[Data-modeling] Current heads of state

[Ed Laurent]

I agree with your options. However, a "Head of state title" type is somewhat
appealing to me in that it has utility for this and possibly other queries.

-Ed

On Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 6:48 PM, Jeff Prucher <jeff at metaweb.com> wrote:

>  That is definitely the problem with this kind of denormalization. That
> said, how would you propose identifying heads of state using the current
> model (which does include start/end dates)?  The only ways I can think of to
> do it are with a boolean "Is Head of State?" property on the "Government
> office or title" property, or a property-less type called "Head of State"
> that would be co-typed with the appropriate instances of "Government office
> or title", neither of which I find particularly appealing.
>
> Jeff
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* data-modeling-bounces at freebase.com [mailto:
> data-modeling-bounces at freebase.com] *On Behalf Of *Ed Laurent
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:35 PM
> *To:* Freebase data modeling mailing list
> *Subject:* Re: [Data-modeling] Current heads of state
>
> I still lean towards a simpler model with start and end dates that can be
> used to infer whether something is current or not but I also see the value
> of this denormalization. An empty "current head of state" would be easy to
> find for the initial data entry. However, I don't think it is any more
> useful in the long term unless someone keeps on top dynamic topic
> properties. Even then, the denormalization could make for really clunky data
> entry unless there was a way to automatically update both the current and
> historical properties when changes occur. Empty fields and a lack of
> updating can throw a monkey wrench into either approach.
>
> -Ed
>
> On Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 5:53 PM, Jeff Prucher <jeff at metaweb.com> wrote:
>
>> There's a discussion thread started by user joguinn on the /location type
>> that I'd like to get more input on. The original thread is here:
>> <
>> http://www.freebase.com/discuss/threads/location#/guid/9202a8c04000641f8000
>> 0000086ea1f8>  (it's the last few comments in the thread "City Parks/Golf
>> Courses").
>>
>> The request is to include a property for "current head of state" on the
>> type
>> Country. This would be a partial denormalization of the Governing
>> Officials
>> property on the Governmental Jurisdiction type, but consistent with a
>> pattern that we've seen several times lately.  It would also have some
>> additional semantic value, since we have no way in the current model to
>> assert that any particular office represents the head of state.  The
>> reason
>> I'm bringing it up here is that I can imagine this snowballing into a slew
>> of "Current X" properties on various location types ("Current Mayor",
>> "Current Legislators", "Current Insurance Commissioner", etc.) and I'd
>> like
>> to hear what people think about either the proposed property as it stands,
>> or the potential proliferation of similar properties.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jeff
>>
>>
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>
>
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