenches of education, business, medicine, science, and other related disciplines for their ideas and feedback. This open-source development can use all the input, criticism, and ideas that it can muster. Together we can serve all of our common interests while assisting each other in finding specific answers and strategies.

Enough said. Let’s bring on the projects.

 

Welcome to the Mashstream projects

Here’s a list of the current projects being researched and developed:

 

 Project 1: Linked Data System for Researchers

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Opportunity: Scientific researchers need raw, real-time data from peer researchers integrated with existing content from published scientific journals, compendiums, and other relevant information sources accessible from the web. This aggregated content needs to be maintained and given context by each research team and integrated with existing knowledge systems. The process needs to harness knowledge flow for internal knowledgebases and external portals and provide features to expedite traditional publishing needs.

Scenario: Provide linked data communication and solutions for a nanotechnology and DNA research company.

Factors: Streaming raw data is what linked data technology is all about. It is the most basic of Semantic Web implementations, requiring content to be structured and semantically tagged. Security is an issue here. Need to research existing implementations and define infrastructure.

Goals:  Design Linked Data processes to integrate with existing information services for research teams. Consolidate open data sets with private data sets providing necessary security.

Project Requirements

  • Identify available generic data sets and those specific to research.
  • Identify research in this area and available semantic web already in place.
  • Research process for securely linking public with private data sets using semantic markup.
  • Analyze costs for semantic markup
  • Establish Linked Data communication of raw content between scientific researchers.
  • Link with existing internal knowledge sets.
  • Link with existing corporate publications and information developers.
  • Allow research data to be shared immediately and given context by each research team for their unique needs.
  • Integrate relevant data sets using basic Linked Data practices and identify possible services for this sector.

Project Plan of Attack

Here’s a list of the initial steps required to get this project moving.

  1. Research and report current Linked Data practices.
  2. Identify relevant data sets.
  3. Formulate strategy for delivering data.
  4. Identify process for creating Semantic markup.
  5. Devise process for sharing, providing peer review, and publishing results.

Technologies Used

Here’s the foreseeable technologies needed for this project:

  • Linked Data practices
  • Semantic tagging
  • RSS and Atom feeds
  • Data aggregation
  • Open knowledge management systems
  • Publication strategies for multiple audiences and information formats

Planned Product or Service

Linked Data services and processes for public and private researchers

 

Project 2: DocMashup for IT Management Software Systems

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 Opportunity: IT Management Systems are changing dramatically. The advent of online and virtual software applications and new hardware capabilities allows for new opportunities to challenge conventional knowledge aggregation and publishing. During this time of transition, there are great opportunities to consolidate features and provide supporting resources—training, implementation instructions, and general documentation—as well as upgrade features for legacy management tools to synch with the coming management systems in the cloud.

Scenario: An independent company of information developers provides content by combining in-house documentation and training with available cloud resources, including web articles, YouTube training videos, links to tech sites, and the addition of common practices.  This independent group of information developers remixes and adds updated content for products like the Dell Management Console and initiatives such as the announcement of HP working with Microsoft on the Azure web development platform.

Factors: Currently, sales engineers, implementers, and customers wade through shotgun communication from software companies or write their own content for usage for disparate management tools. During the transition to new IT management services (and while this current recession lingers), business investment for new IT management systems will be waning. There’s also a current mistrust of proprietary systems being developed by major market vendors. Most businesses will work to extend the life of current IT management systems and add on features using widgets and other artifacts that employ open protocols and cloud resources.

Goals: Build a docMashup template and specific content for system management tools. Confront shotgun communication fixes for products while expanding options to add cloud management features to proprietary IT management systems.

Project Requirements

Moving to open cloud computing protocols while utilizing legacy applications and databases requires some type of mashup to remix data and services. We plan to provide practices for using in-house data sets while mixing content and adding functionality from open APIs and online management services being developed by companies large and small.

  • Develop docMashup guide of standard IT management practices.
  • Map needs of customers to vendors, technologies, and open source options.
  • Identify future trends for industry through industry and analyst predictions.
  • Plan mashup application for open source extensions of legacy systems.
  • Publish docMashup for IT management systems.

Project Plan of Attack

Here’s a list of the initial steps required to get this project moving.

  1. Investigate cloud computing IT management strategies, including those being developed by HP, Microsoft, Dell, Symantec, KACE, Apple, Linux, and other platforms.
  2. Research MS Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google App Engine, and VMware vCloud, and other web development platforms.
  3. Develop mashups for “long tail” solutions using legacy data and online data sets, Google maps, and other web resources.
  4. Build docMashup for IT Systems Management aggregating relevant content, documentation, and training.
  5. Build artifacts for IT management available from any web page.

Technologies Used

Here’s the foreseeable technologies needed for this project:

  • Web 2.0 Mashup
  • Semantic web tagging
  • Standard e-book

Planned Product or Service

  • Knowledge Mashup examples for multiple vendors—Dell, HP, MS, and others.
  • Set up consulting services for information developers small and SMB enterprises.

     

Project 3: Aggregation for Education

Opportunity: As high school educators in many areas resist using web content in the classroom, we plan to develop a system where teachers can combine their lesson plans and personal research with online resources and learning portals. The aggregation of focused information for the classroom needs features to “white list” sites selected by the teacher and track requirements for college preparation using existing web sites.

Scenario: High school teacher and student work together to integrate syllabus, lesson plans, ulterior web sites, and student notes into an artifact for a web site or aggregator save on the web and local hard drive. Mashing of college requirements with high school content is also a necessity.

Factors: Education is already moving towards online but proprietary education services. Aggregation of content needs to allay fears of concerned parents about accessing the Internet, organize structure to impart information defined by the teacher, and allow students to add their own notes. For educators, many Ning sites exist for education but have yet to move beyond teacher collaboration sites. While college professors are starting to use social networking strategies and college students have adopted Microsoft OneNote, Evernote and other online information aggregators, the full potential of online aggregation and content mashups are yet to be realized.

Goals: Successfully complete trial for aggregated education services using a selected teacher and student.

Project Requirements

  • Identify platforms for content aggregation:, such as note taking software, AIR and Silverlight applications, Ning web sites, and other open source communities.
  • Identify data sets for SAT and ACT tests.
  • Plan mashup application.
  • Publish mashup, case study, and docMashup for education services.

Project Plan of Attack

Here’s a list of the initial steps required to get this project moving.

  1. Identify tools for online note taking and content aggregation.
  2. Identify SAT and ACT portals.
  3. Investigate Adobe AIR and Microsoft Silverlight platforms.
  4. Find teacher and student for case study.

Technologies Used

Here’s the foreseeable technologies needed for this project:

  • Linked Data practices
  • Ning social sites
  • Content aggregation
  • Mashup APIs

Planned Product or Service

Content Mashup for multiple information sites, online teaching venues, and personal notes from student and teacher.

 

 Mashstream Mission

Through the Mashstream Projects, we plan to define important areas of investigation and doggedly push to find real solutions. We plan to identify challenges, develop new ideas, research the feasibility of each idea, plan a project, and render usable products, services, and processes to help various disciplines and social communities. We hope to work together with you to identify opportunities and meet common challenges for our mutual benefit.

Meanwhile, as “mashstreamers” with shared interests, we need to keep the questions and ideas flowing. Together as a community we can research, develop, and employ cloud technologies and Web 2.0 strategies to provide solutions for our own lives, whether in education, IT technology, scientific research, personal content aggregation, or a miscellany of other disciplines where innovation is needed.

So that’s the highline of our ambitions. We are also hardened capitalists here at Mashstream and are intent on turning a profit. While much is left to do in defining standards, building open APIs, and organizing the larger Semantic Web, there’s enough infrastructure and tools in place to begin bringing mashups, linked data, and semantic tagging techniques to market.

It’s time to put together some mashups that make sense, capture raw data using linked data techniques, optimize and monetize social networking, and develop projects that show the maturity and direction of emerging trends and technologies. Stay tuned.

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January 30, 2010 · Michael Hiatt · 3 Comments
Posted in: Cloud Computing, Information management, Knowledge management, Linked data, Mashups, Semantic Data, Semantic Web

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