I am actually looking for something more mundane and fixed. Librarians use universal coding systems to classify knowledge subjects. What I am looking for is the Computer Science Classification or Math Subject Classification scheme (MSC) for ordering subjects in or related to semantic web technologies.
It is a given that specialists in a specific field of science will order and classify information and knowledge according to subject classification systems. The two I mentioned are standards for computer science and mathematics, although if we look at the one for math, rigid adherence to standards is not a given, e.g. www.arxiv.org does not stick to the MSC because something as simple as quantum algebra does not fit into any MSC category properly. The problem I have is that our organization is preparing to build a meta-portal for sustainable development, which actually calls for an interdisciplinary approach to structuring knowledge, combining, ecology, biology, zoology, marine biology, geology, oceanography, meteorology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, economics, sociology, anthropology, psychology and an additional bag of earth sciences, bio sciences, health sciences, agricultural sciences and behavioral sciences thrown into the mix. The US Government figured this out recently as well when they figured that a standard approach to the field of integrated coastal zone management was not covering all corners. So the research field of human dimensions was born (www.hd.gov). Now comes the part where semantic web technologies can really be made to shine. In absence of standardized subject classification schemes standardized schemes become important, where ontologies and subsequent upper layers will be of vital importance. I mentioned the EU Framework Program 7 PARADISO Conference ICT for a Global Sustainable Future (http://www.paradiso-fp7.eu) in an earlier email. When I checked http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/projects/home_en.html under the FP7, FP6 and FP5 for semantic web I found some 175 projects. What I see is fragmentation, and what I miss is an attempt to come up with a scheme for knowledge modeling and classification that is more dynamic than what we have now. To put it in perspective if I am e.g. looking for knowledge on ecological footprint indicators and vulnerability indices, I must have at my disposal a scheme which can dynamically combine subject classfication schemes for mathematics, computer science, ecology and several other fields of research and uniquely resolve conflict issues arising from the fact that e.g. the word ecosystem means different things in computer science and ecology. I know this may sound trivial, as semantic web technology standards and tools supposedly take care of this problem. The problem I have encountered, and which is going to be a tough one to tackle is that mainstream peer-reviewed scientific articles, papers and research tend to be classified using things like the Computer Science Classification and the Math Subject Classification, but in practice an emergent field like Human Dimensions calls for more flexibility, the kind the semantic web is supposed to deliver. Since the hard core body of scientific knowledge will be a main category to be covered by the semantic web in addition to less structured information we have a problem. We can create a generalized scheme for ontologies and then reverse map this onto the all existing knowledge and particularly of interest to researchers areas of overlap (multidisciplinary research- the norm in e.g. sustainable development). Somehow my gut feeling tells me we are going to get stuck halfway. What I am trying to avoid is using the semantic web technology standards and tools and ending up creating the semantic web equivalent of the sub-atomic particle zoo of elementary particle physics with hundreds of components to make the darn thing work! Milton Ponson GSM: +297 747 8280 Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation PO Box 1154, Oranjestad Aruba, Dutch Caribbean www.rainbowwarriors.net Project Paradigm: A structured approach to bringing the tools for sustainable development to all stakeholders worldwide www.projectparadigm.info NGO-Opensource: Creating ICT tools for NGOs worldwide for Project Paradigm www.ngo-opensource.org MetaPortal: providing online access to web sites and repositories of data and information for sustainable development www.metaportal.info SemanticWebSoftware, part of NGO-Opensource to enable SW technologies in the Metaportal project www.semanticwebsoftware.info --- On Mon, 1/12/09, Deborah MacPherson <[email protected]> wrote: From: Deborah MacPherson <[email protected]> Subject: Re: atlas, landscape map and subject classification scheme for semantic web technologies To: [email protected] Cc: "public-lod" <[email protected]>, "semantic-web" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, January 12, 2009, 10:14 PM You could also look at UMBEL Upper Mapping Binding and Exchange Layer http://www.umbel.org/Deborah MacPherson On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 1:02 PM, Semantics-ProjectParadigm <[email protected]> wrote: Dear listers, I am looking for an atlas, landscape map and (standard checklist) subject classification scheme for semantic web and semantic web technologies. Are there any articles of publications visually and by subject classification mapping the field of semantic web technologies? I am particularly interested in any such schemes which make the linkage to other fields of research visible (e.g. AI, library sciences, database theory, cognitive science, linguistics, neurobiology, formal logical and knowledge modeling etc.). Milton Ponson GSM: +297 747 8280 Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation PO Box 1154, Oranjestad Aruba, Dutch Caribbean www.rainbowwarriors.net Project Paradigm: A structured approach to bringing the tools for sustainable development to all stakeholders worldwide www.projectparadigm.info NGO-Opensource: Creating ICT tools for NGOs worldwide for Project Paradigm www.ngo-opensource.org MetaPortal: providing online access to web sites and repositories of data and information for sustainable development www.metaportal.info SemanticWebSoftware, part of NGO-Opensource to enable SW technologies in the Metaportal project www.semanticwebsoftware.info -- ******************************************************** Deborah L. MacPherson CSI CCS, AIA Projects Director, Accuracy&Aesthetics Specifications and Research, WDG Architecture The content of this email may contain private and confidential information. 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