Receptors

Modules which can receive data streams are called receptors (noting that many will also generate data as well). Examples of receptors include

• video displays
• virtual white boards
• CAVE projectors
• shared editors
• displays for specialized tools, such as the image generated by a radio telescope

Receptors need not be limited to simply receiving and displaying data; however, any module with this capacity is a receptor.

The receptors that will be built by the LabSpace project include

• Video displays.
• An audio interface.
• A virtual white board client.
• A shared editor for programmers.
• A CAVE module for CAVEs and workstations.
• A shared document viewer that supports version control.
• A user directory service.
• An interactive text module.
• Interfaces to the scientific instruments at use in our test bed sites. The exact nature of these tools will be determined after careful consultation with the user base. At the very least, they will consist of remote monitoring and control modules for the instruments and analysis tools suitable to the application.
• Documentation for the above.

This list of modules may be updated somewhat over the duration of the project as certain features and aspects of wide-spread distributed collaboration become better understood. Where it makes sense, such as with the audio, video, and white board interfaces, the modules will be able to use existing MBone protocols in order to ensure compatibility.