[topicmapmail] Why Topic Maps (a collaborative effort)

[Jan Algermissen]

Fellow Topic Mappers--

we all know that topic maps are *THE* thing to use for information
organisation.

But I don't know of any comprehensive list of the advantages and features
that make them superior to other approaches.

Well, here is my try to start such a list and you are all invited to
contribute...

Note that I am not refering to a particular syntax but to the way the
topic map *paradigm* aims to organize information in general.

Enjoy!

Jan


Why should topic maps be used for information organisation ?
------------------------------------------------------------


* Topic maps appear as an additional navigation and access layer
  on top of existing information resources, they DO NOT require
  that these information resource be modified, nor do they interfer
  with any existing processes these resources are involved in.

* The topic naming constraint fulfills one of the primary objectives
  of information organisation: vocabulary control.

* The modularization capabilities of the topic maps paradigm support
  distributed and/or iterative development of knowledge structures.

* Topic Maps provide the semantics to distinguish between addressable
  subjects (information resources themselves) and non-addressable subjects
  (subjects that information resources are about)

* ...




-- 
Jan Algermissen
Consultant & Programmer

Tel:   ++49 (0)40 89 700 511
Fax:   ++49 (0)40 89 700 841 
Email: algermissen@acm.org
Web:   http://www.topicmapping.com