Hypertopic is a semi-formal alternative to the Semantic Web models and protocols. It aims at fostering participation among knowledge workers.

In contrast to the Semantic Web models, Hypertopic is not interested in formal semantics, but in semantics dependent on the human subject and on the semiotic substrate. Similarly to what Web 2.0 does for entertainment, it aims at fostering people’s participation in knowledge work. In this trend, software design relies on three human and social phenomena:

• documents, because they are proofs of something else, not in the manner of a mathematical proof but more in the line of evidence to be kept and mobilized;
• interpretation, because the meaning of a document depends on its authors and readers;
• intersubjectivity, because the confrontation between conflicting interpretations allows to overcome subjectivity.

Software prototypes complying with this approach have been tested within different domains (archaeology, sociology, civil society, engineering...). The main contribution of this approach is the introduction of ‘viewpoints’, consciously managed by actors.

Argos Agorae LaSuli Porphyry Cassandre Steatite Tiré-à-part Argile

Qualitative analysis of texts:

• Civil society
• Financial crisis
• Risks perception

Qualitative analysis of pictures:

• Iron age
• Dionysos & banquets
• Megara Hyblaea necropolis

Digital libraries:

• Cefael
• Excavation chronicles
• CogDoc

Corporate memory:

• iSemantec

• on reflexive texts analysis,
• on semi-automatic texts analysis (FRENCH)
• on pictures analysis,
• on knowledge management.

• for students in information systems (FRENCH)
• for students in sociology, management and psychology (FRENCH)
• for students in art history (FRENCH)

• v1 (see chapter 3)
• v2
• Migration roadmap

• TraduXio
• Dolomite
• SemioTag
• SOS21Server
• Lex4Lab