call for presentations at the Data Model sessions in Cambridge , September 2007

[Alberto Conti]

KML is evolving and I think we are all in agreement with that.

> My fear is that buzz about KML will lead to widespread adoption of  
> low-fidelity interop in place of the high-fidelity interop that the  
> IVOA has made a mission to create.

Sure, but right now no matter what the IVOA does it will not work  
with GSky or WWT unless they can tell you (as WWT lead) what standard  
they have in mind and (at the same time) negotiate changes into KML  
or convince Google to adopt this new standard on top of KML. Both of  
these scenarios are unlikely.

> Tools like Sky in GE, WWT, Virtual Earth and NASA World Wind have  
> stirred allot of interest in the visualization and search of  
> imagery and data. This in turn has fueled a growth in interest in  
> interoperability among astronomers outside the VO community. Let's  
> let this trend run it's course. I don't think we should be so quick  
> to give up on astronomy based standards just yet.


and I am not advocating KML as a standard as is at all, it would be  
foolish. However, until the conditions above change, we have little  
or no choice *IF* (this is key) we want to use GoogleSky as a tool.  
So, at a very minimum, *IF* we want to use these tools we might want  
to, or have to, provide the community with VOTable -> KML translators  
or VOTable --> WWT XML translators.
You mention that WWT will speak VOTAble natively, understand SIAPs,  
ConeSearches, etc... this is really great. My problem (and it's a  
personal opinion) is that VOTable as is, as a transport mechanism is  
not adequate. But my opinion, as many know, is irrelevant!

The power of the IVOA would be to aggressively collaborate with  
industry in setting these standards. Unfortunately, as Carol  
mentioned, few saw the benefits of this when we could have influenced  
the KML in GoogleSky.

Ciao,
/A

Dr Alberto Conti
Community Missions Office
Space Telescope Science Institute
contact | tel: 410-338-4534 | aim: wscience