Addressing universal access in social networks: an inclusive search mechanism

Social network services (SNSs) have brought new possibilities and challenges to the design of software environments that respect people’s cultural differences. These systems may represent an opportunity for social and digital inclusion. However, search mechanisms in these systems impose serious barr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Universal access in the information society 2014-06, Vol.13 (2), p.125-145
Main Authors: dos Reis, Julio Cesar, Bonacin, Rodrigo, Baranauskas, M. Cecília C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Artificial Intelligence
Barriers
Computer Communication Networks
Computer programs
Computer Science
Computer science
control theory
systems
Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface
Computers and Society
Design engineering
Digital
Exact sciences and technology
Human-Computer Interaction
Information retrieval
Information Storage and Retrieval
Information Systems Applications (incl.Internet)
Information systems. Data bases
IT in Business
Long Paper
Memory organisation. Data processing
Ontology
Searches
Searching
Semantic web
Semantics
Social networks
Software
Speech and sound recognition and synthesis. Linguistics
User Interfaces and Human Computer Interaction
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Summary:Social network services (SNSs) have brought new possibilities and challenges to the design of software environments that respect people’s cultural differences. These systems may represent an opportunity for social and digital inclusion. However, search mechanisms in these systems impose serious barriers for people in the process of acquiring digital literacy. One of the barriers is the difficulty of using the adequate terms/keywords to perform content searches. This paper presents an approach to allow ordinary, non-technology proficient people to access the content of a network through the use of search parameters that make sense to them. The proposal is grounded on Semantic Web technologies (Web ontology) combined with Organizational Semiotics concepts and methods to identify the users’ profile and language. A case study was conducted with the search mechanism integrated into a SNS, and a preliminary evaluation reveals the advantages and drawbacks of the approach.
ISSN:1615-5289
1615-5297
DOI:10.1007/s10209-013-0290-7