i-Delphi - About the System

<body bgcolor="#86aad0"> <table border="0" cellpadding=5 cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width=15%></td> <td width=10%></td> <td width="*"> <p align="center" valign="middle"> <font face="Arial" size="6"><b><img border="0" src="images/logd42.gif" width="229" height="42"></b></font> </td> <td width=10%></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left"> <font face="Arial" size="1"> <p><b>Click for desired page</b></p> <p><a href="xtour01.htm">Overview</a></p> <p><a href="xtour02.htm">Early history and core elements of the Delphi method</a></p> <p><a href="xtour03.htm">Delphi's second stage of development</a></p> <p><a href="xtour04.htm">Delphi enhanced for the new millennium</a></p> <p><a href="xtour05.htm">Understanding the Delphi method</a></p> <p><b>About the i-Delphi system</b></p> <p><a href="xtour07.htm">i-Delphi services</a></p> <p><a href="xtour08.htm">i-Delphi compared to other methods</a></p> <p><a href="xtour10.htm">For more information</a></p> <p><a href="index.asp">Return to home page</a></p> </font> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">     </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF" valign="top" align="left"> <p align="center" valign="top"> <br> <br> <font face="Arial" size="4"><b>About the i-Delphi System</b></font></font> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">The <b> i-Delphi</b> system is hosted on Windows 2000 and SQL (Structured Query Language database) servers operated by Interland, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.</font></SPAN></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">The <b> i-Delphi</b> system makes extensive use of Active Server Pages, a software method by which programs running on a web server generate pages destined for the user’s web browser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><b>i-Delphi</b> panelists interact with pages that are created as needed from records stored in a database.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Project databases can be updated at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> That system design enables <b> i-Delphi</b> projects to evolve quickly and continuously in response to panelists’ input.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">Panelists’ contributions are recorded immediately in an SQL database.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Summaries and tabulations may be requested by panelists at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That query capability, in addition to presentation of tabulations as part of many system-generated pages, leads panelists into reconsideration of responses in light of other panelists’ contributions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Feedback and re-iteration through project elements are central to the Delphi method.</font></span></p> <p class="Normalno-space" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">The <b> i-Delphi</b> system was built using standard web technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The Internet's broad reach and availability enable panels to be organized without regard to distance, time-zone differences, scheduling considerations, or necessity to meet in person. Specialized equipment, facilities, and software are not required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Participation from the privacy of one’s home or office assures complete anonymity of contributions and elimination of inhibitions and pressures that can have detrimental influences on face-to-face meetings.</font></span></p> <p class="Normalno-space" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">All information associated with <b> i-Delphi</b> projects and panelists is confidential and protected by elaborate security precautions. Each project has its own passwords and internal controls to assure that only authorized individuals can participate and gain access to results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Specific responses are never associated with identified panelists</font></span><font size="3" face="Arial"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">The <b> i-Delphi</b> system offers many alternative methods for presenting information and entering responses, ranging from input of free-form text or numbers to selection from pre-existing lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each component of an <b> i-Delphi</b> project is implemented using the most appropriate presentation and response formats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Background and instructional information can be incorporated into a project as required, using all web features, including text, graphics, audio, and video.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="3" face="Arial">Panelists are frequently asked to rate the confidence they attach to specific responses, or to assess their own experience or expertise which underlie specific responses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When appropriate and useful, responses are given greater or less weight based on those self-assessments or other information provided by panelists.</font> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr><td> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c0c0c0" valign="center" align="middle"><font color="#ff0000" size="3" face="Arial"> <A href="xtour07.htm">Next page</A> </font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> </td></tr> </table> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" size="1">  <br>Please note that this version of these pages was prepared for browsers which, like the one you're using now, lack frame-handling capability. Full access to this website and participation in <b>i-Delphi</b> projects require a frames-capable browser, such as a recent version of Internet Explorer or Netscape.</font> <p align="left">  <p align="left">  </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">  </td> </tr> </table> </body>