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This page is a guide to basic Sugar Network concepts. See [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/Architecture|its twin page]] from technical point of view. Besides, visit the [[Sugar_Network|introduction page]].
This page is a guide to basic Sugar Network concepts. See [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/Architecture|its twin page]] for a technical point of view. Also, visit the [[Sugar_Network|introduction page]].
== Overview ==
== Overview ==
* The Sugar Network should be useful in off-line environments;
* The Sugar Network should be useful in off-line environments;
* The list of provided [[#Resources|resources]] should cover the full circle of low level collaboration behavior between Network participants; when ''low level'' means that [[#Resources|resources]] are all time the same kind for all types of collaboration [[#Context|contexts]];
* The scope of provided [[#Resources|resources]] should cover the full complement of low level collaborative behaviors between Network participants; where ''low level'' means that [[#Resources|resources]] are shared for all types of collaborative [[#Contexts|contexts]];
* The list of provided [[#Resources|resources]] should be thought out so that the Sugar Network is equally useful operating on-line;
* The scope of provided [[#Resources|resources]] should be designed so that the Sugar Network is equally useful operating on-line as off-line;
* Stimulate a "doing" workflow.
* The software architecture and interfaces are structured to stimulate a "doing" and "sharing" workflow.
The whole Sugar Network picture is described on the following graphics.
The whole Sugar Network is pictured by the following graphics:
{| border="0"
{| border="0"
| [[File:Sugar-network.png]]
| [[File:Sugar-network.png]]
| Where:
| Where:
* '''Server'''<br>Server side in general. It might be a server accessible from the Internet (on-line case) or various distributed servers located, e.g., in schools (off-line case). See [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network|technical pages]] for more details.
* '''Server'''<br>is shared data and services, in general. It might be a server accessible from the Internet (on-line case) or various distributed servers located, e.g., in schools (off-line case). See [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network|technical pages]] for more details.
* '''Conceptual level'''<br>What this page is exactly about. This is how Sugar Network looks like on conceptual level. From the technical side, this level is represented by Server [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/API|application programming interface (API)]] and [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/Objects_model|objects model]] in particular.
* '''Conceptual level logic'''<br>The design logic and software code structures that reify the Sugar Network concepts. From a conceptual level, these designs and code standards represent a separate entity that operates inbetween the Clients and Servers. From the technical perspective, this level is represented by the Server [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/API|application programming interface (API)]] and [[Platform_Team/Sugar_Network/Objects_model|objects model]] in particular.
* '''Client'''<br>This is what Network participants are interacting with. This is a software that let people get access to the Sugar Network and define how Sugar Network should look like from users point of view. User experience, that these clients provide, might be too different from a client to a client. Starting from a couple of elements in the already existing software's [[Wikipedia:Graphical_user_interface|GUI]] (when people even don't suspect they are interacting with the Sugar Network) and ending with clients that represent conceptual level as close as possible.
* '''Client'''<br>is the software that allows Network participants to interact with the Sugar Network. These software components let people get access to the Sugar Network, and define how the Sugar Network should appear to users according to their needs. The user experience provided by the client software will vary from need to need, starting from a couple of elements in the existing software [[Wikipedia:Graphical_user_interface|GUI]] (when people even don't suspect they are interacting with the Sugar Network), and extending to clients that represent advanced conceptual elements of the Sugar Network as closely as possible.
|}
|}
== Summary ==
== Summary ==
The Sugar Network is all about:
The Sugar Network is about all these:
* [[#Players|Players]],
* [[#Players|Players]],
* in different [[#Contexts|Contexts]],
* in different [[#Contexts|Contexts]],
* interacting with [[#Resources|Resources]],
* interacting with [[#Resources|Resources]],
* to accomplish their [[#Needs|Needs]],
* to accomplish their [[#Needs|Needs]].
* being changed, Resources broadcast [[#Events|Events]],
* When changed, Resources broadcast [[#Events|Events]].
* the regular Players' behaviour might be described by the [[#Workflows|Workflows]].
* Having [[#Workflows|Workflows]] defined that describe the regular behaviour of Players.
== Needs ==
== Needs ==
The needs that Sugar Network is trying to solve. They might be explained by the following selection from the [[Wikipedia:Fundamental_human_needs|Fundamental human needs]]:
The needs that Sugar Network is trying to support. They might be described by the following selection of [[Wikipedia:Fundamental_human_needs|Fundamental human needs]]:
'''Identity'''
'''Identity'''
: Each player should be able to create and manage a unique identity in the network. Every interaction of the player with the network should be accounted on the player's metrics, as eventually this may be part of the player dashboard. Each player may have an individual reputation, according to other players ratings made to his contributions.
: Each player or participant should be able to create and manage a unique identity in the network. Every interaction of the player with the network should be accounted in the player's metrics, as eventually, this may be part of the player dashboard. Each player may have an individual reputation, based on other players' ratings made on his contributions.
'''Understanding'''
'''Understanding'''
: A player should be able to view all objects and apply the optional filters including the resource type, the Network Zoom level, tags or the associated player/team. In this preview, we may be able to offer basic statistics of the object in order to give analytical perspective to the selection. The player should be able to select the object in order to participate in a deeper level where he should be able to explore the associated resources. As a player, I might receive events from the objects I'm subscribed to as well as personal events like invitations made by other players.
: A player should be able to view all objects and optionally apply filters to control their view based on the resource type, the Network Zoom level, tags, or the associated player/team. In this preview, we may be able to offer basic statistics of the object in order to give an analytical perspective to the selection. The player should be able to select the object in order to participate on a deeper level, where he should be able to explore the associated resources. As a player, I might receive events from the objects I'm subscribed to, as well as personal events, like invitations made by other players.
'''Participation'''
'''Participation'''
: Any player might be able to comment on any object, rate any contribution, edit any wiki, create any issue, attach any object to any gallery, become a follower of any object.
: Any player may comment on any object, rate any contribution, edit any wiki, create any issue, attach any object to any gallery, become a follower of any object.
'''Creation'''
'''Creation'''
: Any player might be able to create a new Context by defining a name, the type of Context and the Context objective(s). A Context creator may be able to invite other players to follow/contribute to his Context.
: Any player may create a new Context by defining a name, the type of Context, and the Context objective(s). A Context's creator may invite other players to follow/contribute to his Context.
== Players ==
== Players ==
=== Reputation ===
=== Reputation ===
Any particular Resource, i.e., contributions of some Players, might be voted by another Players. The Reputation of particular Player depends on how other Players appreciate him.
Any particular Resource, i.e., contributions of some Players, might be rated by another Players. The Reputation of a particular Player depends on how other Players appreciate him or his contributions.
=== Statistics ===
=== Statistics ===
Based on tracking of [[#Events|Events]], it is possible to [[#Understanding|measure]] a particular Player's behaviour. This might be useful, e.g., for researchers.
== Contexts ==
== Contexts ==
In the Sugar Network, Contexts are the classes of content or software that include with them assumptions on how they may be shared or used. A Context describes how Players behave with Resources. A Context represents the Behavior or set of Behaviors that are supported for associated Resources.
There is a predefined Context, the Global Context that contains all other Contexts (according to the current [[#Network_Zoom|zoom level]]). So, Players can interact with all Resources accessible on this [[#Network_Zoom|zoom level]].
There is a predefined general Context, the Global Context, which contains all other Contexts (according to the current [[#Network_Zoom|zoom level]]). Thus, Players can interact with all Resources accessible on this [[#Network_Zoom|zoom level]].
Context types might be too different. But for now, these are only:
Context types may differ. For now, these are the only Context types:
* Sugar Activities,
* Sugar Activities,
== Resources ==
== Resources ==
The whole experience within the Sugar Network is about Player's interaction with resources. Resources are tied to the current Context and might be different types:
The whole experience within the Sugar Network is about a Player's interaction with resources. Resources are tied to the current Context and might be of different types:
* Feedback related:
* Feedback related: