What next for the Web and information services? Linked data and semantic search

Christopher Mims, who writes for the MIT journal Technology Review, claims that Web 2.0 will end on 1 October 2012. His argument is based on the steep decline of the occurrence of the term since 2007 in searches on Google Trends. Extrapolating from the statistics it will hit the X-axis on that date.

Terms like Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 are becoming irrelevant as we stop thinking about the platform and concentrate on what we build on it. What are the implications and the key tools for web-based information and knowledge management?

Our speakers will be examining both the nature of linked data, and the creation of structured knowledge, both automatically and by people, and its use in semantic search.

Linked Data - not just theory  Richard Wallis

Leading organisations such as Ordnance Survey, BBC, and the British Library are already benefiting from using Linked Data; moving beyond the realms of Semantic Web research into real world application. Richard will explore how such organisations have approached the adoption of Linked Data techniques and technologies, and the results they have achieved.

Semantic Search - Ready to use?  Victoria Uren

Victoria will explain how semantic search differs from the statistical and link-based search methods we are used to, and give an overview of different research systems, including differences in approaches to query formulation (natural language, keywords, graphs) and what goes on "under the hood". Then she will discuss in more depth the tools which are closest to being ready for real applications now.

NetIKX seminars are held six times a year, in the afternoon, at a central London venue.  They usually consist of a presentation by one or more speakers, followed by workshop sessions.  There is a very strong emphasis on networking, allowing those present to exchange and share, supported not only by the workshops, but also by informal opportunities provided by the tea and coffee break and the wine and nibbles served at the end of the meeting. More information on this seminar and on NetIKX generally can be found at www.netikx.org.

Attendance for this seminar is free to NetIKX members, individual and corporate, and £50 to non-members.  Non-members joining within a month of attendance at a seminar will have their attendance fee deducted from their subscription.