Based on an evaluation of the technologies used in the MLEs in HE Programme undertaken by Paul Browning.
What technologies/standards have been used?
- DMU
- Java, XML, XSLT, HTTP, SSL, HTML, LDAP, SQL, Visual Basic, IMS, Apache Tomcat, uPortal
- Writtle
- Technologies: ColdFusion, MYSQL, JavaScript, HTML, DHTML, ODBC
- St Andrews
- Relational databases: mySQL, Access, Ingres, Oracle, SQL, SITS; Web servers, Active Server Pages, Java Server Pages, Java Servlets, ODBC, XML, JavaDoc, PHP, HTML, TAGS, ARCADE, Banner 2000, UML, and Rational Rose.
- UEA
- SQL, ODBC, JDBC, LDAP, XML (including IMS Enterprise Specification), HTTP, HTML, CSS, Java, Development Kit 1.4.1, Apache, WebObjects 5.0
- Sunderland
- HTML, DHTML, Python, CSS, ODBC, XML-RPC, Zope+CMF, Plone, LDAP
- Ravensbourne
- EJB, JAVA, DSML, Castor, Resin, JDOM, XML, XSLT, JAXP, JDBC, Servlets, LDAP.
Availability of technologies
- DMU
- Mainly free, open source.
- Writtle
- ColdFusion is a commercial product supported by a strong developer community, which is extensible via open source. The MySQL database is free to the academic community.
- St Andrews
-
- Open source or free for educational use: MySQL, Java-related, XML, Arcade (Supplied by the University of Manchester to Durham, freeware - a sort of student mark recording system) PHP, TAGS (Tutors And Groups Support: SHEFC-funded project that has been cannibalised at times for INSIDE); MMS(Module Management System: this is the closest INSIDE has got so far to producing a user-centric portal. Its scope is "limited" to the module-centric tasks, but as this represents the core activity of academic staff and students, it's not a bad place to start. It has been used in anger this semester.):
- Commercial: SITS, Ingres, Oracle, Banner 2000, Microsoft Access, Rational Rose.
- UEA
- Technologies in use are well-known and supported. Cost is minimal for most (and is one of the factors in influencing choice of WebObjects initially).
- Sunderland
- Zope + CMF and Plone are open source and freely available with a developer community of thousands. All other technologies in use are well-known and supported.
- Ravensbourne
- TISR is implemented as open source, and open source software components have been used throughout, except for Netscape Directory Server switched to iPlanet for Demonstrator.
