[Sigia-l] Isn't that horse dead yet? (was: "meta-"navigation and before that: global navigation meta navigation)

[Eric Scheid]

On 7/6/05 1:02 AM, "Listera" <listera at rcn.com> wrote:

>> I've not made the geography an issue at all
>> I'm saying there is an observable pattern of web design
>> What actually go into those navigation sections depends entirely on the
>> context.
> 
> So, now you want give something with indeterminate geography *or* content a
> name ...

I've already indicated that the content appears to be "aboutness" type
links. I'm happy to say that it is commonly found at the bottom of the page,
I'm just not happy incorporating that geography into it's definition. The
geography is an accident of current web design practice.

That would be like saying kangaroos are funny shaped animals found in
Australia ... and thus any similar funny shaped animal (which might well
have exactly the same DNA) found in the Bronx Zoo is *not* a kangaroo
because, by definition, kangaroos are found in Australia.

That's a dumb way to build a definition.

> ... and hope that it brings precision?

No. I did say this however that hanging a label on a fuzzy thing helps us
have a discussion about it, and perhaps if we knew more about that thing
then a better name may well arise. Arguing that the thing doesn't exist when
it clearly does isn't helpful.

Ziya, nobody said IA is easy. Quite often things just don't fall into simple
categories with clear black and white borders as to what is in and what is
out. Borders can be fuzzy. I'm sure the list could recommend a few books for
you to read up on this. ;-)

e.