Abstract: Though DAML-S is growing into a de facto standard for semantic web-service markup, we have only found few complete service descriptions and even less papers discussing technical issues about the markup process. We addressed this lack by (1) reporting on our experiences in describing a set of services, (2) concluding several limitations of the latest DAML-S version (v0.7) and (3) making our work accessible to the research community.
Abstract: Software agents are an inherent extension to the current Internet. They are, however, without a legal status. They autonomously roam the Internet, perform transactions, and gather information. The legal implications of their actions are, however, not well understood. This paper presents some of the issues involved, viewed from the perspective of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Systems and Law.
Abstract: One of the tasks of software agents on the Internet will be to close contracts on behalf of their owner. The closing of a contract is subject to liabilities. In this, there is no distinction between the real world and the virtual world. Like in the real world, within the virtual world a distinction has to be made between the precontractual phase and the contractual phase. The liabilities in these phases are different. Therefore negotiation protocols for agents need to distinguish between these phases and different responsibilities may exist in the different phases. This paper presents some of the issues involved, viewed from a technical and legal perspective.
Abstract: Traditional Game Industry has been based on C++. It eems that nowadays users focus on the multiplayer dimension of games and they demand new and better networking services. It is certain that this networking orientation will also influence the other sides of game development and more the architecture of the future game consoles. Java technologies raise new foundations for developing
commercial games with strong support to different game elements.
This work-in-progress presentation focuses on the development of a 3-D multiplayer racing game (JautOGL) using JOGL and JOAL APIs for graphics and sound respectively and Java .NIO for the networking part. It will outline the steps for building a game engine using the above technologies and which are the special haracteristics that must be taken under consideration. Some of the
issues that will be illustrated include:
Using the procedural OpenGL in the object-oriented Java
Using OpenAL for the sound engine
Building 3-D models loaders
Game interactivity in a racing game
Networking and real time support (non-blocking mode) using Java .NIO
The work has inspired more issues for further development such as:
Advanced graphics and sound system
Collision detection system
Artificial Intelligence
Other Networking models (Peer-to-peer)
Abstract: The external representation of an agent is (part of) the embodiment of an agent: other agents may observe this information. The public representation of an agent usually contains at least the identity of an agent, and may include profiles of the agent, profiles of the user of an agent, an avatar, etc. In large-scale agent systems, scalability is an important issue. Replication is a scaling technique for distributing information over a number of locations. Replication of the external representation of an agent results in distributed shared agent representations. This paper addresses a number of issues involved in the realisation of such distributed shared agent representations, and brie y discusses middleware that is being devised to support such developments.
Abstract: Agent mobility is the ability of an agent to migrate from one location to another across a network. Though conceptually relatively straightforward, in practice security of mobile agents is a challenge: from transport layer security to preservation of integrity in open environments. This paper discusses the security issues involved and proposes protocols for secure agent migration. AgentScape, an agent platform for mobile agents, is used to illustrate the feasibility of the implementation of these protocols.
Abstract: Mobile agents traverse the Internet, often on behalf of their users. Intelligent search agents access dynamic information in heterogeneous environments. The legal implications of the use of agents in such situations are not fully understood. In this paper a scenario in which a mobile agent searches a multimedia database on behalf of its user, is used to illustrate the legal and technical issues involved. Requirements related to identity management, integrity, traceability and availability are identified and discussed in the context of existing technology.
Abstract: A mobile agent is a process that can autonomously decide to move from one machine to another across the Internet. Migrating entails serialising code, data and state into an agent image, acquiring permission to move, `shipping' its image to another machine, and requesting activation on the new host. Each local network may have a specific policy with respect to the agents it is willing to accept and activate, and under which conditions. This paper is based on results of the ALIAS research project1 in which legal experts, computer scientists and AI experts aim to increase the understanding of the legal and technical implications of the use of mobile software agents A number of legal and technical issues concerning the implications of hosting mobile, possibly hostile agents are addressed.
Abstract: Mobile agents traverse the Internet, often on behalf of their users, moving to different sites with different characteristics. Mobile intelligent search agents traverse the Internet with the specific goal of accessing information. The sites they access are heterogeneous, often dynamic. Identity and integrity management, traceability and availability are major issues in this context. Liability, anonymity, and intellectual property are clearly related. These issues are discussed in the context of multimedia database search on behalf of users. The important technological and legal questions and implications related to this example are identified and discussed, in particular those related to underlying technology. Note: Related research will be pursued together with the Rechtbank Amsterdam in the context of the ACCESS ToKen project to start in October.
Abstract: Technical, commercial and legal issues strongly influence system administrators. Management of (distributed) systems with connections to outside users, e.g. via webservices or (mobile) software agents, may involve contracts. The challenge is to find simple, elegant and effective solutions to (automated) contract management systems, preferably as part of overall (distributed) management systems.
