OntologySummit InvitedSpeaker FAQ

= OntologySummit Invited Speaker FAQ =

This may help an invited speaker, who is unfamiliar with our process, to get up to speed quickly.

What is the Ontology Summit?


 * see: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit

What is Ontology Summit 2013?


 * see: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2013

How are our virtual sessions run?


 * see example at: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ConferenceCall_2013_01_17
 * note, especially, the archives ... we make the entire proceedings available for asynchronous participation purposes and for future reference.

What do I need to know, in preparing for the session?


 * see: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?VirtualSpeakerSessionTips
 * pay special attention to the section labeled "For the SPEAKERS"

Here an actual response (lightly edited) LeoObrst sent to his invited panelists (on 2013.01.20) ...

Here is some information:

1) What is the Ontolog Forum? What are OntologySummit's?

The Ontolog Forum (http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl/) was founded by PeterYim, KurtConrad, and me (LeoObrst) in 2002 as an open Community of Practice for advancing ontological engineering. We began sponsoring Ontology Summits in 2006, with the first focused on upper ontologies: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?UpperOntologySummit. Last years Ontology Summit was focused on Ontologies for Big Systems, bringing in the ontology and the systems engineering communities: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2012.

The OntologySummit is a 3-month virtual discussion, ending in a face-to-face physical meeting in the Washington, DC area, typically at the US National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD in April or May. This year it will be May 2-3 at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. The virtual discussion takes place in a special email list: ontology-summit@ontolog.cim3.net, which you can subscribe to. But it also takes place in the weekly virtual sessions (typically Thursdays, 12:30  2:30 pm EST). These sessions have an individual Track focus, and typically consist of a panel discussion. The panelists present their research or viewpoints, with typically 2-5 panelists per session, and so the presentations can be approximately 10 minutes  30 minutes, depending on the number of panelists at the session, followed by general discussion. We expect 3-4 panelists for the January 31, 2013 Track A session, and so you can estimate about 20-30 minutes for your presentation.

For each annual OntologySummit, we prepare a joint Communique, which represents the compilation of our findings and recommendations over the course of those 3 months of input, with all the Track Co-Champions (co-chairs) and the membership providing input that is based on their own sessions and the discussions. The Communique Co-Lead Editors compile the information and draft the Communique, which typically undergoes a couple of versions. The Communique represents the best recommendations of our ontology community, and we endorse this personally at the Symposium (or virtually). Eventually the Communique is published in the journal of Applied Ontology (IOS Press).

2) What is OntologySummit2013?

This year the focus is on Ontology Evaluation across the Ontology Lifecycle: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2013, with 4 tracks. We use purple Media Wiki and Semantic Media Wiki for our joint content, so you can click on the so-called purple numbers, which index our content -- in the following, for example: (3IZK).

Structure and Discourse:   (3IZK)

Co-chairs, Tracks and Champions:   (3IZL)

Summit General Co-chairs: Dr. MatthewWest & Professor MichaelGruninger   (3IZM)

Symposium Co-chairs: Mr. MikeDean & Dr. RamSriram   (3JPR)

Track A: Intrinsic Aspects of Ontology Evaluation - Co-Champions: Dr. LeoObrst & Dr. SteveRay   (3IZN) Track B: Extrinsic Aspects of Ontology Evaluation - Co-Champions: Mr. TerryLongstreth & Dr. ToddSchneider   (3IZO) Track C: Building Ontologies to Meet Evaluation Criteria - Co-Champions: Dr. MatthewWest & Mr. MikeBennett   (3IZP) Track D: Software Environments for Evaluating Ontologies - Co-Champions: Dr. JoanneLuciano & Mr. PeterYim   (3JPS)

Communique Co-Lead Editors: Dr. AmandaVizedom & Dr. FabianNeuhaus   (3IZQ)

Our first Track A session is scheduled for January 31, 2013. Note that this is an informal discussion community, takes place via a telecon session (with web presentations, and audio archiving). Note also that it can be on any ontology evaluation topic of your choice, but we are hopeful it will include your previous research and your thoughts about extending it.

3) What is OntologySummit2013, Track A?

Our Track A (Intrinsic Aspects of Ontology Evaluation) virtual sessions occur on January 31, 2013 and March 3, 2013, according to the general master calendar here: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2013#nid3J1E. Our Track A Mission statement and eventual synthesis information is here: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2013_Intrinsic_Aspects_Of_Ontology_Evaluation_Synthesis.

4) What is the state of Ontology Summit 2013 right now?

We just had our Ontology Summit 2013 launch/kick-off event this past Thurs, January 17, 2013: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ConferenceCall_2013_01_17.

5) What can you expect the January 31, 2013 Track A virtual session to be like?

We will start at 12:30 pm EST, January 31, 2013 with PeterYim providing the logistics information. We will all be on the telecon, typically the information at: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ConferenceCall_2013_01_17#nid3KNJ:


 * Dial-in:   (3KNO)
 * Phone (US): +1 (206) 402-0100 ... (long distance cost may apply)   (3KNP)
 * ... [ backup nbr: (415) 671-4335 ]   (3KNQ)
 * when prompted enter Conference ID: 141184#   (3KNR)
 * Skype: joinconference (i.e. make a skype call to the contact with skypeID="joinconference") ... (generally free-of-charge, when connecting from your computer)   (3KNS)
 * when prompted enter Conference ID: 141184#   (3KNT)

In addition, we will have simultaneous chat for comments while the presentations are occurring.

The telecon will be recorded and a public audio archive will be available thereafter, along with the presentations, and the chat discussion.

After PeterYim provides logistics details (muting, unmuting, etc.), Steve and I will open the virtual session (thus beginning the audio archive). We will introduce the topic and the speakers. Then the speakers will present. We generally have all questions pushed to the end of the entire session, but this is not a hard and fast rule. If you wish to have questions asked during your talk, just say so.

At the end of the presentations, we will have a general discussion question-and-answer period, where the membership can ask questions of the panelists or make other comments.

The above provides much of the background information you need, but if you have additional questions or comments, please feel free to ask Steve and me.

Thanks much, and we look forward to your very interesting presentation!