Topic 8 Exercise 3

Data portability, FOAF and the Semantic Web
Like a chain letter, our data seems to move within and between tools like Facebook and Twitter. Is this a good thing?
I am not sure if this movement of data between tools is a good thing or not. When I originally joined Facebook via a ‘gmail’ account I was (and am still) amazed that Facebook would then ‘find my friends’ through downloading my email addresses from the ‘gmail’ account. Being a little wary of all things new the gmail account was set-up with limited information given. This was done as it had been pointed out that another student had completed other uni subjects and their work is still on the Web attached to his name. As a school teacher I would like to keep some of my identity private out of reach of disgruntled students!!!

I can understand why some people would like this process to go into all facets of the Web, increasing the portability of data. This would make joining networks easier and generally speed everything up with the all the different applications to interact with each other. It could be a way to ‘flush’ out those people that create different personalities for identity protection.....that’s another kettle of fish.

I am still waiting to see the repercussion from the current Generation Z’s ease of sharing information on the net. There is something that just isn’t sitting right; it could be that faint red warning light...... that is blinking at me whenever I use Facebook!!!!

How does the FOAF tag from part of the Semantic Web and web services via social networks?
The Semantic Web provides a common framework that allows data to be shared and reused across application, enterprise, and community boundaries. This process involves the development of common formats to process the data and a common language to enter the data to allow for smooth flow of data throughout the Semantic Web.
http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/

Resource Description Framework (RDF) is used for the above mentioned process. It uses XML (Extensible Markup Language) a simple, very flexible text format to convert the data that is held in different areas to allow for the fluid movement of this data. Connections to points of interest are made by using the personal selections of music, photos and events linked with other directories and catalogues worldwide.