The DBin platform: toward a personal tool to experience the Semantic Web

DBin is a novel kind of personal application which enables users to experience the Semantic Web by participating in P2P “discussion groups” and exchanging metadata and annotations about common topics of interest. The p2p transport layer is provided by the RDFGrowth algorithm which has characteristics of scalability and sustainability even in large real world communities. DBin is fully based on the syntax, semantics and philosophy of the W3C Semantic Web initiative and accommodates both a novel, domain scriptable user interface and a number of experimental modules to deal with specific kinds of metadata and information sources (audio metadata extraction, textual analysis, desktop integration). DBin includes an RDF subgraph digital signature facility enabling personalized trust policies to provide filtering out unwanted information. Maximum extendibility is guaranteed by the use of the Eclipse Rich Client platform and by the Open Source model.