Xesam and Nepomuk Desktop Ontologies Merge
Sebastian Trüg has announced that the Xesam vs. Nepomuk issue is settled and that they will merge into a single desktop ontology.
Both desktop ontologies had been undergoing parallel development in the past to define the metadata on a computer in a meaningful way and implement a social, semantic desktop. As Sebastian Trüg writes in his blog, "the Xesam ontology and NIE (Nepomuk Information Elements) both define classes and properties to describe desktop metadata ranging from id3 tags (artist, title, and so on) to emails and instant messaging." Trüg goes on: "All that was left to do was a merger. And that is what happened now. Sort of."
In the process, Nepomuk seems to have prevailed, supported by discussion on the freedesktop.org lists that generally advises updating the software and agrees that more and more projects are migrating to Nepomuk in that it proves to be more complete. Trüg didn't consider this a slam on Xesam. In fact, Nepomuk borrowed many ideas from Xesam and the advantages of the competitor could flow directly or through add-ons into Nepomuk.
Above all, says Trüg, care should go into unifying the NIE (Nepomuk) versions across applications. Strigi, KDEBase and Tracker already contain NIE code. To further discuss ontological issues, he established an Open Semantic Collaboration Architecture Foundation (OSCAF) platform on SourceForge.net.
Issue 247/2021
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Armbian 21.05 Now Available
The Armbian developers have released the latest update to the Debian-based Linux distribution geared for ARM and embedded devices.
-
StarLabs has Released Another Linux Laptop
A new 14" Linux laptop has been released by the company that created the 11" Star Lite and can be purchased with your choice of Linux distribution.
-
Ubuntu 21.04 Adds Support for Active Directory and Other Major Changes
In a bid to help make Linux more viable for the business desktop, Canonical adds support for Active Directory and a few other notable changes.
-
GNOME 40 Available on openSUSE
The rolling release edition of openSUSE, Tumbleweed, now offers the latest version of the GNOME desktop.
-
Apple M1 Hardware Support to be Merged into Linux Kernel 5.13
Linux users will be able to install their favorite distribution on Apple’s M1-based hardware.
-
KDE Launches the Qt 5 Patch Collection
To support and maintain a stable Qt 5 for KDE Gears and Frameworks, KDE will maintain a patch collection.
-
Linux Creator Warns Next Kernel Could be Delayed
Linus Torvalds has issued concern about the size of kernel 5.12 and possible delays for its release.
-
System76 Updates its Pangolin Laptop
System76 has released a much-anticipated AMD version of their most popular laptop, the Pangolin.
-
New Debian-Based Distribution Arrives on the Market
TelOS is a new Debian-based Linux distribution with a customized, touch-screen-ready KDE Plasma 5 desktop.
-
System76 Releases New Thelio Desktop
One of the most ardent supporters of open source hardware has released a new desktop machine for home or office.