RDF Visualization

I thought you might be interested in my experiences as a mini usability
test. Despite the problems I ran into, I'm happy with the end result.

#1:

I am new to RDF visualization. So first I went to RDFViz and just hit
the "Go!" button with the default options.

I get a graphic. But it has no labels:

 *
http://snowball.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/rdf-viz/out/rdfviz-2002-08-19:41-0-29.gif

Then I try the SVG. My viewer complains about the namespace:

 * http://www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG/svg-19990412.dtd

I guess GraphViz needs to be updated to the latest SVG version??

There is a link that says: "External RDF Services: Send your URI to W3C
SiRPAC server instead." I don't know what it means by "External RDF
Services" but I'm willing to give it a try. I click the button.

I get back: "This form has been pre-loaded with data loaded from the URI
supplied". Great!

I hit "Send RDF to W3C SiRPAC Service."

I get back a form that seems to have forgotten the RDF that the previous
form had. 

Okay, fine, I go back and get the URI and paste it into the "Paste URI"
field.

This works nicely but it uses POST not GET so I don't get a nice
GET-table URI which was my goal from the start. I want to be able to
point people at a URI where all they have to do is hit a button or even
better not even have to hit the button.

#2:

So I go back to the beginning and try some other data at rdfviz.org 

 * http://www.oreillynet.com/meerkat/?_fl=rss10

I guess it can't parse that document. (it must not use a real XML
parser???)

 *
http://snowball.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/rdf-viz/out/rdfviz-2002-08-19:37-2-46.rtab

Anyhow, once I gave up on a GET interface, I just resigned myself to
cutting and pasting into the code text box and the SirPAC version works
well.
-- 
"When I walk on the floor for the final execution, I'll wear a denim 
suit. I'll walk in there like Willie Nelson, John Wayne, Will Smith 
-- Men in Black -- James Brown. Maybe do a Michael Jackson moonwalk."
Congressman James Traficant.

Received on Monday, 19 August 2002 01:11:28 UTC