Discussion: Reflect on Tom Gruber's interview in AIS SIGSEMIS Bulleton

Thomas Gruber interview available in AIS SIGSEMIS 1(3) 2004 (http://www.sigsemis.org/newsletter/october2004/tom_gruber_interview_sigsemis ) is an excellent piece of knowledge. 

I had a discussion with Tom and we would be grateful if you share your reflections, critical thinking, thoughts and ideas on the key propositions of Tom. In a later stage Tom could provide more insights on your thoughts and feedback. 

Use this link to post your commnents on Tom's Interview:

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http://www.sigsemis.org/bulletinboard/grubersInterview
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Please comment on:

	(1)	His reconsideration of its classical definition that "ontology is a specification of a conceptualization"

	*	"Well, the most important components of that definition of ontology <http://www-ksl.stanford.edu/kst/what-is-an-ontology.html> are that the ontology is representation artifact (a specification), distinct from the world it models, and that it is a designed artifact, built for a purpose. I think most computer scientists get the distinction between a specification and the world, even for synthetic worlds.  In retrospect, I would not change the definition but I would try to emphasize that we design ontologies."

	(2)	His new insights to the concepts of informal, semi-formal and formal ontologies

	*	So, to conclude, I would say that all practical ontologies are semiformal, and the "sweet spot" is an ontology that specifies clearly how you can commit to it.  Both the formal and informal parts should be designed to make it easy to play by the rules: the formal by automated testing and the informal by well-written documentation. 

(3) His overall interview. 

Use this link to post your commnents on Tom's Interview:

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http://www.sigsemis.org/bulletinboard/grubersInterview
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Finaly a great thank to all of you for your support. We have already 5800 downloads of the Bulletin 1(3) 2004!!!! 

Best Miltiadis



Dr. Miltiadis D. Lytras
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Association for Information Systems, SIG on Semantic Web and Information Systems AIS SIGSEMIS, http://www.sigsemis.org
International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IDEA Group, http://www.idea-group.com/journals/details.asp?id=4625)
International Journal of Knowledge and Learning (IJKL) - http://www.inderscience.com/ijkl/ 
International Journal of Learning and Change (IJLC)- http://www.inderscience.com/ijlc/ 
International Journal of Metadata, Semantics and Ontologies (IJMSO)- http://www.inderscience.com/ijmso/ 
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ECIS Track on Semantic Web and Information Systems:  http://www.ecis2005.de/semantic.html
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Department of Management Science and Technology 
ELTRUN - The Research Center 
Athens University of Economics and Business 
47A Evelpidon Str., 113 62 Athens, Greece 
Tel.: + 30 210 8203663 
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e-mail: mdl@aueb.gr ; mdl@eltrun.gr
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