Utilizing WWW Browsing in a Multi-Functional Information Exploration Environment Through Toolset Integration

Marc B. Manza
manza@grimmy.poly.edu

David Rubin
drubin@poly.edu

CIESIN's Gateway is a distributed search and retrieval tool that allows
access to various heterogeneous data sources in a consistent manner.
One of the features of this system, dubbed "Guides", provides
excursions into the World-Wide Web(WWW) via various off-ramps
throughout the Gateway system.  There are also on-ramps into
Gateway from the WWW. Currently, this functionality relies upon
external WWW browser tools. Inherently, this falls prey to non-
standard remote control mechanisms defined and implemented among
different WWW browsers. This lack of interapplication communication
standards leads to a less than optimal attempt for seamless interaction
with the multitude of browsers available to the user today.  This
experiment did, however, prove very useful and generated much
interest from our users. By providing a controlled exploration of
multiple resources and data sources, the Gateway is able to utilize the
browsing experience as a tool and a point of access to additional
information.

In an effort to evolve this experiment, we embarked upon a prototype
designed to integrate these tools and provide a multi-functional,
seamless environment from within which the user can easily explore
heterogeneous resources including, but not limited to, the WWW. The
prototype is built upon a multi-layer application framework, called
RAVEN. This framework provides the building blocks to construct
distributed network applications using object-oriented modules. Using
this framework has numerous advantages. Communications
management is handled by the framework allowing for seamless
connectivity options. Protocol modules can be plugged into the
framework as needed. Session management, storage and visual
components are also defined. Thus, to evolve the Gateway/WWW
interoperable exploration concept, the prototype includes a built-in
WWW browser that is seamlessly integrated into any session built
upon the framework.

This has an immediate benefit of removing the incompatibilities that
were experienced when attempting to interoperate with external
WWW browsers. While this is a boon for the user, the real advantage
exists in the merging of technologies. The user should not be limited to
using only WWW tools as is the case in a browser-only approach. The
user should also not be subjected to vastly different information
exploration mechanisms, as is the case when "jumping" from one
application to another. The RAVEN approach views the WWW, and
web browsing in general, as a tool that should be utilized where it is
most effective and let other tools operate in those areas where they are
more effective. By merging the various information technologies into a
robust application environment, a powerful exploration experience can
be provided to the user.