Re: Terminology when talking about Linked Data

Nathan wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Other than the obvious - Linking Open Data = The name of W3C Community
> Project - I'm wondering which terminology to use where when talking
> about (what I'll term "Linked Data" for now).
>
> To me, "Linked Data" represents the <uri> <uri> <uri> triples; the thing
> at the core of it, which can be used behind the firewall in a "silo"
> with nothing open about it.
>
> So if I then term "Linked Open Data" as "Linked Data" which has been
> published properly, then what do I use to refer to the tech-stack and
> principals as a whole?
>
> Will leave it there,
>
> Many Regards
>
> Nathan
>
>
>   
Nathan,

As with all communications its depends on your audience. Describing 
Linked Data monotonically to all audiences is a fatal flaw.

Client-Server Savvy Audience (folks that grok Distributed Data Objects 
realm as the final frontier re. Client-Server computing):
Its HTTP based Data Access by Reference.
Reference scope is the Data Item (a record) rather than Data Container 
(e.g. Table), and reference mechanism (Identifier) is delivered via 
Generic HTTP URI.

Remember, you can't apply CRUD operations (local or across the wire) to 
things you can't Reference by Name or Access Data Representation by address.

Database Audience:
Use of generic HTTP URIs as Identifiers in EAV/CR graphs.

This audience understands that we are all moving beyond SQL (i.e. Not 
Only SQL) and RDBMS as apex items within data access value pyramid (one 
defined by the ability to deliver agility via ad-hoc queries against 
homogeneous or heterogeneous data sources).

Web Developer:
RESTful data access where the atom is a Resource inextricably bound to a 
structured Information Resource that bears its description. The resource 
structured is EAV based (this community isn't interested in the "CR" part).


TimBL's design issues document was basically a meme for  how to make the 
above happen on the Web via a set of best practices.



-- 

Regards,

Kingsley Idehen	      
President & CEO 
OpenLink Software     
Web: http://www.openlinksw.com
Weblog: http://www.openlinksw.com/blog/~kidehen
Twitter/Identi.ca: kidehen

Received on Wednesday, 17 February 2010 12:58:33 UTC