DRAFT Semiotic Architecture for NES

Larry Victor  12/16/2005

 

            This is VERY ROUGH, constructed in part from memory of lost files.  I hope it gives you a good first impression of how I envision the functioning of NES.  This does not include ideas of how we attract people to NES.  How we get this started is a challenge I have yet to even get a hint of solution. 1

             

            CORE  SemSys for NES 2

             

            At the file/ops level, NES will consist of a network of linked sems and semwebs.  There will be multiple levels of secure access to this core, from guest through levels of membership to sysops and owners. 3

             

            All guests, to gain access will need to register as potential members; but initial access is FREE. 4

             

            Full members pay a $US base subscription fee, depending on intent/extent of use and ability to pay. 5

             

            An alt/credit/currency database system records user activity - this is NOT in $US, or even as "alt-money", but as "Access Privilege" or AP. 6

             

            To access and read/study a sem, "costs" the user's AP account. This includes any interactive (as distinct from participatory) response to the sem that is integral to processing the sem (or semweb). This "cost" is distributed through the AP system, part to the creator(s) of the sem and part to NES for "administrative costs". 7

             

            Participation in Evaluation of a sem "gains" some credit for the user; thus reducing their AP net cost. 8

             

            To add a new sem or semweb "gains" credit for the member's AP account.   So does activity proposing modifying a sem for improvement. Some of this may be organized in projects (represented by created sems) and performed. In this case both the creator of an improvement project gains AP credit as do the participants in the project. 9

             

            All proposed sems are NOT automatically accepted; a democratic system somewhat similar to Wikipedia will be needed - but it should be as open as possible; with safeguards to disruptive postings.  Participation in sem proposal evaluation also gains participants AP credit. 10

             

            If, in the creation of a sem a member accesses other sems, there is a balancing of costs and gains - all handled by the system. 11

             

            Thus, by contributing a member gains access to the work of others.  Initially, all activity is conducted online. 12

             

            If a user incurs a debt in the AP system, at some point they need to perform tasks in projects to gain AP credit.  Some of these tasks will be seafing tasks in outsourcing by major sem producers. 13

             

            After a free introductory period, guests are charged $US to access sems (if they chose not be become members and pay the subscription fee).  Repeat access to the same sem are free, up to a point.   When a guest user elects to apply for membership and is approved, they enter the internal AP accounting system.  The $US and AP systems are related and data is kept of all use.  Some special semwebs require $US as well as AP credit for members. 14

             

            NES is transparent, with some privacy. 15

             

            TAXONOMY OF SEMS & SEMWEBS 16

             

            There are different types of categories of sems and semwebs. 17

             

            Some sems are instructional in the use of the system, and are usually free; although those who create and improve them gain AP credit. 18

             

            Some sems are scripts, which prescribe tasks the user is to perform.  The member (guest)  pays AP  ($US) for those scripts where THEY gain for themselves, as in learning and training scripts.  When the scripts are seafing scripts to seaf others, they gain AP credit in performing the seafing scripts.  Those seafed (who initially created the seafing scripts for their needs) pay AP credit when their scripts are seafed.  Thus a person gain AP credit for creating a seafing script to benefit themselves BUT they pay AP credit to those who perform those scripts.  There is no AP cost for a person to access and perform a seafing script. 19

             

            Some scripts are instructions to access Educational Entertainment in Cyberspace - like paying to go to a movie - but with a difference. 20

             

            Designers of special semwebs will outsource some of their construction tasks via scripts (in Projects).  IF a semweb may have $US commercial value, participants may get "shares" of $US profits. 21

             

            Some semwebs are Learning or LORDD Expeditions, with substantial AP cost -- but also opportunity to create (individually and in teams) sems for AP credit. 22

             

            Some elaborate Learning Expeditions can ask for $US payment, in addition to AP cost, for both guests and NES members. 23

             

            SEAFING SCRIPTS IN NES 24

             

            Quality learning is seafed. 25

             

            One of the motivations for persons to create semwebs is not only for $US or AP credit for access to learning, but to gain credit to "buy" seafing skills for THEIR work. 26

             

            Semweb developers will seek evaluators of their Beta Testing products. 27

             

            PROJECT DESIGN & MGT APPS 28

             

            In addition to the AP accounting system, there will be a related Project Design and Mgt system that will facilitate coordination of tasks. 29

             

            A semweb for NES could be a Venture proposal. 30

             

            NES CURRICULUM 31

             

            One gateway to NES will appear as an "traditional" online educational resource, with courses, seminars, conferences, including RT/DT. 32

             

            Any member can propose and facilitate a Curriculum Track of sems. 33

             

            Larry/nuet will contribute his tracks for learning about NU and EaseMen. 34

             

            Semwebs will be created to seaf those desiring to learn to create Courses and Curriculum Tracks. 35

             

            MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY 36

              37

            No matter how successful all the above may be, the whole will not succeed unless many NES members bond in NU communities. 38

             

            Person to Person contact and dialog MUST be seafed; not just mechanically, but with PERSONAL contacts. 39

             

            This includes a web of sems to probe members as to their unique individual differences - a SelfStudyProject.  This information is secure to the person and to a few at NES, but is available to tailor the members access and can be used in statistical studies. 40

             

            PLATFORM OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 41

              42

            There is a considerable amount of Planning prior to the launching of the above model for a nu NES. 43

             

            Can this NES Venture seek investment capital, or should we seek labor capital? 44

             

            What domains of expertise are needed as to the viability of the many aspects?  What can Wikipedia instruct us? 45