[topicmapmail] An Idea about TopicMap intelligent views

[Alan Hardy]

Hi,

Apologies for jumping in. Funny how researching TM's convergences on similar
interests. I'm extremely interested in the visual representation of
information, allowing users to apply context (i.e skill level, subject) to a
broad knowledge base of information to *hide* the irrelevant details and
revealing semantic connections between resources. Therefore a common
information store could be shared across an organisation, and not enforce a
standard view (not all users are the same).

Every single organisation I've work with relies on a *standardised* folder
structure, storing resources (knowledge) with arbitrary chosen names. If
more than one resources is contained in the same folder, then its assumed to
have a similar context!! How can knowledge possible be shared with such a
restrictive and flat model with no relationships.

Oh yes, the point. Mind maps, although sometimes terse and subjective to the
creator, are an amazing visual tool for representing a subject to a user.
Now if you could use Topic Maps to store the data model and use a common
subject ontology. This would be an excellent starting point, allowing
individual users to submit to a common knowledge store, using a simple tool.

As for Mind Manager, try: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/. It needs JDK1.4
and allows hyperlink to a resource from any node (Insert and Enter are the
main keys). It's stores the model in XML, no XTM. Its also open source, if
you feel inclined :)


Cheers
Alan


-----Original Message-----
From: topicmapmail-admin@infoloom.com
[mailto:topicmapmail-admin@infoloom.com]On Behalf Of Thomas B. Passin
Sent: 25 March 2004 00:50
To: topicmapmail@infoloom.com
Subject: Re: [topicmapmail] An Idea about TopicMap intelligent views


Lars Heuer wrote:
>
>>I have done some experiments about this by turning topic map fragments
>>into mind maps - something like a "concise bounded description" in RDF.
>
> [...]
>
>>At the moment I can display these concise bounded mind maps using my old
>>copy of Mind Manager, but you would want to be able to hyperlink back
>>into the topic map from the mind map, which I have not attempted yet.
>
>
> Maybe you want to have a look at
> http://www.thinkgraph.com/english/index.htm
>
> I've no experience with it, but the screenshots look nice and it
> imports XTM.
>

Thanks - I have looked at this off and on as it has developed, but
unfortunately so far I dislike its interface and layout.  But it is more
amenable to hacking than, say, Mind Manager.  I should probably look at
it again to see what progress it has made.

Cheers,

Tom P