Resources
The
TAO of Topic Maps: finding the way in the age of infoglut (Pepper)
This paper provides a non-technical introduction to topics, associations and occurrences (TAO) and other concepts (the IFS and BUTS of topic maps), relating them to things that are familiar to all of us from the realms of publishing and information management, and attempting to convey some idea of the uses to which topic maps will be put in the future.
[glossaries, indexes, indexing, knowledge management, knowledge representation, navigation, retrieval, semantic networks, thesauri, topic maps]
Topic Maps Handbook (Rath)
"You will discover first hand which role topic maps play in the field of knowledge management, what a typical application could look like, how topic maps can be generated and of course, find a detailed introduction into this fascinating technology with numerous examples."
Euler, Topic Maps, and Revolution [XML Europe 1999]
(Pepper)
Provides an introduction to the new topic map standard (ISO 13250) and illustrates some potential areas of application for topic maps, particularly in enclopaedia publishing.
Topic Map cartography: a discussion of Topic Map authoring [XML Europe 2000] (Baird)
Topic Maps, implemented through the ISO/IEC 13250 standard, are designed to facilitate the organisation and navigation of large collections of information objects by creating meta-level perspectives of their underlying concepts and relationships. This paper will examine the issues involved in using the standard to create Topic Maps that enable this objective.
[Linking]
Topic Maps go XML [XML Europe 2000] (Newcomb, Biezunski)
This paper outlines the current state of the expressibility of Topic Maps in XML, the growing usefulness of Topic Maps in Web-oriented contexts, and the ongoing XTM Specification effort of TopicMaps.Org to increase the exploitability of the Topic Maps paradigm in mass markets.
The XTM Guide: A Beginner's Guide to the XTM Syntax (Biezunski)
"The purpose of this guide to the XTM syntax is to provide a way for web developers to implement topic map based systems." Provides an annotated version of the XTM DTD.
Specializing Occurrences in Topic Maps by Association Template Subclassing [Extreme Markup 2001] (Michel Biezunski, Steven R. Newcomb)
"The purpose of this paper is to share some recently-gained insights about topic occurrence characteristics, and about the significance and exploitability of occurrence-ness in association templates."
So why aren't Topic Maps ruling the world? [Extreme Markup 2002] (Eric Freese)
"This paper raises some issues and questions intended to spark debate, raise some hackles and spur action. It may upset some people in the process, but hopefully the debate will enrich the topic map community as a whole. The hope of the author is that by bringing these items to light, smart people with good ideas and lots of energy may step forward in order to solve these problems."
A semantic integration methodology [Extreme Markup 2003] (Steve Newcomb)
"The heart of the semantic integration problem is how to tell when two statements are about the same subject. In some circles, this is known as the “co-referencing problem”. It is problem familiar to those who sift and scrub intelligence gathered from diverse sources, and it is known to be hard. One of the reasons that it’s hard is that some statements define (or contribute to the definition of) the subjects they’re talking about."
[TMRM]
Tools for semantic interoperability: hubjects [2005] (Bernard Vatant)
Looks at whether it is possible to semantically interoperate between kinds of subjects.
Towards knowledge organization with Topic Maps[XML Europe 2000] (Sigel)
How could TM-based services alleviate the pressing KO problem of how to reorganize, enhance and semantically integrate heterogeneous subject data? Dedicated to this question, this talk takes a KO perspective: By sketching three typical scenarios in which heterogeneous metadata occur, it shows how classical KO challenges reappear with TMs, but also that TMs may be of value.
[ko, ai, metadata]
Topic maps at work [XML Handbook 2nd ed] (Rath, Pepper)
This chapter provides an introduction to the new topic map standard, illustrates some potential applications of topic maps, particularly in the areas of encyclopedia publishing and technical documentation, and explains the tool support topic maps require.
Navigating haystacks and discovering needles: Introducing the new topic map standard (Pepper)
This article provides an introduction to the new topic map standard (ISO/IEC 13250) with particular reference to the domain of encyclopaedia publishing, and discusses the relationship between topic maps and the W3C recommendation Resource Description Framework (RDF).
A Taxi in Knowledge Land: A Use Case that Combines Topic Maps and Web Services in a Public Portal (Bandholtz)
Bandholtz reports on a R&D project with a focus on implementing topic map functionality as a web service. The primary usage is within a public portal (German Einvironmental Information Network), but the service is provided for general use in the scope of environmental protection. The topic map contains a thesaurus and a gazetteer. The report gives an overview on architectur and methods, and on the tools employed, and on standardization issues.
[topic map, knowledge management, web services, XML schema, use case]
Ferrets and Topic Maps: Knowledge Engineering for an Analytical Engine (Mason)
"The "Ferret" analytical engine, developed originally by the Y-12 National Security Complex of the U.S. Department of Energy to seek classified data and associations in documents and present its findings in the light of formal rules, requires a structured information base that represents not just individual facts but a set of implications and a collection of rules. The fundamental knowledge base is evolving towards forms that enhance flexibility and portability. The developers early realized that the knowledge base can be captured in XML by a series of trees that represent taxonomies, analytical structures, and specific indicative facts, but over this a topic map is needed to express links across the trees. Above this, the classification rules could form another topic map that points into the lower layers. In its latest form, however, the knowledge base has come to be entirely represented in a topic map.
K-Discovery: Identification of Distributed Knowledge Structures in a Process-oriented Groupware Environment [KT 2001] (Smolnik, Stefan; Nastansky, Ludwig; Nastansky, Ludwig)
"Scenarios in groupware-based environments show the problems of accessing knowledge structures in general and organizational knowledge structures in particular. By applying topic maps, as defined in ISO/IEC 13250, to groupware-based organizational knowledge bases, it is possible to close a gap between knowledge and information. In this paper, the aims of the K-Discovery project - applying topic maps to groupware-based environments - are presented. Based on this, an architectural model will be introduced creating knowledge structures by generating topic maps in a process-oriented groupware environment."
Managing complex environments with Topic Maps [KT 2001] (Vatant)
This paper proposes a general methodology for Topic Map building and management in complex information environments involving a great diversity of resources, objects, concepts and actors. The methodology focuses on the distinction between "objective" levels of identified Objects and Resources, and "conceptual" level, and proposes ways for structuring, linking and managing these different levels.
[TAO]
Building Knowledge Universe
(Vatant)
This paper proposes a methodological frame for definition of Topics and Associations. It focuses on the distinction to be made between "objective universally sharable information" of Objects and Resources, and "context linked knowledge representation" of abstract Concepts, and proposes a constructive method for structuration and linking between these levels.
[TAO]
K-Discovery: Using Topic Maps to identify Distributed Knowledge Structures in Groupware-based Organizational Memories [35th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2002] (Smolnik, Stefan; Nastansky, Ludwig)
"Many of today's organizations already have a strong integration of groupware systems in their IT-infrastructure. The shared databases of these groupware systems form organizational memories, which comprise the complete knowledge of an organization collected over the time of its existence. One key problem is how to find relevant knowledge or information in continuously growing and distributed organizational memories. The basic functionalities and mechanisms in groupware systems are not sufficient to support users in finding required knowledge or information. Topic maps provide strong paradigms and concepts for the semantic structuring of link networks and therefore, they are a considerable solution for organizing and navigating large and continuously growing organizational memories. The K-Discovery project suggests applying topic maps to groupware systems to address the mentioned challenges. Thus, the K-Discovery project introduces a conceptual framework, an architecture and an implementation approach to create knowledge structures by generating topic maps in organizational memories."
Business Maps: Topic Maps Go B2B [xml.com, 21 Aug 2002] (de Graauw)
"We need tools to leverage the intelligence of humans business experts. We need portable, reusable, and standardized mappings. Topic Maps are an excellent vehicle to provide those 'Business Maps'."
The gap between structured and unstructured information needs a bridge. [Extreme Markup 2002] (Michel Biezunski)
"A new bridge is under construction: the one that connects structured information with unstructured information. The unavoidable need for finding whatever information is available on subjects of interest leads to the requirement to simultaneously access information regardless of the way it has been created and is maintained. Since Topic Maps claim to be able to address these two universes, it is no coincidence that the debates that are currently agitating this community fall on both sides of the rift. The purpose of this paper is to establish that the best way to avoid falling over the precipice is to recognize that it exists. Building a bridge might very well be the answer."
Organizing Information in a Corporate Intranet: A Use Case for Published and Internal-Use Subjects in Topic Maps [Extreme Markup 2002] (Mary Nishikawa)
"The Topic Maps paradigm allows people and organizations to use a specific piece of addressable information, often called a "published subject indicator," as a "binding point" for information about a specific subject. Information about subjects could be collated by merging sets of such bindings. A given subject may be classified according to multiple classification schemes simultaneously... Examples in XTM syntax show how the Electronic Commerce Code Management Association's Universal Standard Products and Services Classification Code can be a set of published subjects. Emerging issues and standards are discussed, including the OASIS Published Subject activity."
Topic Maps for Managing Classification Guidance [Extreme Markup 2002] (Vinh LÍ, James David Mason)
"The Topic Maps technique is being applied to organize classification guidance topics according to unique subjects so that duplicate topics, inconsistent topics, and gaps in classification guidance become obvious for corrective actions..."
What Are Topic Maps? [xml.com, 11 Sept 2002] (Garshol)
"Many years ago, I started looking into SGML and XML as a way to make information more manageable and findable, which was something I had been working on for a long time. It took me several years to discover that, although SGML and XML helped, they did not actually solve the problem. Later I discovered topic maps, and it seemed to me that here was the missing piece that would make it possible to really find what you were looking for."
Topic Maps / Pattern Languages: An Approach to Supporting Community-Based Inter-Island Conversations
[30 Oct 2002] (Hunting)
"Digital conversation, besides being convenient, has potential advantages for users of scale, persistence, and distribution. However, current systems of digital conversation cannot realize these advantages. A Patterned System of Digital Conversation (PSDC) should be constructed that uses existing Internet technology for transport and front-end display, pattern languages for creating and managing the subjects of conversation digitally, and topic map technology for back-end modeling, storing, and interchanging conversational material in the form of data."
Using Topic Maps to Extend Relational Databases [05 Mar 2003] (de Graauw)
"...Topic Maps provide a very flexible and robust way to add arbitrary data to a relational databases at runtime. Moreover, Topic Maps come with a predefined exchange mechanism (the XML Topic Maps (XTM) interchange syntax) to allow data to be exported to XML."
Browser Bookmark Management with Topic Maps [Extreme Markup 2003] (Thomas B. Passin)
"This paper presents an analysis of the nature of bookmark collections assumed to contain nested sets of folders into which the bookmarks are organized and describes a Topic Map-based approach that significantly increases the usefulness of a bookmark collection."
Taking Topic Maps to the Nth dimension [Extreme Markup 2003] (Eric Freese)
"A topic map-based system is being developed that will allow users to narrow a catalog of over 36,000 different sources to a manageable level by navigating over 9 separate dimensions (or metadata axes). This system will enhance searching capabilities and help users to find the best sources for their particular information needs more efficiently. This paper discusses the business case for developing such a system and describes the implementation and design decisions made. A demonstration of the system will be included as part of the conference presentation."
Can Topic Maps describe context for enterprise-wide applications? [Extreme 2003] (Duane Degler, Lisa Battle)
"Using topic maps in the design of user-centered software applications for the U.S. Social Security Administration, we have encountered several interesting issues that are not necessarily found in the design of stand-alone information resources. In the future, there is an increasing potential role for topic maps in the design of flexible applications. The infrastructural investments required to achieve richly contextual applications can be made gradually, over the course of many small and successful projects, as the role and benefits of Topic Maps becomes increasingly visible."
Metadata? Thesauri? Taxonomies? Topic Maps!: Making sense of it all [2004] (Lars Marius Garshol)
"The paper argues that topic maps go beyond the traditional solutions in the sense that it provides a framework within which they can be represented as they are, but also extended in ways which significantly improve information retrieval."
Towards Seamless Knowledge - Integrating Public Sector Portals in Norway [XML Europe 2004] (Steve Pepper)
Powerpoint slides with many examples covering TAO of topic maps, ZTM, topic maps in Norway, as well as a glimpse of the Omnigator sharing Topic Map fragments via SNAPI.
Navigating the Production Maze: The Topic Mapped Enterprise [Extreme 2004] (Thomas M. Insalaco, James David Mason)
"Our proposed solution [to develop a system that can rapidly find out what tools are needed to make parts for a particular product] is a topic map that treats our products in detail, the component flows, and the facilities and tools available in the Complex. We hope to extend this map to include other aspects of our operations, including the skills and staffing levels necessary to operate our processes. Although the Topic Map is still in preliminary development, we are already learning new things about our enterprise from it."
Representing Software System Information in a Topic Map [Extreme 2004] (Terrence Brady)
"The presentation will demonstrate how we achieved the most satisfying results using XML Topic Maps [to] model a complex set of interdependent metadata applications that had been developed over a period of 10–15 years..."
Here is a How to Topic Maps, Sir! [2004] (Alexander Johannesen)
Looks at the relationship between topic maps and relational databases. See aslo the blog discussion.
BrainBank Learning - building personal topic maps as a strategy for learning [XML Europe 2004] (Stian Lavik, Tommy W. Nordeng)
BrainBank Learning (BBL) is a suite of intuitive tools for learning of concepts and their content, and how they relate. The core of the suite is BrainBank®, the ontology of a topic map for acquired knowledge in a lifelong perspective. Topic Maps is a standard (ISO 13250) that defines an effective way of representing information. BBL is a web application (so called Computer Aided Learning (CAL) software), a web-based topic maps editor that works with standard Internet browsers. This means that educational institutions are not dependent on local installations or state of the art equipment to use the application.
A Matter of Perspectives: Talking About Talking About Topic Maps [Extreme 2005] (Michel Biezunski)
In this paper I will attempt to show that the terms which are used to describe the work being done in the semantic technologies are somewhat misleading, and I will propose using the term "perspective" instead of the term "ontology" to emphasize the fact that the vision of semantically integrated information depends on the point of view adopted. In this paper I will show that the traditional approach (top-down) which looks like the natural and reasonable thing to do when dealing with information models doesn't work efficiently as long as what we are interested in is connecting information from various and heterogenous sources.
SNAPI
SNAPI is a "Remote API for Knowledge Access and Update. A C# and Java API designed to provide remote access to semantic web knowledge stores such as RDF and Topic Maps."
SNS Web Services
You can develop web apps with SNS Web Services.
TMShare - Topic Map Fragment Exchange In a Peer-To-Peer Application [2003] (Kal Ahmed)
"This paper discusses TMShare, a peer-to-peer information-sharing application based on topic map technology."
TMIP, A RESTful Topic Maps Interaction Protocol [Extreme 2005] (Robert Barta)
"In this work a TM aware protocol following the REST paradigm is introduced. It enables clients to access TM backends over a network regardless of their platform and storage technology. For precise location of information it adopts features of the upcoming TM query language, TMQL, but it also supports the bulk transfer of whole maps. In contrast to similar approaches it also supports update operations."
Survey of Actual Scope Use in Topic Maps (Marc de Graauw)
A small survey of the way existing Topic Maps actually use scope.
Structuring Scope (Marc de Graauw)
a short paper on structured scope.
Towards a general theory of scope (Grønmo and Steve Pepper)
See also Extreme 2001
TMQL Topic Map
Published at Bond University.
TMQL Homepage
ISO homepage for TMQL.
A draft statement of requirements for a comprehensive topic map query language (Biezunski, Newcomb)
Tolog slides from London meeting [25 May 2003] (Garshol)
ASTMA slides from London meeting [25 May 2003] (Barta)
Datatypes for XML Topic Maps (XTM): using XML Schema Datatypes [12 December 2002] (Murray Altheim)
"The W3C Recommendation XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes [XSD] (hereafter called "XSD") provides a specification of datatypes and their facets, and forms the semantic basis of this document, which establishes Published Subject Indicators (PSIs) for each XML Schema datatype and facet. A PSI is a (relatively) stable URL used as a canonical identifier for a subject, particularly within an XML Topic Map [XTM] document, though application of PSIs is not limited to XTM.
AsTMa AS TMCL (Barta)
Bond University's thoughts on constraining topic maps. Includes a case study: Software Projects Ontology - A Case Study
Validating Topic Maps with constraints (Rath)
Creating semantically valid topic maps [XML Europe 2000] (Grønmo)
This article discusses the need for a mechanism for defining constraints on topic maps to make sure that topic maps are semantically valid according to the intents of the topic map designer. As the paper will show the need for a constraint system is very much there.
[validation, schema]
Topic
Maps: Introduction and Allegro [Markup Technologies 1999] (Rath, Pepper)
Contains an introduction to topic maps followed by a discussion of extended concepts such as topic map templates, type hierarchies, association types and constraints.
Making topic maps more colourful [XML Europe 2000]
(Rath)
This paper presents several technical issues of which are of great interest when applying topic maps to real world applications. The main focus of the paper is the introduction of 'topic map templates' a semi-official term coined by the standards' committee for a concept that the authors argue is a necessary but as yet unstandardized addition to the basic model. Furthermore association taxonomies, class hierarchies, and consistency constraints of topic maps are presented and discussed.
[associations, class hierarchies, consistency constraints, indexing, ISO/IEC 13250, knowledge representation, navigation, relation properties, relation types, semantic networks, topic maps, topic map template, topic map validation]
Topic maps self-control [Extreme Markup 2000] Hans Holger Rath
The paper introduces the 'self-control' of topic maps and models the listed semantics as topic maps.
[Topic maps; ISO/IEC 13250:2000; topic map schema; schema; topic map template; type hierarchy; supertype/subtype association; association property; transitivity; inference; validation; constraint]
XTche [XML 2004] Giovani Librelotto, Josè Carlos Ramalho, Pedro Henriques
This paper describes the design of a new language to formally specify constraints over Topic Maps. This language allows to express contextual conditions on classes of Topic Maps and the corresponding processing syntem.With XTche ,a topic map designer defines a set of restrictions that enables to verify if a particular topic map is semantically valid.As the manual checking of large topic maps (frequent in real cases)is impossible,it is mandatory to provide an automatic validator.
Constraining Topic Maps: A TMCL declarative implementation [Extreme 2005] (José Carlos Ramalho, Giovani Librelotto, Pedro Rangel Henriques)
"This paper describes the design of an XML language to formally specify constraints over Topic Maps (XTche). This language allows to express contextual conditions on classes of Topic Maps that are further processed by a XSLT based processor. With XTche, a topic map designer defines a set of restrictions that guarantee that a particular topic map is semantically valid. "
Topic
Maps Visualization (le Grand and de Soto)
Topic
Map metrics and visualization (le Grand)
[3D, DOM, Graph Visualization, Topic Maps, XML]
Trying not to get lost with a topic map [XML Europe 1999] (Ksiezyk)
Discusses the relationship between topic maps and hierarchical methods of information modeling. It includes a proposal for a "canonical view" of topic map data and for standard GUI controls.
Topic Maps for repositories [XML Europe 2000]
(Ahmed)
This paper discusses the potential application of Topic Maps as an interface to a multi-user document repository; presents some possible implementation approaches to creating Topic Maps for a repository; and finally demonstrates some graphical tools for Topic Map navigation and creation.
Building dynamic Web Sites with Topic Maps and XSLT [Extreme Markup 2000] (Nikita Ogievetsky)
There are many ways in which Topic Maps can be used to create and maintain commercial websites: XSLT transformations can be used to generate richly-linked HTML pages from Topic Maps, and Topic Maps constructs (occurrence roles, topic names, association roles, etc.) can play specific roles in the process of automatically creating the delivered HTML.
Topic Map Solutions for Kodak Digital Camera Accessories [Extreme Markup 2003] (Nikita Ogievetsky)
This presentation shows how Topic Map based solutions are used to build, organize and maintain Kodak digital cameras accessories web site. The chosen approach did not require software investment. Excel, an available and familiar spreadsheet software was used as an affordable and easy to use Topic Map GUI editor and repository.
Visual Navigation of Distributed Knowledge Structures in Groupware-based Organizational Memories [6th International Conference on Information Visualisation, 2002] (Smolnik, Stefan; Erdmann, Ingo)
"Many of today's organizations already have a strong integration of groupware systems in their IT-infrastructure. The shared databases of these groupware systems form organizational memories, which comprise the complete knowledge of an organization collected over the time of its existence. One key problem is how to find relevant knowledge in continuously growing and distributed organizational memories. The basic functionalities and mechanisms in groupware systems are not sufficient to support users in finding required knowledge. Topic maps provide strong paradigms and concepts for the semantic structuring of link networks and therefore, they are a considerable solution for organizing and navigating large and continuously growing organizational memories. The K-Discovery project suggests applying topic maps to groupware-based organizational memories to create knowledge structures and address the mentioned challenges. Visual navigation capabilities to exploit the created knowledge structures are based on hyperbolic geometry concepts and provide users with intuitive access mechanisms to the required knowledge."
The Reference Model for Topic Maps (RM4TM)
"The Reference Model for ISO 13250 Topic Maps (RM4TM) provides a framework for the definitions of Topic Map Applications (TM Applications), such as the Standard Application, that facilitates the Subject Location Uniqueness Objective not only when topic maps that conform to a single TM Application are amalgamated ("merged"), but also when topic maps conforming to diverse TM Applications, based on diverse ontologies, are amalgamated. "
HG4TM - Hypergraph for Topic Maps [December 3, 2002 ] (Bernard Vatant)
"An attempt to express the Reference Model for Topic Maps (RM4TM) using Graph Theory"
Topicmaps.net's Processing Model for XTM 1.0, version 1.0.1 [March 20, 2001] (Newcomb, Biezunski)
Answer is just a question [of matching Topic Maps] [XML Europe 2000] (Ksiezyk)
Starting from description of similarities and differences between artificial intelligence and Topic Maps, paper demonstrates artificial intelligence features worth incorporating into Topic Maps domain along with practical benefits they provide. Further on it focuses on applications in information filtering and retrieval using proposed topic-map-defined query language and user profile definition.
[semantic networks, conceptual graphs, ai, tmql]
Using
Topic Maps for the representation, management & discovery of
knowledge [XML Europe 2000] (Freese)
This paper will discuss topic maps and semantic networks and how the two concepts may interrelate. Issues with the topic map standard that make knowledge representation more difficult will be discussed. Also a semantic network system built on topic maps will be presented.
"TMAPI is a proposed common programming interface for topic map processors. The goal of TMAPI is to allow developers to learn and use just one programming API for work with any topic map processing engine - improving code portability and reducing learning curve. TMAPI is public domain software free from any restriction on its use."
The following engines current support TMAPI.
RDF/Topic Maps Interoperability Task Force
"This task force of the Semantic Web Best Practices and Deployment WG is in support of the group's chartered aim of providing guidelines for users who want to combine usage of the W3C's RDF/OWL family of specifications and the ISO's family of Topic Maps standards." It has published RDFTM: Survey of Interoperability Proposals.
Living with topic maps and RDF: Topic maps, RDF, DAML, OIL, OWL, TMCL (Lars Marius Garshol).
This paper is about the relationship between the topic map and RDF standards families. It compares the two technologies and looks at ways to make it easier for users to live in a world were both technologies are used. This is done by looking at how to convert information back and forth between the two technologies, how to convert schema information, and how to do queries across both information representations. Ways to achieve all of these goals are presented.
Topic maps, RDF, DAML, OIL: A comparison (Lars Marius Garshol).
Provides quick introductions to each of the technologies, highlighting the similarities and differences between them. These technologies all come from very different backgrounds, and tend to be presented in very different ways, and yet on closer examination their anatomies turn out to be surprisingly similar.
Topic Maps at a glance
[RDF IG] (Newcomb, Biezunski)
Building a Semantic Web site [xml.com] (van der Vlist)
The article discusses how RSS 1.0 and its taxonomy module can be used as a central format to carry metadata collected in a classical news format, such as XMLNews-Story, to RDF or relational databases and XML Topic Maps.
Topic Maps vs RDF [Extreme Markup 2000] (Freese)
This presentation will attempt to avoid the political posturings, rivalries, and hard-to-compare claims and counterclaims made by competing interests and present the comparative technical and business merits of topic maps and RDF.
Simultaneous Topic Maps and RDF Metadata Structures in SVG [Extreme Markup 2000] (Dodds)
This paper is about the use of Topic Maps and RDF metadata representations used in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) XML structures.
Topic maps and RDF: A first cut (Pepper)
RDF and TopicMaps: an Exercise in Convergence [XML Europe 2001] (Moore)
This paper presents (i) a way in which rdf can be used to model topicmaps and vice versa, (ii) the issues that arise when performing a model to model mapping (iii) some proposals for changes to XTM to enable semantic interchange of the
two standards.
On the Integration of Topic Maps and RDF Data [Semantic Web Workshop] (Lacher, Decker)
In order to prevent a partition of the Web into collections of incompatible resources, it is
reasonable to seek ways for integration of Topic Maps with RDF. A first step is made
by representing Topic Map information as RDF information and thus allowing Topic
Map information to be queried by an RDF-aware infrastructure. To achieve this goal,
we map a Topic Map graph model to the RDF graph model.
See also: Extreme 2001.
DAML and Quantum Topic
Maps (Nikita Ogievetsky)
A Processing Model for Dublin Core with HTML (Algermissen)
"This project is an attempt to define a processing model for the combination of HTML and Dublin Core. The semantics of Dublin Core are 'expressed' with a set of PSIs in a 'core' topic map."
Cooking for the Semantic Web: OWL and Topic Map Pudding (Algermissen)
"This paper does not pretend to provide a complete formalization of Topic Maps in OWL, but tries to grab in a pragmatic way some low-hanging fruits, and cook some basic useful recipe with them. It addresses the TM concepts that are the easiest to grab, and also the less controversial ones: topic, association, role, occurrence, their respective classes, and constraints that can bind them."
What is "is" (Mark de Graauw)
Explores "philosophical notions of equivalence: the difference between intension and extrension (Frege) and the idea that means aren't always precise (Wittgenstein)." The paper then looks at current solutions and problems and then goes on to propose some enhancements.
Ontology-driven topic maps [2004] (Bernard Vatant)
... In fact topic maps would indeed gain effectiveness and interoperability either through explicit formalization of ontologies specifically built and dedicated for topic map control, or through declaration of commitment to pre-defined ontologies, not specifically designed for that use. In either case, using OWL ontologies should be considered as the most interesting choice. [ontology, topic maps, OWL, semantic web, knowledge organization system]
Metadata on the Web: On the integration of RDF and Topic Maps [Extreme Markup 2003] (Paolo Ciancarini, Riccardo Gentilucci, Marco Pirruccio, Valentina Presutti, Fabio Vitali)
"In this paper, we present our approach to the bidirectional conversion of RDF and Topic maps, and show how the use of schemas, and the adoption of PSIs [Published Subject Identifiers] in Topic Maps and standard predicates in RDF, can lead to a painless integration of the two languages. This integration is also instrumental in the creation of a single editing tool and a single navigation tool that can be used for metadata collections expressed in both languages."
Building Topic Maps in OWL-DL [Extreme Markup 2005] (Anne Cregan)
"This paper presents a construction of the TMDM model as an OWL-DL ontology. This "TMDM Ontology" is a construction in OWL of the Topic Map concepts modelled by the TMDM, making them available for use by Topic Map authors as a basis for building TMDM-compliant Topic Maps directly in OWL."
Q: A model for topic maps - Unifying RDF and topic maps [Extreme Markup 2005] (Lars Marius Garshol)
"This paper describes a formal model for topic maps called Q, and structurally similar representations of topic maps and RDF in this formal model."
Topic Map technology - the state of the art [XML Europe
2000] (Moore)
This paper does not focus on one Topic Map technology, rather it identifies key functionality drivers such as Topic authoring, Topic Map merging and illustrates the ways different technologies have tackled these problems.
This paper dives under the hood and looks at some of the implementation issues of building Topic Map technology, issues in this area are things such as the object model design, exposed interfaces, Topic Map storage and searching.
Mapping Topic Maps on Relational Databases (Luca Mugnaini)
One possibility to permanently store Topic Maps is using Relational Databases. In this document I present a possible database schema that allows to store Topic Maps.
A list can be found at Easy Topic Maps.
Binding Points for Subject Identity: The case for standard Published Subject Indicators [Extreme Markup 2001] (Bernard Vatant)
"What are the best semantic ways to use PSIs? Merging topics has been a widely addressed process in the Topic Map community, and is in fact the only one really tackled by the XTM specification. But using PSIs as binding points for collaborative Semantic Networks of independent topic maps is proposed as an alternative to merging Very Large Topic Maps. Such distributed process could lead to a new vision of Subject Identity, grounded on dynamic knowledge organized around such binding points."
Is He The One? Subject Identification in Topic Maps (Barta)
According to the Topic Map paradigm [the problem of how to connect a topic with the subject outside the map] is resolved using subject addresses and subject indicators. This short feature presents the options Topic Map authors have to refer to the outside world
Merging of Distributed Topic Maps based on the Subject Identity Measure (SIM) Approach (Lutz Maicher, Hans Friedrich Witschel)
"We adress with this paper the question how distributed topic maps can be merged if the subjects of their topics aren't described by a centralised vocabulary (PSIs). We developed a (lightweighted) approach wich yields for our example set very good results."
Beyond PSIs: Topic Map design patterns [Extreme Markup 2003] (Kal Ahmed)
"In software development, design patterns are structured descriptions of the common ways in which programmers overcome the kinds of problems which occur again and again in their work... For topic map practitioners, there is an interesting parallel. Often in a topic map application there will be more than one way of achieving a goal — the structure of topic maps is sufficiently flexible that two topic map designers faced with a problem may generate two (or more!) different solutions... Developing formal patterns for topic map design would benefit designers in the same way as software engineers benefit from software design patterns..."
topicmaps.com
The domain is now owned by ISO and will host PSIs in the future. It is likely that it will also contain information about topic maps.
topicmaps.org
Topicmaps.Org is an independent consortium of parties interested in developing the applicability of the Topic Maps Paradigm to the World Wide Web, by leveraging the XML family of specifications as required.
topicmaps.net
The informative Topic Maps website maintained by Michel Biezunski (InfoLoom) and Steven R. Newcomb (Coolheads Consulting)
tmapi.org
TMAPI (Common Topic Map Application Programming Interface) is a programming interface for accessing and manipulating data held in a topic map. The TMAPI specification defines a set of core interfaces which must be implmented by a compliant application as well as (eventually) a set of additional interfaces which may be implemented by a compliant application or which may be built upon the core interfaces. Developers from Techquila, Ontopia and Empolis are active in this initiative.
Bond University
A practical website which contains tutorials, example topic maps and links to other topic map related resources.
Easy Topicmaps
A small site meant to gather some useful information for making topic maps easier
to understand. It's a WIKI, so anyone can add pages to it or edit pages.
topicmap.de
A site introducing the basic concepts of topic maps.
TopicMapCentral
"The goal of this site is to provide a place for collaborative development of topic map patterns and ontologies. It includes a Wiki for the discussion both of the proces of pattern creation and for patterns themselves.
TMWiki
A wiki maintained by Hendrik Thomas. "TMWiki is a wiki about topic maps. Our aim is to be an entry-point to the topic map universe. We try to collect and present all of the information a user needs to understand what topics maps are for and how they can be used." The wiki has the ability to visualise Topic Maps.
Topic Maps for Libraries wiki
A wiki covering the basic TM resources. "This site is intended to be a repository of information for Topic Maps especially as they relate to libraries."
Topic Maps Weblog
Hosted at Bond University. This probably has the freshest content out of any Topic Map site. It's pretty hard to keep up with larsbot!
larsblog
larsbot becomes larsblog! Posts of substance with a good mix of the practical and the theoretical.
Electric Forest
"thoughts about books, digital libraries, and technologies related to expressing and keeping track of our thoughts..." A number of topic mappers contribute to this blog.
Topic Map Thoughts
Dmitry Bogachev's blog on Topic Maps. You'll find lots of proposals and experiments for TMCL and topic maps schemas etc here. Good stuff.
univers immedia
How to achieve "subject identification" in a distributed network.
Techquila Shots
Opinions, news and links on XML, the Semantic Web, Information Management and coding. Kal seems to have stopped contrinuting to his blog around April 2005 but who knows, maybe he'll fire it up again someday.
shelter.nu
TMs and xSiteable.
Every once in a while there is a request for real world examples of topic map applications on one of the topic map mailing lists. This list doesn't pretend to be be complete in any way as there is no way to know everything that people have done with TMs. It will, however, attempt, to keep track of the examples people have posted to the lists. You might also want to see the Wiki for more.
Real World Applications of Topic Maps
"... this paper will present a real-world application of the topic map model in use at a real company. The application includes a parts management system and IETM . The paper will discuss the application and highlight the successes and challenges encountered in designing and implementing the system."
http://www.LmTM.de/
"... An e-learning-server for physics, computer science and mathematics for higher education. The navigation is based on topic maps in XML (XTM)."
Map Development Area (MDA)
Used in a university context.
Norwegian Portals
Topic Map World
All things TM related.
XML Schema
A topic map of the XML Schema standard, mostly harvested from the standard documents themselves
TM4J Documentation
documentation of the TM4J project
Bond University in Australia has topic map tutorial designed for first year CS Students and covers the basic concepts and XTM syntax. There is also an ASTMA= authoring tutorial on the site demonstrating basic topic map concepts.
Topic map mailing list [archive]
Discuss anything related to topic maps.
Discussion of ISO/IEC 13250 Topic Maps [sc34wg3]
The purpose of sc34wg3@isotopicmaps.org is to facilitate technical work on the ISO/IEC 13250 "Topic Maps" International Standard. Anyone can subscribe to this list, and its archives are open to the public. Anyone can submit contributions to the list; these are subject to review before they are posted. Those who are directly involved in the ISO process have posting privileges that allow them to post their contributions immediately, without review.
TMQL mailing list [tmql-wg]
Topic Map Query Language
TMCL mailing list [tmcl-wg]
Topic Map Constraint Language
Norwegian Topic Map UG
Two lists for users of TMs in Norway.
German Topic Map Mailing List
The goal of the mailinglist is to make topic maps more popular in Germany and offer a discussion forum beginners and experts.
Topic Maps Interest Group Australasia
Alexander Johannesen has established the TMIGA mailing list. "It is an non-profit and free for all interest group that probably wants to put Topic Maps on the Australian, New Zealandian and Asian maps, be it through hearing about current events and movements, or lobbying and pull / push. I hope it can turn into an interesting place for people to share their reified associations."
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