[12393] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
XML/RDF for HyperThesauri(sm)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gerry Mckiernan)
Mon Aug 24 20:02:36 1998
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 12:51:57 -0500
From: Gerry Mckiernan <GMCKIERN@gwgate.lib.iastate.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
XML/RDF for HyperThesauri(sm)
In my review of projects and applications that make use of standard or
innovative implementations of thesauri for Managed Conceptual Navigation in
digital collection [See my recent posting: _Brave New Word_], I have learned
about the Virtual HyperGlossary project of Peter Murray-Rust and Lesley West
[http://www.gca.org/conf/meta98/xmldev98/peterm-r.htm ].
According to their project description, Murray-Rust and West have
developed a "simple but scable DTD for terminology based on ISO 12620
(Data Categories for Terminology). This DTD uses a deliberartively small
subset of about 12 categories (e.g., <term>, <acronym>, <synonym>,
<abbreviation>, <definition>)"
[Snip]
In their implementation, Murray-Rust and West make use of XML and note:
"Because XML is tree-based it supports hierarchical collections (e.g.,
thesauri, catalogs, etc.)"
Although their implementation _appears_ to be currently limited to
glossaries, it has occurred to me that their model and/or XML (or RDF) would
be the ideal means of creating HyperTextEd thesauri for electronic resources,
most notably Managed Conceptual Navigation to Web/Net resources that I
envisioned in a concept I called HyperThesauri(sm) in concluding one of my
first print Web-related articles:
New/Old World Wide Order: The application of 'neo-conventional' functional
ity to facilitate access and use of a WWW database of science and
technology Internet resources. _Journal of Internet Cataloging_ 1(1),
47-55, 1997
For the survey article I am in the process of preparing, I would very
much appreciate learning about any current or pending projects that have or are
considering the use of XML or RDF to create thesauri for Managed Conceptual
Navigation of digital collection, as well as any reactions to this approach.
As Always, Any and All Contributions, Queries, Questions, Conerns, or
Critiques, or Comments are Most Welcolme.
Joy!
Gerry McKiernan
Theoretical Librarian
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50011
gerrymck@iastate.edu
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~CYBERSTACKS/
"The Best Way to Predict the Future is To Invent It!"
Alan Kay
