OtherProjects/LCD
From Corrib Clan Wiki
relgetrel pasour caelto eltoub boervidelcn monalcocadel
Contents |
Support for Languages, Communities and Disabilities in JeromeDL and FOAFRealm
JeromeDL - e-Library with Semantics
JeromeDL is a digital library that aim to bring the full potential of the Semantic Web to the librarian and researchers world. JeromeDL delivers features important for both librarians and researchers. Apart from that, JeromeDL aims to provide user friendly retrieval features, like keyword querying, multifaceted browsing and collaborative filtering. These goal is being achieved by utilizing semantic and social networking technologies.
Internationalization (Language)
JeromeDL system has involved from Elvis Digital Library developed at Gdansk University of Technology. One of the main aspects that where improved in JeromeDL in comparison to the previous version.
The internationalization in JeromeDL is currently supported only in the user interface. The next version that is due to delivered by the end of September will support internationalization during the query processing. This will be provided with the use of online translation services in the beginning. The idea of using translations in the query processing is based on the fact that all textual parts of descriptions of the resources in the RDF database should be done in English according to MarcOnt ontology specification. This solution will enable people speaking different languages effectively searching for resources in the same database.
To be able to provide the translation phrases for different languages without the need of much computer skills a web service will be provided (currently in the testing phase) at http://i18n.jeromedl.org/. The community of registered users will be able to robustly translate the given set of phrases in the wiki manner. All operations will be backed up with version controlling
Social Networking based Retrieval Features (Communities)
JeromeDL supports communities with features implemented with FOAFRealm. Semantic Social Collaborative filtering enables users to share their bookmarks, evaluations and comments (ad-hoc forums) among their friends. Social Multifaceted Browsing is an idea of sharing user defined facets/values describing database among friends. Information on user preferences, gathered with both techniques is used during the semantic enhanced query expansion. ( see FOAFRealm section for full description )
Support for Disable People (Disabilities)
JeromeDL as a digital library should be accessible by as many people as possible. A number of disabilities has been identified, but due to some limitations the support for only a some of them can be supported without complete rebuild of some parts of the system. That is why we have selected visually disabled and elder people as first target groups of making JeromeDL accessible.
Visually Impaired
Support for visually disabled people should cover:
- textual representation of all resources:
- PDF, RTF and HTML files should be accessible as just a normal text file (although some additional information on key formatting, figures etc. is welcomed)
- browsing and searching interfaces should be tailored towards textual representation
- reading aloud the content and other textual representation. Since some people might not be equipped with screen readers it is possible to deliver one embedded into JeromeDL. Similar solution has been implemented by one of mobile providers.
Elder People
Elder people might find some of the digital libraries - like eg. WBSS with antique books interesting. To avail them to use the system, the JeromeDL interface should be equipped with simplified version, according to WAI guidelines.
FOAFRealm - User Profile Management based on FOAF
FOAFRealm is a user profile management system based on social networking. This system additionally delivers special retrieval features like collaborative filtering and multifaceted browsing based on social networks. The features provided by FOAFRealm can be utilized by systems like digital libraries to provide social networking enhanced services to the end user.
Internationalization (Language)
The FOAFRealm library is being developed along with JeromeDL system. This is why all the internationalization issues and solutions are similar in both systems. see JeromeDL section for full description
Social Networking based Retrieval Features (Communities)
Apart from user profile management system, FOAFRealm widely implements social networking features by providing social semantic collaborative filtering and social multifaceted browsing (currently under development) to the main system like digital library.
Social Semantic Collaborative Filtering
Social semantic collaborative filtering is based on the idea of people cooperating in filtering the database. The basic concept of bookmaking is extended with:
- assigning predefined categories to bookmarks catalogs
- linking categories maintained by other people to own structure of bookmarks.
The knowledge is being gathered and filtered across the social network and each person receives a structure of high quality filtered bookmarks.
Social Multifaceted Browsing
Similar concept to social semantic collaborative filtering is provided by social multifaceted browsing. The current implementations of basic multifaceted browsing are based on predefined set of factes (perpendicular categories) and each system provides fixed description on each item in database. The social multifaceted browsing not only allows users to define their own facets and annotate database according to their point view. Each user can use his/her friends factes and annotations (within rights granted by the owner) to filter the database. The idea is based on the assumption that directly connected people very often share the same view of the world.
Support for Disabled People (Disabilities)
FOAFRealm as a user management system has to meet a number of restrictions imposed by local Governments, including making it possible for people with disabilities to be able to register. A number of disabilities has been identified, but due to some limitations the support for only a some of them can be supported without complete rebuild of some parts of the system. That is why we have selected visually disabled and elder people as first target groups of making FOAFRealm accessible.
Visually Impaired
To make it possible for visually impaired people to register a registration form should be prepared with care with respect to:
- navigation across registration fields
- making captions audible.
The complex graphical interface in social semantic collaborative filtering and social multifaceted browsing implementations requires to be rebuild towards more textual/forms oriented representation. This will allow users depending on screen readers and similar solutions to navigate these features.
Elder People
The profile management based on FOAF might require some background knowledge on how what some concepts introduced in the registration form mean. To make this part understandable we need to provide some additional explanations.
The semantic social collaborative filtering and social multifaceted browsing provided by FOAFRealm not only base on the new concepts but also the user interface might be to complicated. As a solution we should provide:
- number (eg. 3) of expertise levels (like basic, advances, etc.) stored in the user profiles, reflecting the computer skill of the user
- (different) user interface with some of the features hidden on basic level
- access to notes explaining each of concepts. Details should reflect the level of expertise of the user.
