Dear all,

The Friday, 22 October meeting on Application Profiles (see
below) will in part discuss a review of the DCMI Abstract
Model (in progress [1], being discussed on this list), but
we also want to take a broader look at other emerging notions
of Application Profiles.

When the notion was first introduced in the DCMI context by
Rachel Heery and Manjula Patel in 2000, Application Profiles
quickly became a major focus of the Dublin Core community.
The general idea of application profiles -- ranging from the
definition of sub-set of a standard to mixing-and-matching
a standard with others -- has emerged in other metadata
communities as well, such as IEEE/LTSC and FRSAD. Recent
discussion of RDA, FRBR, and other library-related initiatives
on the Library Linked Data mailing lists [2,3] confirms that
application profiles are seen as an important, even if it is
not always clear how an application profile is to be specified.

At the 22 October meeting, we want to take a broader look at
"application profiles", even if they go by different names.
At the meeting, Marcia Zeng will report on how application
profiles are being defined in the FRSAD context for
subject authority data. RDFa profiles are quite different,
but inasmuch they are considered to define a conveniently
reusable bundle of namespaces, they seem related to the idea
of application profile. Application-profile-like things
are being created in various pragmatic ways in the form of
templates, examples, and patterns.

What other forms of "application profile" are currently
being used? How formal or detailed do profiles need to be?
Do they consist of broad hints or detailed specifications?
Is there a continuum from formal and detailed to informal and
general? Where does existing work on the DCMI Abstract Model,
Description Set Profile, and Singapore Framework fit on such
a continuum and where should the emphasis be moving forward?

If anyone would like to present a contribution to this
discussion, even if just two or three slides, please post to
the list or get in touch...

Tom

[1] http://dublincore.org/architecturewiki/DcamInContext
[2] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-lld/
[3] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-xg-lld/

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Joint meeting, DCMI Architecture Forum and W3C Library Linked Data Incubator Group
   http://www.asis.org/Conferences/DC2010/program-sessions.html#jointmeeting

   Title: Application Profiles for Linked Data: Models & Requirements (Parts 1 & 2)
   Convenors: Tom Baker, Emmanuelle Bermes, Antoine Isaac
   Sponsors: DCMI Architecture Forum and W3C Library Linked Data Incubator Group
   Date/Time: Friday 22 October, 2:00-5:30pm
   Abstract: Application Profiles for Linked Data: models and requirements"

   This two-part meeting will look at current approaches to
   application profiles -- methods for documenting the content
   of descriptive metadata to promote the design of compatible
   metadata applications and maximize the coherence of metadata
   in a Linked Data environment. Starting with a review of
   the approach based on the DCMI Abstract Model, including
   the Description Set Profile constraint language and
   Singapore Framework for Dublin Core Application Profiles,
   the meeting will also consider other emerging approaches
   to specifying and documenting metadata patterns for use
   in Linked Data. By taking a fresh look at requirements
   in a rapidly evolving environment, this meeting aims at
   identifying and prioritizing areas where future work may
   be needed.


--
Thomas Baker <[log in to unmask]>