G. Nagypál
The technical development of ontology systems has been a topic of interest for computing scientists since the early 1990s. Over the years a number different ontology formalisms, methodologies and their supporting tools have emerged to help subject specialists build ontologies. The design of these ontology systems was generic in approach to allow for the application of the system to as many potential specialist subjects as possible. However when attempting to create an ontology of a wide ranging subject such as history a number of specific challenges related to the nature of the subject arise. Customisation of the system was therefore required. This paper will illustrate this interactive process between computer technologists and subject specialists in developing an ontology. It will draw examples from the recently completed VICODI project where a history ontology was created using the KAON system. A number of characteristics of history originally unforeseen by the computer specialists had to be addressed and created interesting technical challenges. This paper will consider several of these problems including most prominently imperfect temporal and spatial information and subjectivity. The paper will conclude with a theoretical description of how fuzzy logic may be a workable technological solution to some of these historical challenges.
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