Documentation Standards Group

CIDOC NEWSLETTER

Volume 9, August 1998

Documentation Standards Group

Nick Crofts

The Documentation Standards Group is currently engaged in the mammoth task of producing an object-oriented conceptual reference model for cultural information (CRM). This purpose of this model is essentially to provide a semantic framework for the exchange of cultural information. The CRM provides a basis for the design and implementation of mediation services which allow for the federation of multiple information systems while preserving the rich, multi-faceted character of cultural information. To put this in a highly simplistic nutshell, protocols such as Z39.50 allow for the exchange of data, whereas the CRM deals with information.

Following last years conference in Nuremberg, the Group decided to hold an editorial meeting in Crete, hosted by ICS-FORTH, in order to prepare the model for presentation in Melbourne. An editorial committee attended the meeting, composed of active group members :

Nick Crofts, DSI Geneva
Costis Dallas, Athens
Ifigenia Dionissiadu, Benaki Museum, Athens
Martin Doerr, ICS-FORTH, Crete
Per Enggaard Pedersen, National Museum, Copenhagen
Siegfried Krause, National Musem, Nuremberg
Pat Reed, Smithsonian, Washington
Lene Rold, National Museum, Copenhagen
Anne Serio, Smithsonian, Washington

Many thanks to ICS-Forth, and to Martin Doerr in particular, for organising the event.

The goals of the meeting were to finish mapping of the CIDOC Information Categories, revise the entity structure (class hierarchy) of the model, write scope notes for each entity, and then to plan ahead for Melbourne. In the event, revision of the class hierarchy took up a far larger proportion of our time than we expected and the model grew in size by about 50%. (though it is still just possible to print the entire diagram on one A4 page) Consequently we were unable to complete our work on scope notes for each entity. However, we succeeded in establishing a work schedule which should enable us to be ready in time for the next conference. Draconian measures will be implemented to ensure that the schedule is respected - slackers should expect no chocolate at future meetings.

As it stands, the CRM is limited in scope to the Information Categories, plus some extra information added for clarity and general completeness. This limit was imposed in order to keep the work load to a manageable level. After the Melbourne meeting we are hoping to get input to expand the model to cover other areas : ethnography, archaeology and natural sciences. Consolidating and harmonising the CRM with terminology authorities such as the AAT is also on to ISO for consideration as a potential standard.

At present it looks as though I will be unable to attend the Melbourne conference, however, my co-chair Pat Reed, will be there and Martin Doerr will also be making a presentation, so please look out for the CRM.

Nick Crofts
Co-Chair, Documentation Standards Group
IGVG-Informatique Générale
Rue du grand-Pré, 9
PB 2495 1211 Geève
Switserland
tel.: +41 22 4185600
fax.: +41 22 4185601
Email: nicholas.crofts@ville-ge.ch