As many people are discovering, the Internet is a big place that is easy to get lost in. While most users will know exactly how to locate the elabs that they commonly work with, some may not have this information when they begin. We provide an information distribution mechanism that helps users locate the resources that they need.
Jane thought for a moment. ``I know I've seen similar anomalies before. Somewhere... Hang on for a minute.''
The other scientist nodded and went back to his conversation with his partners, which faded into Jane's background as she focused her attention on her browser.
``I'm almost positive that woman from NCSA was talking about it at that last conference,'' she thought. ``I'll check out NCSA to see if they have an elab yet.''
She pointed her browser at a WWW address that she thought would get her to the NCSA home page. After following a few links through the Web, she found a page about the NCSA elab. ``Click here to tour the NCSA elab.''
``Okay,'' she grinned to herself, ``let's tour''. <click>
An elab server will run a service called a catalog (which may be a part of the server or may be separate). The catalog is associated with a session or with a site and understands the local capabilities and resources. It responds to queries about resources in a number of formats, including HTTP, enabling elabs to send information to standard World Wide Web clients. This capability leverages the ubiquity and flexibility of WWW, providing a powerful network navigation mechanism familiar to most Internet users. The security layer built into the elab and the browser (as described later) allows the information to be selectively distributed.
Jane arrived in the guest observatory of the lab and was presented with a brochure describing the exciting activities she could tour. She wandered through the hubbub of network explorers towards the electronic guard's desk.
``Sorry,'' it said. ``Guests are not allowed past this point.''
She presented her electronic credentials, forgoing anonymity. ``Does that help?''
``You may proceed. Some areas and objects will be off limits to you.''
She nodded as an elab phone and directory service appeared in the room (and on her terminal). She read down the list of people with whom she could visit, and spotted the name she remembered.
``Oh hi, Jane!'' exclaimed Maria, answering Jane's call. ``I've been meaning to call you since that last conference. What's up?''
``Well,'' Jane smiled, ``I've got a quick question for you...''
With regard to information location, the LabSpace project will provide