I've had a hard time "getting" RDF (e.g. how it differs from XML), but this article helps give it context. The semantic web is being built simultaneously from the bottom up and top down. Typifying the bottom-up approach, RDF content is machine-readable at the outset; powerful but complex (with several advantages over microformats), RDF is all about inter-operability. Top-down approaches introduce "metadata sprinkling" to existing content, simple but limiting by comparison e.g. microformats (using CSS class attributes as in hCard), or meta elements (meta tags such as those for geo-discovery). Both approaches are valid, but RDF is hard whereas microformats help "the rest of us" contribute to the semantic web. There may be a collision ahead, however, between microformats and RDFa (sprinklings of RDF embedded in existing XHTML).
Tag archive for 'Quicklinks'
A backlash in the face of threats from ShareThis.com/ Nextumi Inc., owners of the trademarked Share Icon originally promoted as "generic", has prompted creation of the Open Share Icon Project—a free, open, community-driven alternative. The Share Icon has become synonymous with the commercial ShareThis brand & widget (registration terms) & even the "Classic" plugin requires publishers to actively opt-out of "sharing" their data to the ShareThis service. The working design of the new open icon features cupped hands passing/ receiving an item ("pass it on") as well as an eye reference ("look at this").
Installation of software you didn't actively choose to install is malware. I'm referring to Apple's recent decision to force Safari 3.1 on hapless Windows users via Software Update. How can you "update" a product that isn't installed? Wife: Have you got anything without Safari? This is bad form Apple. At least Ars consider this browser a much-improved and stable "true competitor".
FeedDemon, purportedly the most popular Windows-based feed reader, automatically detects geotagged feed items. Form version 2.6.1b1 it uses the Geotag Icon as a visual identifier for plotting the location, "hidden" in metadata, via Google Maps. FeedDemon has lots of other great features, including synchronisation with NewsGator Online which I use when travelling (in conjunction with NetNewsWire on the Mac).
Alex King has announced a re-design of the Share Icon Project website, adding a showcase along similar lines to that added to the Geotag Icon Project some days earlier. The Share Icon was inspired by the Feed Icon and OPML Icon. The new Geotag Icon, likewise related conceptually and visually, is not listed as a peer but is nevertheless enjoying a strong show of early developer and user support reflecting its obvious utility.
Microsoft Silverlight is a proprietary cross-browser, almost cross-platform (not yet Linux), and cross-device (WM6 & Symbian only) plug-in vaguely tasked with "delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web." The developer tools (Windows or Mac) output interactive text, bitmap images, vector graphics, animations, and video (WMV)/ audio (WMA and MP3) playback, in competition primarily with Flash. The plug-in is free (v2 is currently in beta) & curiously you can download the Getting started video in QuickTime for iPod! More here.
