1Topic Map Research and Application (TMRA 2008), Leipzig October 16 2008

GTMalpha towards a graphical notation for Topic Maps

Hendrik Thomas1, Tobias Redmann2, Maik Pressler2, Bernd Markscheffel2 1 KDEG Trinity College, Ireland

2Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany

IK

abbreviation

federal state

is-part-of

Thuringia

Ilmenau

town

98693

zip code

http://www.ilmenau.de

has-it

streetrail

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Outline

1. Introduction

2. Requirements for a GTM

3. General GTM Design

4. Tutorial for GTMalpha

5. Summary

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1. Introduction

Graphical Notation for Topic Maps (GTM)

– supports modeling, documentation and discussion

– notation ensures consistent interpretation

exchange and reuse

– several drafts and proposals, BUT

no standardized or generally accepted GTM

Contribution: Design of a new graphic notation for Topic Maps Presentation of the draft GTMalpha

Steve Pepper: TAO. 2002

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2. Requirements for a GTM

General modeling requirements:

– COMPLETNESS according to the TMDM

– CONSISTENCY only one interpretation

– RELEVANT transformation without losing or adding elements

– LAYOUT & VIEWS support and simplify interpretation

– ECONOMIC EFFICIENT easy to learn and use

Reflect unique characteristics of Topic Maps:

– ONE-TOPIC-PER-SUBJECT same rule for graphical topics

– MULTIPLE TOPIC ROLES instance and type at the same time

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3. General GTM Design (1 of 2)

1.) Which basic layout?

2D-graph layout with many different elements

(topic, types, occ, etc.)

different colors topic scope type occ

2.) How to separate the different elements?

different geometric shapes topic scope type

topic type topic

type

BUT: topics can be types AND instances

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3. General GTM Design (2 of 2)

Solution:

– Topic represented by a unique shape

– Values represented by a unique shape

– Any text outside a shape is a comment

– Add symbols to indicate the role of an element

Subject IdentityOccurrenceScopesTopic NamesInstance-Types

topic

value

comment

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Topics and Types (1 of 2)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Topics and Types (2 of 2)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Topic Names (1 of 3)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Topic Names (2 of 3)

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EQUAL

4. GTMalpha tutorial – Topic Names (3 of 3)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Subject Identity

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Occurrences (1 of 2)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Occurrences (2 of 2)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Associations

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Views (1 of 2)

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Views (2 of 2)

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4. Summary

GTMalpha is a fully documented graphical notation for topic maps

complete, consistent, relevant, provides 2 views, (easy to learn)

Open Tasks:

– tool support shape sets for DIA and Visio needed!

– automated transformation of GTMalpha drafts in other notations (XTM,

LTM, CTM)

Is GTMalpha suitable for the representation of topic maps?ONLY THE COMMUNITY CAN DECIDE

BUT ITS DAMN TIME FOR A OFFICAL GTM STANDARD!

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Thanks for your attention.

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4. GTMalpha tutorial – Reification

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2. Requirement for a GTM (2/2)

any GTM draft must fulfill these requirements to support modeling & communication

Pragmatic point of view:

A GTM allows to

– draw a topic map fast and easy

– with a bad handwriting

– using a half-full pen

– on a dirty white board

AND a “young ontology expert” is still able to understand the element & structure