The Semantic Web is a vision, an idea, a base-set of technologies. It’s not something Dad picks up at the computer store. It’s not something the press understands very well. It’s certainly not on the minds of the general public. It’s not even something my brother-the-developer fully understands. Lots of head nods from that one as I describe it’s several aspects.
A great example of Semantic Web technologies at work is the calendar on the 2008 Semantic Technology Conference site. While it’s main purpose is a calendar—it also has a favorite’s feature—but ultimately it’s a search function on overdrive. The calendar contains a little of this and a little of that; which compliments the many aspects of Semantic Web technologies. And that’s awesome to have a clear-cut example of a real-life application. We need more.
It’s time the Semantic Web moves out of the idea phase and moves into the application phase. And that leads to a clearer understanding for everyone.
