Notes on the Core Database for the new WebWisdom
This "database" could be implemented as many distinct database servers. For 
instance, digital video could be serviced by a customized Video on Demand server. 
However I will speak of a single logical WebWisdom database.
This database should inter alia store information about students and teachers (as in 
Wojtek's system for Syracuse Language System's Language Connect University) as well 
as curricula (foils and their hierarchical grouping). The latter has a straightforward 
implementation (with natural Entity relationship) derived from existing WebWisdom 
metadata and the structure of its file systems.
I am most interested initially in the people support, which I think should be first 
focus. This should support enough security (as in Gang's secure SCCS document 
database) to allow those logging in to access and run existing conversion and editing 
scripts. One can also look at Virtual Programming Laboratory where Dincer and Cornell 
have implemented different security models to allow user access to run programs. This 
database should authorize people like Nancy McCracken and Tom Scavo to use easy 
form based front-ends to current WebWisdom shell scripts developed by Fox. These 
involve legacy (Persuasion/PowerPoint) conversion and the audio editing. These forms 
will get from / input to database both people data as well as necessary WebWisdom 
metadata. (e.g. foilset title, topic area etc.) I would like your group to develop these forms 
with my help as needed functionality and metadata.
This curricula database should be coordinated with Gang's search systems which 
allow  indexed access to foils based on full text search of text versions of foils..