Synview: the design of a system for cooperative structuring of information

ABSTRACT

The SYNVIEW system implements cooperative structuring of information through an explicit representation for debate between the users of the system and through a voting mechanism for resolving disputes. This paper reviews the original design of the system and describes modifications that are necessary for near-term applications. In particular, we examine ways to interface to existing information in the form of traditional documents, and we describe simplifications to the debate representation that reduce the amount of effort required to enter information. A proposal is given for a demonstration of a cooperative information system that would be used by a group of scientists working in a particular area of research. Cooperative information systems have an excellent long-term potential, but there are many issues that must be resolved to encourage their more immediate use.

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