geWorkbench

Tutorial - GenSpace

Introduction to GenSpace

genSpace is a research project at the Programming Systems Laboratory at Columbia University which aims to experiment in building social-networking oriented collaboration features into the existing geWorkbench application. Currently, genSpace’s primary function is identifying workflow patterns and providing real-time suggestions and support. genSpace provides researchers with real-time workflow suggestions (suggesting possible "next steps" for analysis based upon previous histories). genSpace also logs activity within geWorkbench in order to provide developers with usage feedback, and users with suggestions.

Registering for an account and logging in

You do not need to register for a genSpace account in order to take advantage of most of its features, but it is suggested. To register for an account, select "genSpace" from the "Tools" menu in geWorkbench. Click "Register." You must at minimum supply a user id, password, and your lab affiliation. You may choose to also create a profile with your contact information. When you finish entering your information, click "Save" to create your profile, and then log in with your newly chosen username and password.

Setting your data privacy options

genSpace logs your analysis events (what kinds of analyses are performed and with what settings and how long they take). It does not log anything about the data that you process, or what the results are. This data is used to provide workflow suggestions to users (ex, try using tool B after tool A) and to provide developers with feedback on how their tools are used. By default, genSpace logs your activity anonymously - not connecting your usage with your username. You can also choose to log your events with your username, or disable logging completely. To change your privacy settings, log into genSpace, and click the "data visibility" tab under "genSpace Login."

Viewing common workflows

genSpace allows you to view common workflows that involve a tool, as well as all workflows that include that tool. To access this feature, open the genSpace window (from Tools -> genSpace), then click on "Workflow Visualization" - you do not need to be logged in. Select "Most common workflow starting with"