Adoption of Semantic Web Techniques in Visualizing Web Search Results in 3D Space

Abstract

Searching is one of the most common tasks performed by web users. It is carried out by almost all the internet users irrespective of their age, gender and computer literacy. Much research has been carried out to improve the performance and accuracy of the search results. However presentation of these results was restricted to text output for decades. Window shopper search is an attempt to visualize the search results in a 3D environment. Technological advancements in recent years followed by eagerness of people to experience a 3D web has made search visualization a realizable goal. As a result of applying a well known concept, Window shopping which was familiar to human beings for centuries, web searching in 3D space has enlighten both experienced and inexperienced internet users. When developing a 3D browser application certain challenges had to be fulfilled. Dynamic virtual world generation according to the given criteria, providing a depth perspective to the user input devices and introduction of menus which are suitable for 3D space were handled successfully.Results from the evaluation feedback show a positive response from the user.