Unit Highlights

Lecture/Motivating Question:
Is there a single best combination of model, weighting, feedback, query expansion, and query screening to be used? If not, can we pick a very good one for each type of collection we encounter?

Special Class Presentations:
The lectures provide an overview on the chapters and reading and include discussion of the probabilistic model.

Homework Exercise
The MARIAN system makes use of specialized ranking methods (similar to the optimizations discussed in the text) to search essentially the same data as VTLS. It will be a useful comparison to redo the earlier assignment involving VTLS, regarding publications about CD-ROM. Also, it will be of value to work with the WATERS and WAIS systems to gain experience with the underlying WAIS search and feedback software.

Computer Exercise
The WAIS system will be run on fox.cs.vt.edu and highlighted during the 10/18 laboratory session in McB 102.


fox@cs.vt.edu
Thu Oct 27 01:30:52 EDT 1994