1. Topic Maps - Concept, Examples & Requirements Silke Grossmann (IMAC) Project Management Group Meeting 2001-09-12

2. 2001 / 09Topic Maps2 The Topic Map Concept Topic maps represent a new framework for information and knowledge management. They allow to model and navigate information in an interchangeable structure. Topics Instances Associations Resources All information stored in a topic map is organized in topics. A topic represents an arbitrary subject. It has a name and resources. Every topic can be an instance of other topics. In this way it is possible to build up hierarchies in the topic map. Topics can also be associated in a non-hierarchical way to other topics. An association has a name, members & roles. A topic can be linked to any kind of occurrences, virtual resources of the subject. Resources are the actual item in the data base.

3. 2001 / 09Topic Maps3 Marie Antoniette Leopold IIJosef I Franz I Maria Theresia Karl VI Austria Topic Map Example (1) Topic maps connect different topics

4. 2001 / 09Topic Maps4 Topic Map Example (2) Maria Theresia Austria Karl VI child parenthood Regent Reigned country Object 1 Membership (role) Relationship Membership (role) Object 2 Regency 1st degree relationship

5. 2001 / 09Topic Maps5 Topic Map Example (3) Maria Theresia Austria Karl VI Franz I Leopold II Marie Antoniette Josef I 1st grade relationship child parenthood hus- band wife regency reigned country regent mariage

6. 2001 / 09Topic Maps6 Topic Map Viewer Best Practice example: Name of the Topic Super Topics Associated Topics Resources The picture shows the topic browsing frame of Ontopias Omnigator. Another frame besides can display selected resources.

7. 2001 / 09Topic Maps7 Visualization of XTM topic maps Display a topic with all its relationships Display resources related to a topic (overview and single view) Display resource meta data Provide browsing possibilities to all related topics and resources Additional navigation tools like (step back / forward, direct alphabetical access) Change between different visualizations Functional Requirements

8. 2001 / 09Topic Maps8 Usability Notes Suitable visualizations to display the topic relationships (different solutions regarding to the screen size). A visual component for every topic next to the title. A topic map overview as an access point. Display all information as a link to the represented topic. Display associations not like topics (the concept of association-topics may irritate the user). Use suitable terms for the XTM tag names to help inexperienced users.

9. 2001 / 09Topic Maps9 Portal Integration Ways to integrate the topic map navigation in the existing portal user interface! Portal Interface