A Virtual Depot

The ViSIT database is the data repository of ViSIT, and it is dual in design; it consists of a meta database and a media database. The metadatabase contains linked information on the ViSIT topic of castles, palaces and residences in the Inn-Salzach-Donau region. Technically, the metadata database is a graph database. This technology aims at semantically linking data to each other, i.e. meaningfully. In concrete terms, this means that information is linked in a triple arrangement of subject, predicate and object, in so-called triples. The connection (edge) between two information (nodes) is itself an information. That logic comes close to usual way of communication in which we describe the world around us in order to point out connections.

To use the information in practice, however, the data must still be brought into a certain structure. Since ViSIT is thematically located in the area of cultural heritage, the description rules for this structure originate from this area. The CIDOC CRM data model is used. CIDOC is a section of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), which in turn reports to UNESCO. CRM in turn means Conceptual Reference Model - a model that supports documentation in the field of cultural heritage. CIDOC CRM helps the Virtual Depot to make a meaningful selection and to arrange the linked information units in a technically stringent manner. These are also made accessible with the help of the software system WissKI (Scientific Communication Infrastructure), which originates from the field of museum and cultural informatics and serves the presentation of knowledge.

Graphics: Visualization of the ViSIT data model "VisMo", based on CIDOC CRM (University of Passau)