Spring `96 Project Types
Projects may take any appropriate form that has a manifestation on the
Web. They may also consist of a set of smaller, separate projects of
varying types. The bounds are intentionally open to allow project groups
to design their projects most appropriately to their goals. Here are
some possible project types with some example and suggested ideas.
Some combination of these types may be appropriate for a project,
as well.
Web Site
A web site on most any topic could be designed and developed. This
could include tutorials, topic resources, creative presentations, etc.
Goals for a web site should emphasize the design and function of the
site, overall and in individual pages. Meta-information should be
included at the site completely explaining the rationale behind its
design and function. An example could be a multimedia Internet/WWW/Unix
history site.
Hypertext Paper
A research and analysis paper of significant depth could be written
and realized in hypertext and hypermedia, supplemented by links
to external references. It should cover some aspect of the Web or
networked telecommunications itself or in relation to some other facet
of life. Some aspect of the economical, sociological, ethical and legal
ramifications of the Web and the Internet could be presented. Other topic
areas could include the future of the Web, potential forms of commerce on
the Web, the development of new design principles for hypermedia, etc.
Gateway Application
An innovative and unique gateway application to the Web could
be designed, programmed and developed. This could be either of a
general nature useful at many sites or a custom application to create a
particular Web resource. Interactive applications, Internet or local
community databases, etc could be appropriate, along the lines of the
Internet Movie Database,
for example. Perhaps an history timeline with submissions accepted to
flesh it out. Perhaps a database on local businesses built from Web
submissions of customer's experiences and recommendations. Goals here
should include management automatization and continuity.
Development/Administrative/Usage Application
New or superior tools and utilities to aid web development,
administration and/or usage could be designed and developed.
A possible example might be tools to facilitate the creation of the new
client-side image maps.
Java Application
Java enables a new, unlimited range of possible Web applications.
Since Java is a late topic in the course, and may not be presented in
sufficient depth, students should only undertake a Java application
project if they already have a strong background in object oriented
programming, like C++, and can bring themselves up to speed on Java
early enough to use it for the project. Some example applications are
interactive and/or networked games, or utility classes for integrating
network resources into Java programs.
VRML Application
VRML is another cutting-edge Web technology. But, since it will
be a very late and minor topic in the course, students should
only undertake a VRML application project if they already have
a background in 3-D computer graphics and can bring themselves
up to speed on VRML and its utilities early enough to use it for
a project. Some example applications could utilize 3-D data of the
IU campus or Lindley
Hall for a VRML tour of those places. I understand
the IU Architect's Office may have the campus data and
CICA may have the Lindley
Hall data (though from old renovation plans), but I do not know of
their availability.
WWW Infrastructure Development
Since WWW infrastructure development has been and significantly remains an
open effort, opportunities always exist for contributions in this area.
Projects could include building prototype Web servers or browsers
with functionality outside the conventional bounds to explore as yet
unimplemented aspects of HTTP and HTML. Reasoned, consistent and
valuable extensions to Web protocols could be designed and proposed,
within the context of existing standards and other proposals.
<kinzler@cs.indiana.edu>
18 February 1996
CSCI A348