Technological Aspects of (Linked) Open Data

Abstract

Choices of technologies to be used for publishing open data influence data reusability. In general, these technologies should be based on open standards and be aligned with the technologies adopted within the communities of data users. However, even though open standards are used in many industries ensuring interoperability within a specific domain, there is a lack of interoperability across sectors. This is due to a semantic heterogeneity of cross-domain information. Linked Data is an approach, which aims to achieve interoperability at the widest scale (the World Wide Web) by using the proven architecture of the World Wide Web, based on fully open standards. This chapter provides an overview of the five star model for open data and introduces the need for publishing open data along Linked Data design rules. Examples of Linked (Open) Data use at the Dutch Kadaster as well as at the University of Twente, is used to illustrate the main aspects of the technology. Analysis of current trends and future challenges in Linked Open Data are provided at the end of the chapter.