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NodeBook User Guide

Welcome to NodeBook! This guide will help you get started with creating and managing knowledge graphs using Controlled Natural Language (CNL).

Getting Started

First Steps

  1. Log in to your NodeBook account
  2. Set your difficulty level in Preferences (we recommend starting with Easy)
  3. Create your first graph or explore existing ones
  4. Start building your knowledge structure

Understanding the Interface

NodeBook has several key areas:

  • Graph View: The main visualization of your knowledge graph
  • Node Cards: Detailed information about each node
  • Forms: Tools for creating and editing nodes, relations, and attributes
  • Preferences: Settings for your account and difficulty level

Creating Knowledge

Adding Nodes

  1. Click on the graph area where you want to add a node
  2. Fill in the basic information:
  3. Name: What you want to call this concept
  4. Description: A detailed explanation
  5. Role: The type of entity (Individual, Class, Process, or Function)
  6. Save your node

Adding Relations

Relations connect nodes to show how they relate to each other.

  1. Select a node to open its card
  2. Click "Add Relation" in the Node Neighborhood section
  3. Choose the relation type (e.g., "is part of", "causes", "has property")
  4. Select the target node
  5. Add details like adverbs or quantifiers (if available at your difficulty level)
  6. Save the relation

Adding Attributes

Attributes describe properties of nodes.

  1. Select a node to open its card
  2. Click "Add Attribute" in the Node Neighborhood section
  3. Choose the attribute type (e.g., "color", "size", "temperature")
  4. Enter the value
  5. Add units if applicable (e.g., "degrees Celsius")
  6. Save the attribute

Using CNL (Controlled Natural Language)

CNL allows you to express complex relationships in readable syntax.

Basic CNL Syntax

  • Relations: <relation_name> target_node
  • Attributes: has attribute_name: value
  • Adverbs: ++adverb++ <relation> target
  • Quantifiers: some/all/many <relation> target

Examples

<is part of> heart
has color: red
++quickly++ <moves> blood
all <contains> oxygen

Advanced Features

Morphs (Advanced/Expert Levels)

Morphs allow you to create different versions of the same node for different contexts.

  1. Enable morph management in your difficulty level
  2. Create different morphs for different scenarios
  3. Switch between morphs to see different perspectives
  4. Manage relations and attributes per morph

Transitions (Advanced/Expert Levels)

Transitions show how nodes change over time or in different states.

  1. Select a source node
  2. Click "Create Transition"
  3. Choose the target node
  4. Define the transition conditions
  5. Save the transition

CNL Editing (Advanced/Expert Levels)

At higher difficulty levels, you can edit CNL directly.

  1. Open the CNL editor
  2. Write or modify CNL syntax
  3. Save your changes
  4. Parse to validate the syntax

Tips for Success

Start Simple

  • Begin with basic nodes and simple relations
  • Focus on understanding the concepts before adding complexity
  • Use the CNL view to see how your knowledge is structured

Use Descriptions

  • Write detailed descriptions for your nodes
  • Use the parse button (when available) to extract relations and attributes
  • Keep descriptions clear and informative

Organize Your Knowledge

  • Use consistent naming conventions
  • Group related concepts together
  • Use roles appropriately (Individual vs Class vs Process)

Collaborate

  • Share your graphs with others
  • Seek help when you're stuck
  • Learn from other users' approaches

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

I can't see certain features - Check your difficulty level in Preferences - Some features are only available at higher levels

My graph looks messy - Use the layout options to reorganize - Consider using different node types for better organization

I'm not sure what role to use - Individual: Specific instances (e.g., "My heart") - Class: Categories or types (e.g., "Heart") - Process: Actions or events (e.g., "Blood circulation") - Function: Operations or capabilities (e.g., "Pumping blood")

Getting Help

  • Check the difficulty levels guide
  • Use the help system within NodeBook
  • Ask questions in the collaboration area
  • Contact the NodeBook team for technical support

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the basics:

  1. Explore different difficulty levels
  2. Try advanced features like morphs and transitions
  3. Experiment with complex CNL syntax
  4. Share your knowledge graphs with others
  5. Contribute to collaborative knowledge building

Remember: NodeBook is designed to grow with you. Start simple and gradually explore more advanced features as you become more comfortable with the system.