Realizing the Semantic Web

By Bryan Trogdon

I've been playing around with trying to create a repository for suggestions and ideas on ways to implement the Semantic Web.

When I first read Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s article in Scientific American, I was hit by what can only be described as an epiphany.

The power and impact that the Semantic Web could have on individuals and industries is mind-boggling. Even after having lived and worked thru the pre and post dot-com era, I found myself enjoying a new-found excitement about this technology.

As the Semantic Web has started to mature, a number of technology standards have evolved that are helping to drive its growth. However, standards are only part of the equation. Just as the power of the web lies not in the ability to link to just a few sites, but to millions, until a greater number of sites embrace these standards, the full power of the Semantic Web will not be apparent.

An example of a business application can be demonstrated with the Wall Street Journal. By providing XML/RDF content for its Money Rates section, a bank would be able to automatically identify when the prime lending rate changes, what the new rate is, and adjust its internal lending rates accordingly. The bank benefits by automating a manual process and the Wall Street Journal benefits by driving additional subscriptions.

The goal is that by providing a repository for suggestions and ideas on ways to implement this new and exciting technology it will help in realizing the Semantic Web