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
resources
topic map
webpage
audiovideo
databaserecord
Worddoc
XML image
XML
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
topic map
predation
associationrole role
predator prey
Cats are furry carnivorous animals…
Cats are furry carnivorous animals…
cats.doc
Birds are feathery animals…
Birds are feathery animals…
birds.doc
occurrence occurrence
birdscats
topic map
multiple viewpoints
Cats are furry carnivorous animals…
Cats are furry carnivorous animals…
cats.html
occurrence
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…
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
Catsscientific
view
kids’view
occurrence
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
Ontologytopic map
Books
Places
Mentions
Events
Writing
Dates
People
Collections
Pictures
Scholars
General public
HTML
XML file 2
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
XML file 2
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
Gen. Kippenberger
XML file 2
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
Gen. Kippenberger
XML file 2
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
Gen. Kippenberger
XML file 2
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
Gen. Kippenberger
XML file 2
XML file 1
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Index
Metadata about book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Index
Gen. Kippenberger
“harvesting” topic maps
documenttopic map
harvesting from our texts
topic map
Joe Bloggs
New Zealand
example.xml
association
Mentions
associationassociation
harvesting from our name list
topic map
Joe Bloggs
Joe Bloggs is a renownedmythological
character
notes
occurrence
topic map engine
overview of architecture
name harvester
text harvester
textstexts
names topic map
names topic map
texts topic maps
texts topic maps
ontology topic map
ontology topic map
complete site map
complete site map
topic map
displaying the map as a website
depicted
association
BesMaor-090.jpg
Textiles, Clothing, and Ornaments The art of weaving. Moon-goddess and her functions. Bark cloth. Maori method of weaving. The whare pora…
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
occurrenceoccurrence
Textiles, Clothing, and
OrnamentsFig. 85
association
mentioned
occurrence
externallink
association
Dictionary ofNZ Biography
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1T63
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1T63
Te Rangihaeata
end
• to request more info, visit: www.xpa.co.nz/topic-maps/
• to join our topic map discussion list, email: [email protected]
• 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