[Data-modeling] Physical object

[Kurt Bollacker]

On Sun, May 04, 2008 at 01:39:10PM -0400, Ed Laurent wrote:
> Does anyone know of an existing data model for a generic physical
> body<http://www.freebase.com/view/en/physical_body>/object
> that has volume, mass, and maybe some shape properties (e.g., max length)? I
> can't find any that aren't specific to a particular class of object.

I don't believe there is a physical object type, but I'm interested in
what you'd be doing with it.

Most (All?) topics types in Freebase have been modeled so that the
properties reflect the usage of that object.  The usage of "physical
object" is very abstract and ptobably requires a lot of cotypes to be
of much use.  Systems that have such rigorous, (usually hierarchical)
orthogonal ontologies (e.g. Cyc) are often designed for automated
reasoning. Freebase, on the other hand, uses "mix-ins" of cotypes to
organize information in a immediately, intuitively useful way, with
evolves toward rigor over time as a goal.  For example, in Freebase,
the radius of a star is given instead of volume, because that is a
more accepted measure.  The volume of a person is not given at all
because it is rarely used by anyone.  The volume of a "body of water"
is given as cubic kilometers, and the volume of a digital camera is
represented as its own "cameria dimensions" type.  Each of these is
tuned to how it is expected to be used.

Perhaps a "phsyical object" type is a good idea, but it's worth having
the discussion of how to fit it in the ecosystems of existing types
and needs.

								Kurt :-)


 
> -Ed

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