Together with Markus Lassnig (head of e-motion competence centre for ICT in the tourism- and leisure-industries) we edited an HMD special issue on eTourism.
„Experience Economy“ is a term to describe a phenomenon in our society, which describes that the experience itself is being made a product. Tourism is one of the branches that takes the role of the dream factory. And because tourism is information intensive it makes heavy use of information and communication technologies.
This special issue has two types of contributions
- on the one hand, we have socio-economic papers that explain the cultural and societal backgrounds and provide facts and figures;
- on the other hand, we have technical contributions which are showcases of knowledge-based systems that explain the state-of-the-art of advanced IS systems.
See http://hmd.dpunkt.de/270/ for further details.
December 21st, 2009
admin
The image above shows the average yearly funding in Mrd. EUR (2.5 for FP5, 3.4 for FP6 and 7 for FP7 sofar) vs. number of projects funded.
There is a short, well written article in research eu, issue June 2009 (unfortunately it is not yet available online at http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu/index_de.html). The article is about the development of the European Framework Programms, it is written by Didier Buysse.
The main findings are:
- Over the years, the average annual funding was steadily increased. In FP5 (1998-2002) we talk about 2.5 Mrd. EUR per year, in FP6 (2002-2006) 3.4 Mrd. EUR and in FP7 (2007-2013) sofar 5.7 Mrd. EUR.
- At the same time the competition has heavily increased, we are now talking acceptance rates of about 20-25% across the whole programme (depending on the subject this may even be lower, e.g. ICT in Austria on average has an acceptance rate of 17% in FP7).
- The ambition of the Commission in FP6 and FP7 is to “think big”, i.e., have most of the money being spent in a few projects (this is what integrated projects do/should be doing; actually they cover about for instance 40% of the FP6 budget); also networks of excellence aim at clustering European research expertise to get higher critical masses; at the same time the smaller initiatives should not be neglected.
- The highest competition is in the human mobility programme (less than 20% on average)
- The biggest group amongst the players (about 50000) are the universities and public research labs (they build 2/3 of all participating parties).
- Public-private partnership is strengthened in FP7 with the Joint-technology-initiatives
On a personal note I believe that European research programmes (and the participation therein) are an established method/tool in doing (excellent) applied research. On the negative side, competition on the hand but also auditing on the other hand have increased dramatically, which overall makes the European research programmes less attractive than the used to be. Note on that: the issue in increased competition ist not the competition as such: this is a “healthy” element to ensure quality. However, if the acceptance rates go under 10% the gambling factor simply is too high.
September 13th, 2009
admin
This days, the advanced networking centre (ANC) of Salzburg Research is organising a Workshop on “SECIT - Security IT”. This is a joint undertaking with UPT Timisoara, Rumania.
Our main idea is to join forces concerning evacuation scenarios: UPT for instance, offers know-how in the domain of object recognition, i.e., they can count the number of people by anlysing videos; companies such as Flexit, are looking for software (and know-how) that helps them developing smart evacuation systems; Salzburg Research/ANC offers know-how by developing models that combine object recognition techniques and evacuation needs and thus helps in linking knowledge from basic research with applied research. The following figure is adapted from a slide from TNO and tries to symbolise these relationships:
Also, I learned that data fusion is the technique that combines data from multiple sources in order to obtain satisfying results. Often, pure object recognition techniques are not sufficient, hence, one needs to combine various data sources (with varying degrees of trust and reliability).
August 25th, 2009
admin
… with Prof. Sissi Closs as Keynote Speaker.
She started her carrier by studying computer science at the University of Munich. Interesting to see that she came to research because she wanted to do dance courses and Siemens Munich was the only employer that offered flexible working hours at that time (that was in the seventies), so that she could do her dance courses (and work part-time). IMHO an excellent example how flexible working hours are part of a good habitat for acquiring young researchers!
She founded “COMET-Computer” which focuses on technical documentation (not just the technical part, but of course this domain is very technology centric). Naturally, COMET offers flexible working hours.
She argues for the necessity of role models to attract other female students/researchers/etc. And, of course, it is important that women are equally represented on the management (board) level.
News coverage (in German) is available at http://www.salzburg.gv.at/lkorr-meldung?nachrid=43449. And, most important: the ditact summer school is online at http://www.ditact.ac.at/.
August 24th, 2009
admin
Viviane Reading presented “Investing in a digital recovery: ICT and innovation driving growth“. A well written statement!
What I take from that
- Based on an OECD analysis, two sectors merit investment (for future prospects): “green, low carbon economy” and the “networked economy”
- Why is ICT important for recovery? Because there is a direct link between investment in IT and economic performance; because IT is a key driver for efficiency (and effectiveness)
- The PP Partnerships will be cross-thematic involving five FP7 themes (energy, environment, nmp, transport and ICT)
- Three PPPs will be directly supported by ICT: factories of the future; energy-efficient buildings; and green cars
- Finally: there is a definition of “Future Internet”: the Future Internet will feature almost unlimited bandwidth capacity, wireless access everywhere, potentially trillions of devices interconnected, integrated security and trust for all parties, and adaptive and personalised services and tools. It will open the door to a wide range of new business opportunities and will help us address even better our key societal challenges.
Overall: good to see that Europe (and its politicians) are investing heavily in ICT!
August 18th, 2009
admin
This summer we are hosting a total of 9 students doing internships. The programme is supported by the ministries bmvit and bmukk and is called “generation innovation“.
The themes the students covered includes
- Usability
- Tag Clouds
- Flash Overlays
- geotaging on the iPhone
- Open Street Map Clients
- Rich-Client-Applications
We got some very good feedback by the students. Firstly, the got a completely different view of research and IT; they were exposed to a way of working with a high degree of self-responsibility (which was appreciated very much); and finally, they had fun.
Personally, I believe that the way of opening up research labs to young people means that they get to know what research in practise is; and the researchers themselves are confronted with new (and fresh) ideas and this is of benefit to both sides.
There is a German video available at Salzburg.com.
August 5th, 2009
admin
I happened to be external examiner of Tobi Bürger’s viva entitled “A Conceptual Model for Intelligent Content for the Semantic Web” (with Dieter Fensel as 1st supervisor; University of Innsbruck/STI2). And today Tobias successfully passed his viva. Congratulations!
IMHO opinion this work is interesting as it offers
- a concise definition of the user requirements
- a conceptual model (the RICO model - reuseable intelligent content model) and finally,
- a prototypical implementation in firefox
And, of course, as Tobias has been with Salzburg Research for several years (until summer 2008), we are somewhat proud of his work as well 
Here’s the abstract:
Retrieving multimedia remains a challenge on the Web of the 21st century. This is due,
among other things, to the inherent limitations of automatic multimedia understanding,
limitations which equally apply to the Web 2.0 or its semantic counterpart. Describing
multimedia resources in the form of metadata is thus often seen as the only viable way to
enable ecient multimedia retrieval. Assuming the availability of metadata descriptions,
which is supported by technological developments associated to the user-generated Web,
eectively indexing multimedia requires mediating among the wide range of metadata
schemes and formats presently used to annotate such resources. Semantic technologies
have been identied as a potential solution for this large-scale interoperability problem.
The aim of this thesis is to propose a single point of access for the retrieval of
multimedia content on the Web in order to foster Web-scale content reusability. We
contribute a model for Intelligent Content which can become an integral part of the socalled
Semantic Web. In this next generation of the Web, content is envisioned to have
well-dened meaning, enabling machines to automatically determine what the content
is about, under which circumstances it can be used, and what one needs to oblige to
consume it.
Our rst goal is to investigate media reuse from an end user perspective. We identify
it as a problem in multimedia retrieval, and analyze characteristics and forms of reuse of
multimedia content, barriers and relevant content properties. We analyze the retrieval
behavior of media professionals, and, most notably the properties which they use to
search for, and assess the relevance of media objects. Based on the result of this analysis,
we propose a conceptual model dimensioning reuse of media objects. The model is
validated in an end-user survey.
Our second goal is to introduce a conceptual model and a set of ontologies to mark up
multimedia content embedded inWeb pages and mechanisms to deploy such descriptions
on the Semantic Web. Starting from typical scenarios in which multimedia content is
published on the Web, and on insights gained from existing literature, the thesis species
a set of requirements which a model for the semantic description of multimedia content
should fulll. The proposed model, which is called RICO (\Reusable Intelligent Content
Objects”), realizes a multimedia resource-centric view of HTML pages. Its overall strategy
is to exploit existing descriptions in Web pages and native formats, and to attach
further semantic descriptions to the content. The model is implemented using a set of
Semantic Web ontologies which resort to existing standards such as MPEG-21 Digital
Items, Dublin Core, FOAF, Annotea, or FRBR. The model is evaluated from dierent
perspectives: Its quality is assessed using quality metrics for conceptual and reference
models. Its coverage is measured using data analysis. Finally, its interoperability is
shown via the denition of mappings to established metadata formats such as XMP,
DIG35, and MPEG-7.
Our third goal is to propose methods to smoothly integrate descriptions adhering to
the RICO model and descriptions available in legacy formats into existing HTML pages.
The former is done by analyzing formalisms to integrate semantic descriptions in HTML
pages and by sketching a way how the descriptions can be deployed together with the
content being described. To achieve the latter, we propose ramm.x (”RDFa deployed
multimedia metadata”), a model which can integrate legacy descriptions into the Semantic
Web, and attach them to the content being described. The deployment methods are
prototypically implemented in a browser plug-in to demonstrate their implementability.
We conclude the thesis by sketching possible research directions for multimedia semantics
beyond the scope of our work.
June 12th, 2009
admin
Today, in a big event at the University of Linz, 326 people celebrated the fact, that 40 years ago at the University of Linz the first study course in “Informatik” (computer science) was introduced.
Johann Eder from the Alpe Adria University in Klagenfurt presented one of two keynote talks. The theme was on the “Great Challenges of computer science”. He selected some studies, e.g. the U.K. study, the ISTAG-Challenges (a nice PPT can be found here) and others. He reflected these with Austrian’s strengths (see Austria’s ICT-strategy).
The open keynote was by Prof. Christiane Floyd.
April 24th, 2009
admin
Trigon Consulting invited to an inspiring talk by Dr. Karner on the effects of the financial crisis with respect to sustainability. The event took place at Commend Intl, Salzburg.
There were some key phrases that I took from the talk and the discussion
- Mankind’s ecological footprint means that each human being is allowed to use the equivalent of 1,8 hectare. Needless to say that Americans and Europeans are using much more, Austria e.g. 4.9 …
- Bhutan uses the concept of gross national happiness as an indicator for development (rather than the gross national product).
- and, most interestingly: Paul H. Ray and psychologist Sherry Ruth Anderson coined the term “cultural creatives” as a third category of people (besides Modernists and Traditionalist). “In our chaotic world hurtling towards an uncertain future, three kinds of responses have emerged. The fundamentalists are clinging to or going back to values of a distant past. The neo-fundamentalists, represented by global corporatism, are trying to substitute the reality of chaos and change by an artificial form of reality. Then there are Cultural Creatives, whose saner and evolutionary response is to forge a new, higher and integral synthesis.” (see http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Cultural_Creatives/id/9460)
- Only cancer cells grow unlimited, all other growth processes stop at some point.
- Metamorphosis was mentioned as a metapher: we may (need to) change fundamentally
- SEKEM - an associative way of doing business (don’t know whether the translation is correct, see e.g. http://www.sekem-freunde.de/DerWirtschaftsImpulsVonSEKEM.htm)
- Aldo Leopold: thinking like a mountain (i.e., longterm)
Overall this was a very colourful presentation, some reminiscences to the “Clube of Rome”, etc. At the end, I believe, the conclusion was that the current financial crisis is fundamental and thus may lead to changes in our overall behaviour. However, this will depend on the critical mass(es) to be motivated … (it is hard to abandon the amenities)
April 17th, 2009
admin
It is often important to distinguish between the various types of research. These are defined in the Frascati (and also Oslo) Manuals of the OECD and the European Commission takes them for their definitions in their legal frameworks for RTD and Innovation concerning funding options (especially maximum funding rates):
The following is defined there:
| fundamental research/ Grundlagenforschung |
‘fundamental research’ means experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any direct practical application or use in view; |
„Grundlagenforschung“ bezeichnet experimentelle oder theoretische Arbeiten, die in erster Linie dem Erwerb neuen Grundlagenwissens ohne erkennbare direkte praktische Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dienen. |
| industrial research/ Industrielle Entwicklung |
industrial research’ means the planned research or critical investigation aimed at the acquisition of new knowledge and skills for developing new products, processes or services or for bringing about a significant improvement in existing products, processes or services. It comprises the creation of components of complex systems, which is necessary for the industrial research, notably for generic technology validation, to the exclusion of prototypes as covered by point(g); |
„Industrielle Forschung“ bezeichnet planmäßiges Forschen oder kritisches Erforschen zur Gewinnung neuer Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten mit dem Ziel, neue Produkte, Verfahren oder Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln oder zur Verwirklichung erheblicher Verbesserungen bei bestehenden Produkten, Verfahren oder Dienstleistungen nutzen zu können. Hierzu zählt auch die Schöpfung von Teilen komplexer Systeme, die für die industrielle Forschung und insbesondere die Validierung von technologischen Grundlagen notwendig sind, mit Ausnahme von Prototypen, die unter den Buchstaben g fallen. |
| experimental development/Experimentelle Entwicklung |
‘experimental development’ means the acquiring, combining, shaping and using of existing scientific, technological, business and other relevant knowledge and skills for the purpose of producing plans and arrangements or designs for new, altered or improved products, processes or services. These may also include, for example, other activities aiming at the conceptual definition, planning and documentation of new products, processes and services. The activities may comprise producing drafts, drawings, plans and other documentation, provided that they are not intended for commercial use.
The development of commercially usable prototypes and pilot projects is also included where the prototype is necessarily the final commercial product and where it is too expensive to produce for it to be used only for demonstration and validation purposes. In case of a subsequent commercial use of demonstration or pilot projects, any revenue generated from such use must be deducted from the eligible costs.
The experimental production and testing of products, processes and services are also eligible, provided that these cannot be used or transformed to be used in industrial applications or commercially. Experimental development does not include the routine or periodic changes made to products, production lines, manufacturing processes, existing services and other operations in progress, even if such changes may represent improvements; |
„Experimentelle Entwicklung“ bezeichnet den Erwerb,
die Kombination, die Formung und die Verwendung vorhandener wissenschaftlicher, technischer, wirtschaftlicher und sonstiger einschlägiger Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten zur Erarbeitung von Plänen und Vorkehrungen oder Konzepten für neue, veränderte oder verbesserte Produkte, Verfahren oder Dienstleistungen. Dazu zählen zum Beispiel auch andere Tätigkeiten zur Definition, Planung und Dokumentation neuer Produkte, Verfahren und Dienstleistungen sowie auch die Erstellung von Entwürfen, Zeichnungen, Plänen und anderem Dokumentationsmaterial, soweit dieses nicht für gewerbliche Zwecke bestimmt
ist.
Die Entwicklung von kommerziell nutzbaren Prototypen und Pilotprojekten ist ebenfalls eingeschlossen, wenn es sich bei dem Prototyp notwendigerweise um das kommerzielle Endprodukt handelt und seine Herstellung allein für Demonstrations- und Auswertungszwecke zu teuer wäre. Bei einer anschließenden kommerziellen Nutzung von Demonstrations- oder Pilotprojekten sind die daraus erzielten Einnahmen von den förderbaren Kosten abzuziehen.
Die experimentelle Produktion und Erprobung von Produkten, Verfahren und Dienstleistungen ist ebenfalls beihilfefähig, soweit sie nicht in industriellen Anwendungen oder kommerziell genutzt oder für solche Zwecke umgewandelt werden können. Experimentelle Entwicklung umfasst keine routinemäßigen oder regelmäßigen Änderungen an Produkten, Produktionslinien, Produktionsverfahren, bestehenden Dienstleistungen oder anderen laufenden betrieblichen Prozessen, selbst wenn diese Änderungen Verbesserungen darstellen sollten. |
Other definitions include “process innovation”, “organisational innovation”, “highly qualified personnel”, etc.
In the Frascati Manual (on page 30) the following quite similar definition can be found (applied research can be compared to “industrial research”):
The term R&D covers three activities: basic research, applied research and experimental development; these are described in detail in Chapter 4. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is also original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience, which is directed to producing new materials, products or devices, to installing new processes, systems and services, or to improving substantially those already produced or installed. R&D covers both formal R&D in R&D units and informal or occasional R&D in other units.
March 20th, 2009
admin
Previous Posts
