Distributed Information and Computation in Scientific and Engineering Environments

Nicholas M. Patrikalakis ( Homepage)     (Department of Ocean Engineering)   Paul J. Fortier ( Homepage)     (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)   Yannis E. Ioannidis ( Homepage)     (Department of Computer Science)   Christos N. Nikolaou ( Homepage)     (Department of Computer Science)   Allan R. Robinson     robinson@pacific.harvard.edu     (Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences)   Jarek R. Rossignac ( Homepage)     (Graphics, Visualization, and Usability Center)   Alvar Vinacua ( Homepage)     (Department of Informatics)   Stephen L. Abrams     stephen_abrams@harvard.edu     (Harvard University Library)

D-Lib Magazine ( web site)
(ReLIS:doi:dlibma:v:5:y:1999:i:4:p:2645)

Abstract:

The NSF Invitational Workshop on Distributed Information, Computation, and Process Management for Scientific and Engineering Environments (DICPM) brought together domain specialists from engineering and the ocean, atmospheric, and space sciences involved in the development and use of simulations of complex systems, and computer scientists working on distributed repositories, visualization, and resource management. The objective was to formulate directions for research efforts to facilitate effective collaboration and to help increase access to information and sharing of results and tools useful in large-scale, distributed, multidisciplinary scientific and engineering environments. Three broad problem areas inhibit such activities: (1) Computational, e.g, insufficient infrastructure for the sharing of very large amounts of information, results, and tools; (2) Structural institutional barriers, e.g., funding, publication, and promotion policies; and (3) Social, e.g., communication barriers stemming from narrow specialization. The participants supported specific steps to address these problems: explicit support and incentives for multidisciplinary activities; the development of digital libraries to enhance interdisciplinary communication and understanding; and development of a "virtual scientific marketplace" to disseminate tools, results, and expertise. Keywords: distributed repositories, heterogeneous computing environment, multidisciplinary collaboration, resource discovery

Month: April 1999

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