Re: Problems with the RDF Semantics document

On 2011-04-19, at 02:43, Lee Feigenbaum wrote:

> (Commenting against my better judgment...)
> 
> On 4/18/2011 8:25 PM, Nathan wrote:
> 
>> frustrations. Pretty much every member of this WG who I've spoken to,
>> read blogs and mails from, or seen commenting on things seems to want
>> quite a bit more than we're chartered to do. But, like myself will also
>> just stick to the charter and do what is deemed to be needed.
> 
> I am not only content with the scope of work that this group has accepted, but would be very concerned about the group taking on additional work. Based on my experience implementing Semantic Web standards, building software based on those implementations, and working in W3C working groups, I think making substantial changes to RDF would be a mistake.
> 
> Of course, I've said more than once that it's not my goal to "bring Semantic Web to the masses." I personally think that while that's a noble goal, it's not a realistic goal and it's definitely not a necessary goal for Semantic Web to be (very) successful. And if it were a goal of mine, I do not think that standards work would be a primary way to do it. (I'd prefer evangelism, building and promoting tools, and education.)
> 
> There are a lot of concrete work areas that you identify in your email: work on them! You can even work in them in the context of the W3C, either via SWIG (mailing list + IRC) or perhaps even via an XG. Work with the other people who share your vision to define and implement the pieces that seem to be missing. Or to catalog existing implementations that do similar things in different ways and would benefit from a standard. But, to me, all this is clearly work that should not be done in the RDF Working Group.
> 
> I believe that the Semantic Web is a powerful technology space _because_ different people have very different uses and visions for the technologies. That's a good thing. But it also means that likeminded people need to work together to find common ground and make progress, and those first steps are not well-suited for a standards group.

A huge +1 to all that.

- Steve

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Received on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 09:32:23 UTC