Abstract: A dataset ranking procedure for use in a hyperdata search engine is disclosed. A problem with known hyperdata search engines is they rank the datasets in a way that leads to prominence being given in search results to unimportant datasets. The hyperdata search engine disclosed here addresses this problem by giving extra credence to any dataset which includes the original definition of a resource which is referred to in a resource definition in another dataset. In this way, datasets which the authors of other datasets choose to refer to in their own resource definitions are given greater prominence in the results provided by a hyperdata search engine, providing a user with what he requires in order to more quickly find a dataset which provides useful information relating to his search query.

Abstract: A data handling device has access to a store of existing metadata pertaining to existing documents having associated metadata terms. It analyses the metadata to generate statistical data as to the co-occurrence of pairs of terms in the metadata of one and the same document. When a fresh document is received, it is analysed to assign to it a set of terms and determine for each a measure of their strength of association with the document. Then, for each term of the set, a score is generated that is a monotonically increasing function of (a) the strength of association with the document and of (b) the relative frequency of co-occurrence of that term and another term that occurs in the set; metadata for the fresh document are then selected as the subset of the terms in the set having the highest scores.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a network comprising the steps of: analyzing a first datastore comprising data representing historical network performance; creating or more indices within the first datastore; creating one or more probability networks in accordance with one or more of the created indices; determining from the one or more probability networks a conditional probability associated with an alarm event; and' if the conditional probability determined is less than a threshold value, disregarding the associated alarm event; or if the conditional probability determined is greater than a threshold value, using the associated alarm event in conjunction with other historical network data to predict future alarm events.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a network comprising the steps of: analysing a first datastore comprising data representing historical network performance; creating or more indices within the first datastore; creating one or more probability networks in accordance with one or more of the created indices; determining from the one or more probability networks a conditional probability associated with an alarm event; and' if the conditional probability determined is less than a threshold value, disregarding the associated alarm event; or if the conditional probability determined is greater than a threshold value, using the associated alarm event in conjunction with other historical network data to predict future alarm events.

Abstract: In a network of computers, e.g. the internet, each computer records the information sources it accesses, and these records are used to identify computers whose users share common interests, as indicated by the sources they access. A virtual network is created linking computers whose users have been identified as sharing similar interests data on what sources have been accessed by each user are shared with neighbouring computers, a defined by the virtual network. Computers can also pass on information on sources accessed received from one neighbour to other neighbours.

Abstract: A data handling device has access to a store of existing metadata pertaining to existing documents having associated metadata terms. It analyses the metadata to generate statistical data as to the co-occurrence of pairs of terms in the metadata of one and the same document. When a fresh document is received, it is analysed to assign to it a set of terms and determine for each a measure of their strength of association with the document. Then, for each term of the set, a score is generated that is a monotonically increasing function of (a) the strength of association with the document and of (b) the relative frequency of co-occurrence of that term and another term that occurs in the set; metadata for the fresh document are then selected as the subset of the terms in the set having the highest scores.

Abstract: In a network of computers, e.g. the internet, each computer records the information sources it accesses, and these records are used to identify computers whose users share common interests, as indicated by the sources they access. A virtual network is created linking computers whose users have been identified as sharing similar interests data on what sources have been accessed by each user are shared with neighbouring computers, a defined by the virtual network. Computers can also pass on information on sources accessed received from one neighbour to other neighbours.

Abstract: According to the present invention, apparatus and methods are provided to enable a user to locate and retrieve sets of information relevant to search criteria specified in a search query submitted by the user. Search results include not only a list of information sets matching with the search criteria, but also the preserved structure of any tags used in annotating the information set according to a structured mark-up language such as XML. A user may select a tag from a presented list of the returned tag structures, and the apparatus lists those documents containing the selected tags. The list of tags is then adjusted to include the selected tag and any other of the returned tags contained in the listed documents. Further tag selection from the adjusted list leads to a further refinement of the listed documents, enabling the user to navigate the search results on the basis of tag information.

Abstract: According to the present invention, apparatus and methods are provided to enable a user to locate and retrieve sets of information relevant to search criteria specified in a search query submitted by the user. Search results include not only a list of information sets matching with the search criteria, but also the preserved structure of any tags used in annotating the information set according to a structured mark-up language such as XML. A user may select a tag from a presented list of the returned tag structures, and the apparatus lists those documents containing the selected tags. The list of tags is then adjusted to include the selected tag and any other of the returned tags contained in the listed documents. Further tag selection from the adjusted list leads to a further refinement of the listed documents, enabling the user to navigate the search results on the basis of tag information.