FW: proposal by Encyclopaedia Britannica

Hi, all,
We have not heard back from the contact group below and are wondering whether our proposal has been received and whether it is being considered.
I will try to resubmit it to the various e-mail addresses that I can find but would be grateful for a brief reply from someone working on the schema.org extensions.
Sincerely,
Carmen Hetrea
Director of Knowledge Architecture, Encyclopaedia Britannica
312.347.7071; chetrea@eb.com
From: Hetrea, Carmen
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 1:42 PM
To: schema-org-contact@googlegroups.com
Cc: Cranmer, Paul; Hetrea, Carmen
Subject: proposal by Encyclopaedia Britannica

SCHEMA.ORG ONTOLOGY EXPANSION - a PROPOSAL by Encyclopaedia Britannica

As demonstrated at the Frankfurt Academy's CONTEC 2013 Conference<http://www.buchmesse.de/de/academy/programm/00659/#1> --part of the 2013 Frankfurt Book Fair, there is an increased awareness in the publishing community of the usefulness of the Semantic Web.  It is also becoming quite evident that the global publishing community is looking for help and leadership in making the transition to the Semantic Web.  We here at Encyclopaedia Britannica  have recognized the need to expand the schema.org ontology to accommodate a general knowledge view of the information provided on the Web.  It is our hope that we can play an active role in this effort,  based on our experience as a general-knowledge content provider, and help facilitate this transition while at the same time assist the expansion of schema.org.
Currently, the top Class in schema.org is Thing. The average person thinks of a Thing as merely one of the standardly recognized organizational categories, those being People, Places, Events, Organizations, Things (objects), and Concepts.  There is no Class with its corresponding set of Properties to deal with a Concept as opposed to existing Entities.  Also,  the properties for People, Organizations, and Events are geared only toward currently active entities rather than toward historical information.
We at Encyclopaedia Britannica strongly believe that there is a real need for a general knowledge view of information and would like to propose that a schema.org ontology be based on it.    Such a general knowledge view would automatically include the Classes and Properties that support a business's need to make its information more visible for online retrieval while also enabling publishers of general knowledge content to semantically describe their data.
Proposal:
1.    We propose top Class changes
Top Class: SchemaOrgClass
Two major Subclass divisions of information: Concept and Entity.

2.    We propose to allow multiple class designation for a given Webpage
This will allow content providers to classify both the subject matter and the delivery format individually as well as accommodate the fact that many general knowledge subjects can belong to more than one class.

        For example, if a content provider offers an Article on an Event, both classes should be admissible and recognized by the semantic engine that reads the markup.  In the case of a Video showing Angkor Wat, a temple complex in Angkor, Cambodia, the subject is both a Place and a ManMadeObject (in this case a Temple) and the delivery format is Video.
        We propose that the Properties associated with all Classes applied to the Webpage be valid for markup.
3.   We propose Definitional Class Extensions rather than continually articulating more specific Classes.
        a.    This is to avoid the need to continually update the Ontology as content providers offer information on an increasing variety of subjects..
        b.    The Definitional Class Extension is a word or phrase added to the Class that the content provider chooses to introduce as the specific language that further defines the entity in question.  For example, the Definitional Class Extension for Angkor Wat could be Complex, so the Class would become Temple Complex (the technical means of adding the extension without affecting the readability of the Ontology class must be decided).  The extension could even be augmented to include Bhuddism.  Wherever possible the extension language could refer to URIs from a source such as the DBpedia or even the Encyclopaedia Britannica Semantic SPARQL Endpoint to enable further machine disambiguation.
        c.    Definitional Class Extensions are to be considered part of the Class for semantic disambiguation, both visual as in a Rich Snippet and for search.
        d.    The word or phrase introduced as Definitional Class Extension does not depend upon visible text for markup, but is introduced as an addition to the Class.
        e.    The available Properties remain those of the Ontology Class irrespective of the Definitional Class Extension.

The Ontology proposed below has not been integrated with the current Schema..org Ontology.  It includes some of the Classes in the Schema.org Ontology, but not all, such as the Intangibles and many of the more narrow classes lower in the hierarchy.  It is an attempt to keep the classification at as broad a level as possible while covering all the areas of knowledge.  It is proposed for consideration rather than as a replacement of the current ontology.
Proposed General Knowledge Ontology of Classes (not including the current schema.org Intangibles)
Class (see also schema.org classes and properties not included here)
        General Properties: description, image, name; alternateName; sameAs; url
        Concept
Properties: (hierarchical properties) topConcept; PrimaryBroaderTerm; secondaryBroaderTerm; primaryNarrowerTerm; secondaryNarrowerTerm; relatedTerm; componentTerm;
(definitional properties) definition;  category; animalOnly; humanOnly; humanAndAnimal; lifeForm; lifeProcess; naturalObject; naturalProcess; manMadeObject; manMadeProcess;
(associative properties) associatedWith; discoveredBy;  dateOfDiscovery; inventedBy; dateOfInvention; developedBy; studiedBy; geologicTime; historicalEra;  introducedTo; locatedAt; locatedIn; other; represents; date; startingTime; endingTime;
(transitional properties) inverse; symmetric; follows
               BusinessConcept
               EducationConcept
               FinanceConcept
               GeographylConcept
               LiteratureConcept
               MathematicsConcept
               MedicalConcept
                PerformingArtsConcept
               PhilosophyConcept
               PoliticalConcept
               ReligionConcept
               ScienceConcept
                       AstronomyConcept
                       BiologyConcept
                       ChemistryConcept
                       EarthScienceConecpt
                              EnvironmentConcept
                       PhysicsConcept
               SocialConcept
               TechnologyConcept
                VisualArtsConcept

        Entity (specific entities that exist, have existed, or have been imagined)
               PersonalEntity
                       Person (use class extension to indicate author, composer, scientist, etc.)
Properties: (associative properties) activity; knownFor; office; subjectOfStudy; subjectMatter; artisticSchool; authorship; popularize; founderOf; victimOf; influenceOn; influenceOf; supportOf; oppositionTo; leadership; award; collaboration; sharedPrizeWith; dateOfBirth; placeOfBirth; currentPlaceOfBirth; countryOfBirth; currentCountryOfBirth; stateOrProvinceOfBirth; placeOfBaptism; currentPlaceOfBaptism; countryOfBaptism; currentCountryOfBaptism; dateOfDeath; placeOfDeath; currentPlaceOfDeath; placeWhereFoundDead; currentPlaceWhereFoundDead; countryOfDeath; currentCountryOfDeath; stateOrProvinceOfDeath; causeOfDeath; killedInAction; placeOfBurial; currentPlaceOfBurial; countryOfBurial; currentCountryOfBurial; religiousAffiliation; politicalAffiliation; culturalAssociation; nationality; citizenship; naturalizedCitizenship; ethnicity; viewpoint; characterizationIn; family
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole; near
                       DynastyFamily
Properties: (associative properties) definition; significance; activity; knownFor; culturalAssociation; ethnicAssociation; nationalAssociation; locationalAssociation; politicalAssociation; religiousAssociation; artisticAssociation; placeOfActiticy; periodOfActivity; startDate; endDate; causeOfDownfall; leadership; victimOf; subjectMatter; indirectAssociation; characterizationIn; characterizedBy; viewpoint; founderOf; oppositionTo; supportOf; influenceOf; influenceOn; sharedPrizeWith; collaboration; family; artisticSchool; award; office; subjectOfStudy;
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole; near
                       FictionalBeing
Properties: definition; significance; activity; characterizationIn; maleGender; femaleGender; child; culturalAssociation; indirectAssociation; familyDynastyKinship; locationalAssociation; periodOfAssociation (date span)
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole
                       LegendaryBeing
Properties: definition; significance; activity; knownFor; characterizationIn; maleGender; femaleGender; child; associatedLegend; culturalAssociation; indirectAssociation; familyDynastyKinship; locationalAssociation; periodOfAssociation (date span)
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole
                       MythologicalBeing
Properties: definition; significance; activity; knownFor; characterizationIn; maleGender; femaleGender; child; associatedMythology; culturalAssociation; indirectAssociation; familyDynastyKinship; locationalAssociation; periodOfAssociation (date span)
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole
                       Deity
Properties: definition; significance; activity; knownFor; characterizationIn; maleGender; femaleGender; child; associatedReligion; culturalAssociation; indirectAssociation; familyDynastyKinship; locationalAssociation; periodOfAssociation (date span)
                       Personification
Properties: definition; significance; activity; knownFor; characterizationIn; maleGender; femaleGender; child; personsonificationOfConcept; culturalAssociation; indirectAssociation; familyDynastyKinship; locationalAssociation; periodOfAssociation (date span)
(modifying properties) uncertain; indirectAssociation; activeRole; passiveRole
Place
                       PhysicalPlace
Properties: (associative properties) definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; characterizationIn; indirectAssociation; location; siteOf; politicallyPartOf; historicallyPartOf; intersectWithPhysicalPlace; intersectWithPoliticalPlace; containedIn; polOrGeogrComponent; historicalComponent; dependencyOf; includedInPhFeature; intersectWithPhFeature; adjacency; near
                              Landform
               BodyOfWater
               NaturalRegion
               see also Construction (Subclass of ManMadeObject)
                       PoliticalPlace
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; characterizationIn; victionOf; indirectAssociation; location; siteOf; politicallyPartOf; historicallyPartOf; intersectWithPolPlace; containedBy; polOrGeogrComponent; historicalComponent; dependencyOf; includedInPhFeature; intersectWithPhFeature; adjacency; near; typeOfAdministration
                              AdministrativeArea (use for any administrative area not defined by subclasses)
                                      NationState
                                      StateOrProvince
                                      City
                                      TownOrVillage
                                      PoliticalRegion
                       SociographicalPlace
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; characterizationIn; victionOf; indirectAssociation; location; siteOf; politicallyPartOf; historicallyPartOf; intersectWithPolPlace; containedBy; polOrGeogrComponent; historicalComponent; dependencyOf; includedInPhFeature; intersectWithPhFeature; adjacency; near
                       HistoricalPlace
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; characterizationIn; victionOf; indirectAssociation; location; siteOf; politicallyPartOf; historicallyPartOf; intersectWithPolPlace; containedBy; polOrGeogrComponent; historicalComponent; dependencyOf; includedInPhFeature; intersectWithPhFeature; adjacency; near
                       CelestialBody
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; intersectWithPhysicalFeature; near; indirectAssociation
                       see also PhysicalFeature (Subclass of EntityNaturalObject)
                       see also Map (Subclass of GraphicWork)

               ThingOrObject
                       ManMadeObjectEntity
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; indirectAssociation; location; containedIn; partOf; intersectWithPolPlace; intersectWithPhFeature
                              Construction (buildings, monuments, parks, etc.)
                                      Additional Properties: architecturalStyle; createdBy; constructedBy
                                      CommercialConstruction
                                      GovernmentConstruction
                                             MilitaryConstruction
                                             MunicipalConstruction
                                      PlaceOfWorship
                                             Church
                                             Mosque
                                             Synagogue
                                             Temple
                                      RecreationalConstruction
                                      ResidentialBuilding
                              see also CreativeWork
                       NaturalObjectEntity
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; location; intersectWithPhysicalFeature; indirectAssociation; partOf; near
               AnimalEntity
Additional Properties: activity; award; ownedBy
               PlantEntity
Additional Properties: activity; award; ownedBy
               PhysicalFeature
               see also CelestialBody (Subclass of Place)
               Organization
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; causeOf; associationWithArtisticSchool; politicalAffiliation; religiousAffiliation; indirectAssociation; award; locationOfHeadquarters; culturalAssociation; influenceOn; influenceOf; supportOf; viewpoint; foundedBy; startDate; endDate; startYear; endYear;
                              BusinessOrganization
                                      BroadcastingOrganization
                                      RadioOrganization
                                      TelevisionOrganization
                                      FinancialOrganization
                                      ITOrganization
                                      ManufacturingOrganization
                                             Additional Properties: product
                                      NewsOrganization
                              ServiceOrganization
                       CulturalOrSocialOrganization
                       EducationalOrganization
                       GovernmentOrganization
                       ReligiousOrganization
                       ScientificOrganization
                       SportsOrRecreationalOrganization
                       see also ArtisticSchool (Subclass of CreativeWork)
                       see also DynastyOrFamily (Subclass of People)
               Event
Properties: definition; significance; knownFor; partOf; causeOf; causedBy; participant; impersonalParticipant; location; siteOf; politicallyPartOf; influenceOn; influenceOf; startDate; endDate
                       HistoricalEvent
                       RecentOrCurrentEvent
                       EntertainmentEvent
                              Additional Properties: venue
                              see also TheatricalProduction for theatrical performances (Subclass of WorkOfArt)
               CreativeWork
Properties: definition; significance; subjectMatter; createdBy (used for artists, writers, composers, etc.; sponsoredBy; producedBy; associatedOrganization; partOf; causeOf; supportOf; oppositionTo; influenceOn; influencedBy
                       ArtisticSchool
                              Additional Properties: associatedArtist
                       MultiMedia
                              Additional Properties: see schema.org technical aspect properties
                              AudioEntity
                              VideoEntity
                              see also MotionPicture; RadioProgram; TelevisionProgram (Subclasses of WorkOfArt)
                       Document
Additional Properties: placeOfPublication; publicationDate
                              EducationalWork
                                      Additional Properties: see LRMI properties
                              NewsArticle
                                      Additional Properties: newsOrganization
                              PhilosophicalWork
                                      Additional Properties: philosophicalSchool
                              PoliticalWork
                                      Additional Properties: politicalAssociation
                              ReligiousWork
                                      Additional Properties: religiousAssociation
                              ScienceOrTechnologyWork
                                      Additional Properties: scientificOrTechnologicalAssociation
                              see also LiteraryWork (Subclass of WorkOfArt)
                       Game
                       WorkOfTechnology
                              SoftwareApplication
                              WebApplication
                       WorkOfArt
                              Additional Properties: associationWithArtisticSchool
                              ArchitecturalWork
                              Dance (specific choreography or dance notation)
                                      see also TheatricalProduction for specific performances
                              GraphicWork
                                      Animation
                                      Diagram
                                      Graph
                                      Illustration
                                      Map
                                      Painting
                                      Photograph
                                      Print (lithograph, etching, block print, silkscreen, etc.)
                                      Sculpture
                              LiteraryWork
                                      DramaticLiteraryWork (includes plays, screenplays, both drama and comedy)
                                      Fiction
                                             ScienceFiction
                                      NonFiction
                                             History
                                             Biography
                                             see also ScienceOrTechnologyWork (Subclass of Document)
                                      Poetry
                              MotionPicture
                                      Additional Properties: directedBy; associatedPerformer
                              RadioProgram
                                      Additional Properties: directedBy; associatedPerformer
                               TelevisionProgram
                                      Additional Properties: directedBy; associatedPerformer
                              Music
                                      Additional Properties: associatedPerformer
                                      ClassicalMusic
                                      Opera
                                      PopularMusic
                              CountryMusic
                              Jazz
                              Rock
                                      see also EntertainmentEvent (Subclass of Event)
                                      see also Person for composers (Subclass of PersonalEntity)


                              TheatricalProduction
                                      Additional Properties: directedBy; associatedPerformer
                                      see also Dance for choreography, notation, etc. (Subclass of WorkOfArt)
                                      see also DramaticLiteraryWork (Subclass of LiteraryWork)
                                      see also Opera for specific operas (Subclass of Music)
                                      see also EntertainmentEvent  for non-theatrical performances (Subclass of Event)



Thank you very much.
Carmen-Maria Hetrea, Director, Knowledge Architecture, Encyclopaedia Britannica
Paul Cranmer, Information architect
chetrea@eb.com<mailto:chetrea@eb.com>; pcranmer@eb.com<mailto:pcranmer@eb.com>

Received on Friday, 15 November 2013 11:52:22 UTC