The Knowledge Network Organizing Tool (KNOT) Software:

The Knowledge Network Organizing Tool (KNOT) is built around the Pathfinder network generation algorithm. There are also several other components (see below). Pathfinder algorithms take estimates of the proximities between pairs of items as input and define a network representation of the items.  The network (a PFNET) consists of the items as nodes and a set of links (which may be either directed or undirected for symmetrical or non-symmetrical proximity estimates) connecting pairs of the nodes.  The set of links is determined by patterns of proximities in the data and parameters of Pathfinder algorithms.  For details on the method and its applications see R. Schvaneveldt (Editor), Pathfinder Associative Networks:  Studies in Knowledge Organization.  Norwood, NJ:  Ablex, 1990.

The KNOT system includes several programs and utilities to facilitate Pathfinder network analyses of proximity data.  The system is oriented around producing pictures of the solutions, but representations of networks and other information are also available in the form of text files which can be used with other software.  The positions of nodes for displays are computed using an algorithm described by Kamada and Kawai (1989, Information Processing Letters, 31, 7-15).

PCKNOT Screen Shot

The functions supported by the software systems are shown below. The new PC system contains two versions:  one works from the DOS command line and the other uses a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI requires a mouse and an EGA or VGA display.  The GUI has superior display and network manipulation capabilities and is much easier to use.  The functions in the KNOT systems include the following:

  • Collect pairwise rating data.
  • Make a nonsymmetric matrix symmetric
  • Average multiple data files
  • Compute a coherence measure on proximity data
  • Correlate pairs of proximity data sets
  • Generate Pathfinder networks from proximities
  • Compute distances in PFnets
  • Compute the similarity of two PFnets
  • Compute node positions  for a display of a PFnet
  • Handle multiple data files
  • Display a PFnet
  • Move nodes to new positions (links follow)
  • Print a PFnet
  • Create and erase nodes or links
  • Edit node labels (multiple line labels)
  • Display directed links
  • Handle directed links in a display
  • Rotate all or part of a display

Compatibility:

PCKNOT software was originally designed to run under DOS.  It creates its own windows and handles all of the user interactions directly.  It uses and creates several different files.  Although it was designed for DOS, it runs just fine under Windows 3.11, Windows NT, Windows 95/98, Windows XP and Windows 2000.  To work properly however, a few DOS level things need to be in place.  (1) The directory containing the PCKNOT files must be in the PATH variable in the DOS environment variables, and (2) A mouse driver must be installed in DOS.