Wikileaks has captured the headlines with the release of Afghan War Diary, 2004-2010.
I haven’t looked at the documents but document collections present the same issues for effective use.
First, document semantics vary depending upon whether they are being read by their intended audience, another military command or other audience. For example, locations may be identified by unfamiliar terms.
Second, and nearly as important, what if one analyst bridges the different semantics and identifies a location? How do they map it to their semantic and communicate that fact to others?
Could pass around a sticky note. Put it on a blackboard. Write it up in a multi-page report.
Topic maps are an effective means to navigate data and multiple interpretations of it, not to mention integrating other data you may have on hand.
Topic maps don’t constrain what subjects you can identify in advance, the basis on which you identify them, and can quickly share discoveries with others.
Wikileaks can be annoying. Topic maps can make Wikileaks effective. There’s a difference.