So I just finished reading the second assigned article for the course, 'The Semantic Web,' published in the Scientific American magazine. I thought it was very insightful to the whole concept of the 'semantic' web versus the world wide web. I'll have to admit that I'm still kind of unclear on some of the aspects of this semantic web (some of the concepts proved to be pretty foreign to me).. but nonetheless, I'm glad that I got an overview of what is was all about. I'm never hesitant to brush up on anything computer-related!
To put a sum on a few of the key points:
The Semantic Web is different from the WWW in that it structures all of the main points about a particular web page "creating an environment where software agents roaming from page to page can readily carry out sophisticated tasks for users." --> In short, it makes it easier for software programs, not just humans, to navigate/search/manipulate/and carry out specific tasks on the internet.
Another point brought up was that the Semantic Web is not entirely separate from the WWW. Instead we should think of it as a new technological 'add-on', maybe comparable to a new 'application' for facebook or your iphone. It works with the WWW... and "better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation."
It also goes onto explain briefly how it works, the important technologies that allow it to develop (XML, RDF, ontologies, agents etc.), and some of the key features.
The article also makes it a point to inform us that the semantic web has greatly improved our ability to successfuly search for something on the web. I dont even know how many times I've taken it for granted that I can just go on google, type in a person/objects name and some random info about them/it, and it generates and entire list of relevent web pages! Not only that, but I had NO clue how that worked. And although I am nowhere near understanding it, I appreciate the opportunity to learn some background info on how all of this is made possible.
To go along with my previous point, the article says:
"early in the web's development, detractors pointed out that it could never be a well-organized library; without a central database and tree structure, one would never be sure of finding everything. They were right. But the expressive power of the system made vast amounts of information available, and search engines...now produce remarkably complete indices of a lot of the material out there."
I think this puts it into perspective for me to just how big the web is, and not only that, but how important it was to come up with the concept such as the semantic web to make all of the information more accessible. Because, like the human mind, having all of this knowledge, without being able to tap into it or access it, would render it a complete waste.
No comments:
Post a Comment