Re: channel classification

["Mark Nottingham" <mnot@xxxxx.xxxx]

What are the proposed uses of classification? I think a centralised, agreed
upon scheme may be barking up the wrong tree a bit.

Think of it this way; users will select the *kinds* of content they want by
selecting appropriate channels. Where classification may come in handy is in
categorising the content within the channel's domain. As such, IMHO it will
be unworkable to use any third-party scheme, whether it's Yahoo, DMoz, Dewey
Decimal or anything else; nothing will be specific or relevant.

To give an example:

One of the channels I would like to be able to subscribe to in a perfect
world is for the site:
http://www.commercial-archive.com/
This site publishes commercials online (fantastic use of bandwidth, I know).
The theoretical channel here would inform me of new commercials as they make
them available. Now, consider:
1) is there any external, non-domain specific classification scheme that
will add value to this resource? On the face of it, I'd say no.
2) even if there were, what value would it give? If the new Volkswagen
commercial is correctly categorised (once again, whether in Dewey or Yahoo),
will anyone get any real use out of this?

This example can (and should) be repeated on a multitude of sites.
Throughout all of my test cases, the site itself is usually the best source
of classification.

How would it be used? I can visualise a user agent that, when you download a
new channel, also fetches the classification specs for that site, and
presents you with a list of classifications that you can have
highlighted/ignored/treated special in some way.

Thoughts?


> > Group I
> > 1) Newsgroups structrure (like comp.text.xml)
> Ugh! These are a complete mess because of all the politics, infighting
> and general ill-will amongst usenet members.
>
> > 2) Yahoo
> > 3) Open Directory Project
>
> This group gives the greatest potential IMVHO, they've evolved to meet
> the need of the users of the sites and reflect 'real-world'
> categorisations.
>
>
> > Group II
> > 4) Library of Congress classification
> > 5) Dewey Decimal System
>
> These are the traditional contenders but I feel that they're overly
> complex for our needs. Of the entire Dewey classification I believe
> that we'd only be using a very small subset, very far down into the
> hierarchy. Plus, how do we cope with more general purpose sites?
> GeneHack is a popular weblog that is interested in Computers,
> Technology, Films and _Microbiology_!!! How do even begin to classify
> an individual's tastes? See below for what I think is the best
> approach.