Re: perspectives on OWL v.next and RDF

On 14/11/06, Kendall Clark <kendall@monkeyfist.com> wrote:

> I consistently fail to understand the import of that kind of claim,
> as it seems to suggest that the public Semantic Web is the most
> important thing.

The (Semantic) Web is a public entity. It seems a straightforward
distinction, by definition things that aren't connected to it aren't
part of the Web. It follows that systems that are connected to it (or
could potentially be connected to it) *are* the most important thing.

> Doesn't that ignore the history of the Web itself, which, as we all
> know, got a significant boost -- several such boosts, actually --
> from enterprise intranet adoption. But now for the Semantic Web the
> equivalent of "intranet adoption" seems not only not to matter but
> seems to be a problem.

I absolutely agree that "intranet adoption" and development is hugely
valuable. The point is only relevant when conflicts occur - in such
cases, (IMHO) priority should be given to solutions that show better
compatibility with the (Semantic) Web.

> I don't get it.
>
> Lots more people are using OWL than are using it "on the public Web".
> Isn't that a *good* thing? I think it is. :>

It is good to hear of significant off-Web adoption of OWL.
Incidentally I'm currently working on a medical records system that
uses RDF - it's data you really wouldn't want public on the Web. No
problem.

A problem only arises if the technologies developed in such an
environment are incompatible with the Web. The reassurances so far
with regard to mappings go a long way to alleviating such concerns.
All I'm actually asking is that care is taken to ensure any new stuff
won't break the Web. I don't think that's a lot to expect from a Web
Ontology Language.

Cheers,
Danny.

-- 

http://dannyayers.com

Received on Wednesday, 15 November 2006 11:21:21 UTC