BUS-serverPDF-learnPDF

Introduction

BUS

serverPDF

learnPDF

links

This project started to look at collaboration and learning with the server software from Adobe to support PDF. It has not gone very far as the server software is still very expensive. Meanwhile other document formats have become widely used, for example Google Docs with revisions and comment. In Feb 2008 Adobe announced the first release of Integrated Runtime (AIR) - a working example of recent claims for flash as engaging. Future products will follow. Meanwhile Scribd offers a Flash route to share documents and this will be tested. Here is one example, notes from 2004

Mostly Adobe Flash seems to be part of a move to a video web. So far the project on this site has been just about a text web and related media such as print. That is apart from the Psand aspect concerned with bandwidth. There was recently a very effective demonstration of an event both in Bristol and in Second Life. Involving live and streamed VJs there was a wide variety of media. More on the BUS page.

But this site is still mostly about text and flat pages. Sorry about the continued muddle.
A test page.Adobe Share still in beta

This page was updated Feb 2006 but a new Google Doc started Dec 2006

In May 2007, another update page added. Other Google docs are in development. there will be a sortout over the summer.

In Augusr 2007, another page added about file formats. Sortout may have to wait on clarity about what Adobe is announcing around Flash etc.

This site started as support for an eTEN proposal from Exetreme, Psand, and Acrobat Services. This continued discussions about bandwidth and content, including PDF. eTEN is an EU project to build a telecoms network and applications around health, education and employment.

Gradually the site has become a mess, clouded with news updates and accumulated problems. We have yet to make a formal proposal to eTEN but some issues have been resolved anyway. This site is updated by Will Pollard, mostly interested in PDF. For Dreamweaver aspects, suggest contact Jon Mackie through Exetreme. For wi-fi and network engineering, try the free knowledge resources at Psand.

BUS - Breitband und Satellit

Broadband is now available throughout most of Europe. The technology of wi-fi and satellite has been demonstrated. Psand have now documented this on their website.

The original idea was for a bus to show off satellites and wi-fi. This has become a Psand van with marquee. continued

serverPDF

Adobe have been offering server software for a while now with benefits for extending PDF documents towards interactive forms and collaboration. These functions are only possible with broadband because of the file sizes.

Adobe server software is still fairly rare, as far as it is clear at the moment. Open source appears to be making faster progress. Open Office can export PDF. Scribus can create PDF-X for print.

Wiki and blog are now standards for collaboration. Is PDF too static, or Reader Extensions too expensive. Study continues.

learnPDF

How do people learn with PDF? In many cases PDF has taken over the functions of hard copy, associated with well established structures and methodes around learning. Server software can have a role here when it can be afforded.

continues

Open Source

Now that Open Office and Scribus support PDF there is a case for looking at Open Source and PDF for the social economy and in education.

There has been some discussion around this at the social source days in London in November. There is also an Open Mute site - test

Meanwhile in Exeter, there is an experimental site for Rougemont Global Broadcasting. This may develop programs for Exeter Television. So far there is a logo and a diagram for a presentation. The actual content is quite limited, a sound interview about Scene.org and a couple of phone videos from Sidmouth Folk Week.

more later

More content at Radio Vague and Vague TV

UPDATE DEC29th 2004.
Adobe release stuff over Xmas so no proper study yet. However, the new Reader supports collaboration if the PDF was created with the full product. So the server software and the bandwidth is no longer crucial. We can start with learnPDF and work back. We still need some theory as to how learning happens through critique and what difference there might be between online, paper and voice as media.

More follows later.