Modelling VRA core

Hi team

I have been having a go at writing an RDFS Schema for VRA Core because one
does not exist at the moment. To test this out, I've been creating some
example instance data. However when we model things we often have to decide
whether to structure the data e.g. group some properties together or whether
to leave the data unstructured (referred to as a "hedgehog model"). I'm
trying to work through the pros and cons of each approach, but I'd be
interested to hear other people's opinions on this. I wonder if qualifiers,
as used in DC or VRA, imply that the vocabulary authors would prefer
structure in the data - what do others think?

Here are two example RDF instance data files to illustrate the difference:

First the structured version:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE rdf:RDF [
        <!ENTITY rdfns 'http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'>
        <!ENTITY vracorens 'http://www.vraweb.org/vracore3/20030915#'>
   ]>
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="&rdfns;"
         xmlns:vra="&vracorens;"
         xmlns="&vracorens;">
<rdf:Description>
<recordType rdf:resource="&vracorens;Work"/>
<type>print</type>
<title rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<theTitle>This is how it happened</theTitle>
	<variant>As Sucedi</variant>
</title>
<measurements rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<dimensions>24.5 x 35 cm</dimensions>
</measurements>
<material rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<medium>ink</medium>
	<support>paper</support>
</material>
<technique>
	<rdf:Bag>
		<rdf:li>etching</rdf:li>
		<rdf:li>drypoint</rdf:li>
	</rdf:Bag>
</technique>
<creator rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<personal_name>Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes</personal_name>
	<role_name>printmaker</role_name>
</creator>
<date_creation>ca. 1810-1814</date_creation>
<location rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<current_repository>Ann Arbor (MI,USA), University of Michigan
Museum of Art</current_repository>
	<creation_site>Madrid (ESP)</creation_site>
</location>
<idNumber rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<current_accession>1977/2.15</current_accession>
</idNumber>
<stylePeriod rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<theStylePeriod>Romanticism</theStylePeriod>
</stylePeriod>
<culture>Spanish</culture>
<subject>war</subject>
<relation rdf:parseType="Resource">
	<partOf>Part of Disasters of war</partOf>
</relation>
<description>
This is how it happened is No. 47 (33) from the series "The 
Disasters of War", 4th edition, plates for the series ca. 1810-14, 1820, 4th
edition was published 1906.
</description>
<rights>Weber family trust</rights>
</rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>


then the "hedgehog" version

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE rdf:RDF [
        <!ENTITY rdfns 'http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'>
        <!ENTITY vracorens 'http://www.vraweb.org/vracore3/20030915#'>
   ]>
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="&rdfns;"
         xmlns:vra="&vracorens;"
         xmlns="&vracorens;">
<rdf:Description>
<recordType rdf:resource="&vracorens;Work"/>
<type>print</type>
<title>This is how it happened</title>
<title_variant>As Sucedi</title_variant>
<measurements_dimensions>24.5 x 35 cm</measurements_dimensions>
<material_medium>ink</material_medium>
<material_support>paper</material_support>
<technique>
	<rdf:Bag>
		<rdf:li>etching</rdf:li>
		<rdf:li>drypoint</rdf:li>
	</rdf:Bag>
</technique>
<creator_personal_name>Francisco Jose de Goya y
Lucientes</creator_personal_name>
<creator_role_name>printmaker</creator_role_name>
<date_creation>ca. 1810-1814</date_creation>
<location_current_repository>Ann Arbor (MI,USA), University of Michigan
Museum of Art</location_current_repository>
<location_creation_site>Madrid (ESP)</location_creation_site>
<idNumber_current_accession>1977/2.15</idNumber_current_accession>
<stylePeriod>Romanticism</stylePeriod>
<culture>Spanish</culture>
<subject>war</subject>
<relation_partOf>Part of Disasters of war</relation_partOf>
<description>
This is how it happened is No. 47 (33) from the series "The 
Disasters of War", 4th edition, plates for the series ca. 1810-14, 1820, 4th
edition was published 1906.
</description>
<rights>Weber family trust</rights>
</rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>

any comments?

regards

Dr Mark H. Butler
Research Scientist                HP Labs Bristol
mark-h_butler@hp.com
Internet: http://www-uk.hpl.hp.com/people/marbut/

Received on Friday, 15 August 2003 12:14:29 UTC