*Mazi Playground Overview **Methodology The system was approached from multiple perspectives: 1. Potential for delivering workshop training 2. Level of reference materials and online support **Administration of applications ***Logging in as Administrator * Owncloud server - v9 * URL: maziplayground/owncloud/admin * Password/ Username: admin /mazizone * Etherpad * URL: maziplayground:9001/admin * Password/ Username: admin/mazizone * Lime Survey * URL: maziplayground/limesurvey/admin * Password/ Username: admin/limemazi - changed to mazizone for consistency **Own cloud ***Description Personal 'cloud' storage for files, client software can give direct access to personal phones/tablets. Uploads via http also. ***Initial thoughts * Set up a 'users' group alongside admin (set as default) with a number of dummy accounts to show nature of admin, which would be a training activity. * Use of a client application to give direct access definite plus, and would facilitate greater use. Training opportunity. * Polished and useful interface, slightly different to a normal Operating system UI but not intimidating. * No secure sockets for encryption. * Very extensible, can offer much more in the way of services - documentation could feature common app installations such as Document creation, Calendar, Photo gallery. From first appearances it looks like the apps are downloaded across the internet, offline installing may be a high level undertaking. Problems Development needed to be able in 'rebranding' the service for a particular organisation. Some documentation to provide the necessary details without having to search, parse technical instructions and likely to have intervention rather than ownership - possible workshop to facilitate. **Etherpad ***Description Open notepad for collaboration and anonymised contribution. Timeline approach - individuals using the pad have individually coloured highlighting to show their input. ***Initial thoughts * Seems to have an autosave feature, and can make snapshot documents along the timeline for version control. * Lack of image insertion a possible problem for some people. * Simple interface * Does it need to be there, when Owncloud is extensible enough to offer similar services? Having an open approach is useful for inclusive purposes, but if users need to create an Owncloud log in then less screen shifting and possible use of images uploaded? * Overall use - what purpose would a group find? Booktype maybe more goal driven approach to documenting materials for organisations / groups. * Requires Abiword ( Not available for all OS variations ) to be installed to enable direct import of documents, which points to a need for a desktop/laptop device, and the nature of typing more that a few lines of text not a strength on tablets/phones without a physical keyboard. * Floss manual accessible as a reflection of the open attitude of the application. * URLS are automatically converted to hyperlinks. * Notes have to be removed in admin area. * Firefox (OSX) spelling check doesn't work with the application. ***Suggestions * Plug in for more formatting options - font sizes and headings. * Booktype ( http://www.sourcefabric.org/en/booktype/ ) maybe more appropriate for groups looking to collaboratively create manuals, booklets, etc. * Organisations or small groups may need a framework of documents to start the process * Plug in for more export/import options. **Lime Survey ***Description Online survey software, similar to Survey Monkey. Questions following different logics can harvest opinions and interest - visualisations of the results possible dependant on the logic of the questioning. ***Initial thoughts * Very complex. The process of creating a survey is indicated in the interface, but very subtly. * Interface is highly developed in its granularity, finding appropriate areas to facilitate the process from a basic level would need training to focus on the purpose of the survey. * Very fiddly to administer, and much work would have to be done to set up a standing form - given the time frames involved potentially with which surveys would be created and edited, it may be given a wide berth in favour of more user friendly online offerings. * Unlike Google forms, there is a preview of the form, but cannot be edited directly. A logical framework (with training on internal logic of questions) for the purpose of the survey would be undertaken first on paper as a training approach to take. The steps to create and edit a form is not directly approachable and would create much frustration. * Reference materials found online are purely web based, individual documents are targeted towards university users and not necessarily of the version used in the tested Mazi Playground. PDF documents created from sections of the manual. * The application is very large; possibly a platform within itself, depending on online access for a lot of extended features such as email confirmations and application updates. **Overview * Lime survey is the only place showing branding and indicates which version of the playground is being used - V.1 * Documentation or appropriate external links stored on Owncloud would be useful for assisting with set up, troubleshooting and maintenance. * Mazi playground heading in splash screen points to developer of concertina menu - if paid for, then more appropos would be link to Mazi forum for participants or delivery partners? For purely offline purposes, then possibility of link to internal reference material / Mazi manifest. * All applications need an email gateway for changing user passwords, problematic for purely offline situations. * As a suite of software, it seems appropiate for citizenship and local activism, curtailed by the complexity of being able to set up all three applications. In respect to having a more toolbox driven approach, setting up a web server and then hosting alternative options in respect to requirements would be more broadly useful.