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Colwiz - Free research collaboration software from Oxford
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Posted by Gorski
Mar 12, 2011 at 01:34 AM
Some on the list might be interested in this:
From the press release (http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_releases_for_journalists/110304.html):
> New free software, launched today by Oxford University scientists, gives researchers the tools they need to collaborate more efficiently and quickly with colleagues scattered around the world and working in a variety of different research areas.
> The colwiz (?collective wizdom?) R&D;platform manages the entire research lifecycle from an initial idea, through a complex collaboration, to publication of the results. It is being launched through Isis Innovation?s Software Incubator ? a new programme designed to promote software start-ups from the University of Oxford.
> ?At the moment researchers are using a dizzying array of different applications to communicate and collaborate,? said colwiz Chief Scientist Professor David Gavaghan of Oxford University. ?These might include Google Apps, Microsoft Live Services, LinkedIn, Yammer and Social Text. But because these are separate applications they don?t do everything and don?t always talk to each other, and this slows researchers down. colwiz replaces this hotchpotch with an integrated suite of tools custom-built for fast and efficient management of the research process.?
Posted by Wojciech
Mar 12, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Mark, many thanks for the information. I really like this idea. Do you know more projects of this type, perhaps?
Best regards,
Wojciech
Posted by Dr Andus
Mar 12, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Wojciech wrote:
>Mark, many thanks for the information. I really like this idea. Do you know more
>projects of this type, perhaps?
>Best regards,
>Wojciech
Mendeley (http://www.mendeley.com/) and Zotero http://www.zotero.org/groups/) do something similar. There is also http://www.researchgate.net/, though I don’t know if there is any downloadable software with that. Qiqqa (http://www.qiqqa.com) also seems to be heading into that direction. There is of course EndNote and other traditional referencing packages.
However, I’m most impressed with Citavi so far (http://www.citavi.com/). It seems by far the most sophisticated and most powerful, in terms of analytical features.
These also differ on the basis of revenue models. Either you pay a lot of money for the software upfront or they are free but there is built-in advertising or you will have to start paying once you exceed the online storage. Usually the ones you pay for tend to give you more features and more control, and they still might have online back-up and communities.
Posted by Lucas
Mar 13, 2011 at 01:05 AM
A quick note about Colwiz (not outlining software, but since it’s been mentioned here…):
I spent a couple hours looking at it today. Innovative but a frustrating experience for me. Doesn’t seem to be possible to edit one’s library in the Desktop app without an internet connection (you can read offline, but apparently not edit). That’s a deal-breaker for me. Latex integration is useful. Adds are distracting. Zotero remains for now the best solution for me.
Posted by Wojciech
Mar 13, 2011 at 08:44 AM
Hi!
Thanks for all your tips. Since I had in mind not only bibliographic software but rather attempts to build more complex instruments for research information management, Mendeley seems to be the most interesting for me at the moment. And yes, I am also impressed by Citavi. From my part, I?d like to suggest having a look at Planz:
http://kftf.ischool.washington.edu/planner_index.htm
As it is promoted: ?Take control of the information in your life through one consolidated interface. Plan by typing your thoughts freehand. Link your thoughts to files, Web pages, and email messages. Organize everything into a single, integrated document that helps you manage all the projects you want to get done.?
Has anybody used it?