_A Remarkable E-Journal Index_
This weekend in reviewing the functionality of the _Journal of =
Artificial Intelligence Research_ (JAIR) - an international electronic =
and print journal [ http://www.jair.org/] - I discovered that it =
provides a most *remarkable* index to its articles in what is called an =
"Information Space"=20
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/jair/jair-space.html ] .=20
The Information Space is an applet that is automatically loaded upon =
visiting the address. The address=20
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/jair/jair-space.html ]=20
also provides a description and details on navigating the contents of =
JAIR.
Here's a textual description of the Information Space
QUOTE
An information space is a type of information design in which representat=
ions of information objects are situated in a principled space. In a =
principled space location and direction have meaning, so that mapping and =
navigation become possible.
Applying this terminology to this information space, we have yellow =
squares representing JAIR articles (the information objects) arranged =
according to two hierarchically constructed principles: first, the squares =
are within circles reflecting their categorization; and second, the =
circles are arranged so that categories which are more similar are closer =
together. The metric used to determine pairwise similarity is the number =
of articles judged to be appropriate for both categories, although only =
one category is assigned each article for the visualization. The visualizat=
ion behaves as information map, providing a survey view of the relationship=
s between articles as derived
from the category assignment.
UNQUOTE
A page describing the design rationale for this information space [AN =
INFORMATION SPACE DESIGN RATIONALE] by Mark A. Foltz, the Information =
Space developer' is available=20
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/jair/jair-space.html ] .=20
In addition, Foltz's *outstanding* Master's thesis _Designing Navigable =
Information Spaces_ (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, May 1998)=20
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/publications/mfoltz-thesis/thesis.html]=20=
provides additional details and graphics about the JAIR project and its =
Information Space
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/publications/mfoltz-thesis/node10.html]
The Information Space was designed by the Information Architecture project =
[ http://www.infoarch.ai.mit.edu/ ] at the MIT Artificial Intelligence =
Laboratory [ http://www.ai.mit.edu/ ]. "The Information Architecture =
project seeks to create information spaces, where people will use this =
awareness to search, browse, and learn. In the same way that they navigate =
in the physical environment, they will navigate through knowledge."
[For any who have attended any of my recent conference presentation, =
this=20
Information Space implementation is a realization of what I have advocated =
for the past few years! [YES!]
Words can not adequately describe the Information Space for JAIR; =
only the experience can convey the true value and impact on this novel =
index.!
[IMHO: If there's one site that you visit after you dig out from your =
holiday backlog this is it!]
I am greatly interested in learning about Any and All other =
innovative access methods to E-journal content, similar or different than =
the Information Space.
As Always, Any and All contributions, questions, critiques, comments, =
queries, transition teams, cosmic insights, etc. are Most Welcome.
/Gerry McKiernan
Spaced Librarian
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50011
[log in to unmask]
"The Best Way to Predict the Future is to Invent It!"
Alan Kay=20
=20
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