Jérémie Melchior
Jean Vanderdonckt
ABSTRACT
In this paper we present a software toolkit for deploying peer-to-peer distributed graphical user interfaces across four dimensions: multiple displays, multiple platforms, multiple operating systems, and multiple users, either independently or concurrently. This toolkit is based on the concept of multi-purpose proxy connected to one or many rendering engines in order to render a graphical user interface in part or whole for any user, any operating system (Linux, Mac OS X and Windows XP or higher), any computing platform (ranging from a pocket PC to a wall screen), and/or any display (ranging from private to public displays). This toolkit is a genuine peer-to-peer solution in that no computing platform is used for a server or for a client: any user interface can be distributed across users, systems, and platforms independently of their location, system constraints, and platform constraints. After defining the toolkit concepts, its implementation is described, motivated, and exemplified on two non-form based user interfaces: a distributed office automation and a distributed interactive game.
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Index Terms
- A toolkit for peer-to-peer distributed user interfaces: concepts, implementation, and applications
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Reviews
Bayard Kohlhepp
A significant barrier to progress in the evolution of pervasive and ubiquitous computing is the creation of a satisfactory user interface. As we encounter computing devices embedded in our environment, we need the ability to interact with them and to continue that interaction even when we're no longer in their physical presence. If these interactions, such as conversations and sessions, are going to follow us, they need the ability to migrate across software and hardware platforms, as well as the ability to be rendered on whatever computing device is currently at hand. Melchior et al. present a toolkit that contributes to this goal. Distributed applications are written using the authors' Ext/Tk library, an extension of the popular Tcl/Tk library. This presentation layer rides on the Mozart-Oz distribution layer, which, in turn, uses the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) networking protocol. The toolkit implements widgets as distributable entities, allowing a user interface (UI) to be distributed whole or in part. In this paper, Melchior et al. first summarize existing work on distributed user interfaces (DUIs), and then argue the advantages of their own solution. Two case studies-an office application and a drawing game-illustrate how a UI might be divided and distributed. A high-level discussion of their architecture, components, and distribution protocol makes up the bulk of the paper. Also, screen shots are included that show the DUI at work on real devices. This paper is a very readable presentation of an important milestone. Online Computing Reviews Service
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