“When working in the field of community-built databases (CBD), we are dealing with several kinds of data which can be divided according to their nature into the following categories (see Fig. 3.1 ):
1) Database-specific data (e.g., movie information in movie databases); 2) User-specific data (information about user accounts); 3) Mixed data combining users with database-specific data (user/movie rating, user discussion, etc.)
From this point of view, one may consider CBD as direct products of social network formed around this database. Technically speaking, the database should be considered in a broader sense, such as a set of Web pages containing knowledge or information, not only as the technological base for saving data. It is natural to employ techniques of social network analysis (also referred to as SNA) in the field of CBD. SNA has proven to be useful in understanding complex relations among subjects with hidden implications. Uncovering these relations and implications can give us further insight into information contained in the database, the quantity and quality”
(from Pardede, “Community-Build Databases”, Springer)
http://www.amazon.com/Community-Built-Databases-Development-Eric-Pardede/dp/3…
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