Re: [syndication] Re: Total confusion in RSS-Land

[Andy Powell <lisap@ukoln.ac.uk>]

On Tue, 17 Oct 2000, Aaron Swartz wrote:

> What do we plan to use the format for? A lot, too much, you might say. Our
> goal is spelled out in our title: RDF Site Summary. In my eyes, this means
> that we're providing a way to distribute semantically-enhanced (like XML)
> content for websites. That way, we can get content and information from
> websites, without having to deal with "site scraping". Sort of like SOAP,
> but only one-way. The key is getting more value and information out of web
> sites. 

If this is really the intended scope, then the 'channel' and 'item'
metaphore used in RSS 1.0 doesn't seem appropriate - isn't it too limited
to news-type applications?  (Perhaps my understanding of channel and item
is too limited?)  If the plan is to move away from the use of channel and
item, then ultimately you are just left with shipping arbitrary RDF around
aren't you?

I like the move to RDF/XML in 1.0 (because it means that other, non-RSS
aware applications can re-use the RDF), but I also think that continuing
with a focus on news or syndication-like applications is a good thing -
the application gives the work some focus that it otherwise doesn't have?  
If the focus on syndication is retained, then the 'RDF Site Summary' name
is potentially too grand!

Andy
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