Microformats are a way to semantically mark up existing HTML tags to convey metadata that can be automatically processed by software. They add meaning to HTML in a non-invasive way without extensions by reusing existing syntax. While microformats take a different approach than other semantic web efforts like RDF and RDFa by being non-extensible and using existing HTML tags, they have seen widespread adoption in tags for contacts and events. As browser and tooling support for microformats increases, they represent a promising approach to embedding semantic metadata on the web.

1. microformatsa quiet revolution KarstenJanuszewski

2. About MeMIX Onlinehttp://visitmix.comProvide web developers & designers with articles & open source prototypes

3. What are microformats?

4. “A microformat is a web-based approach to semantic markup.”

5. “Microformats use existing HTML tags to convey metadata.”

6. “This approach allows information intended for end-users to also be automatically processed by software.”

7. What does that mean?Why should you care?The future of microformats

8. What does that mean?Why should you care?The future of microformats

9. Let’s microformatsome html

10. We just added meaning to HTML.

11. This is a big deal!

12. HTML is, by default, “meaningless.”

13. “meaning” is shared agreement.

14. microformatscontacts(2.5 billion pages)vEvent = event(1/2 billion pages)

15. Other microformatsresumesrecipesmedialistingsatomand more…http://microformats.org

16. We just added meaning to HTMLnon-invasivelywithout extensionsusing existing syntax

17. microformats take a radically different approach than other semantic web efforts RDFRDF/a Dublin Core

18. microformats vs. RDF/RDFa microformats Non-extensible Does not have grammar Uses existing HTML Schema is content specific Wiki spec RDF/RDFa Extensible Has grammar Uses HTML namespace extension Schema is content agnostic Standards body

19. What does that mean?Why should you care?The future of microformats

20. “This approach allows information intended for end-users to also be automatically processed by software.”

21. Wouldn’t it be nice if your browser processed microformats?

22. Demo:Operator: Firefox plug-in

23. Demo:Oomph: a microformats toolkit

24. Oomph: a microformats toolkitmicroformats parser and UI(written in jQuery)IE plug-inCSS stylesWindows Live Writer plug-inASP.NET control

25. What does that mean?Why should you care?The future of microformats

26. IdentEnginebyGlenn Joneshttp://identengine.com

27. Challenges: Chicken or Egg?1. Meaningless microformats2. Browser Support3. Search Engine Support4. Tooling Support

28. Thank you!karstenj@microsoft.comhttp://visitmix.com http://rhizohm.net@irhetoric