[topicmapmail] Why do we need <subjectIdentity> for Published Subjects?

[Lars Marius Garshol]

* Marc de Graauw
|
| Why exactly do we need the construct
| <subjectIdentity><subjectIndicatorRef .../></subjectIdentity> for
| Published Subjects? Can't we achieve exactly the same thing using
| scope, a name and the Topic Naming Constraint?

Actually, no.
 
The <subjectIndicatorRef/> element above provides a subject identifier
(a URI). This plays much the same role as a base name + scope, in that
it identifies as subject, but it is different in that it refers to a
subject indicator, a resource that explains what the subject is.

Beyond that the differences are practical. The URI approach has a
number of practical and polictical advantages, while the name + scope
approach causes great difficulties.

-- 
Lars Marius Garshol, Ontopian         <URL: http://www.ontopia.net >
ISO SC34/WG3, OASIS GeoLang TC        <URL: http://www.garshol.priv.no >