Web Metadata, what is it? Ora Lassila Visiting Scientist (from Nokia) Definition Applications Current Standardization Efforts

Metadata: Definition DATA ABOUT DATATraditionally, metadata has been seen as DATA ABOUT DATA Example: Library catalogs describe information about books (data).

Metadata: Definition WWW contains a lot of information All of the web –is “machine-readable” –but is not “machine-understandable” A lot could be gained if –it was possible to precisely describe pages, servers, search services

Metadata: Definition “Web metadata” is –machine-understandable descriptions of things on - and about - the web Metadata can be seen as data with –structure (typically this means at least attribute/values pairs) –semantics (defined meaning)

Applications of Metadata Resource discovery –search engines can better “understand” the contents of a particular page –more accurate searches Cataloging –describing the content and content relationships of web sites, pages, digital libraries

Applications of Metadata Content rating –empowering users to select which kinds of web content they like to see –protection of children Intelligent software agents –knowledge representation and sharing –communication

Applications of Metadata Describing collections of pages Intellectual property rights (IPR) –copyright statements etc. Digital signatures –key to building the "Web of Trust” –electronic commerce, collaboration, etc.

Metadata Standardization History –PICS (Platform for Internet Content Selection) –“Dublin Core” (a digital library initiative) –others Current Effort at W3C –RDF (Resource Description Framework)

Resource Description Framework RDF inspired by various efforts –PICS and “Next Generation PICS” (PICS-NG) work at W3C –Microsoft’s XML-Data, Netscape’s MCF Design effort coordinated by W3C –working group consisting of engineers from Microsoft, Netscape, Nokia, IBM, OCLC, W3C, and others

Resource Description Framework - an example Ora’s Home Page Ora Lassila Ora’s Home Pagehttp:// Ora Lassila title creator name

Resource Description Framework First public draft of the standard proposal released October 3rd Work continues in working groups Expect to see future versions of web browsers to be able to use RDF!

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