Topic Maps Concept, Examples

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Topic Maps - Concept, Examples
RequirementsSilke Grossmann (IMAC)
Project Management Group Meeting 2001-09-12
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The Topic Map Concept
Topic maps represent a new framework for
information and knowledge management. They allow
to model and navigate information in an
interchangeable structure.
All information stored in a topic map is
organized in topics. A topicrepresents an
arbitrary subject. It has a name and resources.
Topics
Every topic can be an instance of other topics.
In this way it ispossible to build up
hierarchies in the topic map.
Instances
Topics can also be associated in a
non-hierarchical way to other topics. An
association has a name, members roles.
Associations
A topic can be linked to any kind of occurrences,
virtual resourcesof the subject. Resources are
the actual item in the data base.
Resources
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Topic Map Example (1)
Topic maps connect different topics
Karl VI
Austria
Maria Theresia
Franz I
Marie Antoniette
Leopold II
Josef I
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Topic Map Example (2)
Object 1
Karl VI
Austria
parenthood
Reigned country
Membership (role)
1st degree relationship
Regency
Relationship
child
Membership (role)
Maria Theresia
Regent
Object 2
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Topic Map Example (3)
Karl VI
parenthood
Austria
regency
reigned country
child
Franz I
hus-band
Maria Theresia
mariage
wife
regent
parenthood
1st grade relationship
1st grade relationship
child
child
child
Marie Antoniette
Leopold II
Josef I
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Topic Map Viewer
Best Practice example
Name of the Topic
Super Topics
Associated Topics
Resources
The picture shows the topic browsing frame of
Ontopias Omnigator. Another frame besides can
display selected resources.
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Functional Requirements

• Visualization of XTM topic maps
• Display a topic with all its relationships
• Display resources related to a topic(overview
  and single view)
• Display resource meta data
• Provide browsing possibilities to all related
  topics and resources
• Additional navigation tools like(step back /
  forward, direct alphabetical access)
• Change between different visualizations

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Usability Notes

• Suitable visualizations to display the topic
  relationships (different solutions regarding to
  the screen size).
• A visual component for every topic next to the
  title.
• A topic map overview as an access point.
• Display all information as a link to the
  represented topic.
• Display associations not like topics (the concept
  of association-topics may irritate the user).
• Use suitable terms for the XTM tag names to help
  inexperienced users.

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Portal Integration
Ways to integrate the topic map navigation in the
existing portal user interface!
Portal Interface