Dynamic taxonomies and guided searches

A new search paradigm, in which the primary user activity is the exploration of a complex information space rather than the retrieval of items on the basis of precise specifications, is proposed. We claim that this paradigm is the norm in most practical applications, and that solutions based on traditional search methods are useless in this context. We present a solution based on dynamic taxonomies, a knowledge management model, which effectively guides the user to reach his goal while giving him a total freedom in exploring the information base. Applications, benefits and current research are discussed