Vocabulary: Ontology

[Matthew Graham]

Hi,

Rob Seaman wrote:
> 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.
I agree with the caveat that the VO should not reinvent the wheel just 
for the sake of it when there is a perfectly good one being used by the 
rest of the world.

    Matthew