For example, imagine you are watching a short documentary about clean water issues in India. As the video plays, adjacent windows will dynamically generate links to actions and media directly related to each scene. These could include organizations involved in clean water and sanitation, action campaigns related to water issues, relevant videos from YouTube, articles from research organizations, and the latest updates from news services and blogs.

The site will automatically create these links using semantic Web tools. Rather than simply scanning for keywords, this new technology also analyzes context and meaning to find the most relevant results from all the latest information and links available. It will also employ the Linked Data model, which assigns unique identifier tags to specific “entities” and organizes data in ways that can be read and understood by other applications. This allows the site to easily differentiate whether the word “Sahara” is being used to refer to the desert in North Africa or a hotel-casino in Las Vegas, and to communicate about the correct topic with other websites that hold related information.

By tapping into the semantic Web, the Linked Data model, and partner APIs, ViewChange.org is taking the latest advances in online technology and harnessing them for social change.

LinkTV created the working model for ViewChange.org by fostering relationships with semantic technology innovators such as OpenCalais and Zemanta. They are also actively experimenting with the open APIs of sites like YouTube and Kiva.org.

Link TV‘s long-term Web development partner Definition is responsible for building the platform and will utilize Freebase, Zemanta, OpenCalais, and other APIs help to provide an innovative customizable user experience.

In addition, ViewChange.org will feature an open API, inviting third-party sites and developers to create applications and pages fueled by our content. This API will feed into the Linked Data model. The code behind the platform will be made freely available.