[Web4lib] Microformats

[Karen Coyle]

Thanks to all who answered my query. So, microformats carry/define 
actionable data. Is there/could there be some synergy with the OpenURL? 
I ask this because the microformats, as described on the wiki, seem to 
me to be a bit kitchen-sink-y (one like this, another like that), and 
I'd rather see some unification rather than a bunch of different formats.

kc

Ross Singer wrote:
> The intention of the microformat is to semantically mark up data that
> appears in HTML.
>
> This way, items on web pages can become more 'actionable' (machines
> can figure out what's there and do something with them) without the
> need for screen scraping (which is prone to failure).
>
> There are those (ok, it's me) that grow a little weary of their
> 'humans first' dogma; I'm not convinced that /everything/ needs to
> appear in the display.
>
> Still, when you start working with the concept of microformats it's
> tough to deny the usefulness.
>
> -Ross.
>
> On 7/27/06, Karen Coyle <kcoyle at kcoyle.net> wrote:
>> I took a look at some of this and still can't quite figure out what
>> makes something a "microformat" as opposed to a "format." (Yes, I read
>> the definition page on the wiki.) Can anyone articulate that? It just
>> seems like an excuse to create YAF (yet another format).
>>
>> kc
>>
>> Ross Singer wrote:
>> > You'll also see librarians and their 'ilk' all over:
>> >
>> > http://microformats.org/wiki/citation
>> >
>> > and
>> >
>> > http://microformats.org/wiki/uid
>> >
>> > -Ross.
>> >
>> > On 7/27/06, Jeremy Frumkin <jeremy.frumkin at oregonstate.edu> wrote:
>> >> So, work related to microformats and libraries is already underway.
>> >> Check
>> >> out the unAPI work (http://unapi.info/), which evolved from earlier
>> >> work on
>> >> COinS (http://www.ocoins.info).
>> >>
>> >> -- jaf
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On 7/27/06 12:03 PM, "Keith D. Engwall" <kengwall at catawba.edu> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > I'm curious as to what interest there is among the library
>> >> community for
>> >> > Microformats (http://microformats.org).
>> >> >
>> >> > I'm still getting my head wrapped around them, but I think there's
>> >> > potential for developing microformats for digital collections, 
>> brief
>> >> > catalog records, etc.
>> >> >
>> >> > For an excellent introduction to what Microformats are, check out:
>> >> >
>> >> > Digital Web Magazine: Microformats Primer by Garrett Dimon
>> >> > (http://www.digital-web.com/articles/microformats_primer/)
>> >> >
>> >> > Microformats Wiki: Introduction to Microformats
>> >> > (http://microformats.org/wiki/introduction)
>> >> >
>> >> > Keith
>> >> >
>> >> > ---------------------------------
>> >> > Keith Engwall
>> >> > Head of Library Systems and Technology
>> >> > Catawba College
>> >> > Salisbury, NC
>> >> > kengwall at catawba.edu
>> >> >
>> >> > "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over 
>> public
>> >> > relations, for nature cannot be fooled." - Richard P. Feynman
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> > Web4lib mailing list
>> >> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> >> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -- jaf
>> >>
>> >> ===============================================
>> >> Jeremy Frumkin
>> >> The Gray Chair for Innovative Library Services
>> >> 121 The Valley Library, Oregon State University
>> >> Corvallis OR 97331-4501
>> >>
>> >> Jeremy.Frumkin at oregonstate.edu
>> >>
>> >> 541.737.9928
>> >> 541.737.3453 (Fax)
>> >> 541.230.4483 (Cell)
>> >> ===============================================
>> >> " Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes
>> >> nothing. "
>> >> - Emerson
>> >>
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>> >>
>> >>
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>> >
>> >
>>
>> -- 
>> -----------------------------------
>> Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
>> kcoyle at kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
>> ph.: 510-540-7596
>> fx.: 510-848-3913
>> mo.: 510-435-8234
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>>
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>>
>
>

-- 
-----------------------------------
Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
kcoyle at kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
ph.: 510-540-7596
fx.: 510-848-3913
mo.: 510-435-8234
------------------------------------