[Fwd: Re: [topicmapmail] Invitations]

[Dan Corwin]

* Jamshyd Fararooy

Thanks for the reply. Of course I'm sure it will be interesting
to others. I don't mind if you post it to the list.

Best regards
Jamshyd Fararooy
jamshydf@auditmap.com

* Jamshyd Fararooy (earlier)

 > Hello
 > Can you explain a bit more on the collaboration. I operate the topic
 > map of accounting and auditing (www.AccountingOntology.com).

* Dan Corwin

Hi Jamshyd -

Beta tests, by my definition, are meant to improve a product before its
release - in this case Modeler 1.0.  If you became a beta tester, we
would collaborate on that goal.  Since we are both vested in the use
of the software as a tool, we'd both gain from succeeding at it.

Since it is meant to be a tool, improvements would generally boost
its functionality or reduce negative aspects of its use, such as
the time/headaches to learn, install, configure and operate it.

My special focus has to be making Modeler better for *ALL* users,
and outside our collaboration, I'd be doing that alone.  Many goals
come from my intuition, but I can't effectively Q/A my own designs
as I'm clearly biased.  So I need your independent viewpoint.

Your special focus has to be making Modeler work better for *you*.
Outside the scope of our collaboration, you'd do that work alone, but
let me know when you hit a problem.  I'd fill in for missing training
components personally.  And I'd naturally welcome good suggestions if
you notice potential ways to do something better.

 > Please note that at the moment mine is a one man show but the relevant
 > point is that it uses a large number of associations.

I too am a one-man band, at least on XTM technology, so feedback is
especially vital to me.  My project plans bring in local specialists
to help on UI, doc, etc, but they will have no XTM expertise.

Based on your impressive site, you have plenty of it.  It would be very
helpful to me to get your ideas and feedback on using Modeler, both
in its limited early releases, and later on as I add UI components.

How might it benefit you?  One suggestion would be grafting new
linguistic characteristics loosely into some (all?) of your existing
topics and associations.  This would help you in three ways:

* They would create a WORDS-style data-dictionary, offering a new way
to navigate over your TM.  (Merging lets it stay distinct as a module.)

* The extra data - part of speech, etc. - should help non-experts like
me to grasp a meaning/usage for all those expert accounting concepts.

* Modeler would also understand expressions involving them, so you as
editor/author could (later) use its shell to help query/test/edit them.

Eventually, Modeler should let you add dialog UI to your web site,
but I suspect that is many months off.  Meanwhile, Omnigator would show
off the new data nicely if you opted to publicly expose it.

Hope these thoughts help.

Cheers,
Dan

PS - may I forward this reply to the infoloom list?