It's getting really hot in Linked Data land! Two days agoBenjamin
Nowackpinged the LOD community about hisRDFization of Crunchbase(sample
(X)HTML view: http://cb.semsol.org/company/opera-software) courtesy
of Crounchbase releasing an API. As you know, I've always equated
Web
Service API to Database CLIs (ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET
etc.) as both offer code level hooks into Data Spaces.
Naturally, we've decided to join the Crunchbase RDFization
party, and have just completed a Virtuoso
Sponger Cartridge (an RDFizer) for
Crouncbase. What we add in our particular cartridge is additional
meshing with DBpedia and Wikicompany Linked Data Spaces, plus RDFizaton of the
Crunchbase (X)HTML pages :-)
As I've postulated for a while, Linked Data is about data "Meshing" and
"Meshups". This isn't a buzzword play. I am pointing out an
important distinction between "Mashups" and "Meshpus". Which goes
as follows: "Mashups" are about code level joining devoid of
structured modelling, hence the revelation of code as opposed to
data when you look behind a "Mashup". "Meshups" on the other hand,
are about joining disparate structured data sources across the Web.
And when you look behind a "Meshup" you see structured data
(preferably Linked Data) that enables further
"Meshing".
I truly believe that we are now inches away from critical mass
re. Linked Data, and because we are dealing with
data, the network-effect will be sky-high! I shudder to think about
the state of the Linked Data Web in 12 months time. Yes, I am giving the
explosion 12 months (or less). These are very exciting times.
Demo Links:
For best experience I encourage you to look at theOpenLink Data Explorer extensionfor
Firefox (2.x - 3.x). This enables you to go to Crunchbase (X)HTML
pages (and other sites on the Web of course), and then simply use
the "View | Linked Data Sources"
main or context menu sequence to unveil the Linked
Data Sources associated with any Web Page.
Of course there is much more to come!