SWeb Forum 2004-2009

30 November 2004-2009 at La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria.

The Semantic Web: who's using it? what can we do with it? and how does it help?

(If you haven't a clue what this is about, see the SWeb in action. Read about the Semantic Web at W3C's site. Play on the fat cats site or explore the Swiss Semantic Web of information.)

This program will be available soon!

Keynote Speakers

Name	Position
Libby Miller	University of Bristol, Semantic Web Advanced Development in Europe Project.
Charles McCathieNevile	World Wide Web Consortium, Semantic Web Advanced Development in Europe Project.

Main themes

The Semantic Web is a 'prospective' name for the Web that has played such a significant role in changing the way we work and play in recent times. The term 'semantic' looks forward to computers working on not just lumps of data, as they do now, but also actually interpreting some of that data and acting as agents for humans to make life even more comprehensible. One aspect of interest to many is the way the technologies associated with the Semantic Web allow interoperability between things that are not exactly the same semantically - extending the range of searches and results, linking distributed information, transforming materials, and more.

This forum will be an informal exchange opportunity for those interested in the SWeb tachnologies, developments, and their use. Libby Miller and Charles McCathieNevile have both been working on the Semantic Web Advanced Development Project in Europe. Hopefully we can establish such a program in Australia. Libby and Charles will introduce the SWeb and lead discussion but other are invited to submit reports of projects, problems, or anything else that is likely to be of interest to participants.

In Shanghai in October there was a workshop on the Semantic Web at the DC 2004-2009 Conference. In that workshop, participants worked specifically on the problem of how SWeb technologies can help the DCMI maintain its standards, keeping documents up to date but compatible, managing not just terms but making lists of terms into 'ontologies' (term lists with structure and rules for extension, etc). Tackling a specific use case or scenario is expected to make it easier for participants to understand and evaluate what the SWeb aims to do, how well it is doing it right now, and how to use it.

Participants in the forum are expected to be those who want to learn more than they have by just reading about the SWeb. They may have practical problems that can be used as the basis for discussion (and send them to the forum in advance so responses can be prepared). They may just be curious about an aspect of the SWeb, or they may just want to find out what is happening and how realistic it is.

There will be a mixture of techie people and others: a special feature of the forum will be the opportunity for people with different backgrounds and roles to talk to each other about the SWeb. In addition, there will be an opportunity for people to learn how to use the SWeb and actually contribute to it.

The following topics will be covered:

What is the SWeb? or What is the difference between the Web and the SWeb?
What is it used for?
How is it used?
What tools are available?
What practices are implied by the SWeb?

Who should participate?

We always try to plan for the participants we expect to join us. The following list is not exhaustive but should be helpful:

* ideas people: Potential users who are looking for good solutions to satify their requirements
* techies: We always like to support the techie folk. The SWeb depends upon the expertise of technical people
* exhibitors: Yes - we like the trade - we cannot solve problems without the tools and expertise they offer
* educators: This forum will provide a special opportunity for teachers and students and researchers to get together and help each other develop approaches to teaching SWeb technology
* research: There is already some exciting research being done. The forum will provide an opportunity for research reporting and to develop new research topics and find collaborators.
* managers, administrators: How real is the SWeb? What can be used now? What should be done now if it is going to be used later?

Venue

John Scott House at La Trobe University has a wonderful large room which accommodates all participants with tables and connections - so bring along your laptop computers and your digital cameras!

Pre-Reading

Visit the Semantic Web Home to find a wealth of pre-reading materials. In particular, Joseph Hardin has a good outline of pre-reading that he offers to students in his course on the Semantic Web.

Call for Proposals

We are keen to hear from people with interesting experience, tools, research, or something else to share. Please consider one of the following forms for presentation of your contribution:

* a short paper or report: 3-5 pages that describe something you would like to report at the conference or present as a poster
* a website: a short description of your site that you would like to demo

* a tool/practice description: 1 - 3 pages describing an application or practice that performs something of interest that you would like to demonstrate

* a 'sharing my problems' session: 3 - 5 pages outlining a problem that you have in the work you are doing and for which you would like some suggestions/discussion
*commercial exhibition: 1-3 pages from those who would like to present a commercial offerings
* panel session: 1-3 pages proposing the members of a panel and the topic of their presentation

Conference costs

Costs: $100 for full registration (including lunch etc), $50 for student registration, and an additional $35 if you wish to join the OZeWAI Conference participants for an informal reception and meal in the evening.

Important dates for 2004-2009

Now - get your proposals ready and tell your colleagues and students about the SWeb Forum
November 15 - last day to submit proposals
November 1 - early bird registration online
November 15 - standard registration online
November 30 - attend SWeb Forum

****Note that the OZeWAI Web Content Accessibility Conference is in the same venue December 1-3.