IE Demonstrator – showcasing the IE

Nigel Verghese Thomas is based at the University of York and is currently working on the York Digital Library – Integration for the Next Generation (YODL-ING) project…

What is YODL-ING?

YODL-ING is the York Digital Library Integration for the Next Generation.  It is a JISC enhancement project with 2 key aims: to support an access interface for the licensing requirements within the university and to build a SWORD interface to integrate with multiple repositories.

What problems/issues is YODL-ING tackling?

I’m new to the project, so the main problem I am facing at the moment is the massive learning curve!  But there is a lot to look forward to – particularly experimenting with new technology to help us achieve our aims.  Our present challenge is moving FEDORA 2.4 to FEDORA 3 and finding supporting access control systems.

How would you like other software developers and users to get involved in what you are doing?

One of the things I am looking for is feedback from other developers who have already used some of the technologies I am looking at – particularly the accessibility issues they found.

What developer communities have you been involved in and if none, why not?

I used to be a c# .NET developer so I worked with the Yahoo developer network, and followed the YUI group and contributed there.

What is the coolest or most exciting thing in educational software development?

I have been following some of the innovations on the libraries side of things.  Some of the most exciting work for me has been exploring the usability issues connected with using tactile touch screen tables, which could definitely applied in the library world. See: Microsoft Surface applied for library image archive searches, interesting use of natural hand gestures to manipulate images http://u.nu/3zuw.