General
 
 
Q. What is OtaSizzle?
 
A. OtaSizzle is a research project that develops social media services that are useful in campus life and studies the use of new social media services. To put it in another way, OtaSizzle develops a mobile living lab in the Otaniemi area and the Aalto University. OtaSizzle platform provides a flexible programming environment and infrastructure for creating mobile services and for testing them in real-life settings. The project is funded by TKK's "Technology for Life" campaign donations from private companies and communities to the MIDE programme. Kassi and Ossi are the first two OtaSizzle services.
 
 
Q. Why should I use OtaSizzle services?
 
A. If you want to try out something fresh and local as well as contribute to the development of new kinds of social communication services, then OtaSizzle is for you. With us, you are welcomed to shape the future of the services. OtaSizzle is a research project, and, hence, the services are likely to remain in "constant beta" stage. So, if you are searching a mature social networking environment, you should probably look elsewhere - Twitter, Facebook, etc. We welcome you to explore our sizzling services but it's your choice!
 
Q. Does it cost something?
 
A. No.
 
Q. Who can use OtaSizzle services?
 
A. Everyone! The services are currently open - just create a user identity on Kassi or Ossi, and start using them! The same account works on both (and all future) services.
 
Q. What do I need to use the services?
 
A. The services can be used on any modern WWW browser. However, we have not tested them exhaustively on all possible operating system / browser variants, so bear with us if something does not work, and let us know!
 
Q. Can they be used on my mobile phone?
 
A. At present, Kassi is aimed at the desktop environment. Ossi is developed primarily for modern mobile phones, and works on a limited range of models. 
 
 
 
OSSI
 
Q. What is Ossi?
 
A. Ossi is a group-centered mobile social media service. You can use Ossi to connect with friends, keep in touch with groups and to stay tuned to what is sizzling around you. Ossi has been developed especially to be used on the three Aalto university campuses in Helsinki metropolitan area but it is suitable for other users, too. Join in and try it out to see for yourself!
 
Q. Which mobile phones are compatible for Ossi use?
 
A. Currently we only support Ossi on a limited range of smartphones: Nokia N97, N95, and 5800 Express Music are models we have tested it with. It also works well on the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet and all iPhone models. In the future, further models may be also supported.
 
Q. Do I need a 3G data service to use Ossi on my phone?
 
A. If you want unrestricted mobile use, yes you do. We recommend a flat rate data plan. At present, Ossi does not require high bandwidth, so a 256k plan should be quite adequate. If your phone has WLAN capability, you can of course use it instead.
 
Q. Do I need to download something on my phone to use Ossi?
 
A. No, you can use Ossi from the WWW browser of your phone. For certain Nokia models, we also offer a downloadable widget which makes the use more convenient and enables some additional functionality. You can get it from http://vcs.hiit.fi/trac/ossi/wiki/OssiWRT%2C.
 
Q. I have forgotten my password, can I reset it?
 
A. Sorry, in Ossi you cannot. Go to Kassi login page and use the "I forgot my password" option.
 
 
KASSI
 
Q. What is Kassi?
 
A. The aim of Kassi is to make the exchange of daily favors  
easier in the Helsinki metropolitan area. So, Kassi is a service that enables the exchange of various favors and items to borrow through  

1.  listings posted by users
2.  lists of favors and items to borrow that users have put in their profiles.

There are seven categories of listings: Marketplace, Items to borrow, Lost property, Car pools, Group search, Favors and Others. You can browse  
the listings without registering to the service, but if you want to  
answer to a listing or see the user profiles you have to create an  
user account. 
 
 
Q. How do I search for help in Kassi?
 
A. You can go to see favors list if somebody is already offering the favor you need. If you can't find what you are looking for, you can post a listing.
 
 
Q. How can I do favors to others?
 
A. You can list the favors you could do to others in your profile. They are then shown in the favors list. You can also go checking the new listings from time to time to see if there is something needed that you could offer your favors.
 
 
Q. How do I know when people answer my listings or want to lend my stuff?
 
A. You will get a notification in your email, if you haven't disabled it in your settings page. If you don't want emails you can disable it and then go to Kassi to see if you have been contacted. In Kassi all messages are shown in your own inbox.
 
 
Q. What do the favors and items cost in Kassi?
 
A. The main idea is to pay it forward, but users can also ask for a little charge or a favor in return. It is totally up to you guys :) !
 
 
Q. Do I have to lend my stuff or do favors to everyone?
 
A. No you don't. You can also start Kassing only with your friends or some groups you belong to. You can choose who you would like to see which item or favor when you add or edit them.
 
 
Q. How I know that person who answers to my listing is reliable?
 
A. You can go to that person's profile and see the profile picture and contact information. In one's profile you can also see user's friends, Kassi events that the user has been part of and comments on that user
 
 
 
NORDSECMOB
 
 
OTASIZZLE PLATFORM - Aalto Social Interface (ASI)

 
Q. I have a cool idea of a potential service that could run on the OtaSizzle platform. How can I get access to it?
 
A. Contact us through this portal! For Aalto students, we plan to offer regular "code camp" intensive courses where you can test your idea quickly in a team with other students.
 
Q. What is the OtaSizzle platform like?
 
A. OtaSizzle runs on Aalto Social Interface, or ASI. ASI is a RESTful platform for social media applications. It provides the user accounts, social networks, and much of the content management for Ossi and Kassi. Using ASI, it is possible for anyone to create their own applications that are available to the OtaSizzle user base and social network. An ASI application will not necessarily even need its own database. Contact us if you wish to learn more or take a look at cos.sizl.org.