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SKOS: Simple Knowledge Organization for the Web

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Current specifications...

SKOS has been developed by the W3C Semantic Web Deployment Working Group (SWDWG).

SKOS Simple Knowledge Organization System - Home Page

SKOS is an area of work developing specifications and standards to support the use of knowledge organization systems (KOS) such as thesauri, classification schemes, subject heading lists and taxonomies within the framework of the Semantic Web ... [read more]

Announcements

Alignment between SKOS and new ISO 25964 thesaurus standard (2012-12-13)

ISO 25964-1, published in 2011, replaced the previous thesaurus standards ISO 2788 and ISO 5964 (both now withdrawn). Members of the Working Group responsible for ISO 25964 have gone on to consider the implications for SKOS users. They have developed a set of linkages between the elements of the ISO 25964 data model and the ones from SKOS, SKOS-XL, and MADS/RDF. This new "Correspondence between ISO 25964 and SKOS/SKOS-XL models" document can be accessed at http://www.niso.org/schemas/iso25964/ and replaces the previous table presented in the SKOS Primer.

From Chaos, Order: SKOS Recommendation Helps Organize Knowledge (2009-08-18)

Today W3C announces a new standard that builds a bridge between the world of knowledge organization systems - including thesauri, classifications, subject headings, taxonomies, and folksonomies - and the linked data community, bringing benefits to both. Libraries, museums, newspapers, government portals, enterprises, social networking applications, and other communities that manage large collections of books, historical artifacts, news reports, business glossaries, blog entries, and other items can now use Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) to leverage the power of linked data. The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group also published today two Group Notes with the Recommendation, updating the SKOS Primer and SKOS Use Cases and Requirements. Read the press release and testimonials and learn more about the Semantic Web Activity. (Permalink)

Call for Review: SKOS Reference Proposed Recommendation (2009-06-15)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has published the Proposed Recommendation of SKOS Simple Knowledge Organization System Reference. Along with this publication of the SKOS Reference Proposed Recommendation the Working Group has published an updated SKOS Primer Working Draft. Comments are welcome through 15 July. (Permalink)

W3C Invites Implementations of SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System) Reference; Primer Also Published (2009-03-17)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group invites implementation of the Candidate Recommendation of SKOS Reference. The Working Group also published today a Working Draft of SKOS Primer. (W3C News Item Permalink)

SKOS Reference Last Call Published; Primer Updated (2008-08-29)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has announced the SKOS Reference Last Call Working Draft. The Working Group has made its best effort to address all comments received to date, and seeks confirmation that the comments have been addressed to the satisfaction of the community, allowing us to move forward to W3C Candidate Recommendation following the Last Call process. The Working Group solicits review and feedback on this draft specification. In particular, the Working Group would be keen to hear comments regarding any features identified at risk, and from those implementing (among others):

Comments are requested by 3 October 2008, at which time the Working Group intends to close Last Call. All comments are welcome and should be sent to [email protected]; please include the text "SKOS comment" in the subject line. All messages received at this address are viewable in a public archive. The Working Group intends to advance the SKOS Reference to W3C Recommendation after further review and comment. This Last Call Working Draft signals the Working Group's belief that it has met its design objectives for SKOS and has resolved all open issues.

The group has also published an update of the companion SKOS Primer. Learn more about the Semantic Web Activity. (W3C News Item Permalink)

SKOS Reference 2nd Working Draft Published (2008-06-09)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has published the Second Public Working Draft of the SKOS Reference. This new document is the normative specification of the Simple Knowledge Organization System, and is a substantial update to and replacement for the previous SKOS Reference W3C Working Draft dated 25 January 2008. See changes from the previous draft. The Working Group solicits review and feedback on this new draft specification. All comments are welcome and may be sent to [email protected]; please include the text "SKOS comment" in the subject line.

SKOS Primer 1st Working Draft Published (2008-02-21)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has published the First Public Working Draft of the SKOS Primer. The primer is intended to help implementors who have a basic understanding of the Semantic Web to use the capabilities defined in the SKOS Reference to represent and publish their concept schemes as SKOS data. This new document is a substantial update to and replacement for the previous SKOS Core Guide W3C Working Draft dated 2 November 2005. The Working Group solicits review and feedback on this new draft specification. All comments are welcome and may be sent to [email protected]; please include the text "SKOS comment" in the subject line.

SKOS Reference 1st Working Draft Published (2008-01-25)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has published the First Public Working Draft of the SKOS Reference. This new document is the normative specification of the Simple Knowledge Organization System, and is a substantial update to and replacement for the previous SKOS Core Vocabulary Specification W3C Working Draft dated 2 November 2005.

SKOS Use Cases and Requirements Published (2007-05-16)

The Semantic Web Deployment Working Group has published the First Public Working Draft of the SKOS Use Cases and Requirements. These use cases and fundamental or secondary requirements have been used to guide the design of SKOS as the Working Group proceeds to a W3C Recommendation.

New SKOS Web Site (2007-01-18)

Welcome to the new SKOS web site! We've rearranged a few things to make it more accessible and easier to navigate. We hope you'll still be able to find everything, if you have any problems or comments on this site please send an email to the SWDWG.

Call for Use Cases (2006-12-06)

As part of the requirements gathering process for SKOS, the SWDWG has put out a call for use cases. The call contains a use case questionnaire to give an indication of the kind of information the SWDWG is hoping to gather. Use cases sent to the SWDWG will be highly influential in determining the scope and features of the final SKOS W3C Recommendation, so if you'd like to request a feature or have found an issue we'd greatly appreciate some more information about your use case.

W3C Semantic Web Deployment Working Group Kicks Off (2006-10-12)

The new W3C Semantic Web Deployment Working Group (SWDWG) had its first teleconference meeting on 10 October. The WG has been given responsibility for developing and maintaining SKOS, and is chartered to work towards publishing SKOS as a W3C Recommendation by the first quarter of 2008. For more information see the SWDWG home page and the SWDWG charter.