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The Semantic Web is a concept that allows massive, reliable reuse of data. | |||
One of the most remarkable things about the Web is it is based on HTML, a text format that is highly accessible by humans ''and'' computers. Every Web page uses the same syntax to indicate what should be displayed, they all use the same retrieval mechanisms. This was a remarkable and unexpected (disruptive) breakthrough in communications, but the way companies jumped in to make the Web more attractive did little to make the exchange of data easier. | |||
There are two main technical requirements to make data reusable and available - well known access mechanisms usable by any organization, and the schemas/ontologies, descriptions of how the data is organized and detailed for reliable re-use. Efforts over the years have struggled with complexity and standardization, with major initiatives interfering with each other for technical reasons (eg Microformats vs RDFa) or while trying to dominate in the market. Settling these details can also be a tremendous effort, particularly the latter. | |||
Another major concern is 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. | |||
Yet, the Internet has been mainstream for 15 years, nearly a generation of new and experienced users, programmers, researchers and so on using the most advanced systems available around the world. 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, | Yet, the Internet has been mainstream for 15 years, nearly a generation of new and experienced users, programmers, researchers and so on using the most advanced systems available freely around the world. 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, efforts to not share public data are the blockers. | ||
Based on the ease and minimal cost of gathering and organizing data functionality and interested parties on the Internet, an as yet unnamed new sector of public participation, including loosely affiliated individuals and groups such as http://www.visiblegovernment.ca, http://opengovdata.ru, http://www.mysociety.org and http://open.org.nz, are developing, This sector includes individuals, physical communities, and communities of interest, it includes real experts, dedicated hobbyists and the casually interested. They try to solve problems and better understand their world, but they need real data. These groups can work reciprocally with our existing institutions to efficiently fill gaps and build our systems. They can crowd source large tasks, develop and maintain specialized tools and build reliable infrastructure services. The cost is making public data re-usable at the institutional level. Unfortunately 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, | 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, share to-do tasks, and so on. 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 help change this. Data will be more consistent, and when it comes to important statements we should be able to expect more. | ||
Computer front ends | 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 it's 1995 (or emphasize Flashy presentations that can't even be used by many people), too many executives forget their passwords, too many people focus on just the newest developments, forgetting that all others are steadily brewing around the world, too many organizations make excuses for not pursuing a way that builds on our useful fascination and involvement with information. | ||
== Approaches to Semantic Web applications == | == Approaches to Semantic Web applications == |