Re: Comments solicited: "Providing and discovering definitions of URIs"

I realize I didn't set a deadline for comments.

Other work and activities call, so I will set July 15 as the day by
which I'd like to get comments. I'll start updating the document
beginning then. I'm not sure how much work I'll put into a second
round, because my effort might be better spent in some other way, such
as proposal gathering and comparison, but I do intend to clean it up
so that it is more durable than it is.

I wanted the document to lay out all known issues and approaches,
which I know it doesn't yet do, and I've got some good feedback
already. I know there are a few places where it is weak - for example
I think it doesn't make the case against fragment ids very well (and
that is central to the discussion). Filling in gaps like this is I
think what I need most from reviews. If there is information missing
it is probably because I just don't know it, and the best way for me
to get it is from reviewers.

Beyond this writeup, do let me know what you think would be most
helpful in moving the discussion along.

I will be away from email at points between now and the 15th so if you
don't get a response right away don't assume I'm ignoring you.

Jonathan

On Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 12:12 PM, Jonathan Rees <jar@creativecommons.org> wrote:
> Comments solicited: "Providing and discovering definitions of URIs"
>
> (message being sent to www-tag, bcc: public-lod and semantic-web)
>
> As most of you know, the 9-year-old "httpRange-14" turf war is an
> annoyance and embarrassment in efforts to develop RDF, linked data,
> the Semantic Web, and Web architecture.
>
> As a step toward getting closure I've prepared a document (with
> the help of the TAG and the AWWSW task group):
>
>  http://www.w3.org/2001/tag/awwsw/issue57/20110625/
>
> which attempts to record the variety of approaches that have been
> offered.  I have attempted to record in a neutral way all the main
> proposals that have been put forth and present them in a way that
> permits them to be compared.  I'm sure I have failed to be completely
> neutral, but if so I'm confident you will tell me.
>
> How to actually get closure is yet to be determined, but a first step
> might be to get all the relevant information collected in this
> document so that we all know what the issues and opportunities are.
>
> This document is for informational purposes only and its future is
> not yet determined. I would have polished it a bit more but given
> current debate on www-tag and public-lod I felt it was more important
> to get it out than to tie up loose ends.
>
> Please comment on the www-tag@w3.org list. I will revise the document
> based on comments received.
>
> If you wish to review the debate please see
>  http://www.w3.org/wiki/HttpRange14Webography
>
> Best
> Jonathan
>
> Abstract
>
> The specification governing Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs)
> [rfc3986] allows URIs to mean anything at all, and this unbounded
> flexibility is exploited in a variety contexts, notably the Semantic
> Web and Linked Data. To use a URI to mean something, an agent (a)
> selects a URI, (b) provides a definition of the URI in a manner that
> permits discovery by agents who encounter the URI, and (c) uses the
> URI. Subsequently other agents may not only understand the URI (by
> discovering and consulting the definition) but may also use the URI
> themselves.
>
> A few widely known methods are in use to help agents provide and
> discover URI definitions, including RDF fragment identifier resolution
> and the HTTP 303 redirect. Difficulties in using these methods have
> led to a search for new methods that are easier to deploy, and perform
> better, than the established ones. However, some of the proposed
> methods introduce new problems, such as incompatible changes to the
> way metadata is written. This report brings together in one place
> information on current and proposed practices, with analysis of
> benefits and shortcomings of each.
>
> The purpose of this report is not to make recommendations but rather
> to initiate a discussion that might lead to consensus on the use of
> current and/or new methods.
>
> (this is TAG ISSUE-57 / ACTION-579)
>

Received on Friday, 1 July 2011 14:20:42 UTC