MultiUser Jmol

A collection of ideas and attempts for getting Jmol to be used in multiple-user environments, such as several computers in a classroom or across a network or the internet, where the same Jmol screen is shared by all users.

Sorted by descending date.

• Multi-user interaction with molecular visualizations on a multi-touch table.

J. Logtenberg, MSc Thesis, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, August 2009. [1] - Video clips: [2] [3] [4] [5]

Excerpt: The goal of this research is to provide a more interactive and comfortable way of examining molecular visualizations, to bring people together in person to collaborate using an interactive digital environment. A multi-touch table was used for this purpose, providing a way for up to 4 people to interact with the system, not just the user controlling the mouse and keyboard. Hardware: DiamondTouch table. Software: TouchMol, an application based on Jmol as its molecular visualization component.

• Adapting a single-user, single-display molecular visualization application for use in a multi-user, multi-display environment.

C. Forlines, R. Lilien, in: Proceedings of the Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces, 2008, pp. 367-371. ISBN 0-978-60558-141-5. doi:10.1145/1385569.1385635 - pdf - Author's webpage

Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the adaptation of an open-source single-user, single-display molecular visualization application for use in a multi-display, multi-user environment. Jmol, a popular, opensource Java applet for viewing PDB files, is modified in such a manner that allows synchronized coordinated views of the same molecule to be displayed in a multi-display workspace. Each display in the workspace is driven by a separate PC, and coordinated views are achieved through the passing of RasMol script commands over the network. The environment includes a tabletop display capable of sensing touch-input, two large vertical displays, and a TabletPC. The presentation of large molecules is adapted to best take advantage of the different qualities of each display, and a set of interaction techniques that allow groups working in this environment to better collaborate are also presented.

• Jmol shared in a chat

A project which allows different users to have a chat on a website with Jmol integrated in it, and (a) everyone who joins into this chat will be able to have the same view as the "host", or (b) everyone will be able to move the applet and what they do is forwarded to everybody else in the room. (Mikeno Chua, Jan. 2008) [6]

• Skype + Jmol ?

What if one could share an applet with a colleague or student or group of people? It seems to me the combination of a chat interface and a common applet could revolutionize the way we communicate in chemistry over the internet. I could turn the molecule and show you something; you could zero in on something of interest and discuss it with me. (Bob Hanson & the Jmol developers list, Sep. 2007) [7]

• Adapting single-user visualization software for collaborative use.

F.T. Marchese, J. Mercado, Y. Pan, in: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Information Visualization - An International Conference on Computer Visualization and Graphics Applications, 2003, pp. 252-257. ISBN 0-7695-1988-1. (Dept. of Comput. Sci., Pace Univ., New York, USA) [8] - pdf - Author's website

Abstract: We present our experiences with adapting single-user visualization software for Web-based collaboration. Sun's Java JXTA API was used to adapt an open-source molecular visualization program called Jmol. It was found that by focusing on the program's graphical user interface the software could be quickly transformed into a peer-to-peer application. Our positive experience implies that many useful single-user programs should be transformable into tools that make collaboration across the Web easier to initiate, more spontaneous, and supported by a wide range of visualization software.

Contributors

AngelHerraez