[topicmapmail] Topic Maps as a Paradigm Shift

[Benjamin Bock]

Hi Peter,

Arnar Lundesgaard translated it here:
http://topicmaps.bouvet.no/translation.html

As the URI looks like a temporary one, here is the text:

"""
Below is a a quick translation of a Norwegian blog-posting on Topic Maps 
as a new paradigm 
<http://blog.rana.io/2008/01/16/emnekart-et-nytt-paradigmeskifte/> by 
Shahzad Rana.

All errors and the regretable loss of eloquence is the translators fault.

Topic Maps - a new paradigm shift!

The Norwegian software industry is mainly a "consumer" of technology 
from abroad. Every once in a while something exiting happens here which 
has consequences beyond our borders. An example of this was in 1967 when 
Kristen Nygaard and Ole-Johan Dahl dsigned Simula. Topic Maps as a 
technology has a potential to reach far beyond Norway.

Past

It is probably not an overstatement to say that the Nygaard and Dahls 
work with Simula has influenced our entire software industry. Simula has 
for instance inspired development of object oriented languages like 
Smalltalk, C++, C# and not least Java. The object oriented thinking is 
deeply embedded in the fabric of our industry from education to 
development. Todays software is difficult to concieve of without it. 
Nobody knew at the time that Simula would have such a large effect on 
our profession. It is likely that there was little support when Nygaard 
and Dahl needed it the most in their work with Simula, something which 
happens all to often here in tiny Norway.

Topic Maps

We are seing early signs of history repeating it self. It is my opinion 
that Topic Maps is a new and larger paradigm shift than object 
orientation. With Topic Maps one can structure and organize information 
using associative relations. We have never had som much information and 
at the same time so many tools to structure all this information. 
Despite this we are not able to find the right information at the right 
time. This is an interesting paradox.

Norwegian enthusiasm

Topic Maps is not a Norwegian technology, but the community around 
Norwegian Ontopia - with Steve Pepper taking the lead - has been an 
important contributor in raising its profile. Steve Pepper was also te 
leader of the ISO-comitee that made Topic Maps an ISO-standard. The 
Norwegian IT-community has much to offer in the further development of 
the standard. We have a few implementations of Topic Maps in Norway 
today, mon still too few. I am convinced that once the community can 
imagine the benefits that Topic Maps can offer in their own particular 
domain, we will see a rapid increase in its use.

Future

Today Topic Maps is an ISO-standard and this technology will see furter 
development. Both the community and the government can help ensure that 
Norway maintains the lead when it comes to Topic Maps. If we do not take 
seek this role someone else will, and we will once again become 
"consumers" og something that started here. It is possible that we are 
more suited to be "consumers" and not the innovators of future 
technology. The way to find success with most things in computing is 
finding ways to deliver value, areas of use and showing a cabability of 
further refinement and development. Topic Maps will become a success 
with or without us. I would prefer that is with us.
"""

Regards,

Benjamin

Peter McCarthy schrieb:
> Hi all
> 
> This entry on Shahzad Ranas' blog * sounds * interesting: "Topic Maps
> as a Paradigm Shift"
> http://blog.rana.io/2008/01/16/emnekart-et-nytt-paradigmeskifte/.
> 
> Unfortunately, I don't speak Norwegian  - so I can't tell. Would
> anyone be kind enough to provide an English translation? It would be
> most appreciated.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Peter
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