The document introduces the 'Snoopy Concept', aimed at managing heterogeneity in semi-structured information systems through user recommendations and self-learning capabilities. It discusses the prototype SnoopyDB, which encourages users to enter more data and utilize existing properties, thus increasing both the quantity and quality of information while avoiding structural proliferation and synonyms. Evaluation results indicate that the system successfully boosts data entry and semantic refinements among users.

1. The Snoopy Concept
Fighting Heterogeneity in Semistructured and
Collaborative Information Systems by using
Recommendations
Wolfgang Gassler, Eva Zangerle, Günther Specht
Databases and Information Systems
University of Innsbruck, Austria
CTS 2011, Philadelphia

2. Knowledge is structured
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3. Type: Desktop
Type: iMac Location: Room 3S01
Location: Room 3S01 Manufacturer: HP
User: Wolfgang Shipment Date: 11/01/01
Color: white Serial: #123456
IP-Address: 192.168.0.5 Hostname: wg.uibk.ac.at
IP: 192.168.0.10
Hardware Inventory Management
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4. Type: Desktop
Type: iMac Location: Room 3S01
Location: Room 3S01 Manufacturer: HP
User: Wolfgang Shipment Date: 11/01/01
Color: white Serial: #123456
IP-Address: 192.168.0.5 Hostname: wg.uibk.ac.at
IP: 192.168.0.10
Steve Bill
Hardware Inventory Management
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5. Traditional Relational DB System
Steve: Bill:
Type: iMac Type: Desktop
Location: Room 3S01 Location: Room 3S01
User: Wolfgang Manufacturer: HP
Color: white Shipment Date: 11/01/01
IP-Address: 192.168.0.5 Serial: #123456
Hostname: wg.uibk.ac.at
IP: 192.168.0.10
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6. Traditional Relational DB System
Steve: Bill:
Type: iMac Type: Desktop
Location: Room 3S01 Location: Room 3S01
User: Wolfgang Manufacturer: HP
Color: white Shipment Date: 11/01/01
IP-Address: 192.168.0.5 Serial: #123456
Hostname: wg.uibk.ac.at
IP: 192.168.0.10
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7. Traditional Relational DB System
Steve: Bill:
Type: iMac Type: Desktop
Location: Room 3S01 Location: Room 3S01
User: Wolfgang Manufacturer: HP
Color: white Shipment Date: 11/01/01
IP-Address: 192.168.0.5 Serial: #123456
Hostname: wg.uibk.ac.at
IP: 192.168.0.10
50%
information
lost
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8. Wiki System
●
Free format
●
No schema
●
100% information
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9. Wiki System
●
Free format
●
No schema
●
100% information
BUT:
●
No structure
●
No aligned information
●
Poor search facilities (complex queries)
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10. Semantic Web / Semantic Wiki
●
Free format
●
No schema
100% information
lo
●
ca
●
Typed Links
edt
In
Pennsylvania
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11. Semantic Web / Semantic Wikis
●
Free format
●
No schema
100% information
lo
●
ca
●
Typed Links
t
ed
In
BUT:
Pennsylvania
●
No aligned information
●
User is not guided or motivated
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12. Features
Structure Extensibility Homogeneity
Relational DB yes no yes
Wikis no yes no
Semantic Wikis yes yes no
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13. Features
Structure Extensibility Homogeneity
Relational DB yes no yes
Wikis no yes no
Semantic Wikis yes yes no
Snoopy Concept yes yes yes
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14. The Snoopy Concept
● Similar to RDF (subject, property, value)
<CTS2011> <Location> <Philadelphia>
<CTS2011> <Venue> <Sheraton>
● Recommendations based on already inserted
data (self-learning system)
● Encourage user to enter more data
● Encourage re-usage of properties and values
● -> Decrease proliferation of schemata
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15. SnoopyDB Prototype
● Recommends Structure
● Avoids Synonyms
● Exploits user's extensive and valuable
knowledge („snoops“ information)
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16. SnoopyDB Prototype
● Encourages Semantic Refinements
● Validations & Recommendations of Types 16

17. Evaluation
● 24 test users
● 2/3 computer scientists / students
● 1/3 standard computer users
● Two Snoopy Systems
● Without any guidance, recommendations
● All guidance and recommendation features
● Task
● Insert City, University, Band, Car Model in non-
guided and guided system
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18. Evaluation (2)
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19. Evaluation (3)
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20. Conclusion – Snoopy Concept
● Avoid proliferation of structures (self-learning)
● Avoid synonyms in the system
● 49% properties reused
● Exploit user's extensive and valuable
knowledge („snooping“ as much as possible)
● Increase the quantity of information in the system
● 31% more data
● Semantic refinements by resolving homonyms
● Increase the quality of information in the system
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