[RDFTM] Getting the TF rolling

Now that the RDF/Topic Maps Interoperability Task Force has
been officially approved by the WG, I would like to get down
to real work as soon as possible.

I request that signed-up members of the TF, the co-chairs, and
the team contact in particular read this message carefully and
provide feedback on the ideas presented. As far as this message
is concerned, silence will in general be interpreted as consent...


Work methods
------------

Based on what I believe to be existing "best practice" in the
SWBPD WG, I envisage the following work methods for the TF:

1. Regular discussions on this SWBPD mailing list using the
   magic string [RDFTM] in the Subject: line.

2. Occasional meetings by IRC using the SWBPD channel on an
   as-needed basis.

3. Collaborative wiki-based work using on the development of
   deliverables under the guidance of appointed editors.

The University of Bologna (hereafter and forever more "UniBo")
has a wiki up and running, but I'm not sure whether it is
available to be used by the whole TF. I think the requirements
would be for all members of the TF to have write access and
for the pages themselves to be open for the whole world to
view.

Fabio: Please comment on whether UniBo could fulfill those
requirements.

Ralph: Please comment on whether such an arrangement would
be acceptable from the W3C's point of view.

David: Please comment on whether such an arrangement would
be acceptable from the chairs' point of view.


First deliverable
-----------------

The first deliverable of the TF is a "Note describing the pros
and cons of existing approaches [to RDF/TM Interoperability]".

I would like to ask for volunteers to edit this document.

Preparatory work in which the whole TF can participate includes
the following:

1. Compiling a complete list of references to "existing
   approaches".

2. Agreeing a set of criteria by which to evaluate those
   approaches.

3. Compiling a set of test cases for use in the evaluation.

Re. #1: I have compiled an initial list, to be posted on the
wiki as soon as it is up and running (assuming that is the TF's
preferred method of working). Others can then supplement it
as necessary.

Re. #2: I would like to invite suggestions for evaluation
criteria to be sent to this mailing list under the subject
"[RDFTM] Evaluation criteria".

Re. #3: I have started creating TM test cases and will post
them on the wiki once it is available. I would like to ask
for volunteers to provide similar test cases for RDF. I will
start a thread on this under the subject "[RDFTM] Test cases".

I await answers to specific questions from Fabio, Ralph, and
David as soon as possible, and input from other TF members
thereafter.

Regards,

Steve

--
Steve Pepper <pepper@ontopia.net>
Chief Strategy Officer, Ontopia
Convenor, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 34/WG 3
Editor, XTM (XML Topic Maps 1.0)

Received on Wednesday, 24 November 2004 10:19:48 UTC