RDFa model and xml:id

[Patrick Durusau <patrick@durusau.net>]

Greetings!

I think there is some confusion on the RDFa "model" and xml:id. Mostly 
from mixing two different issues, or at least what I see as two 
different issues:

1. Linking metadata and content: Purely a question of how to associate 
metadata with content. Has no semantics other than simply linking one to 
the other.

2. The RDFa (or RDF) model: Therein are questions of identification of 
subject, etc. But, I don't think those should be mixed with the purely 
linking issue I pose as #1.

Consider that if we follow RDF/RDFa with using URIs to identify 
subjects, how do we distinguish those from ones simply meant as a 
linking mechanism? Moreover, if I point to an element, do I mean for the 
element per se to be the subject or something that the element encloses?

I think if we separate our discussions along those lines we will achieve 
some clarity. Note that I am not presuming that we will reach agreement 
but at least it will be clear where we disagree. Which is often the 
first step towards reaching consensus. If we don't understand each other 
there is little chance of resolving disagreements.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Patrick

-- 
Patrick Durusau
Patrick@Durusau.net
Chair, V1 - Text Processing: Office and Publishing Systems Interface
Co-Editor, ISO 13250, Topic Maps -- Reference Model
Member, Text Encoding Initiative Board of Directors, 2003-2005

Topic Maps: Human, not artificial, intelligence at work!