Bibster
Encyclopedia
Bibster is a Java-based system which assists researchers in managing, searching, and sharing bibliographic metadata
(e.g. from BibTeX
files) in a peer-to-peer network.
The advantage of the system is it provides the possibility to search on a distributed peer-to-peer network using Semantic Web
technologies. It provides an easy way to share data with other researchers.
and CiteSeer
, via university libraries. Another method is by simply asking other people that are likely to know how to obtain the desired information.
At the moment bibliographic data has to be handled manually and as a result it is not always possible to have an overview over these data masses. It is a time consuming business to search for special topics or publications, be it locally or on several bibliographic database
s.
Bibster targets a decentralized knowledge sharing environment that allows researchers to
Bibster builds on the fact that many researchers keep lists of bibliographic data that they must laboriously maintain manually, for which they do not have an easy overview and that has varying data quality. At the same time many researchers are willing to share these resources if they do not have to invest work in doing so.
A centralized solution does not exist – and in this case cannot exist. The generation and usage of bibliographic data seems to be determined to a great extent by the overlapping user communities that already exist and there is no resource that covers all communities.
Bibster provides capabilities to search and to share bibliographic data using peer-to-peer technologies. The Bibster client on its own (e.g. disconnected from the P2P network) provides added value to users via overview and search facilities of local bibliography data. Bibster users do not need to invest further work beyond installing the system.
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
(e.g. from BibTeX
BibTeX
BibTeX is reference management software for formatting lists of references. The BibTeX tool is typically used together with the LaTeX document preparation system...
files) in a peer-to-peer network.
The advantage of the system is it provides the possibility to search on a distributed peer-to-peer network using Semantic Web
Semantic Web
The Semantic Web is a collaborative movement led by the World Wide Web Consortium that promotes common formats for data on the World Wide Web. By encouraging the inclusion of semantic content in web pages, the Semantic Web aims at converting the current web of unstructured documents into a "web of...
technologies. It provides an easy way to share data with other researchers.
Objectives
In the everyday life of researchers, one has to search for publications or their correct bibliographic metadata. Currently, people search with engines like GoogleGoogle
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
and CiteSeer
CiteSeer
CiteSeer was a public search engine and digital library for scientific and academic papers. It is often considered to be the first automated citation indexing system and was considered a predecessor of academic search tools such as Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Search. It was replaced by...
, via university libraries. Another method is by simply asking other people that are likely to know how to obtain the desired information.
At the moment bibliographic data has to be handled manually and as a result it is not always possible to have an overview over these data masses. It is a time consuming business to search for special topics or publications, be it locally or on several bibliographic database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s.
Bibster targets a decentralized knowledge sharing environment that allows researchers to
- easily share bibliographic data
- save work in trying to finding this data
- avoid re-typing this data by hand
Bibster builds on the fact that many researchers keep lists of bibliographic data that they must laboriously maintain manually, for which they do not have an easy overview and that has varying data quality. At the same time many researchers are willing to share these resources if they do not have to invest work in doing so.
A centralized solution does not exist – and in this case cannot exist. The generation and usage of bibliographic data seems to be determined to a great extent by the overlapping user communities that already exist and there is no resource that covers all communities.
Bibster provides capabilities to search and to share bibliographic data using peer-to-peer technologies. The Bibster client on its own (e.g. disconnected from the P2P network) provides added value to users via overview and search facilities of local bibliography data. Bibster users do not need to invest further work beyond installing the system.