From: Grant Callaghan (grantc4@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon 28 Apr 2003 - 15:18:45 GMT
Net Scan Finds Like-Minded Users
Technology Research News April 25, 2003
When you search for information on the Web, chances are you aren't
alone—there are like-minded groups of users across the Web searching for the
same sorts of things.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have shown that is possible to
identify these groups by analyzing browsing patterns, even in networks as
far-flung as the Web.
The researchers' method of graphing information across data distribution
systems like the Internet shows that, given a large enough sample, computer
users can be grouped according to their common interests based only on their
requests for data.
The information-request graphing method can be used to design scalable,
adaptive methods for locating and delivering data, and could theoretically
be used by anyone, including e-commerce vendors, to target communities of
interest.
In an analysis of six months worth of scientists' requests for data, the
researchers found that group-based collaboration is visible in the way the
information is requested. The same pattern held in a larger analysis of
general Web requests.
The researchers are working on using the patterns to design more efficient
services for resource-sharing environments like Grid computing. The resource
location mechanisms could be ready for use within two years, according to
the researchers.
Grant
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