Is a Semantic Web in Your Future?
Started by Daly de Gagne
on 10/8/2008
Daly de Gagne
10/8/2008 10:23 pm
An alternate title for this post could have been Freebasing with the Twine That Binds.
Many of us here started with the first out lining programs, and followed the progression of software as it became, at least in theory, able to do more, such as provide for meta-data, advanced searches, etc. And also there's more recently the plethora of mind and concept mapping programs that are, again in theory, promoted as being more helpful than out liners.
A further progression takes us into the realms of social networking and the semantic web, neither of which I am sure I understand fully.
In an article a year ago called the New Era of Semantic Webs there was an overview offered of some of the software under development http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/the_new_era_of_semantic_apps.php , including something called Twine.
Twine http://www.twine.com/ is in beta, and is now accepting registrations, which lead to an invitation to participate in the program as it evolves.
The article also noted Freebase http://www.freebase.com/ which appears to be a similar kind of program, Freebase defines itself "an open, shared database of the world's knowledge," declares itself to be in alpha phase, and is accepting registrations.
Rather than try to say more about what I am now trying to figure out for myself, you may find it worthwhile to check out the above urls. If you are wiki inclined, the concepts may come more readily than they do to someone, such as myself, who has not really warmed up to wiki. The point here, I think, is that the programs are designed to expose or reveal the underlying connections among individuals, ideas, places, events, etc. in a manner that reflects each individual user's interests and information collection.
Why write about this today, given that some of the material is a year old?
I made the connection because of an article that appeared today, The Future of Mind Mapping Software , at http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/the-future-of-mind-mapping-software/ . The article is by Chuck Frey, who has a regular email newsletter and mind mapping blog http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/ that I have found very useful.
I am reminded, when reading about Twine and Freebase, of Eric Sommer's vision of ADM being a world-wide outline. While I maintain that ADM was, and still is, among the top out liners, the out line metaphor may not have been the best one for realizing Eric's vision, although as a front-end for structuring information a person has in programs such Twine and Freebasem it may be appropriate -- and this is an assumption on my part, given that I have yet to register at these two programs, and am just going on the basis of what I have seen written about them.
Daly
Many of us here started with the first out lining programs, and followed the progression of software as it became, at least in theory, able to do more, such as provide for meta-data, advanced searches, etc. And also there's more recently the plethora of mind and concept mapping programs that are, again in theory, promoted as being more helpful than out liners.
A further progression takes us into the realms of social networking and the semantic web, neither of which I am sure I understand fully.
In an article a year ago called the New Era of Semantic Webs there was an overview offered of some of the software under development http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/the_new_era_of_semantic_apps.php , including something called Twine.
Twine http://www.twine.com/ is in beta, and is now accepting registrations, which lead to an invitation to participate in the program as it evolves.
The article also noted Freebase http://www.freebase.com/ which appears to be a similar kind of program, Freebase defines itself "an open, shared database of the world's knowledge," declares itself to be in alpha phase, and is accepting registrations.
Rather than try to say more about what I am now trying to figure out for myself, you may find it worthwhile to check out the above urls. If you are wiki inclined, the concepts may come more readily than they do to someone, such as myself, who has not really warmed up to wiki. The point here, I think, is that the programs are designed to expose or reveal the underlying connections among individuals, ideas, places, events, etc. in a manner that reflects each individual user's interests and information collection.
Why write about this today, given that some of the material is a year old?
I made the connection because of an article that appeared today, The Future of Mind Mapping Software , at http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/the-future-of-mind-mapping-software/ . The article is by Chuck Frey, who has a regular email newsletter and mind mapping blog http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/ that I have found very useful.
I am reminded, when reading about Twine and Freebase, of Eric Sommer's vision of ADM being a world-wide outline. While I maintain that ADM was, and still is, among the top out liners, the out line metaphor may not have been the best one for realizing Eric's vision, although as a front-end for structuring information a person has in programs such Twine and Freebasem it may be appropriate -- and this is an assumption on my part, given that I have yet to register at these two programs, and am just going on the basis of what I have seen written about them.
Daly
Chris Thompson
10/9/2008 3:08 pm
The major difference between "Web 2.0" and the proposed "Semantic Web" is that you'll not only have to tag items but also have to tag links as well. It's twice as much work for an uncertain payoff. I'm not confident it will ever take off, and I'm sure none of the structured "ontologies" for tagging relationships will ever become popular. Way too complex.
Daly de Gagne
10/9/2008 7:31 pm
Chris, is that with both programs -- Freebase and Twine?
Daly
Chris Thompson wrote:
Daly
Chris Thompson wrote:
The major difference between "Web 2.0" and the proposed "Semantic Web" is that you'll
not only have to tag items but also have to tag links as well. It's twice as much work for
an uncertain payoff. I'm not confident it will ever take off, and I'm sure none of the
structured "ontologies" for tagging relationships will ever become popular. Way
too complex.
Stephen R. Diamond
10/9/2008 9:19 pm
Daly de Gagne wrote:
I am
reminded, when reading about Twine and Freebase, of Eric Sommer's vision of ADM being
a world-wide outline. While I maintain that ADM was, and still is, among the top out
liners,
Qua outliner, yes.
the out line metaphor may not have been the best one for realizing Eric's
vision, although as a front-end for structuring information a person has in programs
such Twine and Freebasem it may be appropriate -- and this is an assumption on my part,
given that I have yet to register at these two programs, and am just going on the basis of
what I have seen written about them.
Well, if it's not an outline interface, what is it? Something like The Brain?
Daly de Gagne
10/20/2008 2:11 pm
Re Twine, I don't see what you mean about tagging links.
I simply select a site on the web using the Twine button on my bookmark toolbar, designate which Twines (major topic areas) I want it sent to using a simple list that pops up, write a comment in the space provided, and then designate tags. And then I send it off.
Within second this information, including page link, tags, and my comment appear in every Twine. It is quite easy.
So for me, who is often challenged by complexity, Twine has been pretty straight forward.
And in the couple of weeks I have used it, it has been well worth it in terms of giving me good information I wouldn't have found otherwise.
Daly
Chris Thompson wrote:
I simply select a site on the web using the Twine button on my bookmark toolbar, designate which Twines (major topic areas) I want it sent to using a simple list that pops up, write a comment in the space provided, and then designate tags. And then I send it off.
Within second this information, including page link, tags, and my comment appear in every Twine. It is quite easy.
So for me, who is often challenged by complexity, Twine has been pretty straight forward.
And in the couple of weeks I have used it, it has been well worth it in terms of giving me good information I wouldn't have found otherwise.
Daly
Chris Thompson wrote:
The major difference between "Web 2.0" and the proposed "Semantic Web" is that you'll
not only have to tag items but also have to tag links as well. It's twice as much work for
an uncertain payoff. I'm not confident it will ever take off, and I'm sure none of the
structured "ontologies" for tagging relationships will ever become popular. Way
too complex.
Daly de Gagne
10/20/2008 2:16 pm
Stephen, I am not sure how to describe the Twine pages, other than saying each major topic area (or twine) provides a list of all material sent to that particular twine. You can also search across all public twines using tags or key words.
What I have found interesting is that the Twine members include a diverse range of interests, and many of the members are from outside North America.
The best thing, I think, is to try Twine and see if it is something you'd find useful and/or fun to use - I find it is both fun and useful.
I find Twine is more sophisticated and better thought out than Freebase.
Stephen R. Diamond wrote:
What I have found interesting is that the Twine members include a diverse range of interests, and many of the members are from outside North America.
The best thing, I think, is to try Twine and see if it is something you'd find useful and/or fun to use - I find it is both fun and useful.
I find Twine is more sophisticated and better thought out than Freebase.
Stephen R. Diamond wrote:
Well, if it's not an outline interface, what is it?
Something like The Brain?
Alexander Deliyannis
8/18/2013 9:17 pm
Now that Twine is long gone and (almost) forgotten, people interested in organised knowledge sharing might want to try out Pearltrees http://pearltrees.com
As usual with such free offerings, don't expect any guarantees that it will be around in a couple of years from now. That said, I'm a sucker for tree-like organisation.
As usual with such free offerings, don't expect any guarantees that it will be around in a couple of years from now. That said, I'm a sucker for tree-like organisation.
Daly de Gagne
8/21/2013 2:07 pm
Alexander, I just looked at Pearltrees, and very quickly opened an account, so I've only spent a few minutes with it.
However, I'm curious to know how you think it compares to Digg, Stumbeupon, Chimein, and other similar programs.
Thanks.
Daly
However, I'm curious to know how you think it compares to Digg, Stumbeupon, Chimein, and other similar programs.
Thanks.
Daly
Alexander Deliyannis
8/24/2013 3:45 pm
My experience with Pearltrees is minimal at the moment, but I would differentiate it from the likes of Digg and Stumbleupon (I have never used Chimein) which focus on rating/commenting single websites/pages, and classifying them with tags as a sidejob. If I understand the concept behind Pearltrees, it is to organise web findings within a broader context, visually/hierarchically. Thus appeals to me, though I admit it will be a while before I have the time to invest in trying it out extensively.