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Multi-use, Multi-standard and Multilingual Geospatial Ontology Service (M3GO)
With the new service developed under this project, providers and users of geospatial data can bridge some terminology and language gaps that currently hinder the exchange of information. At the moment, users searching for information from geospatial databases must know and use in their search exactly the same concepts, vocabulary and language that the database uses; otherwise, their search may not yield relevant results. For instance, users searching a database that is documented in English may not get results if they enter a key word that is French. Similarly, they may not get results if they enter a key word that is singular instead of plural, or that relates to but does not match a term recognized by the database. Matters are further complicated when users and providers work in different domains.
M3GO, this project's new web-based service, will manage several geospatial ontologies-collections of complete, agreed-upon descriptions of concepts in a certain subject area-in at least two languages. The service will create semantics linkages of meaning between key words and between words in different languages. It will also provide a feature to suggest the most appropriate key words based on those linkages. Using M3GO, data providers can supply users with a wealth of information, including the translation of a given term in a given ontology, synonyms, other related terms and terms that include, or are included by, another term.
For providers of geospatial data, M3GO will bring more consistency to their information. It will help them harmonize data from multiple sources and different languages, and will give them a standardized list of terms, and translations, relevant to their subject-an invaluable tool for updating their databases. For users of geospatial data, the project will make information more accessible, in turn helping them with their tasks, whether they are planning mine expansions or charting rivers and lakes.
M3GO will be tested with the project's partners-the Quebec Ministère des Ressources naturelles, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation-using ontologies appropriate to their fields in two languages. The eventual plan is to commercialize the project's services and technologies to benefit other organizations.
For more information...
(French Only)
Primary Partner:
Intélec Géomatique Inc.
St-Laurent,
Quebec;
Partners: Centre de recherche en géomatique (at Université Laval), Department of National Defence, Ministre des Ressources naturelles du Québec, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Funding From GeoConnections: $200,000.00 ( 43.0 %)
Estimated Inception Date: September, 2003
Estimated Completion Date: May, 2004
Deliverables from this project benefitted the following provinces: All provinces