Earlier this year we successfully tested IceCube, which is a part of iGlue. Now, it is time to make the database available for testing too. If an AltSearchEngines reader is interested in being a beta tester, have them send an email to viktor (at) pdv (dot) hu and we’ll send them login instructions.

What is the iGlue Project?

iGlue is the revolution of meaning. It not only helps us understand information on the Internet better but it will also make the Net understand us and adapt to us.

iGlue is about entities, not words

in4, Ltd., based in Budapest, Hungary, has developed iGlue, an integrated online content manager and search engine that goes beyond today’s widespread, language-dependant search mechanisms based on identifying character strings. iGlue identifies and manages entities, not keywords. Whether he is called Alejandro Magno, Büyük İskender or Lissandru lu Granni, these names all refer to the same person: Alexander the Great, and most likely we would like to find information about the person himself. This is the principle iGlue uses to manage entities appearing in web content, and it will find relevant information even if the given element appears in a form that is different from what we used in launching the the search.

The heart of the iGlue application is a collaboratively developed, flexibly structured database that contains semantic elements, entities and their relational connections. We believe that the collaboration of motivated, enthusiastic people can create a new, network-based intellectual depository of the information age which may take us to the next level of knowledge management.

The database’s main features include:

* collaborative editing
* free usage and accessibility
* manages the semantic relations of information
* open architecture to cooperate with other systems
* duplication and error filtering aided by automated mechanisms
* multi-lingual text handling
* manages resources and resource hierarchies
* feedback-based quality control

* Clicking on the labels of the results in the list the program will offer a preview of the items, showing related pictures and geographic location.
* Clicking on the names in the list on the right will open their profiles offering detailed information on the selected item.
* Clicking on items on the left side will show related media data of the given level (for example images, videos and maps).

Hyperdata

The most common model for connecting data on the web has been hyperlinking, which takes you not to the content element but to the web page that contains it. A hyperlink is one-directional, it points to one location and only works with net addresses. As an improvement on the hyperlink, iGlue has developed the hyperdata model. In this system, elements of syntactic value are linked with each other and any element of a web page, whether it is a word, image or a piece of data, can become an information-rich junction.

Some of the main features of the hyperdata model include:

* locally displayed information about the entity
* identifying entities instead of character strings
* directly pointing to entities instead of IP addresses
* context sensitivity – working with network-based applications, such as map viewers, calendars, media players
* a relation system trackable in either direction
* option to choose several destinations from one junction
* no need for built-in linking, the application is capable of mapping the entity’s relational structure according to customized preferences
* entity-level relevance, handling of homonyms and synonyms, i.e., the application is able to recognize whether the word “smith” is a proper name or an occupation

iGlue is capable of mobilizing and interpreting simple character strings thereby entering them into the web’s semantic circulation. Using iGlue, any element of a blog, database or news portal can be turned into an information junction by the click of a mouse!

Experiment Schedule for developing the iGlue database:

* In October, iGlue will be released for general use and testing
* from November registered users will be able to edit, modify and expand the database (similar to Wikipedia)
* in the beginning of next year, IceCube (using the enhanced iGlue database) will be available for websites, making searching easier with the help of annotation based on linguistic analysis.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to your feedback regarding functionality, features and design. Naturally, any other helpful comments are welcome during the test period.

Please send us your remarks and suggestions or leave a comment.

Best regards,

The iGlue Team

Viktor Rozsnyay
President and CEO
Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc.