The e-Biosphere 09 Informatics Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do we have to partner with another institution or project?
A: No, but you are highly encouraged to do so. Interoperability has been a top buzzword for years, and we have all been working at exposing functionality as web services. We have also been working towards data interoperability via the semantic web. Part of what we want you to illustrate is how easy it is for others to work your capabilities into their workflow. So why not show us, by partnering with others?
Q: How strict is the "real time" component?
A: We understand that there may be events (e.g. peer review) in your workflow that might not occur during the 3 days of the conference. "Cooking show" submissions (i.e. "This is what the casserole looks like on its way in to the oven; this is what it looks like on its way out.") are allowed. But the challenge is an exercise in real-time data processing and dissemination, and submissions should do as much as possible in real time.
Q: We still don't get how this is supposed to work.
A: Suppose your lab has developed a remarkable workflow that takes input X, and produces output Y. We encourage you to partner with an organization who's responsibility is the production of X. And maybe even with an individual or organization that does amazing things with Y. A challenge scenario might then look like this: Day 1: X is produced; Day 2: Your workflow produces Y; Day 3: Y gets mashed-up with a bunch of other stuff.
Q: How about a concrete example?
A: Sure. The National Institute of Invasive Species Science (NIISS) has a tool for real-time ecological monitoring called GODM (Global Organism Detection and Monitoring). GODM takes field observations of a species, combines them with a database of geophysical attributes culled from a number of sources, and runs the data through a regression algorithm. The output is a predicted spatial distribution of the species. The output can also include locations where further observations (i.e. presence/absence information) will yield much better results. This results in "smart monitoring" - volunteers being directed to areas where their observations are most needed.
So a great challenge entry would involve the team from NIISS, together with one or more monitoring efforts that can mobilize volunteers during the timeframe of the conference. On day 1, volunteers would feed presence/absence data (of, for example, Japanese Knotweed) to GODM. The regression would be run, and on day 2 volunteers would be directed to specific areas for smart monitoring. On day 3, the predicted distribution would be produced.
Q: Will you help us to find an appropriate partner?
A: Yes. First, we ask that you use the Online Conference Community to describe the capabilities you want to demonstrate, and to use the forum as a matchmaking service. If that fails, we will try to find a partner for you through our wide and deep social network.
Q: Do we need to use the templates provided for our challenge web page, and workflow diagram?
A: The templates exist to make your life easier, not harder. Please consider using them, as a unified look-and-feel to the entries will make comparison of entries easier. The templates do provide opportunities for customization (e.g. logos of your organizations).
Q: Will all entries be included in the looping Powerpoint show?
A: All entries will be linked to from the conference web page. The 5 most interesting submissions will be chosen for live display.
Q: Our websites speak for themselves, and will illustrate the progress we are making. Do we need to submit Powerpoint presentations?
A: Your Powerpoint submission can exist entirely of URLs to be broadcast. We recommend some narration, though, to assist viewers in understanding what's going on. At least one slide (or web-page) should show your worflow diagram, and indicate progress so far.
Q: How will the judging work?
A: Upon registration, conference attendees will receive an (anonymous) serial number, which will be required to cast an on-line ballot. Ballots will be cast near the end of the conference.
Q: What about prizes?
A: There will be prizes.
