How do you explain semantic web to someone whose professional frame of reference is in order-taking, delivery, humoring customers, or catering in the food service industry?

Semantic web is about computers understanding what information is on a web page. For example, if the lunch menu web page of a cafeteria contains location and price information in a format understandable by search engines, people could do searches like "where's the nearest lunch that costs less than $10".

If the service person was in a restaurant taking an order for example, then explain it as: If the customer asks for 'steak'; You would then prompt for cooking style – 'rare/medium rare/well done'; You also know that there are appropriate 'sauces' that would compliment the steak, and; Then you know that the best red wine to have with 'this steak' and 'this sauce' is a Shiraz. This is a semantic relationship that only a human knows, but a computer can make this relationship connection if it can read the data on a web page and interpret that there 'should' be a semantic data relationship between the two items. A big part of the semantic equation is to aid a computer in making a relationship connection between two completely separate data models (such as 'steak' and 'sauce') and then help it to produce 'meaning' that better defines the relationship between the two items so that a third item can be introduced (i.e. the red wine).

I think we're possibly confusing the applications with the web that makes them possible. The Semantic Web is just a way for the Web to be more specific about things that are part of it, and how they're related. We've become used to a web of linked documents: stories, pages, pictures etc. For something to be part of the web, it simply needs an address and a link to it. Anyone can put something on the web, and anyone can link from there to other things. In order for you to know what a link is, you need to understand the page that's linking from. I could say: "here's my blog (link)" and you'll know what that link is pointing at because you've read it. (And you trust me enough to believe it, which is a whole different kettle). The Semantic Web is simply a way to use these addresses and giving the links between them some meaning—a meaning we can program against and build services over. In other words, we're giving the links a name too, and making it so the applications we build can "know" what something is because of this relationship. The difference will be that we can now actually say in the code that makes up the web (and through tools built with this code) what something is and how it's related to another thing. So, I could say: this is a name—or address—that represents me (link), and I'm saying that I'm friends with you (here's a link to your address).  We'll also give that link itself a name, kind of like pointing the link at the word "friend" in an online dictionary. Now, we have a name for you, a name for me, and a name for the way we know each other. You can do the same between things (this mug is a kind of dish, I like this coffee, the beans were grown by John etc). Application developers can then take those links into account when building tools, so they get better and more accurate.

As its name implies, the Semantic Web adds a layer of meaning onto the Web, that computers can understand and process to give you better answers when you query the Web, or even predict the questions that you are going to ask. Essentially, it makes your computer a much better agent at your service. That was the short answer that you requested. The long, precise answer would have to detail the various layers involved in the Semantic Web, including the trust layer and more.

I second that. why a waitress..? *shakes his head and lets it go* Computers are dumb and cannot understand the information on the internet, the semantic web will explain patiently to computers the meaning of the information it holds. Dumb computer + computer's ability to quickly crunch humongous computational tasks = very useful Smart* computer + computer's ability to quickly crunch humongous computational tasks = explosive * smart thanks to the Semantic Web, if and when that happens. my blog post for details:http://ajbadd.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/the-semantic-web-a-low-fat-no-nonsense-introduction/

Tell her that the Semantic Web is a concept wherein:     Her mobile phone would be able to detect where she is located at any particular moment and then be able to find out the nearest restaurants. In addition, mention that her phone would also provide all the menus of these near by restaurants for her to order food. She would be able to click on any menu item and order it right on her phone instantly. If the waitress still looks normal and believes that all this is possible, add more excitement by saying that once she orders her menu, it will flash back the approximate time required for the order to be ready and will suggest another near-by place which is suitable for her to spend time while the food is being cooked. If she is still in her senses and her head is not spinning, finally complete by saying that she could pay her money by clicking another button on her phone itself after enjoying her meal at the restaurant :-)

check out "WTF is the Semantic Web and why should we care?" http://www.focus.com/images/view/29135/

I would like to take a slightly contrarian view here: you don't. When someone's professional frame is what describe, they are interested in solving a business problem. What matters is to articulate the value proposition - in business terms - that your solution is generating and what business case it solves. Often the technical details don't matter so much - your client will trust you because they have engaged you. What matters is the value proposition and the solution of the business problem. That usually creates the technology pull....and in my view, one should always generate technology pull rather than a technology push.

begs the question; why a waitress..? *lets it go* The semantic web is: you needing a service your browser then: checking your location opening times of all places within a pre-defined area around that location pricing checking for discount codes against that pricing giving you the address of the closest and cheapest place to access that service All with one click (2 at the most) without having to visit any websites comparison or otherwise.