Conal Tuohy conal@nzetc.org Topic Maps @ NZETC Conal Tuohy conal@nzetc.org

what is a topic map? An ISO standard for subject-based indexing Evolved from back-of-the-book indexes XML and web-based technology Similar to indexes, cross-references, glossaries and thesauri in traditional media

topic map resources web page audio video database record Word doc XML image

the map is not the territory You can map resources which are outside of your control You can use a topic map to describe a dispersed set of resources There can be any number of different maps which describe the same resources

cats birds topic map predator prey predation role association Cats are furry carnivorous animals… cats.doc Birds are feathery animals… birds.doc occurrence

multiple viewpoints topic map Cats scientific view kids’ occurrence Cats are furry carnivorous animals… cats.html Any animal belonging to the natural family Felidae, and in particular to the various species of the genera Felis, Panthera, and Lynx. The domestic cat is Felis domestica… felidae.html

merging Topic maps have a powerful ability to intelligently merge with other topic maps. A topic map must not contain two topics about the same subject When merging topic maps, a topic map engine must merge topics that represent the same subject

topic mapping identify the subjects of interest identify how they relate to each other (optionally) identify different viewpoints

Ontology topic map HTML People Pictures Writing PDF Collections Books Mentions Scholars Places Dates General public Events

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Index XML file 1 Metadata about book Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Index

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 XML file 1 Chapter 2 Metadata about book Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Gen. Kippenberger Index

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 XML file 1 Chapter 2 Metadata about book Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Gen. Kippenberger Index

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Index XML file 1 Metadata about book Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Gen. Kippenberger Index

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 XML file 1 Chapter 2 Metadata about book Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Gen. Kippenberger Index

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Index XML file 2 Metadata about book Chapter 1 XML file 1 Chapter 2 Metadata about book Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Index Chapter 2 Gen. Kippenberger Index

“harvesting” topic maps document

harvesting from our texts topic map example.xml association association association New Zealand Joe Bloggs Mentions

harvesting from our name list topic map Joe Bloggs is a renowned mythological character occurrence notes Joe Bloggs

overview of architecture topic map engine ontology topic map complete site map names topic map name harvester texts topic maps texts text harvester

displaying the map as a website topic map Te Rangihaeata depicted mentioned association association association Textiles, Clothing, and Ornaments Fig. 85 external link Dictionary of NZ Biography occurrence occurrence Textiles, Clothing, and Ornaments The art of weaving. Moon-goddess and her functions. Bark cloth. Maori method of weaving. The whare pora… tei-BesMaor-c6-6.xhtml BesMaor- 090.jpg occurrence http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1T63

end to request more info, visit: www.xpa.co.nz/topic-maps/ to join our topic map discussion list, email: info@xpa.co.nz any questions?

CIDOC CRM The CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) provides definitions and a formal structure for describing the implicit and explicit concepts and relationships used in cultural heritage documentation. The CIDOC CRM is intended to promote a shared understanding of cultural heritage information by providing a common and extensible semantic framework that any cultural heritage information can be mapped to. It is intended to be a common language for domain experts and implementers to formulate requirements for information systems and to serve as a guide for good practice of conceptual modelling. In this way, it can provide the "semantic glue" needed to mediate between different sources of cultural heritage information, such as that published by museums, libraries and archives.

Topic Maps and RDF Topic Maps and RDF are clearly related Topic Maps and RDF are quite different Topic Maps can be based on RDF Topic Maps are “higher-level” than RDF, including a few extra features www.w3.org/2001/sw/BestPractices/RDFTM/ www.ontopia.net/topicmaps/materials/tmrdf.html

GeoNet We used GeoNet to help create our list of place-names: http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/index.html