[Sigia-l] Re: The A>B, B>A problem

[IsisInform at aol.com]

Hi Peter

Thanks for your question.  I used to live in the Sonoma California wine
country, so I always enjoy thinking about wine.

When you choose the primary categories, you are choosing the theme of the
taxonomy.  Since you cannot guess at every user need, your best bet is to
base the taxonomy on the theme of the site, which in this case is wine.  By
making type of wine the primary category, you are emphasizing the importance
of the wine itself.

A more elegant solution would be to create a taxonomy that can be
personalized.  For example, the default structure could be based on type of
wine.  Then users could also be given the option of selecting a taxonomy
with location as the primary category.  The same list of categories would
just be rearranged.   

A personalized taxonomy could be accomplished in a couple of ways.  The site
could offer predesigned taxonomies, i.e. by wine or by location.  Another
idea would be for the user to select a subcategory as the primary category.
For example, in the sample hierarchy of Red Wine > Dry > France, the user
could select Dry as the primary category and be shown a taxonomy with a dry
or sweet theme and subcategories of wine types and locations.

Is there a name for the situation in which a hierarchic relationship is
reversible?  One idea is thematic selection, but that is the solution rather
than the problem.  I like reversible hierarchy.  That describes the
situation with a clear label that is easily understood.   

Thanks again Peter for your great question.  
 
Katherine
***********************************************************
Katherine Bertolucci
Taxonomy and Information Management Consultant
Isis Information Services
P O Box 627
Phoenix, AZ 85001
602-258-2035
isisinform at aol.com