iThink Reader

iThink is designed and programmed specially for Apple’s iOS. The application is available on iTunes, at the moment only for the iPad device. Here are some sample screenshots:

Following major functionalities are currently provided by iThink:

1. iThink Reader has possibility of 2 presentation modus: Syntax & Semantic
2. Displaying of the book layout (preferably in EPUB format) and understanding of complex knowledge
3. Additional Web search of different media and implementation of advanced iPad possibilities

In Syntax View iThink displays Text and Images, as well embedded Videos, Interactive Diagrams and 3D-Models (OpenGL ES View). In Semantic View iThink represents Data Visualization of complex information based on content, keywords, foot notes, references, source data and annotation information (added “aspects” by author and/or user). The needed information can be provided by the author himself or by the readers.

Considering the layout there are two basic approaches: importing layout from graphic design program (e.g. Adobe inDesign) “as it is” with prefixed layout or in EPUB format where the layout is “in flow” – WYSIWYG is not easy to achieve. We use EPUB format, since the text in our application is not treated as graphics, but as information which can used in many ways (syntax: dictionary and bookmarks, or semantic: software intelligence of interconnecting the content).

In the semantic view the reader can navigate through logically interconnected entities, which can be additionally filtered by: categories (considered as “point of view” or discipline), aspects (defines the type of node: e.g. person, discussion, reference, image, location, object, video, diagram, etc.) and keywords (meaning more precise explanation for the aspect, e.g. definition, concept, application, project or author’s profession). Categories, aspects and keywords are ontology properties and supportive for semantic navigation through the book and better understanding of complex knowledge.

Besides the provided book, author defines further information explaining the content. If a paragraph has a semantic reference, a small icon appears attached to this particular paragraph. During reading the reader can also make his/hers own bookmarks and notes, but also add personal aspects (own opinion) to the author’s semantic network. Furthermore, this additional annotation can be exported and submitted to the author. User can not change original document, but can expand information network of provided source by adding own understanding of the book.

Within the application useful tools for word definition are embedded, such as off-line dictionary, Wikipedia information and Google search (only with Internet connection). This practical functionality underlines the “all-inclusive” approach of the knowledge retrieval.

iThink Reader has been released on Apple’s iTunes Store.

In this first lite version of the application there is included a sample part from the new upcoming book by ORTLOS entitled “Architecture of the Networks – The Emergence of Networked Design and Thinking”.

LINK

SERVICES PROVIDED BY iTHINK READER

Standard (syntactic) navigation

1. Text is organized by paragraphs and chapters. Within one chapter user scrolls the view up and down by a single gesture. Between chapters, the slider can be used or finger gesture left/right or direct jump from the menu.
2. Text can be seen as page-less, i.e., continuous flow of text and images (using scrolling gestures to get a sense of “where are we in the text”)

Semantic navigation

1. Semantic structure of the text is visualized. It is interactive and allows the reader to change location – see the current “semantic position”. This could be achieved using a new kind of “Table of contents” –as “Network of contents”.
2. In scientific papers, syntactic and semantic structure of the text is often very similar. Still, there are smaller items scattered around the text, e.g., related research, references, small experiments. These are not necessarily all grouped in a single place. iThink could virtually group them through some mechanism of selection (aspects) and visual emphasis. Think in terms of keyword, category, and aspects based selection.

iThink is an intelligent e-reading platform, which not only enables the reading of e-books, but also helps in understanding those.

No matter how complex nonfiction book or scientific text may be, iThink can capture and visualize the author’s and the reader’s way of thinking, making the knowledge contained within the book easer to navigate, adopt, and share. Additional features and Internet services of iThink make each e-book a foundation which authors and readers use to build upon – adding new knowledge in an explorative, dynamic, and multi-perspective way.

The aim of the iThink project is to envision, design and deliver electronic reading environment which differs from “classical” readers in that it helps humans in the process of understanding -not only reading- the book material.

Following major functionalities are currently provided by iThink:

1. iThink Reader has possibility of 2 presentation modus: Syntax & Semantic.
2. Displaying of the book layout (preferably in EPUB format) and understanding of complex knowledge.
3. Additional Web search of different media and implementation of advanced iPad possibilities.