SPA Conference session: A Practical Introduction To Topic Maps

One-line description:The ISO Topic Maps standard provides a useful meta-model for KM and Information Management applications. Learn more about topic maps and how to use them in this session.
 
Session format: Working group (330 mins) [read about the different session types]
 
Abstract:This workshop will take the participants step by step through the process of creating a Topic Map. In the course of the workshop, participants will learn about the principal features of the ISO Topic Maps standard.

Topic Maps is the ISO standard for structured information organisation and interchange. The standard allows a relatively free-form graph-like model to be developed where nodes represent subjects and arcs represent relationships between subjects and between subjects. Uses for topic maps include intranet and internet content management; modelling knowledge bases, thesaurii and data dictionaries; and information publishing and aggregation.

The goals of the session will be:
1) To understand where Topic Maps have come from and what they are trying to achieve
2) To understand the fundamentals of the Topic Maps meta-model
3) To get to grips with modelling a "real-world" domain using Topic Maps
 
Audience background:Some understanding of basic modelling concepts like types and relationships would be useful. No other experience is necessary. This workshop deliberately eschews the use of software tools and syntax editing to allow participants to focus on the concepts without the added complication of learning new tools.
 
Benefits of participating:Learn the basics about a technology with wide applicability and get a chance to try it out.
 
Materials provided:We will provide every attendee with a time-limited evaluation copy of our TMCore05 Developers Edition (http://www.networkedplanet.com/products/tmcore-features.html) software. However, it is not necessary for this software to be installed or used during this tutorial.
 
Process:The workshop will be structured around a series of pencil-and-paper exercies and group exercises in which participants will develop their own topic map from scratch. This format gives the participants a chance to get to grips with the fundamentals and to put what can be quite abstract concepts into practice.
 
Detailed timetable:
 
Outputs:
 
History:
 
Presenters
1. Kal Ahmed
Networked Planet Limited
2. Graham Moore
Networked Planet
3.