9th July 2008, 09:23 pm by Richard Wallis In: Uncategorized

Sir Tim Berners-Lee first talked about the Semantic Web in the seminal Scientific American article back in 2001. The first mention of it I can find on Panlibus was back in 2004, and anyone who has spent a few minutes talking about data with us at Talis will know we have been passionate about Semantic Web technologies ever since. My colleague Paul Miller has interviewed Sir Tim on Talking with Talis. Our Platform is built using Semantic Web techniques and technologies.

In the techno-geek community there is a significant division between those that get the Semantic Web, and can’t wait until it is a reality, and those that don’t get it and think it is science fiction that will never become usefully real.

The discussions between these groups often involve things such as RDF, Open Linked Data - all far too techie for a conversation with the general public - or you would think so.

Now along comes Sir Tim on BBC Radio 4’s morning current affairs program Today. Today pulls in a regular national audience of millions, the vast majority of whom you could in no way describe as techie. He delivered a classic description of the Semantic Web, in language which made it easy to follow - even the interviewer appeared to understand! - and the dreaded RDF was mentioned.

This eight minute conversation, which includes an introduction from the BBC’s science correspondent Tom Feilden, should become introductory listening for anyone wanting to find out more about the Semantic Web. Because of the potential benefits to data rich environments such as libraries, it should be compulsory listening for librarians, who can then go on and listen to library people who get it such as Allan Cho and Ed Summers. For those that want to dig even further, I can do no better than recommend Nodalities Magazine, and our sister blog Nodalities.

Back to Sir Tim’s interview. Towards the end he is asked about what is happening with the Semantic Web in the UK. He has a reputation for not wanting to advertise particular companies, but I must admit I was shouting out what about Garlik, what about True Knowledge, and what about Talis! - there I’ve done it for him.

Picture from hyoga on Flickr.