Data and metadata for finding and reminding

Abstract

The paper discusses the benefits of using document metadata that exists as part of the document and which is also generated by its use, to assist users in retrieving the document and remembering what it contains. By extracting valuable descriptive information from a document, and analysing what a user does, such as the files they open, when they are used and for how long, a repository of information can be built up to help users with the tasks of finding and reminding. Since such a vast quantity of raw metadata can be acquired, visualisation is needed to elicit meaning from it.