[Sigia-l] multiple search index usability/conceptual model

[Eric Scheid]

From: Ziya Oz <ZiyaOz at earthlink.net> (17/5/02 5:40)
>Technically it'd be quite straightforward, but tedious

It would only be straight-forward if terms were unambiguous in any 
overlap between contexts. Searching for a "short" film in an Australian 
database would pull back products of up to 59 minutes in one context, and 
in another context would be limited to 29 minutes or less. When the user 
asks for "shorts", are they asking "show me what you think 'shorts' are", 
or are they hoping for the DWIM chip to intercept their sloppy language 
and limit to only 29 minutes or less?

Unfortunately, logic and top-down sensibilites don't apply to 
vertical-niche databases ... they are often the end result of decades of 
political re-definitions and maneuverings, and weird things creep in. For 
example, for some mad reason there is now funding grants available for 
"short features", which are actually longer than 59 minutes (or 29 mins 
for doco's), but shorter then typical features (eg. 90 minutes). Don't 
ask me why - some politician some where thought it'd be a good idea.

So now, searching for "short" can pull up 89 minute features :-(

/me runs screaming from the room

e.

______________________________________________________________________
eric at ironclad.net.au                 i r o n c l a d   n e t w o r k s
information architect                      http://www.ironclad.net.au/