Re: Topic maps and ordinary people

At 14:02 17/06/2011, Simon Grant wrote:
>What I am asking, then, is more or less this: does TM provide a more 
>fruitful approach (than other technologies) to devising a *set of 
>stages* of understanding, each of which can be mastered and which 
>has some reasonable motivation for people generally -- that is the 
>kind of approach that I think could have a better chance of getting 
>somewhere.


Alexander asked earlier, 'who's ordinary people?'. I find myself 
wondering 'who's people generally', or, more specifically, 'why would 
people generally want to use topic maps?' What might they use them 
for? Not photo collections or other hobby stuff - there are many 
simpler and easier ways of organising a personal collection of 
information. (Besides, for those, the personal approach is often more 
effective than any general scheme. I'd never dream of trying to 
arrange books on my shelves by Dewey or LC!)

Secondly, I'm puzzled as to why you suggest the technology as the 
starting point for devising defined 'stages of 
understanding'.  Understanding is a human thing, and speed/ease of 
acquiring it is dependent on a range of human, not technical, 
variables - among them experience, previous learning, interest, 
aptitude, perception of potential value. Starting with people - 
potential users - would seem more likely to yield something.

And finally ... thanks for sparking off this discussion!  As I said 
earlier, there could well be interest in topic maps outside of the TM 
community, if only the jargon/complexity barriers can be overcome. 
Conversations like this one are a useful step in that direction.


Linda Sutherland
linda.sutherland-k881bfVVboVWk0Htik3J/[email protected]