scholarz.blog

The core of “scholarz.net” is its supreme knowledge management system. Every bit of information can be assigned to various places. Thus you have got all your information just where you need it and your research will be more efficient.

If, for example, you find a quote within a source that you want to use in a project (e.g. your dissertation) you can simply assign it to this folder. The quote now is stored in your source as well as in your project “dissertation”. Away from fixed hierarchies to multi-dimensional flexibility. Set an end to data chaos and to annoying searches. Data will be stored right where you need it.

Up until now you could only assign notes to folders (e.g. note x to folders “project” and “source”) .

From now on it will also be possible to assign and tag whole folders. You can, for example, assign a whole source to a project. You can also tag whole sources.

This was the most desired wish and we are glad to be able to fulfill it.

And as a bonus: It is now also possible to assign notes, folders, etc. to single chapters, which will make your knowledge management more precise.

(Note: for notes this function will be available from next week on, but not via drag-and-drop but via the “edit” button.)

How does it work?

Below the title of a folder you will now find the button “sow associations”:

Clicking on it will open a drop-down menue in which you can choose the destinations your information should be assigned to:

In the target folder you can now see the source beside the assigned note:

Around the knowledge management we have developed further functions. One of them is the network. A sort of Xing especially designed for the needs of researchers, connected to a powerful knowledge management system.

A network does only make sense if there are enough people to use it. Thanks to the speedy growth of the last few weeks we’re approaching this dimension. Time to enhance our network functions. ( And time for you to create your own profile if you haven’t done so already )

Basically it’s about finding other researchers working in the same field of studies, to team up with them and share information and thoughts. Furthermore, it’s about finding intersting public sources, read published papers of others, etc.

Therefore we have added two functions: Read the rest of this entry »

Some of you have already recognized the changes we have implemented last week. Now we want to introduce the fruit of our efforts to all of you:

Since the launch of our beta phase we have received much laud, but also many requests concerning further functions (”feature request”). We prove those requests and implement the best ones into our concept. Thus our software can be advanced regularly.

In the last few weeks we have changed many details, but also two major aspects which we want to introduce now:

- an improved knowledge management by enabling you to assign and tag folders (sources, etc.)

- an improved network featuring clickable profile entries and an advanced search.

Got interested? Just read the following posts …

What kind of software helps doing scientific work? “scholarz.net” of course ;-). But for all the tasks, that “scholarz.net” isn’t designed for, you need extra software. “History of Science Online” has recently published a very interesting article on Mac software for various scientific task. It gives a good overview of the different work areas and appropriate software solutions. Being a Mac user myself, I would like to pass this recommendations on.

I found the reference in the excellent blog “Getting Things Done in Academia“.

How can I import existing data bases into “scholarz.net”? How can I import bibliographical data when creating a source? When will it be possible to do a BibTex import?

These were the users’ most frequent questions last week. I have good news for you:

Just upload your data in BibTex format and choose whether you want to import single sources or whole libraries.

This function is not only interesting for BibTex users. Endnote users can export their data in BibTex format and thus import it into “scholarz.net”. (A direct import from Endnote is being developed). There are also many websites and online catalogues that offer BibTex export. You can import all this information with just a click and thus save much time you would have to spend on entering bibliographical data.

Another nice feature is the import via ISBN or source title:

If you are creating a source and have this information ready you can just import all the data automatically. But the best feature is not online yet: I was able to test it today: an “add to scholarz” bookmarklet.

This is a function that will enable you to extract bibliographical data from websites to create new sources. If you have found an interesting source on the internet you’ll just have to click on a button in your bookmark list and scholarz will automatically create a new source with all bibliographical data.

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

After a long period of silence PoM is back again. I’m sorry, but I have been in exam the last weeks and thus I was only able to publish some posts I had already prepared on our German blog. This week’s topic: scan pens.

When I heard of scan pens a few years ago, it appeared to me like a dream: I imagined myself sitting in our library just letting my scan pen hover over the pages of a book while the others around me were still taking notes or typing on their notebooks. A year ago I bought such a pen - here are my experiences: Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday we have launched the community function. From now on every user of “scholarz.net” can create a profile, manage contacts, find other researchers and build up his research network.

A typical social network. But: customized for the requirements of scholars and linked to their research data. You can search the public libraries of other users for interesting information and soon you will also be able to find new colleagues while searching their public folders. Read the rest of this entry »

How cool: The network and community function is ready. Jens has put his nose to the grindstone throughout the last weeks and has done a great job. Since last week our tests have begun. Our whole team is testing the functions now (the so called “private beta”) and then, after a few bugfixes, the function will be available to the public. Presumably in the first weeks of may. Here I’ll already introduce this function to you: Read the rest of this entry »

What are your long term plans with “scholarz.net”? What happens after the research project is expired? How do you ensure long term availability of the data? How do you plan to cope with the costs of maintanence and further development?

These are legitimate questions we have been asked in phone calls, chats and E-mails throughout the last weeks. Having launched our platform, it is now time for us to answer them. As a user you have a right to know who is managing your data and whether he is able to provide a secure frame for the future. We have been thinking much about these issues. In this article we present our answers: Read the rest of this entry »

Today we want to introduce our third “scholarz.blog”-author. I’m glad to present Christian Schmied:

Christian is studying political science, political education and English language and literature studies at the university of Würzburg. And above all he is a passionate and, in my opinion, an excellent writer. He also works for other media like the university radio Würzburg. Christian likes listening to music and loves nature as well as his girlfriend, whom he adores.

His first great project (and his own introduction) will be a series on the scientific blogosphere.

By the way: We’re also glad about guest posts, so if you want to write an some interesting topics just send us an email.

Today we open and close the gates: Everyone who signs up until today’s evening will receive a golden ticket and will be able to create an account on “scholarz.net”. From tomorrow on there will be no further golden tickets for a while. We will close the doors and await the feedback of the first testers (who were fast enough to get their tickets) before we go on. They will be able to experience “scholarz.net”, the rest will have to wait for a while. But if you’ve already got a golden ticket and create an account, you’ll be able to invite friends whenever you like. So get your golden ticket before it is too late!

Right in time for the launch of “scholarz.net” we have completed a tour & help function. Here we introduce the main functions and features of our software.

Soon there will be more: detailed descriptions and little screencasts are being worked on. But in the beginning this will be enough.

Just take a look at it and get to know “scholarz.net”.

“scholarz.net” appears to have fans in China now:

At least we have discovered this site recently. No idea where it’s from. But this leads me to the topic “languages”:

The easiest way of using software is when you can do it in your own language. Therefore there will be different versions of “scholarz.net” in different languages: the software will recognize the language of your browser and adopt it. Nevertheless all data will be stored in one data base so you can also access public folders in other languages.

We’re starting with the English version. German will follow in a few weeks. We hope for other foreign users to help us with versions in other languages.

Some time ago I told a friend that soon there will be golden tickets for scholarz.net. He was quite puzzled then, and asked me: “What’s a golden ticket?”

The use of this expression is varying. For example, it is the name of an Austrian movie award. The expression originates from Roald Dahl’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Here the owner of a chocolate factory hides five “Golden Tickets” amongst ordinary chocolate bars. Whoever gets such a tocket is granted a visit to his secret factory and its chocolate wonderland. Recently the expression is also being used by various young internet platforms.

In most cases its meaning is similar: A few chosen people are granted access to a wonderland that is hidden from everyone else. Well, that sounds a bit like boasting. So, more profane:

A “Golden Ticket” in web 2.0 is an exclusive validation key that grants access to an online application which is still in testing.

Concerning us for example it means: “scholarz.net” is ready and functioning. Everyone can visit the main page on http://www.scholarz.net. But only those with a golden ticket have access. This allows us to control the number of new users, to adjust server capacity and to fix bugs.

Yesterday our pilot-testers have gained their golden tickets. Next week all of those who have registered themselves on our main page will get one. Then we’ll stop distributing tickets for a while so we have time to make adjustments.

When working in the library you often encounter books that may not be borrowed, which means you might have to spend considerable amounts of time and money on copying the pages you need. In many such cases a digital camera might come in handy. Read the rest of this entry »

Just now we are working on the last finishing touches for “scholarz.net”. Here, for example, you see the help window, that Marc is currently implementing for you. Such windows will help new users find their way and lead them through the platform:

On Monday our first pilot partners will start their tests. Three working groups selected from different areas receive an exclusive access and can make themselves a first impression of “scholarz.net”.

- The scientists of the working group “ePUSH” at the University of Hamburg, as professionals for the internet & science,

- The department for literature management of the university library of Wuerzburg, our experts for literature and knowledge management, and finally

- Our colleagues of “Promood“, the Ph.D. Association at the TU Delft in the Netherlands, as a representative of the international research community.

We got to know all three working groups, via this blog. This makes us even more exited to hear their independent feedback soon.

Once we have received positive feedback, we will expand the circle of testers and send the Golden Tickets to all those who have already registered on our home page.

If you and your research / working group are interested in becoming a pilot partner as well, you can apply through this contact box:

„THE“ day is drawing closer. Next week we will issue the first Golden Tickets for “scholarz.net” to those who have registered on our website.
Right now we are intensively working, to eradicate the last obvious bugs, to optimize the usability, and a build a small help tour. Then comes the moment of truth. Then it will show whether the whole idea is only a bad April Fool’s joke, or whether you are just as enthusiastic about “scholarz.net”, as we are. I’m exited.

PS: You want to be among the first to test “scholarz.net” and have not yet registered? Then you can apply now for a Golden Ticket! Simply enter your email on ”www.scholarz.net“.

In our new series “Practice on Monday” (PoM) we want to report on the latest tools for academic research and writing weekly. Developers often lure us with visions of what will be possible in the future. Control your computer by voice command? Write your dissertation just by dictating it? Sounds great, but are such technologies able to satisfy our academical needs and demands?

I’ve been testing the latest software and devices like scan pens or speech recognition software for about a year now. My experience: Many things that are said to be possible don’t work out in practice. On the other hand there are things that are already possible and that really ease your work, but many of them are only rarely used or known.

We’re also glad about every of your reports about software or devices. Just comment on the PoM-posts or send an email to alex . kluger @ scholarz . net.

We proudly present: The new look of “scholarz.net”. We’re nearing the day when our software will be opened for extern users. And as the new design has been implemented, we want to show a few screenshots.

Read the rest of this entry »

One can learn good writing from good writers. Abraham Lincoln was a politician whose texts are not only read for their brilliant content, but also for their literary beauty.

Douglas L. Wilson analyzes Licolns style of writing in his book “Lincoln’s Sword” and shows what an author can learn from Lincoln.

In a noteworthy post, the blog “Getting things done in Academia” summarizes five main tips from the book: Read the rest of this entry »