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SemWeb: Difference between revisions
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One of the concerns has been the model for how information will be shared. Today it's common for non profit organizations to hoard their information, to create "proprietary databases" they can use to pitch to granting agencies. Another factor is that ignoring standards allows efforts to move ahead on their own terms, without making their systems fit into larger systems which could slow them down. Another factor is insecurity - an organization may have a perfectly useful database, but in implementation it may not compare well to best technical efforts. There are two main requirements - well known mechanism usable by any organization, and the schemas/ontologies, descriptions of how the data will look for reliable re-use. | One of the concerns has been the model for how information will be shared. Today it's common for non profit organizations to hoard their information, to create "proprietary databases" they can use to pitch to granting agencies. Another factor is that ignoring standards allows efforts to move ahead on their own terms, without making their systems fit into larger systems which could slow them down. Another factor is insecurity - an organization may have a perfectly useful database, but in implementation it may not compare well to best technical efforts. There are two main requirements - well known mechanism usable by any organization, and the schemas/ontologies, descriptions of how the data will look for reliable re-use. | ||
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 at the institutional level, 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. This sector can include individuals, physical communities, or communities of interest, it can include real experts, dedicated hobbyists or the casually interested. They can try to solve problems and better understand their world, but they need real data. These groups can work reciprocally with our existing institutions to efficiency fill gaps and build our systems. The cost is simply making data re-usable at the institutional level, 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. | 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. | ||