ZeeRex: The Explainable ``Explain'' Service

What is ZeeRex?

ZeeRex is yet another attempt to define an ``Explain''-like mechanism, after Explain Classic failed to catch on due to excessive complexity, and Explain Lite turned out to be too tightly focussed on the specific needs of the ONE-2 project to serve as a general solution.

ZeeRex is pronounced to rhyme with T. rex, and stands for Z39.50 Explain, Explained and Re-Engineered in XML. It was previously known by the working name of ``Explain--'', and the older name still appears in places on this site: in particular, older versions of the DTD are called Explain-- DTDs.

What's What?

• Before ploughing into the gritty details, you should probably start with the nice, cuddly overview document which describes the problem we're trying to solve, outlines the solution, and shows how all the bits and pieces on this site fit together into a coherent service.

• ZeeRex records are XML documents using The ZeeRex DTD, which is maintained by Rob Sanderson, and is available as an SGML DTD, and XML DTD and an XML Schema. The section of the site also includes a DTD commentary, reference guide and FAQ.

• ZeeRex databases provide facilities for searching to locate interesting databases. This is done in part using The ZeeRex Attribute Set.

• We have a few Sample ZeeRex Records.

• Using ZeeRex with SRW is a short document indicating a path towards harmonisation of this Explain effort with the ZiNG initiative's new SRW protocol.

• Everything else goes in the rather uninspiringly named miscellaneous area, including
  • Rob's presentation to the April 2002 ZIG meeting.
  • A page of links to other relevant sites.
  • Information about applications of ZeeRex.

Lots of additional background, including rationales for any mysterious decisions, can be found on the ZeeRex mailing list archive

Who's Responsible?

Our thanks go to everyone who's contributed to the discussions that resulted in this current specification, both on the main ZIG list and on the dedicated Explain list. Particularly:

• Ray Denenberg <rden@loc.gov>
• Matthew Dovey <matthew.dovey@las.ox.ac.uk>
• Sebastian Hammer <quinn@indexdata.dk>
• Alan Kent <ajk@mds.rmit.edu.au>
• Mark Needleman <mneedlem@dra.com>
• Rob Sanderson <azaroth@liverpool.ac.uk>
• Mike Taylor <mike@miketaylor.org.uk>

Comments on any aspect of the ZeeRex specification are welcome: please send them to the mailing list at <ex-plain@indexdata.dk>