1. Towards Interoperability
Jan Odijk
CLARIN NCF Meeting, Helsinki

2. Interoperability Introduction
desired characteristics of data and software
data and tools are interoperable if they can be used in combination without having to make any adaptations to the data or the tools
CLARIN

3. Standards: important but not the ultimate solution
Introduction
Standards: important but not the ultimate solution
There are none / there are too many
May cover too little / cover too much
Works only if there is an excellent tool suite around it
Does not solve the legacy formats
CLARIN

4. Role of NCF Introduction
Define the status and importance of interoperability in CLARIN
Think about how to organise work on interoperability in the CLARIN context
Create incentives to work on interoperability
CLARIN

5. CLARIN must create incentives to work on interoperability:
Introduction
CLARIN must create incentives to work on interoperability:
Define clearly what interoperability means (intensionally and extensionally)
Set priorities, maybe a roadmap
Stimulate work on it (prestige, rewards, money, constructive competition)
The best incentive: it works and is used by others!
CLARIN

6. Introduction
General interoperability scheme (e.g. as proposed in the document), if feasible:
Must be defined
Must be supported by CLARIN
Must become part of the CLARIN branding
CLARIN

7. Who should drive all work on interoperability?
Questions for the NCF
Who should drive all work on interoperability?
Who should define a general scheme?
Who should work on interoperability for specific resource types?
How is such work best organised? Who takes decisions?
What is the role of CLARIN ERIC?
CLARIN

8. Questions for the NCF What is the role of national projects?
What is the role of the NCF in this?
What is the role of the Standards Committee
What is the role of other CLARIN committees?
How can claimed interoperability be assessed? (is it necessary, or will they (dis)prove themselves?)
How is such assessment best organised? ….
CLARIN

9. Have a fruitful discussion!
CLARIN