Modifications for the Knowledge File System for Personal Information Management on mobile devices.

Abstract

With the ever increase in personal digital information exchange, the nature of personal information and its management has become a daunting task. With the ubiquity of computer devices and personal computers in various forms from laptop to smart phones, the realm of personal information management has caught the attention of the research community. The focus has shifted from making applications more performance centric and robust to becoming more user-centric. In this study, attempts are made to understand the current user patterns in dealing with personal digital information. The literature review spans three areas of study, namely psychology of Personal Information Management (PIM) application users, File systems as a form of PIM application, and Desktop search applications. The essential features of a file system facilitating a user centric PIM application are shortlisted based on extensive literature review. From these features, a questionnaire is developed to capture knowledge about current user practices in the handling of personal information on laptop computers and handheld mobile devices. The questionnaire comprises multiple choice as well as open ended questions. Multiple choice questions test the hypothesis and assumptions about user behavior, while open ended questions try to capture out-of-scope perspectives that might add further insight. Based on the survey responses, a set of recommendations are provided, which serves as a framework for future versions of Knowledge File System on mobile devices. Knowledge File System is a brain-child of Dr. Kuiyu Chang designed to be used on Linux platform. The recommendations made at the end of this study will help in adapting the Knowledge file system (K.F.S) to be ported to mobile and hand held device