Ontology and folksonomy

From Computer Science Wiki
Web Science[1]

An ontology is a formal representation of knowledge and concepts within a specific domain or field, and is used to define and classify the relationships between different concepts. An ontology is typically created by experts in a particular field, and is designed to be a comprehensive and consistent representation of the knowledge in that field.

A folksonomy, on the other hand, is a user-generated system of classification that is based on the use of tags to describe and organize web content. A folksonomy is created and maintained by users of a particular website or service, and is typically used to classify and organize content in a more informal and flexible way.

There are several key differences between an ontology and a folksonomy:

Purpose: An ontology is typically created with the goal of providing a formal and comprehensive representation of knowledge within a specific domain or field, while a folksonomy is typically created by users to classify and organize web content in a more informal and flexible way.

Structure: An ontology is typically a hierarchical and structured system of classification, with a defined set of concepts and relationships between those concepts. A folksonomy, on the other hand, is typically a flat and unstructured system of classification, with no defined hierarchy or relationships between concepts.

Maintenance: An ontology is typically created and maintained by experts in a particular field, while a folksonomy is typically created and maintained by users of a particular website or service.

Relevance: An ontology is typically designed to be a comprehensive and consistent representation of knowledge within a specific domain or field, while a folksonomy is typically more focused on the needs and interests of the users who create and maintain it.

In summary, an ontology is a formal representation of knowledge and concepts within a specific domain or field, while a folksonomy is a user-generated system of classification based on the use of tags to describe and organize web content. An ontology is typically a hierarchical and structured system of classification, while a folksonomy is typically a flat and unstructured system. An ontology is typically created and maintained by experts in a particular field, while a folksonomy is typically created and maintained by users of a particular website or service. An ontology is typically designed to be a comprehensive and consistent representation of knowledge within a specific domain or field, while a folksonomy is typically more focused on the needs and interests of the users who create and maintain it.






Ontology[edit]

In computer science and information science, an ontology is a formal naming and definition of the types, properties, and interrelationships of the entities that really exist in a particular domain of discourse.

An ontology (in information science) compartmentalizes the variables needed for some set of computations and establishes the relationships between them.

The fields of artificial intelligence, the Semantic Web, systems engineering, software engineering, biomedical informatics, library science, enterprise bookmarking, and information architecture all create ontologies to limit complexity and organize information. The ontology can then be applied to problem solving.[2]

Folksnomy[edit]

Folksonomy is a system in which users apply public tags to online items, typically to aid them in re-finding those items. This can give rise to a classification system based on those tags and their frequencies, in contrast to a taxonomic classification specified by the owners of the content when it is published. This practice is also known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, and social tagging. Folksonomy was originally "the result of personal free tagging of information [...] for one's own retrieval", but online sharing and interaction expanded it into collaborative forms. Social tagging is the application of tags in an open online environment where the tags of other users are available to others. Collaborative tagging (also known as group tagging) is tagging performed by a group of users. This type of folksonomy is commonly used in cooperative and collaborative projects such as research, content repositories, and social bookmarking.[3]

Standards[edit]

These standards are used from the IB Computer Science Subject Guide[4]

  • Distinguish between an ontology and folksonomy.


References[edit]

  1. http://www.flaticon.com/
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology_(information_science)
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folksonomy
  4. IB Diploma Programme Computer science guide (first examinations 2014). Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: International Baccalaureate Organization. January 2012.