Open University Library Seminar
Content
Open University Library Seminar
24th September 2009
Tim Fernando
Project Manager
Oxford University Computing Services
Oxford University Computing Services
...not quite the same as an “Information Services” department!
Supporting Mobile Devices
What do we mean by ‘support’?
Times have changed. Supporting mobile phones used to involve making sure e-mail worked on them. To a great extent modern phones can configure themselves so new support issues are quite different.
Emerging needs
Today, we are asked questions like: “Can I access my lecture timetable on my phone?” “Can I have SMS notification of when my exam results are out?” “Is there a map of libraries I can see on my mobile?”
Smartphone growth
Smartphone year on year growth in 2008 13.9% despite economic downturn Handsets with a compelling user experience, namely Blackberry and iPhone showed massive growth. ‘Unlimited data’ plans have also made them more attractive to use.
Source - Gartner Statistics
Predicted Growth
131 million smartphones were sold in 2008, this is set to increase to 300 million in 2013.
1.1 Billion users are expected to be using
smartphones in 2013.
Source - 7th July 2009 report by Park Associates
All mobile phones will become “smart”
iStanford m.mit.edu
m.ox.ac.uk
Oxford’s new Mobile Services Site
Access to a selection of custom services
including some which are firsts for any University
“Let me listen to some podcasts by Humanities” “What’s my College Tutor’s here’s my nearest postbox “W name?” hat time is it collected at?” and w
“Which is the closest open library which has X book?” “When’s the n ext bus from my nearest bus stop?” “Show me a cycling route from where I am to Y department”
Started work in August 2009
Started work in August 2009
Team of two Lead Programmer & Design - Alex Dutton Manager & Design - Tim Fernando
Fast Development Process
Agile programming methodology Continuous integration
“Mobile Oxford” software will be made open source
Real time bus information
Provides “NaPTAN” (National Public Transport Access Node) database under licence
This includes a list of every bus stop, platform, port etc in the country with a unique identifier for each and a geocode
Remove irrelevant data
Remove irrelevant data
m.ox.ac.uk
Bus stops within x distance
Request with location
m.ox.ac.uk
Bus stops within x distance
Request with location
Map markers drawn on tiles
Map tiles
Open Street Map
Bus stops within x distance
oxontime.com
Request sent for RTI of particular bus stop
m.ox.ac.uk
Modified Map tiles
Open Street Map
Bus stops within x distance
Returned info parsed and sent back to client according to classification
Modified Map tiles
Open Street Map
oxontime.com
m.ox.ac.uk
Schedule
START 28th July 2009 24th August 14th September 5th October 21st August 11th September 2nd October March 2010 END Feature Development Debug period Private Beta Public Beta
... after that
Augmented Reality Services?
Information Display Applications?
... after that
Augmented Reality Services?
Information Display Applications?
Automatic calendar based routing?
[email protected] m.ox.ac.uk/blog
24th September 2009
Tim Fernando
Project Manager
Oxford University Computing Services
Oxford University Computing Services
...not quite the same as an “Information Services” department!
Supporting Mobile Devices
What do we mean by ‘support’?
Times have changed. Supporting mobile phones used to involve making sure e-mail worked on them. To a great extent modern phones can configure themselves so new support issues are quite different.
Emerging needs
Today, we are asked questions like: “Can I access my lecture timetable on my phone?” “Can I have SMS notification of when my exam results are out?” “Is there a map of libraries I can see on my mobile?”
Smartphone growth
Smartphone year on year growth in 2008 13.9% despite economic downturn Handsets with a compelling user experience, namely Blackberry and iPhone showed massive growth. ‘Unlimited data’ plans have also made them more attractive to use.
Source - Gartner Statistics
Predicted Growth
131 million smartphones were sold in 2008, this is set to increase to 300 million in 2013.
1.1 Billion users are expected to be using
smartphones in 2013.
Source - 7th July 2009 report by Park Associates
All mobile phones will become “smart”
iStanford m.mit.edu
m.ox.ac.uk
Oxford’s new Mobile Services Site
Access to a selection of custom services
including some which are firsts for any University
“Let me listen to some podcasts by Humanities” “What’s my College Tutor’s here’s my nearest postbox “W name?” hat time is it collected at?” and w
“Which is the closest open library which has X book?” “When’s the n ext bus from my nearest bus stop?” “Show me a cycling route from where I am to Y department”
Started work in August 2009
Started work in August 2009
Team of two Lead Programmer & Design - Alex Dutton Manager & Design - Tim Fernando
Fast Development Process
Agile programming methodology Continuous integration
“Mobile Oxford” software will be made open source
Real time bus information
Provides “NaPTAN” (National Public Transport Access Node) database under licence
This includes a list of every bus stop, platform, port etc in the country with a unique identifier for each and a geocode
Remove irrelevant data
Remove irrelevant data
m.ox.ac.uk
Bus stops within x distance
Request with location
m.ox.ac.uk
Bus stops within x distance
Request with location
Map markers drawn on tiles
Map tiles
Open Street Map
Bus stops within x distance
oxontime.com
Request sent for RTI of particular bus stop
m.ox.ac.uk
Modified Map tiles
Open Street Map
Bus stops within x distance
Returned info parsed and sent back to client according to classification
Modified Map tiles
Open Street Map
oxontime.com
m.ox.ac.uk
Schedule
START 28th July 2009 24th August 14th September 5th October 21st August 11th September 2nd October March 2010 END Feature Development Debug period Private Beta Public Beta
... after that
Augmented Reality Services?
Information Display Applications?
... after that
Augmented Reality Services?
Information Display Applications?
Automatic calendar based routing?
[email protected] m.ox.ac.uk/blog
