annoQ - web annotations

web annotations

Imagine that while you are browsing *any* web page you are able to enhance the content (eg. attach relevant information, classification meta-data, images or hyperlinks to chosen text fragments), supplement contextual navigation possibilities, see the contributions other people, filter and group relevant aspects to you based on logical/ semantic criteria, notify friends about your findings, etc. And all of these without any contribution, agreement or control from the entity publishing the core information.

An annotation is a predefined set of fields (such annotation type, text, tags, references, etc.) which can be on-demand supplemented with user-defined attributes. Structured query and full text search capabilities are provided for both static and dynamic fields. The ranking (supplied by the visitors) determines the annotation relevance in the search context. The server will block access to users submitting potentially harmful data (eg. cross-site-scripting exploits) or attempting batch data updates.

Cross-browser compatibility is intended in a later development phase. Current code base (alpha status) is targeting and tested with Firefox ONLY.

Start using annoQ functionality (write, notify, search or display referred annotations) by simply installing the two bookmarklets and the greasemonkey script described below. The service is currently in experimental phase. Use at your own risk. Please check also the Terms of Service.

bookmarks

annoQ query

An EQL (easy query language) based query tool. A simple input helper provides query assistance and simultaneously basic EQL lessons.

openID sign-on

If you prefer to sign the information you author, or perhaps trace it later. Nevertheless, data published on aspectweb.org is freely accessible to everyone.

2 firefox bookmarklets

annotate

Drag the above link over your bookmarks toolbar. Visit any web document (multiple frames are currently not supported), optionally select a piece of text with your mouse cursor and click the annotate bookmarklet. After filling some of the fields and submitting the form 'you have reached your destination'. Contextual help available.

overlay

Drag the above link over your bookmarks toolbar. Visit any web document (multiple frames are currently not supported) and click the overlay bookmarklet to insert an annotation query form in the page context. You can find what other people commented on that page, see their annotations listed at the bottom of the page filtered based on your specific criteria or in-lined, in the context where they belong. Full detail view allows also ranking input.

1 greasemonkey script

annoQ display

Prior to any action please install the Greasemonkey Firefox add-on. When completed just click on the link above. The annoQ display user script renders contextual annotations (in their original page and position) just by following regular hyperlinks (such as provided by notification emails or query result page).

related projects

soft~link, OpenQ

A soft~link is a weak, annotated and remotely stored hyperlink. Unlike web annotations (predominantly content centered) soft links provide dynamic, evolvable connectivity between information sources.

OpenQ provides uniform, freely accessible contextual contact information (such people, telephone number, email, etc.) for general interest services, topics, resources. Easy integration with regular consumers (such support to vCard, QR-code formats or mobile devices) is aimed.

open source

If annoQ is close but not exactly what you need, if the functionality misses relevant aspects or you simply feel attracted then YOU can make the difference. Please contribute to annoQ project. (Mercurial repository, hg clone http://hg.sharesource.org/annoq-annoqtwo/ annoq)