Introduction
Topincs is a topic map authoring software that allows groups to share their knowledge over the web. It makes use of a variety of modern technologies. The most important are Topic Maps, REST and Ajax. It consists of three components: the Wiki, the Editor, and the Server.
For an introduction to the Topic Maps technology, read the excellent primer The TAO of Topic Maps by Steve Pepper. If you want to see Topincs in action visit the Topic Maps Store which deals with the underlying technology itself, or the Issues Store, the issue tracking system for Topincs. Use the Demo Store, if you want to try editing.
Testimonials
»Well, after a little bit of using Topincs I can say that this is the most useful free tool i have ever seen to manage knowledge pieces.«
»With this beautiful tool I can show that creating a topic map isn't so difficult!«
Features
- Editing topic maps
- The Topincs Wiki can be used to create topic maps over the World Wide Web without any knowledge of the Topic Maps technology. Anybody can share what they know. All you need is to set up the server and create a store and user accounts.
- Language is no longer a limit on information exchange
- The Topic Maps technology stores information independent of language. A fact encoded in a topic map can be authored by a Japanese person and understood by a Russian person, given that the underlying ontology is translated. Furthermore Topincs offers Unicode support and therefore is able to store information in a large variety of scripts.
- Create your topic maps by browsing the web
- Tools enhance Firefox and Opera, so that you can edit your topic maps while surfing the web.
- Ontological reflection
- Model your ontology on demand by prototyping. Topincs suggests statement types based on the content of the store. No need to strive for the 'right' model.
- Human and machine processable
- Statements are processable by humans and machines. Both can also act as content consumers and providers.
System requirements
Server
The Server requires Apache 2, PHP and MySQL, short AMP. The operating system can be Windows, Linux or Mac OS X.
Editor
The Editor runs in the Firefox web browser. Opera 9 is supported since Topincs 1.1.6.
Wiki
The Wiki runs in the Firefox web browser, in Opera, and in Internet Explorer 7.
