PIXUS - The JISC Image Portal Demonstrator

Portals & Portlets 2003e-Science Institute

Sandy Buchanansandy@scran.ac.uk

Project AimsWe aim to build a fully operational, highly functional demonstrator image portal, providing a suitable platform and basis to examine the issues and validity of implementing a full service.

The project also aims to show how a full service image portal can be used across further and higher education to enrich and develop the learning and research process.

The PeopleSCRAN SCRAN built and manages a database of over

200,000 digital images. SCRAN has close ties with the world of education, and

has developed user-centric ‘products’ that enrich learners’ and teachers’ experiences.

System Simulation Limited SSL has a great deal of technical expertise and

delivers quality information management products to current image collection holders.

The team will also collaborate with other projects and organisations working with digital images in a learning environment.

Deliverables

By 31 October 2003 the project will deliver:

A fully functional demonstrator. This will be underpinned by interoperable standards, enabling a range of searching/browsing and viewing functions across eight image collections.

These collections include :

SCRAN 267k AMICO 98kVADS 30k HELIX 45kBristol BioMed 8.5k Courtauld Institute 40kWellcome Foundation 160k EDINA

• Approx 650,000 images in total

A series of reports and specifications for a full service image portal

Project Overview

Progress to Date

Project plan deliveredData on collections gathered, via questionnaire and face to faceBaseline metadata standard developed, based on Dublin CoreInitial user interface design createdFirst 4 collections integratedInitial evaluation carried out

Pixus image portal… Strongly

agree

Agree Neutral

Disagree

Strongly

disagree

Is easy to navigate 10 13 3 - -

Has a pleasant look & feel 14 10 1 1 -

Helps me find relevant images for my purposes

3 14 8 1 -

Retrieves images quickly 5 8 5 8 -

Presents search results in a usable form

8 15 2 1 -

Shows where images come from 15 8 1 2 -

Explains what I can do with images once I’ve found them

1 3 7 14 1

Provides help when I need it - 10 11 5 -

Inspires me to use images in my work

4 15 6 1 -

Will be a valuable resource for me 8 10 7 1 -

Initial Evaluation Results

Current Activities

Evaluating phase oneReviewing Metadata standardIntegrating Phase two collections

Platform

Index+ Bridge: seamless searching across local and remote online collections automatic datamodel mapping extendable channel architecture current bridge channels are Z39.50, RPCXML, perl/shell scripting

Index+ Aggregator: OAIPMH harvesting harvesting scheduler automatic datamodel mapping

Index+ for local data storage: service profiles for targets harvested metadata other locally hosted surrogates

Client building tools: gateways for web, Z39.50, OAIPMH, etc

Next Steps

Analyse findings from phase one evaluation

Adopt learnings from phase one into phase two work, as we…. Continue lines of research Refine metadata schema / standards Evolve user interface design Integrate remaining collections

Data Issues

Data Diversity Metadata Mapping Vocabulary

Data Handling Repository v Remote Varying image sizes Image cropping (unacceptable?) Harvesting thumbnails (unacceptable?)

Usability Issues

Functionality at Portal v Collection Thick / thin portal Additional functionality at collection server

Learning / Teaching Diversity of use Variety of search methods Lack of awareness / experience of image use Domain specific cataloguing

Rights Issues

Controlling accessLimitations on displayLimitations on harvestingBrandingEthical concernsWatermarking

Questions?

Single point of access to a huge number of imagesPotential for use of ‘plug in’ services such as CBIR, RSS and collections level descriptionDevelopment of thematic narrativesInspiring the development of learning and teaching materials

We expect PIXUS to bring many benefits to users in the FE/HE community, including:

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