Discover Launceston is a collaboration between Launceston City
Council and the Telstra Broadband e-Lab with support from Telstra Country Wide.
The project utilises the dynamic interactive applications running on the “pervasive community hub” platform both being developed by Telstra Broadband e-Lab in response to the feedback on eLaunceston, the community broadband research project which was complete in 2002 and highly refined, user-focussed information architecture designed by Jaffa Strategic Design.
The editorial information components are built on the City's Prospectus site developed in 2001, the background research to the Launceston Strategic Cultural Plan and the Learning Audit carried out as part of the Australian National Training Authority's Learning Communities National Case Study project complete in 2002. These sources have been augmented through consultation with many participants in the tourism industry, business, social services and cultural sectors.
Through the concepts built in the “pervasive community hub” platform, Discover Launceston is able to offer a range of applications to support individuals and groups residing in Launceston and other communities to enhance interaction and collaboration needs on a multidimensional scale.
Click a heading below to learn more about the project:
The project utilises the dynamic interactive applications running on the “pervasive community hub” platform both being developed by Telstra Broadband e-Lab in response to the feedback on eLaunceston, the community broadband research project which was complete in 2002 and highly refined, user-focussed information architecture designed by Jaffa Strategic Design.
The editorial information components are built on the City's Prospectus site developed in 2001, the background research to the Launceston Strategic Cultural Plan and the Learning Audit carried out as part of the Australian National Training Authority's Learning Communities National Case Study project complete in 2002. These sources have been augmented through consultation with many participants in the tourism industry, business, social services and cultural sectors.
Through the concepts built in the “pervasive community hub” platform, Discover Launceston is able to offer a range of applications to support individuals and groups residing in Launceston and other communities to enhance interaction and collaboration needs on a multidimensional scale.
Click a heading below to learn more about the project:
Technology Overview
Technology Overview
Services within Discover Launceston are derived from a generic collection of applications that may be used individually or in combinations to provide functional services to a website or web community. The nature of each application ranges from access control to site resources to image gallery management applications and advanced calendar services. The "generic" aspect of the applications refers to the ability to create and modify "instances" of these applications within a variety of contexts. In a hierarchical sense, a community may be seen as a collection of service applications provided in a given context. For instance, an online Football community might have a shared Calendar of events, contributed to by community users, an SMS reminder service for club meetings, and a photo gallery. Furthermore, the Football community might serve as a "container" community for several regionally-specific versions of the community, each maintaining their own calendars and photo galleries. From a technical standpoint then, a community is particular instance of interoperable application modules, combined with information services under the control of a central administrator. The administrator then customises the community to provide the context for the community instance. Discover Launceston incorporates a range of underlying technologies that facilitate the abilities of individuals to communicate, collaborate and integrate on a scale defined by the individual. The key components of Discover Launceston are:
Information Shell:
The Information
Shell is the user-interface component of the Community Hub, providing a rich
graphical front-end to the Hub architecture and services. The Information Shell
is the container for contextual or community information, and is represented in
this instance by the DiscoverLaunceston website. This shell allows for static
information to be published by the administrator.
The Pervasive Community Hub: Dynamic content processing and management in a scalable distributed system. The Community Hub provides a flexible, interactive interface to information access, classification and management.
The Community Hub is based on a sophisticated content organisation and access architecture, providing applications and access methods to facilitate online collaboration among Hub users.
By providing users with both community-originated content and the tools to contribute content themselves, the content requirement for the site's host is reduced, while the site's content remains fresh and community-focussed.
By providing users with the access to the community hub from different devices like personal computers, Internet capable mobile phones etc. the value proposition of the hub increases manyfold and new applications like location based services can be offered in the community collaboration context.
By providing users with both community-originated content and the tools to contribute content themselves, the content requirement for the site's host is reduced, while the site's content remains fresh and community-focussed.
The Community Portal: The Portal provides transaction and syndication services to the local community, such as payment transaction services to local businesses. In combination with online Identity management and other services, the portal can offer useful applications to local businesses. Examples might be an online booking service for local tourism, restaurant bookings and appointment notification services. The Portal also provides ways to syndicate content out to other websites, both locally and worldwide at the Portal or Community level. For instance, a community specialising in tourism might have some content syndicated out to international travel agencies. Because the Portal is based open-standard technologies such as Java and XML, community applications can take advantage of the extended services possible through integrations other online services worldwide. For example, if a user has booked a flight, flight information and notification of flight changes might be made accessible through the portal environment.
Services within Discover Launceston are derived from a generic collection of applications that may be used individually or in combinations to provide functional services to a website or web community. The nature of each application ranges from access control to site resources to image gallery management applications and advanced calendar services. The "generic" aspect of the applications refers to the ability to create and modify "instances" of these applications within a variety of contexts. In a hierarchical sense, a community may be seen as a collection of service applications provided in a given context. For instance, an online Football community might have a shared Calendar of events, contributed to by community users, an SMS reminder service for club meetings, and a photo gallery. Furthermore, the Football community might serve as a "container" community for several regionally-specific versions of the community, each maintaining their own calendars and photo galleries. From a technical standpoint then, a community is particular instance of interoperable application modules, combined with information services under the control of a central administrator. The administrator then customises the community to provide the context for the community instance. Discover Launceston incorporates a range of underlying technologies that facilitate the abilities of individuals to communicate, collaborate and integrate on a scale defined by the individual. The key components of Discover Launceston are:
Information Shell:
The Information
Shell is the user-interface component of the Community Hub, providing a rich
graphical front-end to the Hub architecture and services. The Information Shell
is the container for contextual or community information, and is represented in
this instance by the DiscoverLaunceston website. This shell allows for static
information to be published by the administrator.
The Pervasive Community Hub: Dynamic content processing and management in a scalable distributed system. The Community Hub provides a flexible, interactive interface to information access, classification and management.
The Community Hub is based on a sophisticated content organisation and access architecture, providing applications and access methods to facilitate online collaboration among Hub users.
By providing users with both community-originated content and the tools to contribute content themselves, the content requirement for the site's host is reduced, while the site's content remains fresh and community-focussed.
By providing users with the access to the community hub from different devices like personal computers, Internet capable mobile phones etc. the value proposition of the hub increases manyfold and new applications like location based services can be offered in the community collaboration context.
By providing users with both community-originated content and the tools to contribute content themselves, the content requirement for the site's host is reduced, while the site's content remains fresh and community-focussed.The Community Portal: The Portal provides transaction and syndication services to the local community, such as payment transaction services to local businesses. In combination with online Identity management and other services, the portal can offer useful applications to local businesses. Examples might be an online booking service for local tourism, restaurant bookings and appointment notification services. The Portal also provides ways to syndicate content out to other websites, both locally and worldwide at the Portal or Community level. For instance, a community specialising in tourism might have some content syndicated out to international travel agencies. Because the Portal is based open-standard technologies such as Java and XML, community applications can take advantage of the extended services possible through integrations other online services worldwide. For example, if a user has booked a flight, flight information and notification of flight changes might be made accessible through the portal environment.
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
The services offered by the Hub architecture offers a unique value proposition to a range of parties:THE END USER:
Discover Launceston offers an information base of local resources such as directories, catalogs, maps and local guides that facilitate communication and collaboration among community members. The selection of the online applications provide convenience and enhance the ability for extended community collaboration offering the ability to access the same online environment in a different scenarios allowing value added services through mobility, location and context awareness. Personalised Portal Services allow the users of Discover Launceston to aggregate content located locally and remotely on other websites to be created and configured by individual users, facilitating dynamic sharing of content with collaborating web sites. Other major features ensure that Discover Launceston has the capability to meet the needs of a diverse range of individuals and community groups through offering:
- Pervasive access
- SMS notifications
- Transactions with local businesses
- Local advertising and communication channels.
- Industry standard interfaces for accessing emails and uploading content on the hub
- Multiple sub communities
- Online transaction channels with local businesses
- Advertising and communication channels
- A portal to collaborate with regional web site as well as to integrated services on other web sites worldwide
- Access to Telstra products and services like SMS messaging, identity and payments proxies and capabilities
- Partitioning content into multiple community views
- Decentralized content, users and applications administration
- Applications for members engagement incorporating feedback, notices and online training
- Information shell support which associates rich statice content with the community hubs applications in a seamless environment
- Support for flexible application synthesis and advanced collaboration models
History
History:
In 1998 Telstra Research Laboratories were looking for a suitable city to conduct some internet related research.
The aim of the research was to test the hypothesis that relevant and up to date local information on the internet would stimulate and increase the use of the internet by the general public. The centre piece for the research was a web portal which was a new concept that was not well understood at that time.
The factors such as demographics and educational facilities were used to short list suitable cities. Ballarat, for example was another location considered. Launceston was deemed to be a good size; big enough to provide meaningful research, small enough to manageable. The schools, TAFE, colleges, Australian Maritime College and the University were desirable facilities. Our own newspaper, The Examiner, which had a strong community focus was another advantage. The main factors that brought the project to Launceston were the innovative nature of the city, and the strong support from all areas of the community for the region.
Innovation was demonstrated to Telstra by the city running a Search Conference around that time, to set the strategic direction of the city. Strong community support was clearly led by Launceston City Council, and well supported by the Newspaper and the various educational institutions and industry generally. Telstra's local people were enthusiastic and committed to the region over and above running telecommunications, and were actively engaged with the community at all levels. Telstra and the Launceston City Council had an excellent working relationship.
The community, and indeed Telstra, weren't sure exactly where the project would lead, but Launceston true to its reputation, embraced the project with enthusiasm confident that pursuing the new technologies would be a benefit the region.
The protal and the eLaiunceston project were a positive factor influencing the selection of Launceston for the Launceston Broadband Project and the establishment of the B-eLab.
eLaunceston as a project was completed in June 2002.
It provided valuable data for Telstra and was excellent opportunity to put Launceston at the forefront of Information Technology opportunities. Due to the ongoing positive relation between Launceston City Council, Telstra Country Wide and B-eLab the work as continued with now the launch of Discover Launceston.
In 1998 Telstra Research Laboratories were looking for a suitable city to conduct some internet related research.
The aim of the research was to test the hypothesis that relevant and up to date local information on the internet would stimulate and increase the use of the internet by the general public. The centre piece for the research was a web portal which was a new concept that was not well understood at that time.
The factors such as demographics and educational facilities were used to short list suitable cities. Ballarat, for example was another location considered. Launceston was deemed to be a good size; big enough to provide meaningful research, small enough to manageable. The schools, TAFE, colleges, Australian Maritime College and the University were desirable facilities. Our own newspaper, The Examiner, which had a strong community focus was another advantage. The main factors that brought the project to Launceston were the innovative nature of the city, and the strong support from all areas of the community for the region.
Innovation was demonstrated to Telstra by the city running a Search Conference around that time, to set the strategic direction of the city. Strong community support was clearly led by Launceston City Council, and well supported by the Newspaper and the various educational institutions and industry generally. Telstra's local people were enthusiastic and committed to the region over and above running telecommunications, and were actively engaged with the community at all levels. Telstra and the Launceston City Council had an excellent working relationship.
The community, and indeed Telstra, weren't sure exactly where the project would lead, but Launceston true to its reputation, embraced the project with enthusiasm confident that pursuing the new technologies would be a benefit the region.
The protal and the eLaiunceston project were a positive factor influencing the selection of Launceston for the Launceston Broadband Project and the establishment of the B-eLab.
eLaunceston as a project was completed in June 2002.
It provided valuable data for Telstra and was excellent opportunity to put Launceston at the forefront of Information Technology opportunities. Due to the ongoing positive relation between Launceston City Council, Telstra Country Wide and B-eLab the work as continued with now the launch of Discover Launceston.
Discover Launceston: Parties Involved
Discover Launceston: Parties Involved
The Broadband eLab (B-eLab) formed in August 2000 as part of a larger joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and Telstra called the Launceston Broadband Project.
The B-eLab is staffed with both highly skilled developers and researchers with national and international experience as well as local graduates, fostering skills and innovation locally. The B-eLab is a key part of Telstra Research Laboratories Business Innovation Developments group, developing, researching and testing enterprise and market-ready broadband applications in Launceston.
The B-eLab undertakes research and development of experimental broadband applications and services, exploring the future of the 'broadband Internet'. The Broadband eLab is the first major Telstra R&D facility located beyond Sydney and Melbourne and ensures Launceston is in the best position to service the opportunities offered by the information age.
The work on Discoverlaunceston.com is conducted in B-elab under the "Pervasive Community Hub" project.
The initiatives being pursued under this project can be broadly categorised into three complementary categories i.e.
- Local relevance: Provide alternative to elaunceston.com site; operations and support of community hub sites in Launceston (elaunceston.com and discoverlaunceston.com)
- Product development: Develop Pervasive Community Hub product for Telstra Country Wide, discoverlaunceston.com being the Beta site of this product
- Research: Technology areas - online services synthesis, community collaboration models, content delivery on multiple bearers on multiple access devices, identity and payment proxy models; human factor research
- Project Manager: Anir Khare
- Database Administrator: Greg Frith
- Integration and Testing: Kamal Singh
- Human Factors Researcher: Jessica Robbins
- Project Management: Lynda Jones
- Information Manager: Jane Deeth Cultural Projects
- Information Architecture: Jaffa Strategic Design
- Graphic Design: Jaffa Strategic Design
- Administrative Support: Elizabeth Clarke, Marketing Department
TELSTRA COUNTRY WIDE
eLaunceston Portal Development Study
eLaunceston Portal Development Study
The eLaunceston Portal Development Study was completed during March 2003 aiming to gain an enhanced understanding of the users of the eLaunceston Community Portal.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
The eLaunceston Portal Development Study was completed during March 2003 aiming to gain an enhanced understanding of the users of the eLaunceston Community Portal.
 |
| Rating of Overall Service Offerings |
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
- To evaluate eLaunceston member, non-member, and LBP member experience in relation to individual services, and to collect user ideas and suggestions for future developments
- Identify appreciable member demand for new services and/or features
Community Concept:
A key finding of the study revealed that it is vital that the community concept of eLaucneston needed to be maintained and promoted. Members perceive the eLaunceston concept as a unique opportunity to broaden interaction and communication within the community, as well as a channel for giving non-Launceston residents an opportunity to understand the culture, lifestyle, and significance of Launceston as a city and home.
Administration and Content Management:
The portal requires content administration to stimulate sustained usage and develop a regular user group. Without direct content administration the expectations of the Launceston community are not being met.
Marketing:
Increase interaction and usage through implementation of an effective marketing strategy. The eLaunceston Consultation Group and other community input mechanisms are key tools in gaining community involvement and ensuring ownership is within the community.
Other indicators for elaunceston incorporated:
A membership of over 1500 Northern Tasmania residents at September 2003. A quarter of eLaunceston members are also members of the Launceston Broadband Project. The Portal requires direct online and offline promotion in order to stimulate usage and interaction. The portal required direct administration and management to stimulate usage. the underlying technology - TelstraONE etc. The key findings outlined above have facilitated the Pervasive Community Hub team in the development and design of a 'user-centred' technical architecture that services the needs of the community. The lessons from this study have been addressed through the development of the Pervasive Community Hub and evolution of Discover Launceston.
