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| Oh, and Lou-- Posted on 09/26/2001. |
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I still say hierarchical categorizations ARE tyrannical. And I'm upset with library/info-scientists for keeping the magic of faceted classification from the rest of us so long.
2 comments so far. Add a comment.
Previous entry: "Follow Up On Facets."
Next entry: "The Politics Of Science."
Comments:
COMMENT #1
Peter, I agree with you. I generally loathe strict systems of hierarchy, particularly if they are the lone method of gaining access to information. I could never find what I was looking for in the Yellow Pages and the Dewey decimal system is easy to understand, but did not lead me to all books I on a topic. The Internet and searchable digital yellow pages helped me find the store I knew existed. Card catalogs helped me find nearly all the books available on a topic, but were hidden by Dewey in the racks/stacks as they were cross-classified. Hierarchical systems can be a barrier to discovery in the wonderful world of information, unless they are tied with an easily accessible cross-classification system or a near granular classification system, which can be comprised of the element's facets.
Posted by vanderwal @ 09/27/2001 05:44 AM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #2
Amazon seems to be thinking along these lines with their newly launched MyStore tab. I'm not sure that it is faceted exactly, but I think I would define it more that way than as a hierarchy. - John
Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 09/27/2001 07:28 PM PST [link to this comment]
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