Tree-based conversation interface using a folding policy on conversation messages

This paper describes a method for an efficient presentation of conversation messages on a tree based conversation interface. Most of conversation interfaces have been recognized as useful tools commercially and educationally as well as recreational purposes for a long time, but they are difficult to support a formal conversation. The tree based interface can present a relation among replies in conversation clearly, but it is difficult to catch a meaning of conversation context on the interface. Because whenever the interface receives a conversation message, it must move a message view in order to present recently received messages. So this paper suggests a method to present conversation messages efficiently by using an automatic folding of uninterested messages on a tree based conversation interface. The tree based interface is implemented by using XML, DOM, and JDK. Also this paper showed that the interface could be applied to a conversation system. Applications for the interface are as follows; collaboration, distance learning, online game, etc.