Help:COAP-3180/week1

Week 1 - COAP 3180

Topics Covered

(1) Introduction

• Internet, the WWW and web databases
• Slides: http://tecfa.unige.ch/guides/te/files/webdatabases-intro.pdf (PDF)

(2) Web 2.0 vs. "traditional Internet"

• An ever increasing amount of applications are available through the Internet. Many of these applications can be shared, others are by definition "social software" (e.g. wikis, YouTube, flickr, blogs).
• Reading: O'Reilly Tim (2005), What is Web 2.0, better take the print version.
• Additional resources for those who want to explore this topic further: This wiki, e.g. start from the rich internet application article.

(3) Simple on-line database services

• Learn how to create and use simple tabular databases with a web 2.0 service
• Practical details are explored in class and through homework one.

Classroom activities and homework

Synopsis:

(1) Take an account with Zoho (see also below)

• http://www.zoho.com/
• Create a database with Zoho Creator

(2) Take an account with Netvibes (see also below)

• http://netvibes.com
• Create a new page (tab)
• Import the result view from Zoho
• Export this page to the public

Homework 1

1. Think about a little database (list) of things that you would like to put on the web. Then make a list of properties that describe such a "thing".
   • Examples: A list of CDs, a list things you want to sell, your favorite list of flowers
2. Implement a Zoho creator database that allows to describe each item with a few properties (fields)
3. Add some test data to this database. Revise the database definition if needed.
4. Enter some more data (at least 5 items)
5. Make the Zoho application that displays the result public (gathered data becomes public on the web)
6. If you wish, you also can make data gathering public
7. Create a public NetVibes page and import your Zoho creator widget (Advanced course participants may use another environment that allows insertion of widgets, talk to the instructor)
8. Add an explanation using some NetVibes widget, i.e. describe what your pagecast is good for
9. Add some useful extra information to the Netvibes page (or equivalent), i.e. the Pagecast should now include the Zoho database plus some useful extra information.

Note: If you prefer to remain anonymous, do not leave Name, Firstname, professional email etc. or anything that can identify you on the public page.

Tips on how to do this are below.

Submission Dates

• This homework is due at start of Wednesday week 2 lesson
• Students must provide the URL (where the instructor can see the widget) in the world classroom
• Each homework counts 10% in your global evaluation. The four best homeworks will be taken into account.

Evaluation

• Task completion (all required elements are present)
• Quality of Zoho database (but don't make it too big !)
• Quality of Netvibes pagecast

Tip: Quality is essentially related to the idea that your applications are useful to a given range of users.

Tips for the homework

Leave all the needed applications open in your browser

Make sure that you are logged to both applications.

• Netvibes with your login
• Zoho: Switch to Zoho Creator

Tip: It is best to work with 3 different web browser tabs: One for Netvibes, one for Zoho, and one for this page. If necessary, ask the instructor to explain tabbed browsing...

Help

Both Zoho and Netvibes have built-in help

• http://help.creator.zoho.com/
• http://tour.netvibes.com/overview.php
• The most important thing to understand about NetVibes is that you really must find the the appropriate HTML/UWA widget, insert it and then enter the widget code through the Edit button.

Make a Zoho widget public

To export a widget from Zoho:

• Click on Edit this application / Share
• Tick This application is: X public

Exporting Zoho widget code

To get the Zoho widget code for embedding in some other place

• Click on Access this application
• Menu More Actions->Embed in your Website
• Copy/Paste the code to another web application. E.g. the HTML Netvibes widget as explained below.

Configuring Netvibes

• Firstly (if this isn't already the case) create a new page in Netvibes or alternatively decide that your default home page will do.
• Make the Netvibes page public:
  • Click on the Edit button (in the Tab of the page)
  • Then click on "Share this Tab" / Publish on your page.
  • Make sure to write down the URL (You will have to submit it as homework)

Widget import to Netvibes

To import a Zoho Creator application (database) into Netvibes:

• Create a HTML/UWA Widget (you can find it under "HTML" in the list of essential widgets)
• Edit the widget
  • Copy/Paste the widget code from Zoho

See also the Creating websites with online services article in this wiki if you want to know a bit more of your instructor thinks about Netvibes...

Links and teaching materials

Online software

http://creator.zoho.com/ (Zoho creator online database)

http://netvibes.com/ (NetVibes webtop)

Teaching materials

Creating websites with online services

Using web widgets

Slides for the overview talk (PDF)