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The OATS Project

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... systems to mind mapping (e.g. Linux, Apache, OpenOffice, FreeMind, Gimp, ... can maintain their own project areas (documentation, bug tracking, wiki, polls, ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: The OATS Project


1
The OATS Project
  • ACE Centre Advisory Trust
  • Andrew Lysley, Jason Walsh, Stephen Druce
  •  Access to Communication and Technology (ACT),
    Birmingham Simon Judge
  •  
  • In collaboration with
  • University of Dundee, Dept of Computing
  • DART, Sweden
  • Specialpedagogiska Instituet, Sweden

2
Contents
  • What is Open Source?
  • Why Open Source for Assistive Technology?
  • What is the OATS project?

3
What is Open Source Software?
  • Software
  • Works like any computer software
  • Could be written for any operating system
  • Well established, over a wide range of
    applications from operating systems to mind
    mapping (e.g. Linux, Apache, OpenOffice,
    FreeMind, Gimp, )
  • Can still charge for distribution, support lots
    of business models based on open source
  • Open
  • Open-source software must make its source code
    freely available
  • Anyone can change and/or share the software
    freely
  • End-users have the right to modify and
    redistribute the software

4
Open Source Development Model
  • The secret volunteer army Open source software
    is often developed by volunteers
  • Coders enjoy coding on interesting projects!
  • Often companies (e.g. Sun, IBM) contribute coders
    to projects mutual interest
  • Some sectors are dominated by Open Source most
    of the internet is built on it
  • Universities frequently open source projects

5
Open Source Differences
  • Publishing source code seems like a small
    difference
  • Fundamentally different way of doing things
  • Allows innovation, a closer relationship to the
    user
  • Allows standardisation to develop since the
    fundamentals are published and open.
  • Growing movement considered by some to be the
    future of software (e.g. IBM, Sun, some
    governments)

6
Why Open Source for Assistive Technology?
  • Research and Innovation technology transfer
    from research projects
  • Customisation diverse clients require
    customised software
  • Standards have we any?!
  • User Feedback and BugFixes
  • Challenging and interesting projects for coders

7
The OATS Project
  • Evaluation project (1 year)
  • Two parts
  • Repository (Library) help users find software
    easily
  • Forge (Dating agency) tools for developing open
    source software
  • The only website dedicated to Open Source
    Assistive Technology software

8
OATS examples
  • On Screen Keyboards
  • Screen Readers
  • Symbol Libraries
  • Resources (e.g. Gridsets etc)
  • Cause/effect programs
  • Macro software (e.g. remapping )
  • Prediction software
  • Innovative and user led software.

9
Library
  • Easy search
  • Browse by type
  • Browse by need
  • Advanced search
  • Includes free
  • software as well as
  • open source

10
Library Search Results
  • Simple Summary
  • Download Link
  • (3 clicks to here)
  • More Info

11
Library Project Listing
  • Amazonesqe
  • Full project info
  • Further resources
  • Download link
  • Access to previous
  • download versions

12
Repository
  • Project Listings
  • Info on AT
  • Access to lots
  • of Open Source
  • tools

13
Repository Forge Tools
  • Trac Project management

14
Repository Forge Tools
  • Subversion Code Management (Code Versioning
    System)

15
OATS Website
  • Content Management System (Plone)
  • Accessible, multiple languages
  • Sustainable
  • Users can contribute feature requests, discuss on
    noticeboards, report bugs, vote for software
  • Anyone can add/suggest projects
  • Developers can maintain their own project areas
    (documentation, bug tracking, wiki, polls, notice
    boards etc)

16
OATS Users
  • Simple portal for finding and downloading
    software
  • Unique opportunity to contribute directly to
    development of software
  • Opportunity to comment/vote on AT software

17
OATS Developers
  • Exciting and interesting projects
  • Unique client contact
  • Context of other projects
  • Access to information on Assistive Technology
  • Excellent open source tools

18
OATS Professionals
  • AT professionals have a unique insight into
    users needs and have lots of ideas.
  • Researchers research into relevant areas to AT
    (but maybe not called AT).
  • OATS offers the opportunity to connect the two.
  • Allows customisation to meet individual clients
    needs

19
To Do!
  • Suggest projects that may be relevant
  • Comment on the site
  • Build partnerships with local universities
  • OATS is a portal for student projects research
    projects and provides context for existing
    projects
  • Contribute to the site

20
Summary
  • Open Source software
  • Source code openly published
  • Development model well suited to the Assistive
    Technology field
  • Encourage innovation and technology transfer
  • www.oatsoft.org
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