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Loom Ontosaurus



http://www.isi.edu/isd/ontosaurus.html

> [Image] Loom Ontosaurus
> 
> The Ontosaurus is a Web Browser for Loom knowledge bases. It provides
> a graphical hyperlinked interface to several of the knowledge bases.
> 
> A Javascript and frames capable browser is needed to use the system.
> We recommend Netscape version 2 or newer. Microsoft Internet Explorer
> version 3 supports most functions with only a few minor glitches,
> although the rolodex will not work with it at all.
> 
> [Image] Demo Version
> 
> A live demonstration version of the Ontosaurus browser is available
> for use. You will need to log in to the server. Use the name "tourist"
> with password "visit". This will allow browsing but no editting.
> 
> Please access Ontosaurus from this page rather than directly. (In
> other words don't bookmark the Ontosaurus browser itself. Use this
> page). The reason is that we will be moving the location of the server
> over the next several weeks, so a direct link will not be very useful.
> 
> We will attempt to have the server up as much as possible, but since
> this is work in progress, there may be periods where the server is not
> accessible. Please direct questions and comments to the maintainers.
> 
> [Image] About this Browser
> 
> This browser consists of three window panels as shown below. This
> document also contains hints for new users. For a quick start, begin
> searching with concept "THING" in theory "BUILT-IN-THEORY".
> 
>                                Toolbar
> 
>              Reference                        Content
>                window                         window
> 
> The Toolbar consists of buttons to perform various operations
> described below. The Reference and Content windows are designed to
> display contents of ontology. Links in both windows display their
> contents in the content window. This facilitates exploring various
> links associated with a word or concept in the reference window
> without the need to continuously go back and forth.
> 
> Toolbar
> 
> Depending on the user's access permissions and the existence of an
> edit lock, not all of the buttons may be visible.
> 
> Theory: Allows you to select a Loom Context for interpreting the name
> in the input field.
> 
> Show: Displays an overview of the selected theory. This will include a
> section on undefined concepts and relations as well as a list of top
> level concepts in the theory. This page is displayed in the reference
> window.
> 
> HoldWindow: Moves the contents of the content (right) window into the
> reference (left) window.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> concept, relation, or instance. Selects the type of object entered in
> the type-in box.
> 
> Type in Box: Input for entering the name of an object for browsing.
> 
> Show: Displays the object specified by the type menu and the type in
> box. This page is displayed in the reference window.
> 
> Exact Match: A flag that indicates whether the find string must match
> exactly (when checked) or only needs to match a substring or regular
> expression (when unchecked).
> 
> UpCase: A flag that indicates whether the input string should be
> converted to upper case before sending to the server.
> 
> To begin exploring select an appropriate theory, then select one of
> concept, relation, or instance. Finally enter a symbol in the input
> area of the toolbar and press Show to initiate a request to the
> server.
> 
> Browser Conventions
> 
> All symbols are quoted (preceded by a '). Types and role fillers in
> roman (normal) typeface are asserted by the user. Types and role
> fillers in italics are derived (inferred) by Loom. Types in bold face
> cannot be retracted. "Direct Types" are the most specific Loom types
> for an instance. "Asserted Types" are the result of user assertions.
> "Base Type" is a type specified as the base type when the instance was
> created. It cannot be retracted.
> 
> Hints
> 
> Make sure the "Exact Match" box is unchecked so that you don't need an
> exact match of names. You can also start a search from the top of the
> hierarchy by choosing "BUILT-IN-THEORY" and looking for the concept
> "THING". You can also find the top level concepts in a particular
> theory by selecting that theory and pushing the "Show" button.
> 
> Instances of concepts can be located at the bottom of the concept
> description. The query facility is most easily accessed by locating a
> suitable instance by browsing and then activating the "Find Similar
> Instances" link, which will start a form-based query constructor.
> Query answers will appear in the left (reference) panel.
> 
> Enjoy.
>      Ramesh Patil and Tom Russ
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> This Loom Web Browser was created at the University of Southern
> California's Information Sciences Institute. It is implemented using
> Netscape2 extensions to HTML2.0, namely, Frames and JavaScript. It
> uses the Lisp based HTTP server CL-HTTP developed at the MIT AI
> Laboratory.
> 
> Plese send comments and suggestions to Ramesh Patil or Tom Russ.
> 
> Copyright © 1996, Information Sciences Institute
> All rights reserved