Re: [biont] Nice wikipedia page on ontology

I was thinking initially Phil's concerns may have been more in terms  
of the wording used on the page, but Robert makes it more clear the  
issues are much more fundamental than that.  All of Robert's points  
sound very much to the root of why there would be concerns this is  
not a comprehensive view of what "formal" can mean in both the  
construction and use of ontologies.

I did like the fact an attempt was made to include the cornucopia of  
Upper Level ontologies in active use, since clarity on this issue has  
often not been very good - and the arguments that rage over which  
best fits a particular application can be difficult to follow for some.

I would certainly want to commend David Z's colleague for having the  
bravery (others might call it temerity) to step out and make a first  
stab at presenting - in a very public forum - a topic that can often  
foment arguments during academic debates.  I've been party to many  
public debates over specific scientific issues over the years, but  
there is something about the topic of proper ontology construction  
and implementation in biomedical informatics - debates that must  
address what an ontology IS and what an ontology IS NOT - that brings  
out the most vehement disagreements.  The disagreements will remain,  
so long as there are effective applications to demonstrate the value  
of the differing points-of-view.

Perhaps we could work to assist David D. in his noble effort to  
disseminate information on this topic of great importance to many of  
us in this very public forum, if others agree its useful to have such  
a resource in the Wikipedia.

Cheers,
Bill


On Jan 24, 2007, at 9:50 AM, Davide Zaccagnini wrote:

> David Decreane from L&C started that page and wrote good part of  
> the content. I'm passing him your kind comments.
>
> Thanks
>
> Davide
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-semweb-lifesci-request@w3.org on behalf of William Bug
> Sent: Tue 1/23/2007 4:06 PM
> To: Alan Ruttenberg
> Cc: public-semweb-lifesci hcls
> Subject: Re: [biont] Nice wikipedia page on ontology
>
> Great reference, Alan!
>
> I'd noticed a while back, a collection of folks who understand the  
> formal details, the entirety of the landscape, and collectively  
> have done a great job documenting this info have worked on that page.
>
> Cheers,
> Bill
>
>
> On Jan 23, 2007, at 10:00 AM, Alan Ruttenberg wrote:
>
>
>
> 	Start at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_Ontology
>
> 	-Alan
>
>
>
> Bill Bug
> Senior Research Analyst/Ontological Engineer
>
> Laboratory for Bioimaging  & Anatomical Informatics
> www.neuroterrain.org
> Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
> Drexel University College of Medicine
> 2900 Queen Lane
> Philadelphia, PA    19129
> 215 991 8430 (ph)
> 610 457 0443 (mobile)
> 215 843 9367 (fax)
>
>
> Please Note: I now have a new email - William.Bug@DrexelMed.edu
>
>
>
>
>

Bill Bug
Senior Research Analyst/Ontological Engineer

Laboratory for Bioimaging  & Anatomical Informatics
www.neuroterrain.org
Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
Drexel University College of Medicine
2900 Queen Lane
Philadelphia, PA    19129
215 991 8430 (ph)
610 457 0443 (mobile)
215 843 9367 (fax)


Please Note: I now have a new email - William.Bug@DrexelMed.edu