{"title":"Why Moodle","authors":"A. Al-Ajlan, H. Zedan","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.22","url":null,"abstract":"Using the Internet to enhance e-learning has become a trend in modern higher education institutes. E-learning systems are increasingly becoming an important part of the strategy for delivering online and flexible e-learning. The main advantage of e-learning is the opportunity for students to interact electronically with each other and their teachers during forums, on discussion boards, by e-mail and in chat rooms. Though recognizing that the world at large will continue to use terminology in different and often ambiguous ways, the term of virtual learning environments (VLE) is used to refer to the on-line interactions of a variety of kinds that take place between learners and instructors. There are many pieces of software available that provide VLE systems, both commercial and open source software (OSS). One such system that has been gradually gaining worldwide popularity is known as Moodle. This paper focuses on this platform and on a comparison between VLE (Moodle) and other VLE systems in order to discover their strengths and limitations. The comparative study is in two phases. The first phase is based on the features and capabilities of VLE tools and the second phase is based on the technical aspects of the VLE platforms.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126138978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Performance Analysis of Service Composition Using Ordinary Differential Equations","authors":"Zuohua Ding, Lujuan Xiao, Jue-liang Hu","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.18","url":null,"abstract":"Service composition accelerates rapid application development, service reuse, and complex service consummation, thus, quantitative characteristics such as service execution throughput should be evaluated to measure the system performance. Based on Continuous Petri Net, we build differential equation model for service composition. The service behavior can be analyzed from the curves of the solutions of the differential equations. The advantage of our method is that we can avoid state explosion problem while doing performance analysis. Our equations can be solved by Matlab and simulated with a tool: Snoopy.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"331 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121974899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Plenary Panel Session A: Grand Challenges in Distributed Computing Systems","authors":"S. Yau","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.8","url":null,"abstract":"Distributed computing systems are frequently part of many critical applications of computing and information technology. During the last several decades, various major advances in distributed computing systems have been made, but many challenges still lie ahead. In this panel, we have four well-known scholars and experts who have made great contributions in various aspects of distributed computing systems, such as information security and privacy, pervasive computing, grid computing, service computing, internet and various network technologies. Each of these panelists will present their ideas on certain grand challenges for distributed computing systems to revolutionize the important applications of information technology for humanity. 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114363816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reliability Analysis of Component-Based Software Based on Rewrite Logic","authors":"Dong Wang, Ning Huang","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.15","url":null,"abstract":"Along with the development of object-oriented technology, component development is gradually extended to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and component-based software development (CBSD) has gradually become the dominant orientation of the field of software engineering. The claims of high reliability need further investigation based on reliability analysis techniques that are applicable to component-based applications. This paper introduces a new reliability analysis technique applicable to high-level designs. The technique is named reliability analysis based on rewrite logic (RABRL). RABRL is specific for component-based software whose analysis is strictly based on its operational profile and specification. Specification based on rewrite logic can be executed with the help of rewrite technique of Maude, driven by test cases designed from the operational profile. By analyzing the execution process with statistics, we can get the transition probability between components and expected number of visits to components approximately. The paper also adapts the probabilistic model \"component-dependency graph\" (CDG) proposed by Sherif M. Yacoub to model the component-based software, which is named \"adapted component-dependency graph\" (ACDG). ACDGs are directed graphs that represent components, component reliabilities, transitions, and transition probabilities. Based on ACDGs, an algorithm is presented to analyze the reliability of the application as the function of reliabilities of its components. A simple case study illustrates the applicability of the algorithm. The RABRL is also used to identify critical components.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131396797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"XMML: A Visual Metamodeling Language for Domain-Specific Modeling and its Application in Distributed Systems","authors":"Hua Zhou, X. Sun, Zhihong Liang, Hongwei Kang, Qing Duan, Hongji Yang","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.27","url":null,"abstract":"As a practical method to simplify construction of distributed systems, Domain-Specific Modeling raises the level of abstraction beyond programming by specifying the solution directly using visual models to express domain concepts. This paper gives a visual metamodeling language which is suitable for specific domain modeling, namely XMML. It supports development and design of Domain-Specific Modeling languages (DSMLs) and domain model. A formal definition method of domain rules based on events is proposed for domain rules modeling. The paper also gives a loose coupling, scalable implementation schema for visual design of DSMLs. Finally, gives an example used XMML for metamodeling of a distributed application.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"165 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133181754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Energy Efficient Detections of Critical Events in Wireless Sensor Networks","authors":"Yunhuai Liu, Yanmin Zhu, L. Ni","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.42","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.42","url":null,"abstract":"In many mission critical applications, one of the central tasks is to obtain aggregate values, such as AVERAGE and SUM, based on which critical conditions can be detected. Immediate measures can subsequently be taken to remove associated risks timely. However, there is no successful work for detecting such critical events energy efficiently. In this paper we propose a novel approach. A fully distributed algorithm is designed, in which each sensor makes the decision purely locally. The elegance of the algorithm is that a global network behavior can be presented based on individual node actions, without a central authority to coordinate. This effectively reduces unnecessary sensor reports for network-wide coordination. Our proposed algorithm, called MEES, has the property of a zero event-missing rate, i.e., critical events are always detected. There is a trade-off between the energy cost and the false positive. Simulation experimental results show that MEES is more appropriate for large-scale WSNs with highly dynamic sensing environments. The energy cost can be saved up to 70%.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123007129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Approach to Supporting Continuity of Usage in Location-Based Access Control","authors":"M. Damiani, E. Bertino, C. Silvestri","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.17","url":null,"abstract":"In location-based access control systems, the location of subjects is a relevant parameter in access control decisions. Those systems however fail in controlling the location of subjects along the period of use of the objects and this can lead to security breaches. To ensure a stronger protection of objects, a continuous control over the movement of subjectsis thus needed. To address this requirement, we have developed GEO-RBAC_C a location-based access control model supporting continuous usage control capabilities. In the paper,we first present the basic concepts of the model and then discuss how the continuous control can be actually enforced.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127868189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Distributed Approach for Multi-Domain Simulation of Mechatronic Systems","authors":"T. Farkas, Andreas Hinnerichs, Carsten Neumann","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.31","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.31","url":null,"abstract":"The ever increasing complexity of electronic products of modern cars - like drive-by-wire systems - means that a very broad range of simulation must be used in the early phases of the development process to predict the product characteristics. Activities in the preparative development departments of leading german car manufactures show the challenges by the development of mechatronic products and the need for simulation of mechatronic systems. For an early validation of vehicle functionalities special simulators are used for specific domains - like mechanics, electronics and software. To provide timely simulation and review for complete mechatronic components, these simulators need first to be coupled with one another, to have an interdisciplinary behavior. The objective of our approach is the development of a distributed framework for cooperative multi-domain simulation, validation and debugging of complex mechatronic system behavior. The feasibility of our approach is shown by a case study of an automotive mechatronic system.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129221155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing Service-Based Software Systems with QoS Monitoring and Adaptation","authors":"S. Yau, Nong Ye, H. Sarjoughian, Dazhi Huang","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.44","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.44","url":null,"abstract":"The rapid adoption of SOA in many large-scale distributed applications requires the development of adaptive service-based software systems (ASBS), which have the capability of monitoring the changing system status, analyzing and controlling tradeoffs among multiple QoS features, and adapting its service configuration to satisfy multiple QoS requirements simultaneously. In this paper, a performance-model-oriented approach to developing ASBS is presented. This approach consists of the establishment of performance models for SBS through controlled experiments, the development of QoS monitoring and adaptation (M/A) modules based on the performance models, and the validation of ASBS design through simulations. In our approach, four QoS features: timeliness, throughput, accuracy and security, which are important for many critical applications, are considered.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129281912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chao-Tung Yang, Tsui-Ting Chen, Keng-Yi Chou, W. Chu
{"title":"Design and Implementation of an Information Service for Cross-Grid Computing Environments","authors":"Chao-Tung Yang, Tsui-Ting Chen, Keng-Yi Chou, W. Chu","doi":"10.1109/FTDCS.2008.35","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FTDCS.2008.35","url":null,"abstract":"In solving large-scale computation problems using open standards over networks, grid computing must deal with geographically distributed heterogeneous resources, including differing computing platforms, hardware, software, architectures, and languages that are owned by various administrative domains. As grid numbers worldwide increase, multi-institution collaborations grow rapidly as well. However, to realize the full potential of grid computing, it is expected that grid participants will have to be able to use one another's resources. This work presents a cross-grid information service (CGIS) that enables resource brokers to get information from cross-grid environments for other components.","PeriodicalId":414800,"journal":{"name":"2008 12th IEEE International Workshop on Future Trends of Distributed Computing Systems","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114243070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}