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Hypertopic is a semi-formal alternative to the Semantic Web models and protocols. It aims at fostering participation among knowledge workers.
In contrast to the Semantic Web models, Hypertopic is not interested in formal semantics, but in semantics dependent on the human subject and on the semiotic substrate. Similarly to what Web 2.0 does for entertainment, it aims at fostering people’s participation in knowledge work. In this trend, software design relies on three human and social phenomena:
- documents, because they are proofs of something else, not in the manner of a mathematical proof but more in the line of evidence to be kept and mobilized;
- interpretation, because the meaning of a document depends on its authors and readers;
- intersubjectivity, because the confrontation between conflicting interpretations allows to overcome subjectivity.
Software prototypes complying with this approach have been tested within different domains (archaeology, sociology, civil society, engineering...). The main contribution of this approach is the introduction of ‘viewpoints’, consciously managed by actors.
The core of the Hypertopic software suite is the management of contradictory viewpoints on shared items (with Argos). Those viewpoints are expressed by users in a semi-formal way through building multi-dimensional catalogues (with Agorae) or annotating texts or pictures (with LaSuli). Then they can be compared on shared corpora (with Porphyry).
Because items require special features depending on their types, we developed Cassandre for texts, Steatite for pictures, Tiré-à-part for scientific papers, and Argile for design forums.
All of these software parts are tied together owing to the Hypertopic Protocol.
Qualitative analysis of texts:
Qualitative analysis of pictures:
Digital libraries:
Corporate memory:
- on reflexive texts analysis,
- on semi-automatic texts analysis (FRENCH)
- on pictures analysis,
- on knowledge management.
- for students in information systems (FRENCH)
- for students in sociology, management and psychology (FRENCH)
- for students in art history (FRENCH)
- v1 (see chapter 3)
- v2
- Migration roadmap