Linked widgets platform: Lowering the barrier for open data exploration

Abstract

Despite a drastic increase in available Open and Linked Data, unmediated utilization of these data by end users is still relatively uncommon. Applications built on top of Open Data are typically domainspecific and discovering appropriate solutions that fit users’ rapidly shifting needs is a cumbersome process. In line with the Linked Data paradigm, end user tools should be based on openness, foster reusability, and be flexible enough to handle arbitrary data sources. We develop an open platform based on Semantic Web technologies that encourages developers and users to access, process, integrate, and visualize Open Data sources. To help users overcome technological barriers of adoption and get in touch with Open Data, we introduce the concept of Linked Widgets. By connecting Linked Widgets from different developers, users without programming skills can compose and share ad-hoc applications that combine Open Data sources in a creative manner.