JP2005115471A - Method and system for evaluating online community - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for evaluating an on-line community capable of evaluating interactive activity of the online community formed with a plurality of user terminals via a network, and capable of obtaining information linked directly to an operation and management of the community. <P>SOLUTION: An interactive ratio (χ=R/W) is found based on a contributed information amount W written in and contributed to the community and a browsed information amount R, and the activity of the community is evaluated based on the interactive ratio. The detailed activity is evaluated quantitatively by introducing an evaluation function using the interactive ratio χ. The activity of the community is displayed graphically to facilitate the operation and management of the community. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an evaluation method, an evaluation system, and an electronic computer program for evaluating the interactive activity of a community in a community formed on a Web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network. It is.

  In recent years, technological progress in computer network environments has facilitated the handling of electronic data, and the field of knowledge sharing and management as a collaborative work environment has developed.

  The online community, which features interactive communication, has various names: For example, a network community, a network community, a cyber community, a virtual community, an electronic community, a web community, a corporate community, an online community, an e-community, and the like. In the present invention, hereinafter, simply referred to as a community or an online community.

  Such an online community is in an interactive environment in which browsing is repeatedly performed simultaneously with writing on the community site. FIG. 1 schematically shows the situation. The change in the amount of information posted over time is shown as a posting curve, the change in the amount of information browsed over time is shown as a browsing curve, and the change over time of the deleted information amount is shown. It is shown as a deletion curve. If the community site is properly operated, written data, outdated information, and inappropriate articles and files that do not meet the purpose of the community may be deleted or deleted by the site operator or poster. On the other hand, writing, posting of articles, uploading of attached files, etc. are performed, and information is shared within the community. Typically, functions such as an electronic bulletin board, chat, and a shared folder are used.

  However, there are many users called Lurker who simply browse and do not write to or post to the site. It was a big challenge how such users could write and post, make the community participatory, and manage the community in an active situation. Larker uses only half of its interactive communication environment. It is a subject that should be encouraged to speak or post.

  Traditionally, there has been no clear evaluation function for the management of these communities. Conventionally, an access counter is embedded in a home page and the number of accesses to the site is checked. However, simply checking the number of accesses simply knows the increase or decrease in the number of visitors. It was necessary to examine the access status of individual users, the writing status of articles, and the browsing participation status of users. The number of users who actually contributed, the amount of posted information, the number of users who accessed and browsed and extracted information, the amount of browsed information, etc. are the criteria for determining whether the community is active.

  Conventional online community management is done by individual application system of the web server that provides the service, and in the application environment provided by the web server, it is also possible to actually observe the situation of writing and posting Has been done. In conventional product cases and service cases, log files are analyzed and bar graphs such as daily, weekly, monthly, etc. for the number of accesses, page views (visits), etc. are displayed on the web server. Some were displayed on the administrator's terminal display screen.

  Web server log files have been referenced as before, but there was no basic point of view or index for assessing the activity of the community, and it was ambiguous. Various discussions related to management among the parties involved have been congested, and the world has many problems. Even if the log file is analyzed and the number of accesses is displayed as a bar graph such as daily, weekly, monthly, etc., these do not directly recall the management policy of the community, It was just a reference.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and evaluates the interactive activity of an online community formed through a plurality of user terminals and a network, and makes it information directly linked to community management. The first purpose is to provide an online community evaluation method. A second object of the present invention is to provide an activity evaluation system that is directly used for implementing this community evaluation method. A third object is to provide a program for causing a computer to execute the community evaluation method.

  According to the present invention, the first object is to write information to a community and post information W posted in an online community formed on a Web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network. And an interactive ratio (χ = R / W), which is a ratio of the browsing information amount R browsed by the community, and an online community evaluation method for evaluating the activity of the community based on the interactive ratio.

A second object of the present invention is an activity evaluation system that evaluates the activity of an online community formed on a Web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network:
Posted information amount monitoring means for obtaining the posted information amount W written to the community and posted from the log file of the Web server;
Browsing information amount monitoring means for obtaining browsing information amount R browsed from the community from the log file of the Web server;
The interactive ratio (χ = R / W) is obtained from the ratio between the posted information amount W obtained by the posted information amount monitoring means and the browse information amount R obtained by the browse information amount monitoring means, and the activity of the community is obtained from the interactive ratio. Community activity determination means for evaluating the degree;
An online community activity assessment system characterized by comprising:

The third object of the present invention is achieved by a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A third object of the present invention is a community evaluation program for evaluating the activity of an online community formed on a web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network. :
From the log file of the Web server, the writing to the community, the posting information amount W posted, and the browsing information amount R browsed by the community are obtained;
Find the interactive ratio (χ = R / W) that is the ratio;
Assess community activity from this interactive ratio;
Achieved by a program, to make things happen.

  If the amount of posted information and the amount of browsing information are each within a predetermined period, the degree of community activity within the predetermined period can be evaluated.

Further, when the interactive ratio (χ) is a predetermined value c ₀ (for example, 1) or less, it is determined that the community activity is low (zone 1), and when the interactive ratio (χ) is the predetermined value c or more, browsing is performed. When it is determined that the number of users writing and posting is small (zone 3) and the interactive ratio (χ) is in the range of the predetermined values c _{0 to} c, the community activity is high (zone 2). It can be determined that

Furthermore, it is preferable that the following evaluation function y is set using the interactive ratio χ as a function for evaluating the activity of the community.
y = log (χ) / χ ² ………………………………………… (1 set)
χ = Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)} / [Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)}]] (Equation 2)
R (t1): Total amount of information viewed by the end of the evaluation period (t1) (bytes)
R (t0): Total amount of information viewed by the start of the evaluation period (t0) (bytes)
W (t1): Total amount of information posted up to the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
W (t0): Total amount of information posted up to the start of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t1): Total amount of information deleted by the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t0): Total information deleted (bytes) by the start of the evaluation period,
With this evaluation function, it is possible to evaluate the community activity during the evaluation target period (t0 to t1).

  In the two formulas, R is the total amount (unit: Bite) of the amount viewed by the user who is a member, and W is the total amount (unit: Bite) of the posted, remarked, uploaded files, etc. by the member user. E is the total amount (unit: Bite) of files and comments and posted articles deleted by the site administrator or the posters themselves. Each of these can obtain a specific value by specifying the record to be evaluated.

  Here, as the amount of posted contribution information to the community, the difference between the total post amount W in the target period and the total post deletion amount W deleted is used as the amount of information (content) effectively existing in the target period. As the denominator. The total posting amount in the present invention is a concept including the case where the effective information amount within such a target period is indicated.

The evaluation function (activity) y = log (χ) / χ ² is devised by the present inventor based on FIG. 1 and is a mathematical model shown in FIG. The value of the interactive ratio χ = R / W is smaller than 1 means that the amount of browsing (R) is small compared to the amount of information of writing and posting (W), that is, the number of readers is small, and the community is activated. It is a situation that cannot be said to be. The site administrator is an area where efforts are made to encourage users who are constituent members to browse in order to activate the community (zone 1). On the other hand, when the interactive ratio χ is a large value exceeding the predetermined value c, this indicates a situation where there are a large number of readers and larkers and there are few writings and postings (zone 3). The community is biased towards browsing, and communication between users is not planned. The activated state is a situation in which the intermediate ratio (1 <χ <c) is in between. This intermediate region (zone 2) can be evaluated as an interactive active state.

  The value of χ should be managed in an appropriate area. In push-type communications such as radio broadcasting, general newspapers, and magazines, audience rating and number of copies are evaluated as social influence, but interactive In community management characterized by communication, it is push-pull communication, and the value of this interactive ratio χ is important. And, when leaning to the push type (in the case of zone 3), it is important to make efforts and policy development on the management side to activate the posting. Therefore, the activity y is considered to be inversely proportional to the square of χ. In practical experience, whether or not the viewing amount exceeds 10 times the posting amount, that is, the boundary between zone 2 and zone 3 is set as the control limit (when c = 10 when χ = c), This is an experience value and can be changed according to the situation.

  Although the evaluation function y has a structure having a maximum value, the value of χ at the maximum value where the first derivative of the function y is 0 is χ = 3.16227, which is in good agreement with an empirical sense. It is practical enough. When the interactive ratio χ is in the range of the zone 2, it can be determined whether or not the interactive activity is more preferable in the zone 2 based on the magnitude of the evaluation function y.

  It can be displayed as a graphical image on the terminal display screen of the user or the Web server administrator whether the interactive ratio χ of the community and the activity y are in the zones 1, 2 and 3. As a result, the administrator can immediately determine whether there is a lot of writing in the community, whether there are many readers, or a state where active and interactive communication is established, by looking at the graphic display result.

  Further, an increase / decrease tendency of the activity y in each zone 1, 2, and 3 within the evaluation target period is obtained from the value obtained by time differentiation of the evaluation function y, and this is displayed together with the zone display of the activity for user or Web server management. Can also be displayed on the terminal display screen. As a result, it is possible to know changes in the activity level of the community and see the degree of community growth.

  It is preferable to visually provide information directly related to community management by such intuitive and explicit expression means. By defining an evaluation function for macroevaluating the state of such a community, it is possible to provide an expression format that can be quantitatively grasped based on the numerical value and automatically provide information by a graph function.

  In the activity evaluation system according to claim 7, the posted information amount monitoring means writes the posted information amount W (including the case where the deleted posted information amount is subtracted) written from the log file of the Web server, and browse information The amount monitoring means obtains the browsing information amount R browsed from the log file of the Web server. The community activity level determination means obtains an interactive ratio (χ = R / W) from the ratio between the obtained posted information amount W and the browsing information amount R, and evaluates the community activity level from the interactive ratio. At this time, if the evaluation function y of Formula 1 is used, the activity can be evaluated in more detail.

  The posted information amount monitoring unit, the browsing information amount monitoring unit, and the community activity level determining unit may all be provided on the Web server, but these may be provided on an external server different from the Web server. In this case, the external server is a portal site that provides the community evaluation service to the Web server. Moreover, you may provide only an community activity determination means in an external server.

  Note that the online community to be evaluated by the method and system of the present invention is not limited to what is on the Internet, but includes communities formed on an intranet or an extranet.

  Charge management means is further provided in the activity evaluation system, the information amount of the graphical image displayed on the terminal display screen of the user or the Web server administrator is monitored, and the Web server administrator according to this information amount (provided amount) You may make it manage the charge amount charged to. In this case, it is preferable to provide the community activity determination unit and the charge management unit on a server different from the Web server.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the entire network system incorporating the online community evaluation system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the evaluation system main body.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a network such as the Internet or an intranet, and reference numeral 12 denotes a Web server that provides an online community place to users 14 and 16 connected via the network. The Web server 12 is implemented with an existing Web server function, and has server functions 18 such as a Web application, an electronic bulletin board, and a mailing list. Records of writing and communication from the users 14 and 16 to the Web server 12, recordings accessed, information written and posted, and uploaded file information are stored in the Web server content database 20 as log files. These log files include an HTTP server log file 22 and a backup file 24 thereof. That is, the content database stores the difference file of the HTTP server log file 22 as the backup file 24 every predetermined period.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes an external server that implements the evaluation system of the present invention. The external server 30 may be a management server that manages a Web server and manages a community, or may be an external server (portal site) that performs only an evaluation system service.

  The external server 30 receives the HTTP server log file 22 and the backup file 24 transferred from the Web server 12, and receives the information amount W browsed by the community, the posted information amount R, and the deleted information amount E within a predetermined period. From these, the interactive ratio χ = R / (WE) is calculated, and it is determined whether the community is in zone 1, 2, or 3 in FIG. Further, the activity is obtained from the evaluation function of Equation 1. From the obtained result, an indicator image 32 for displaying which of the zones 1 to 3 is displayed is created, and this display data 34 is sent to the Web server 12. The Web server 12 displays the indicator image 32 drawn with the image display data 34 using the screen display function 36. The displayed indicator image 32 can be confirmed by the Web server administrator.

  As shown in FIG. 42, the activity evaluation system implemented in the external server (management server) 30 includes posted information amount monitoring means 38, browsing information amount monitoring means 40, and community activity level determining means 42.

  The browsing information amount monitoring unit 40 uses the log file 22 and the backup file 24 transferred from the Web server 12 to browse the browsing information amount R browsed from the community (specifically, the content database 20) within the evaluation target period. Is obtained (step 401). The posted information amount monitoring means 38 calculates the posted information amount W written to and posted to the community within the evaluation target period (step 402), and further determines the information amount E deleted from the community during the evaluation target period (step 402). 403).

  The community activity level determination means 42 obtains the interactive ratio χ = R / (WE) from the obtained information (step 404), and uses the obtained interactive ratio χ to calculate the activity y from the evaluation function of Expression 1. Is obtained (step 405). It is determined from the interactive ratio χ whether the community is in the zones 1, 2, 3 in FIG. 2, and the degree of activity in each zone 2 is determined from the obtained activity y (step 406). The obtained result is drawn as an indicator display image (step 408).

  The embodiment is characterized in that it is a system that automatically displays this according to the program based on the log file data 22 and the backup file 24 provided to the Web server. Of course, the display result may be disclosed to members who are users. Members can see it and make decisions and act voluntarily.

  In FIG. 42, reference numeral 43 denotes a charge management means for monitoring the amount of information on the indicator display screen provided to the user or the Web server administrator and determining the amount corresponding to this amount of information.

  FIG. 4 shows a system configuration that is the center of the present invention, and corresponds to the dotted line frame portion 30 of FIG. In particular, the entire system configuration for calculating the χ value is shown focusing on the display function. Positioning and configuration of an administrator indicator control screen 64 that is a graphical user interface that allows the community administrator to easily set parameters for management and a graphical data file 62 for displaying calculation results visually. Show. Of course, the display result may be disclosed to members who are users. Members can see it and make decisions and act voluntarily.

  The outline of FIG. 4 will be described first. In this figure, the content record extraction program 44 reads (or creates) the session management table (FIG. 5), the file center table (FIG. 6), and the file management table (FIG. 7) from the backup file 24 and the log file 22. From these, a posted content information management table (FIG. 11) and a post attachment file management table (FIG. 12) showing data (time stamp, body size, file size, etc.) of information newly posted and deleted within the evaluation target period. Created and stored in the content information management database 46. The data stored in the content information management database 46 means the amount of content (information) that is currently valid.

  The content browsing result extraction program 48 refers to the content ID management table (FIG. 16) stored in the content ID management database 50 from the file data item (FIG. 8) of the log file 22 and browsed information (content). 17 (data stamp, data size, etc.) is acquired, the content browsing result table of FIG. 17 is created, and this is stored in the content browsing result database 52.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes an administrator data update frequency change screen displayed on the administrator's terminal. As shown in FIG. 18, the evaluation start date and the data update frequency are set. According to the data update frequency set here, the backup file creation frequency and the update frequency of data stored in the content information management database 46 and the content browsing record database 52 are determined.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes a database reading program. As shown in detail in FIG. 20, a posted content information management table (FIG. 11) stored in the content information management database 46 and a content browsing record stored in the content browsing record database 52. The table (FIG. 17) is read, and the interactive ratio χ and the activity y of the community and the time differential value of y are calculated by the process of FIG. The obtained data is collected in the activity evaluation result storage table (FIG. 24) and stored in the activity evaluation storage database 58. Note that the setting of the evaluation period, the type of stored data (sites represented by service names, category names), and the display method of the activity evaluation result storage table are for the administrator displayed on the administrator's terminal. This is performed on the indicator control screen 64 (see FIG. 19 for details).

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a community activity calculation graphic conversion display program. As shown in detail in FIG. 25, an activity evaluation numerical graphic data conversion program 60a (see FIG. 26 for details) and a graphic data generation engine 60b. Is provided. The data conversion program 60a obtains the community activity from the activity evaluation result storage table (FIG. 24) stored in the activity evaluation storage database 58, and draws an image with the indicator shape specified on the manager indicator control screen 64. Image data (graphical physical coordinate data) is calculated. The calculation result is transferred to the graphic data generation engine 60b, and the indicator image 32 is generated. That is, the image output 62 is performed using icons, bar graphs, graph chart data, and other data.

  The posting information amount monitoring means 38 in FIG. 42 corresponds to an execution means for executing the content result extracting program 44 in FIG. 4, and the browsing information amount monitoring means 40 corresponds to an executing means for executing the content browsing result extracting program 48. . The community activity determination means 42 corresponds to the execution means of the database read program 56 of FIG. These are only separated programmatically, and may be executed by the same computer (CPU) as execution means.

  Specific data of the log file 22 (and its backup file 24) is "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions" (protocol extension for handling character codes and data other than alphanumeric characters by e-mail, as shown in FIGS. The technical information document RFC (Request For Comments) document number 1521/1522 managed by the IETF (The Internet Engineering Task Force). The contents can be referenced from http://www.ietf.org and the details of the standards can be found on the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) homepage http://www.w3.org.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the data used in the present invention is marked with a symbol “◯”. Related data is also listed for reference.

  FIG. 5 shows a session management table, FIG. 6 shows a file center table, and FIG. 7 shows a file management table, both of which are read (or created) from the backup file 24. FIG. 8 shows data items recorded in the HTTP server log file 22. FIG. 9 is a list of HTTP main status codes.

  The session ID in FIG. 5 is an identifier that identifies an action of a user who is a member of an electronic conference room or an electronic bulletin board related to a specific theme held in the community. These are specified and specified in relation to a URI (Universal Resource Identifier) and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). When the URL is specified, the entire site is evaluated. As shown in FIG. 8, the HTTP server log file data items 4, 5 and 8 are associated with each other. As shown in FIG. 19, these are linked in the background, and the manager is devised so that they can be managed in natural language. That is, it corresponds to “service name” in FIG. It can be selected by pull-down function. The session holder ID of item number 2 is a community participant identified by the e-mail address, that is, a community member or administrator.

  The item numbers 1 and file center IDs in the file center table in FIG. 6 are shared folder areas set in the community, and there may be a plurality of settings. This function is a function of a library that is commonly used in the community. Item numbers 3 and 7 in the file center table in FIG. 6 correspond to item numbers 2 and 3 in the session management table in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of the posted content extraction program for obtaining the posted information amount (W). Here, from the data shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, data necessary for calculating the χ value is extracted, and the actual value posted by the participating member (posted content information management table shown in FIG. 11) is used. Ask.

  First, it is checked whether there is a new session (access) from the session ID in the communication record on the backup file 24, and the previously processed destination ID is skipped (step 1001). When there is a new session, the session temporary table of the session is read (step 1002), the registrant ID (item number 3 in FIG. 6) corresponding to item numbers 2 and 3 in FIG. A file center table (FIG. 6) having the item number 7) in FIG. 6 is found, and the file ID (item number 4 in FIG. 6) is obtained from the corresponding file center table (step 1003). Next, the file management table (FIG. 7) having the file ID is read, and the file information is recorded in the posted content information management table of FIG. 11 (step 1004). The posted content information management table of FIG. 11 is a summary of data and size (bytes) of written and posted information (posted content), and item numbers 7, 8, and 9 represent the post (content) amount. When there is an attached file in the posted content, the file size is recorded in the posted attached file management table of FIG.

  Thereafter, this operation is continued until there is no unprocessed session ID, and when there is no unprocessed session, the end ID is stored and the process ends (step 1005).

  Next, the operation for obtaining the amount of posted information (content) viewed will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the content browsing result extraction program, and FIG. 14 is a flow of the program. The file ID is specified by a URI (Universal Resource Identifier) and specified. As shown in FIG. 8, the HTTP server log file data items are associated with item numbers 4, 5, and 8. These are linked in the background, and the manager is devised to manage in natural language as shown in FIG. That is, it corresponds to “service name”. It can be selected by pull-down function. The extraction result is recorded as the content browsing record table in FIG. 17 and stored in the content browsing record database 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the content browsing record extracting program 48 first reads data (log file in FIG. 8) having a time stamp of the corresponding evaluation period from the HTTP server log file 22 (step 1401). An HTTP request (item number 5 in FIG. 8) is read from the read data, and the request success status is checked with item numbers 200 to 300 in FIG. A log indicating that the request has succeeded is extracted, and a content name included in the request content of the HTTP request is acquired (step 1402). Next, the content ID corresponding to the content name is acquired from the content ID management table (FIG. 16) stored in the content ID management database 50 via the unique content ID management program 66 (step 1403). The time stamp (FIG. 8, item number 4) and data size (FIG. 8, item number 7) are acquired from the HTTP server log file of the content, and the content ID (FIG. 1) acquired from the content ID management table is used as the content. This is recorded in the browsing result table (FIG. 17) and stored in the content browsing result database 52 (step 1404). The unique content ID management program 66 in FIG. 13 is for assigning one ID for each content, and is for preventing content IDs from being duplicated in the same content name by the flow in FIG. is there.

  As described above, a table in which the information amount (size) of the posted content (information) and the information amount of the browse content (information) is recorded for each posting or browsing session (access) is created.

  Next, an operation of obtaining the amount of posted content (information) and the amount of browse content (information) within the evaluation period and evaluating the activity of the community from these amounts will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The database read program 56 has a disk usage amount cumulative program 68 within the evaluation period shown in FIG. 20, a browsing result cumulative program 70 within the evaluation period, and a calculation program 72 executed based on the results of both programs.

  The accumulated disk usage program 68 within the evaluation period inquires of the posted content information management table (FIG. 11) whether there is a content ID having a time stamp included in the evaluation period set on the manager indicator control screen 64 (step 11). 2101). If there is the content, the body size is extracted (step 2102). Further, the post attachment file table (FIG. 12) is inquired about the presence or absence of the attachment file (step 2103), and if there is an attachment file, the size of the post attachment file is obtained from the post attachment file table, and the post obtained first. Add to the body size (step 2104). This is performed until there is no content ID having a time stamp included in the evaluation period, and the information amount (size) of all contents posted in the evaluation period is totaled.

  On the other hand, the browsing result accumulating program 70 within the evaluation period inquires the content management table (FIG. 16) stored in the content browsing result database 52 for the content name included in the HTTP request (FIG. 17, item number 2). (Step 2201). The browsing result table (FIG. 17) is inquired whether there is a content ID to be evaluated and a time stamp within the evaluation period (step 2202). If there is the record, the data size of the record (FIG. 17, item) Add No. 5). By repeating this, the amount of information (size) browsed within the evaluation period is totaled.

Posting information amount during the evaluation period (t0 to t1) Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)} and browsing information amount Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)}, the arithmetic program 72 calculates the interactive ratio χ
χ = Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)} / [Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)}]
The two formulas for obtaining are calculated. Further, the activity y = log (χ) / χ ² is obtained from one equation. Further, the derivative of the activity y is obtained by time differentiation. FIG. 23 shows an example of a program (part) that performs this calculation. The obtained values are recorded in the activity evaluation result storage table of FIG. 24 and stored in the activity evaluation storage database 58. The lower part of FIG. 24 is a record example.

  Using the interactive ratio χ and the activity y thus obtained, the image is drawn in the indicator shape designated on the indicator control screen 64 for manager by the activity evaluation numerical figure data conversion program 60a of FIG. 25 as described above. Image data (graphic physical coordinate data) is calculated. The calculation result is transferred to the graphic data generation engine 60b to generate an indicator image 32, which is fed back to the administrator indicator control screen. FIG. 26 is an activity evaluation numerical figure conversion program flow for drawing. As described above, the algorithm defined in the two formulas is programmable and can be implemented.

  FIG. 27 is a display example of the activity indicator 32 created as described above. c1, c2, and c3 correspond to zones 1, 2, and 3 shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and are displayed using different colors such as red, green, and yellow, respectively. Reference numeral 74 denotes a marker needle that indicates the calculation result of the current value of χ. 76 and 78 indicate the start date and end date of the evaluation period.

  FIG. 28 is a modification of FIG. 27, and is a display example in which the position of the marker needle 74 is more easily understood. FIG. 29 is a display example designed in the image of familiar instruments such as speedometers and voltmeters. FIG. 30 is a modified example of FIG. 29 in which the marker needle 74 is made easier to understand. FIG. 31 shows a display example designed with the image of a thermometer.

  FIG. 32 shows an indicator display example in which the trend of fluctuation of the interactive ratio χ is displayed in combination with the arrows 80, 82, and 84 in addition to the color display corresponding to the zone. In the evaluation target period indicated by the start date 76 and the end date 78, the change in the data update frequency is evaluated by evaluating the differential coefficient of the evaluation function y (formula 2) to clearly show the change in the value of χ. It is an example. These correspond to item 13 shown in FIG. In practice, an error of ± 10% is sufficient.

  FIG. 33 is a modification of FIG. In the display examples of FIGS. 32 and 33, the display is provided in a form indicating the variation tendency of the χ value, so that it can be used as a material for determining whether the activity of the community is improved or deteriorated.

  FIG. 34 shows a display example when evaluation is performed with the data update frequency set to 2 weeks and the evaluation target period set to 16 weeks. Reference numeral 86 denotes a calendar day. In this case, June 1 is the starting point of the evaluation target.

  In FIG. 35, the evaluation unit start time is set by setting the data evaluation unit to the daily unit, week, season, two weeks, month, three months, half year, year, etc. specified in the evaluation unit setting window 100 shown in FIG. This is an example. In this case, the period up to the present is set and displayed dynamically, so the evaluation period becomes longer. When a large amount of data is displayed, it is preferable that the display frame 88 is automatically enlarged and expanded and displayed vertically.

  FIG. 36 is a display example of an activity indicator designed in a normal calendar format. In this way, it can be displayed in units of months, which is an effective method when it is intended to evaluate the fluctuation of the activity level of the community in the month. FIG. 37 shows a display example in which the movement of each month is displayed with the data update frequency as a monthly unit. It is effective when trying to evaluate seasonal fluctuations.

  FIG. 38 is a display example of an activity indicator in which the evaluation unit of data is a plurality of communities divided for each theme title, and the activities of each community are overlooked and compared with each other. Here, a state is shown in which seven of the communities established in the “Exchange Plaza” managed by one Web server are displayed. It is possible to display a semi-quantitative list of whether the activity level of each community with each title is in Zone 1 (c1), Zone 2 (c2), or Zone 3 (c3). In the display examples of the indicators in FIGS. 34 to 37, the display example is mainly conscious of the time axis, whereas in this embodiment, there is a consciousness in the spatial understanding inside the online community. Note that it is also possible to display a list in such a format for specific communities managed by a plurality of different Web servers.

  As described above, in the present invention, an evaluation function that evaluates the activity state of a community for the purpose of interactive communication is defined macroscopically, based on numerical values obtained by calculation, is grasped quantitatively, and is automatically obtained by a graph function. An expression format and its service and system that can provide information in an automated manner are provided. The community's managers can look at the results and know what is important in the management action right now, judge quick responses and trends, and specifically consider management measures You can get the reason you can.

  In this embodiment, the components of the evaluation system of the present invention are placed on the external server 30 different from the Web server 12 to be evaluated, but may be mounted in the Web server 12. In this case, the configuration system of the present invention is directly installed as a program on the Web server that manages the community.

  FIG. 39 shows a form in which a Web service portal is formed and the display result is serviced using the present invention as it is as a system. This is an embodiment showing a new business service form. The Web client service organizer 90 who wants to receive the service for displaying the activity indicator sends the log file and the backup file data in a predetermined format from the Web server 12A to the activity indicator service portal site system 92. If provided, the portal site 92 performs the program processing of the present invention using the log file and the backup file stored in the data management database 94, and displays the display data created from the calculation result for the client (FIGS. 27 to 37). Are provided in the display format desired by the client 90.

  The display format of the indicator 32 can be selected while viewing the display sample 32 on the manager indicator control screen 64 of FIG. 19 provided to the client 90. The client 90 can also set other parameters as necessary from the administrator indicator control screen in the remote environment. The Web client service organizer 90 of the Web server 12 </ b> A can receive the display result service by paying the portal site 92. Thereby, the degree of activity of the community can be known and used as a guideline for site management.

  In the Web service portal of FIG. 39, the Web service client organizer 90 or the Web server administrator is charged according to the information amount of the graphical image (indicator screen) provided to the Web server administrator or the user. Good. In this case, the charge management means 43 (see FIG. 42) for monitoring the information amount of the graphical image displayed on the terminal display screen of the user or the Web server administrator and managing the charge amount according to the information amount. It will be provided in the portal site 92.

  FIG. 40 shows an example of a portal site service setting screen. The administrator of the Web server using the service can arbitrarily set the system of the present invention from a remote environment using this setting screen.

  FIG. 41 shows a service form in which the evaluation system of the present invention is provided as application software as a package product 200 and can be installed on the Web server 12C of an individual community site. The DB interface 202 is a skeleton for table definition required by the system of the present invention. The web interface 204 is a skeleton such as HTML required by the system of the present invention. Therefore, if this user uses this application, it will be possible to customize it.

  As described above, the present invention obtains an interactive ratio (χ = R / W) that is a ratio between the amount of information posted to an online community W and the amount of browsing information R browsed by the community. From the interactive ratio, community activity can be evaluated and information directly related to community management can be obtained.

Further, when the activity is expressed using the evaluation function y, it is possible to determine whether the community on the network is actively growing according to the purpose. Furthermore, by providing a graphical display based on the evaluation function, the state of the community can be intuitively evaluated and determined, and a judgment material regarding the management promotion of community management can be obtained. In addition, there are the following effects which were not present in the past.
(1) With regard to the Web community, it is possible to immediately determine whether there is a lot of writing, whether there are many readers, or a state where active and interactive communication is established, by looking at the graphic display result.
(2) The fact that this display result is more useful to managers is different from the conventional management idea that has discussed the variety of readers and participants, and it gives us information to determine how to promote the community. There is in point.
(3) A specific object of interest (management object) can be narrowed down, and a basis for considering a management policy to be dealt with can be provided for each of a specific bulletin board and an electronic conference room. The specific object of interest may be the entire site, a specific area of the service, or a specific person, but each can be specified from the standpoint of the administrator, and can be analyzed and evaluated.
(4) By setting a specific evaluation period, it is possible to see the degree of community growth. Furthermore, it is easy to know changes in the activity of the community, and a means for analytically knowing the state of the community is provided.
(5) By setting the embodiment as shown in FIG. 39, it is possible to provide useful services for the management of the community to the operators of all the communities. This service is especially powerful when the community owner and manager are different. That is, it provides an objective basis for the performance evaluation of the manager entrusted by the owner.
(6) The embodiment of FIGS. 39 to 41 creates a new added value and forms a new market.
(7) In particular, there are many cases of failure in the knowledge management system, and the service according to the present invention qualitatively changes from exploratory management to services based on objectively-founded data. It has the effect of improving, and its economic and industrial spillover is significant.
(8) Although the mathematical model of the present invention has a structure having a maximum value, the value of χ at the maximum value where the first-order differential coefficient of the function y is 0 is χ = 3.16227. We are good enough and practical.
(9) Of course, the display result may be disclosed to members who are users. Members can see it and be able to act on their own initiative, enabling autonomous management at a higher and mature level of the community.
(10) When the method of the present invention for displaying the degree of activity in a graphic form is disclosed on the top page of the community, it has the effect of functioning as a judgment material that encourages new visitors to participate. This is because the display result provided by the system of the present invention indicates a result obtained from objective data of the community. As the present invention becomes more widespread, reliability will increase.

A diagram representing the community growth curve The figure which expressed the activity of the community with the evaluation function used in the present invention Overall configuration diagram of a community to which the system of the present invention is applied (Example 1) Functional overview of the system of the present invention Figure showing the session management table Figure showing file center table Figure showing the file management table Figure showing HTTP server log file data items Figure showing a list of HTTP main status codes Post content extraction program flow diagram The figure which shows the contribution content information management table Figure showing post attachment management table Functional block diagram of content browsing results extraction program Flow chart of content browsing results extraction program Flow chart of unique content ID management program Diagram showing content ID management table The figure which shows the contents inspection result table Figure showing the administrator data update frequency change screen Figure showing the administrator indicator control screen Functional block diagram of database reading program Flow chart of cumulative disk usage program during the evaluation period Flow chart of cumulative browsing results during the evaluation period The figure which shows the program which calculates | requires the arithmetic processing based on 2 type | formula, and the differentiation of 1 type | formula The figure which shows an activity evaluation result storage table Functional block diagram showing the system configuration of the activity evaluation numerical figure conversion display program Flow chart of activity evaluation numerical figure conversion program The figure which shows the example of 1 display of the activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator The figure which shows the other example of a display of an activity indicator A diagram showing an activity indicator service by a portal site (Example 2) Figure showing the portal site service setting screen A diagram showing an activity indicator service by software package (Example 3) The conceptual diagram which shows the basic composition of the evaluation system of this invention

Explanation of symbols

12 Web server 22 HTTP server log file 24 Backup file 32 Display indicator 38 Posted information amount monitoring means 40 Browsing information amount monitoring means 42 Community activity level judging means 64 Graphical user interface (indicator control screen)

Claims (25)

  In an online community formed on a Web server that is connectable to a plurality of user terminals via a network, the amount of posted information posted to the community, the posted information amount W, and the browsed information amount R viewed from the community An online community evaluation method that obtains an interactive ratio (χ = R / W) that is the ratio of the above and evaluates the activity of the community from the interactive ratio.   The amount of posted information and the amount of browsing information are respectively the amount of posted information posted and posted to the community within a predetermined period, and the amount of browsing information browsed from the community, and the activity of the community within the predetermined period The online community evaluation method according to claim 1 to be evaluated. When the interactive ratio (χ) is less than or equal to the predetermined value c ₀ , it is determined that the community activity is low (zone 1), and when the interactive ratio (χ) is greater than or equal to the predetermined value c, many browsing users write and post If the interactive ratio (χ) is in a range between the predetermined values c _{0 to} c, it is determined that the community activity is high (zone 2). The on-line community evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The following evaluation function y is used as a function for evaluating the activity of the community;
y = log (χ) / χ ²
χ = Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)} / [Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)}]
R (t1): Total amount of information viewed up to the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
R (t0): Total amount of information viewed up to the start of the evaluation period (bytes)
W (t1): Total amount of information posted up to the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
W (t0): Total amount of information posted up to the start of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t1): Total amount of information deleted by the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t0): Total information deleted (bytes) by the start of the evaluation period,
4. The online community evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the activity of the community in the evaluation target period (t0 to t1) is evaluated by the evaluation function.   5. The online system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the activity level of the community is displayed as a graphical image on a terminal display screen of a user or a Web server administrator indicating whether the activity level of the zone is 1, 2, or 3.・ Community evaluation method.   6. A trend of increase / decrease in activity in each of the zones 1, 2, and 3 within the evaluation target period is obtained from the value obtained by time differentiation of the evaluation function y, and this is calculated together with the graphical image of the user or Web server management 6. The online community evaluation method according to claim 5, wherein the online community evaluation method is displayed on a terminal display screen of the user. In an activity evaluation system that evaluates the activity of an online community formed on a Web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network:
Posted information amount monitoring means for obtaining the posted information amount W written to the community and posted from the log file of the Web server;
Browsing information amount monitoring means for obtaining browsing information amount R browsed from the community from the log file of the Web server;
The interactive ratio (χ = R / W) is obtained from the ratio between the posted information amount W obtained by the posted information amount monitoring means and the browse information amount R obtained by the browse information amount monitoring means, and the activity of the community is obtained from the interactive ratio. Community activity determination means for evaluating the degree;
An online community activity evaluation system characterized by comprising:   The amount of posted information and the amount of browsing information are the amount of posted information posted and posted to the community within a predetermined period, respectively, and the amount of browsing information browsed from the community. The activity evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the activity of the community is evaluated. The community activity determination means determines that the community activity is low (zone 1) when the interactive ratio (χ) is less than or equal to a predetermined value c _0, and browses when the interactive ratio (χ) is greater than or equal to the predetermined value c. When it is determined that the number of users writing and posting is small (zone 3) and the interactive ratio (χ) is in the range of the predetermined values c _{0 to} c, the community activity is high (zone 2). The activity evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the activity evaluation system is determined to be. The community activity determination means uses the following evaluation function y as a function for evaluating the activity of the community;
y = log (χ) / χ ²
χ = Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)} / [Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)}]
R (t1): Total amount (bytes) viewed up to the end of the evaluation period,
R (t0): Total amount (bytes) viewed up to the start of the evaluation period
W (t1): Total amount posted (bytes) by the end of the evaluation period,
W (t0): Total amount posted (bytes) up to the start of the evaluation period,
E (t1): Total amount (bytes) deleted by the end of the evaluation period,
E (t0): Total amount (bytes) deleted by the start of the evaluation period,
10. The activity evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the activity of the community in the evaluation target period (t0 to t1) is evaluated by the evaluation function.   The community activity determination means displays a graphical image on the terminal display screen of a user or a Web server administrator as to whether the community activity is in any of the zones 1, 2, and 3. The activity evaluation system according to claim 9 or 10.   The community activity level determination means obtains an increase / decrease tendency of the activity level in each of the zones 1, 2, and 3 within the evaluation target period from a value obtained by differentiating the evaluation function y with respect to time. The activity evaluation system according to claim 11, wherein the activity evaluation system is displayed on the terminal display screen of the user or the Web server administrator together with the graphical image.   The activity evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the posted information amount monitoring unit, the browsing information amount monitoring unit, and a community activity level determination unit are provided in the Web server.   The activity evaluation system according to claim 7, wherein the community activity determination unit is provided on a server different from the Web server.   The activity evaluation according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein all of the posted information amount monitoring means, the browsing information amount monitoring means, and the community activity level determination means are provided on a server different from the Web server. system.   12. A charge management means for monitoring an information amount of a graphical image displayed on a terminal display screen of a user or a Web server administrator, and managing a charge amount according to the information amount. 12 activity evaluation systems.   17. The activity evaluation system according to claim 16, wherein the community activity determination unit and the billing management unit are provided on a server different from the Web server.   17. The posted information amount monitoring unit, the browsing information amount monitoring unit, the community activity level determination unit, and the billing management unit are all provided in a server different from the Web server. Activity rating system.   The program for making a computer perform the method in any one of Claims 1-6. A community evaluation program for evaluating the activity of an online community formed on a web server that is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network.
From the log file of the Web server, write to the community, post information amount W posted, and browse information amount R browsed by the community;
Find the interactive ratio (χ = R / W) that is the ratio;
Assess community activity from this interactive ratio;
A program to make things happen.   The amount of posted information and the amount of browsing information are the amount of posted information posted and posted to the community within a predetermined period, respectively, and the amount of browsing information browsed from the community. 21. The program of claim 20 to be evaluated. When the interactive ratio (χ) is less than or equal to the predetermined value c ₀ , it is determined that the community activity is low (zone 1), and when the interactive ratio (χ) is greater than or equal to the predetermined value c, many browsing users write and post If the interactive ratio (χ) is in a range between the predetermined values c _{0 to} c, it is determined that the community activity is high (zone 2). The program according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that: The following evaluation function y is used as a function for evaluating the activity of the community;
y = log (χ) / χ ²
χ = Σ {R (t1) −R (t0)} / [Σ {W (t1) −W (t0)} − Σ {(E (t1) −E (t0)}]
R (t1): Total amount of information viewed up to the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
R (t0): Total amount of information viewed up to the start of the evaluation period (bytes)
W (t1): Total amount of information posted up to the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
W (t0): Total amount of information posted up to the start of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t1): Total amount of information deleted by the end of the evaluation period (bytes)
E (t0): Total information deleted (bytes) by the start of the evaluation period,
23. The community evaluation program according to claim 20, wherein the activity of the community in the evaluation target period (t0 to t1) is evaluated by the evaluation function.   The community according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the community activity level is displayed as a graphical image on a terminal display screen of a user or a Web server administrator, indicating whether the activity level of the zone is 1, 2, or 3. Evaluation program.   25. The increase / decrease tendency of the activity in each zone 1, 2, 3 within the evaluation target period is obtained from the value obtained by time differentiation of the evaluation function y, and this is obtained together with the graphical image of the user or the Web server. 25. The community evaluation program according to claim 24, which is displayed on the terminal display screen of the administrator.

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