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Yet, the Internet has been mainstream for 15 years, and we're starting to see real breakthroughs in Semantic Web type applications. With unlimited room for our improvement by building on rather than hoarding data, and the recognition of the value of a true participatory society, many efforts to not share data start to appear ignoble. An unidentified new sector of public participation is developing based on the ease and minimal cost of gathering and organizing data functionality and interested parties on the Internet. The cost is simply making data re-usable, however many agencies fear this approach since it will affect their societal placement (and most don't trust 'the masses'). | Yet, the Internet has been mainstream for 15 years, and we're starting to see real breakthroughs in Semantic Web type applications. With unlimited room for our improvement by building on rather than hoarding data, and the recognition of the value of a true participatory society, many efforts to not share data start to appear ignoble. An unidentified new sector of public participation is developing based on the ease and minimal cost of gathering and organizing data functionality and interested parties on the Internet. The cost is simply making data re-usable, however many agencies fear this approach since it will affect their societal placement (and most don't trust 'the masses'). | ||
Another factor holding things back is how we use computers today - for the most part, like a typewriter. Not many people embed data from spreadsheets into their email, use automatic facilities for events and contacts, shared to-do tasks, etc. Documents and communications are one-offs, out of date the moment they're sent, and nothing is explicit in them. A semantic approach to computer data will change all this. Data will be more consistent, and when it comes to important statements we should be able to expect more. | |||
Computer front ends, and people's habits will need to change to accommodate this. Sadly, however, the culture of many organizations and individuals will hold things back. Too many web design firms create sites like its 1995 (or emphasize Flashy presentations that can't even be used by many people), too many executives can't be bothered to remember their passwords, too many people make excuses for not pursuing a way that builds on our fascination with information. | |||
== Approaches to Semantic Web applications == | == Approaches to Semantic Web applications == | ||