using properties for uniform interaction in the presto document system
Most document or information management systems rely on hierarchies to organise documents (e.g. files, email messages or web bookmarks). However, the rigid structures of hierarchical schemes do not mesh well with the more fluid nature of everyday document practices. This paper describes Presto, a prototype system that allows users to organise their documents entirely in terms of the properties those documents hold for users. Properties provide a uniform mechanism for managing, coding, searching, retrieving and interacting with documents. We concentrate in particular on the challenges that property-based approaches present and the architecture we have developed to tackle them.
interaction documentation systems information management management hierarchic hierarchies email message web bookmark scheme mesh practical paper prototype users code challenge architecture document properties document interfaces document management interaction models