A discussion of the role of user trails in web applications

  • Authors:
  • Erich Gams;Sigi Reich

  • Affiliations:
  • Salzburg Research, SunTREC, Salzburg, Austria;Salzburg Research, SunTREC, Salzburg, Austria

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Web Engineering
  • Year:
  • 2006

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Designing, implementing and maintaining Web application is a challenging task. Moreover, driven by some of the characteristics of Web applications, such as multiculturalism, continuous change, fast pace and competitiveness, there is an increasing need to use mechanisms that automatically adapt Web applications to new environments. Trails, built from information about the users' browsing paths and activities, are an establishment approach to assist users in navigating vast information spaces and finding appropriate information. In this article we investigate how Web applications can profit from the integration of the concept of user trails -- implemented as navigation pattern -- in the Web modelling process. Furthermore, we investigate how trails can be applied to the various catagories of Web applications. The results of our research show that trails are particularly suitable for those Web applications which exhibit a high degree of user interaction.