Vocabulary: Ontology

[Rob Seaman]

Sorry to follow-up my own message (although this is perfectly legal  
in VOEvent):

> The issue isn't just development cost - it's cost of operations.  A  
> case could perhaps be made that using RDF would reduce the total  
> lifecycle cost for the VO (centers and/or users).  That case has  
> yet to be made.

To expand on this, the VO should only adopt a technology if it brings  
significant benefit to one or more projects (in general, to more than  
one VO project).  The familiar mantra applies of optimizing  
performance, cost and schedule - and of mitigating risks.  If RDF  
speeds design, implementation, deployment or maintenance for the same  
cost - or if RDF adds new performance opportunities - or if the VO  
can buy the same functionality for less money - or if extreme areas  
of risk are avoided - then RDF will naturally find a niche.

Rob