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The OATS Project

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. Contents.

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The OATS Project

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  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 user’s 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 client’s 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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