article

The ToxicFarm Integrated Cooperation Framework for Virtual Teams

Authors:

Fethi RabhiAuthors Info & Claims

Distributed and Parallel Databases, Volume 15, Issue 1

Pages 67 - 88

https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DAPD.0000009432.79864.08

Published: 01 January 2004 Publication History

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Abstract

Developing a collaboration solution, that scales to an entire organization, that offers an integrated collection of cooperation tools, that is general enough to address a large range of applications, and that is easy to deploy for most people, is still an open challenge. This paper presents ToxicFarm services that are an integral part of a framework for hosting Internet virtual teams. The originality of this work is in providing a synthesis between contributions from different domains, including version management in software engineering, process management in data engineering, and awareness in groupware tools. The paper describes the overall services offered, discusses design choices for their integration and implementation, presents relations with existing work and describes their use in several emerging e-business application domains, such as e-finance, e-learning and e-telecom.

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Cited By

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Rubin JRinard MDillon LVisser WWilliams L(2016)The challenges of staying together while moving fastProceedings of the 38th International Conference on Software Engineering10.1145/2884781.2884871(982-993)Online publication date: 14-May-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2884781.2884871
Baysal OHolmes RGodfrey MCheung SOrso AStorey M(2014)No issue left behind: reducing information overload in issue trackingProceedings of the 22nd ACM SIGSOFT International Symposium on Foundations of Software Engineering10.1145/2635868.2635887(666-677)Online publication date: 11-Nov-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2635868.2635887
Tamburri DRazo-Zapata IFernández HTedeschi CLago PLewis GMetzger ATosic V(2012)Simulating awareness in global software engineeringProceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Principles of Engineering Service-Oriented Systems10.5555/2666048.2666049(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Jun-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2666048.2666049
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Index Terms

The ToxicFarm Integrated Cooperation Framework for Virtual Teams

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Reviews

Reviewer: Rosa Michaelson

This paper presents a very thorough overview of a computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) support system, which attempts to solve many of the problems of workflow for widely dispersed groups. ToxicFarm is implemented as a database of files, with a micro-kernel written in PHP: hypertext preprocessor (PHP)/MySQL, Extensible Markup Language (XML) simple object access protocol (SOAP) interfaces, and Java-based synchronization software. A useful table of comparisons with Basic Support for Cooperative Work (BSCW), SourceForge, and Collaboration Management Infrastructure (CMI) frameworks is provided. The framework is based on the idea of private and shared workspaces; private workspaces can be local to the user, which allows for mobility and nonnetworked use. Though not stated, this also allows for network failures when working. The major problem with the ToxicFarm system is synchronizing data; it is suggested that conflicts can be resolved either "automatically or involve some communication between the people concerned." The "automatic" resolution of conflicts between divergent copies of files, a major problem in any form of distributed computing, is addressed by asking users to decide which version of the workspace, or of specific files, is the most recent. Criticisms of existing groupware products are based on the notion that products are either asynchronous or synchronous. This is incorrect; the services offered by these products may be used in either mode. ToxicFarm has services that offer either mode as well. Implementation examples are lightly sketched, and include 24-hour global securities trading, and a school project for children writing poetry. An evaluation of these examples is not offered in any depth, though the interface designs were changed to meet the appropriate context requirements. There are no relevant references to existing research and development in these two different areas. An interesting question is whether or not ToxicFarm is more user-friendly than other CSCW products. I would suggest not, given the effort required to resolve conflict between file versions. Online Computing Reviews Service

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cover image Distributed and Parallel Databases

Distributed and Parallel Databases Volume 15, Issue 1

January 2004

83 pages

ISSN:0926-8782

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Kluwer Academic Publishers

United States

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Published: 01 January 2004

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Rubin JRinard MDillon LVisser WWilliams L(2016)The challenges of staying together while moving fastProceedings of the 38th International Conference on Software Engineering10.1145/2884781.2884871(982-993)Online publication date: 14-May-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2884781.2884871
Baysal OHolmes RGodfrey MCheung SOrso AStorey M(2014)No issue left behind: reducing information overload in issue trackingProceedings of the 22nd ACM SIGSOFT International Symposium on Foundations of Software Engineering10.1145/2635868.2635887(666-677)Online publication date: 11-Nov-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2635868.2635887
Tamburri DRazo-Zapata IFernández HTedeschi CLago PLewis GMetzger ATosic V(2012)Simulating awareness in global software engineeringProceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Principles of Engineering Service-Oriented Systems10.5555/2666048.2666049(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Jun-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2666048.2666049
Steinmacher IChaves AGerosa M(2010)Awareness support in global software developmentProceedings of the 16th international conference on Collaboration and technology10.5555/1887532.1887552(185-201)Online publication date: 20-Sep-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1887532.1887552
Bouchoul FMostefai M(2009)Agent-services and mobile agents for an integrated HCISInternational Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing10.1080/0951192080253797922:5(458-471)Online publication date: 1-May-2009
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Sen RHackmann GHaitjema MRoman GGill C(2007)Coordinating workflow allocation and execution in mobile environmentsProceedings of the 9th international conference on Coordination models and languages10.5555/1764606.1764626(249-267)Online publication date: 6-Jun-2007
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Perrin OGodart C(2004)A model to support collaborative work in virtual enterprisesData & Knowledge Engineering10.1016/j.datak.2004.01.00450:1(63-86)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2004
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.datak.2004.01.004

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Recommendations

Caramba—A Process-Aware Collaboration System Supporting Ad hoc and Collaborative Processes in Virtual Teams

Security policies in distributed CSCW and workflow systems

Building Trust and Cooperation through Technology Adaptation in Virtual Teams: Empirical Field Evidence1

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