Re: The Tragedy of RSS

Hi Dave,

I respectfully disagree.  Here is a quote from the document "Using 
Dublin Core" at 
http://www.dublincore.org/documents/2001/04/12/usageguide/.

In this guide, we have chosen to represent Dublin Core examples in several 
different syntaxes, including: HTML ( the Web's Hypertext Markup Language 
format), RDF/XML (the Resource Description Framework using eXtensable Markup 
Language) and in a generic form (Element="value").  ...  When considering an 
appropriate syntax, it is important to note that Dublin Core concepts are 
equally applicable to virtually any file format, as long as the metadata is 
in a form suitable for interpretation both by search engines and by human 
beings.

Your email seems to contend that Dublin Core has some special "tie" to
RDF.  By "ties" I do not mean influence or contribution, I mean dependence
and exclusivity.  So, what is the dependence of DC on RDF?  
More below...

In a message dated 10/6/2002 10:51:19 AM US Mountain Standard Time, 
dave.beckett@bristol.ac.uk writes:
> > My understanding is that DC has no ties to RDF -- it is just a simple
> > set of well-defined metadata properties that work equally well in HTML,
> > XML, or RDF.  RSS 2.0 could (and should where the logical
> > definitions coincide) use DC without RDF.
> 
> Sorry, your understanding isn't complete.  DC was a major input into
> RDF's design, is a major customer and continues to influence it.  

Really? How has DC effected the design of RDF?  It is not like the DC 
elements are earth shattering.
Just a nice standard set of definitions.  Also, considering I can just as 
easily use the same elements in HTML or XML, what is the benefit of 
using them in RDF?  I would like to see a concrete example that delivers
clear value added.

If>  you take a look at pretty much any RDF application, it uses DC terms
> and if you look at the DC website - http://www.dublincore.org/ -
> there are RDF(/XML) profiles (one of which is edited by me).  Several
> DC apps and systems are built using the RDF model and tools, of which
> you can find many pretty easily from either above URL or the RDF
> website itself http://www.w3.org/RDF/ which lists DC there.
> 

It is obvious that the DC elements can be RDF predicates about Resources.
But you still have not proven that they are *more useful* in RDF than 
in XML.  That is the key issue.

 - Mike
----------------------------------------------------
Michael C. Daconta
Director, Web & Technology Services
www.mcbrad.com