Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods that operate to automatically extract metadata from information objects are disclosed. Activities may include displaying a journal comprising a plurality of consolidated items, wherein at least some of the plurality of consolidated items have been created based on detecting a first pre-selected operation associated with an information object, and automatically extracting ontology-based metadata related to the first pre-selected operation and native to the information object. Further activities may include modifying an item model ontology including the ontology-based metadata responsive to at least one of user interactions with the journal or automatic creation of a new list item, wherein the new list item is created automatically based on detecting a second pre-selected operation associated with the information object. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.