Happy New Year!

In 2009 I hope the following happens re. "Linked Data":

  1. We realize it's a Meme
  2. We collectively connect the Meme to the concept of granular hyperlinks between data entities/objects (datum to datum linkage aka. Hyperdata Linking)
  3. We generally connect the Meme to technology ancestry such as the Entity-Attribute-Value with Classes & Relationships (EAV/CR) data model (then broader commonality with erstwhile unrelated realms will be unveiled e.g., Entity Frameworks from Microsoft, Core Data from Apple, SimpleDB from Amazon, and the Freebase Graph Model DB amongst others)
  4. We instinctively connect the Meme to the concept of Entity Oriented Data Access and Management (RDF based Linked Data is basically EAV/CR scheme that uses HTTP based Pointers for Entity, Attribute, and Relationship Identifiers)
  5. We naturally connect the Meme with the notion that an identifier for a unit of data (aka. Datum) should be the conduit to a negotiable representation of said Datum's description (i.e., it's attribute and relationship properties in HTML, XHTML, RDFa, Turtle, N3, RDF/XML etc., for example)
  6. We ultimately connect the Meme with a conceptual-level approach to data integration across disparate data sources (also known as Master Data Management (MDM) ).

2009 is about a reboot on a monumental scale. We need new thinking, new technology, new approaches, and new solutions. No matter what route we take, we can't negate the importance of "Data". When dealing with organic or inorganic computers systems -- Data is simply everything!

The ability of individuals and enterprises to access, mesh, and disseminate data to relevant nodes across public and private networks will ultimately determine the winners and losers in the new frontier, ushered in by 2009.

Do not take data access and data management technology for granted. User interfaces come and ago, application logic comes and goes, but your data stays with you forever. If you are mystified by data access technology then make 2009 the year of data access technology demystification :-)

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