	Metadata Workflows		Table of contents		Indexes		An overview of NewsML

NewsML

Topic Maps

X2X

User NewsML

a vendor's perspective

Moore, Graham

Graham Moore

Chief Technical Officer

STEP UK Ltd., Unit B, Dorcan Complex
Swindon Wiltshire SN3 5HQ United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1793 485465 Fax: +44 (0) 1793 485451 email: gdm@stepuk.com web site: www.stepuk.com

Biography

Graham Moore - Graham Moore is Chief Technical Officer for STEP UK and is responsible for the development of skills and technology that are used in the construction of information systems. Graham is the development lead responsible for the realisation of the X2X XLink product from STEP UK and has been developing Topic Map software for the past twelve months. Graham has worked in the SGML and XML industry for several years, including working for Database Publishing Systems Ltd. Graham is also studying for a Phd in Distributed Information Management at Southampton University, where the current focus is on the symbiosis of metadata and linking.

Abstract

Topic Maps are being embraced by a wide number of organistions throughout the world. Companies and individuals have realised how the power of Topic Maps can help them solve their information problem. However, in order to make the vision a reality there must be software that supports the Topic Map paradigm. This paper presents a look at Topic Map technology, asking questions about what it should, could and does do. It presents the cutting edge of Topic Map development.

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.

The other key aspect of this presentation is the analysis of how different Topic Map technologies are being, or could be used, in the construction of information systems. This analysis will provide a template for the construction of other Topic Map systems and provides real world scenarios of the technologies in use.

STEP UK was asked to represent the vendor point of view on NewsML for this panel. As such, STEP is primarily concerned with the technical and commercial viability of producing solutions for use of the schema.

STEP considers NewsML to be a leap forward in the development of high quality news services. STEP is looking at the possibilities of constructing domain specific solutions on top of its successful document management system, SigmaLink; to utilise the power of its linking engine, X2X, to provide news management and advanced linking; and ultimately, to promote the use of Topic Maps for the retrieval and navigation of large news repositories.

In addition, STEP has a long history of re-purposing data in a variety of disparate domains. These skills and experiences will be reused in the construction of a new wave of news systems.


	Metadata Workflows		Table of contents		Indexes		An overview of NewsML