FacetedTagSchema
Version 2, changed by ScottMcmullan. 06/15/2006. Show version history
| THIS IS A DRAFT |
Faceted Tag Schema
Why bother?
Think of this as an attempt to discover where, when and how a controlled vocabulary of tags leads to the best practices use of tags in a wiki application environment. While tags have been used widely on sites like del.icio.us and flickr, the potential uses of tags within a wiki have been far from fully explored.
The main question is: As the use of tags within collaborative creative spaces evolves, exactly what type of innovations in navigation and search become desirable?
How a faceted tag schema works
From Wikipedia "A faceted classification system allows the assignment of multiple classifications to an object, allowing searching and browsing of related information through several classes. Elements may include subject, geographical, temporal and form of an item.... It makes information access useful, by providing multiple navigational paths to any one item of information."
Look at how the following tags -- event, nyc and music -- could be used to narrow a search.
| All bookmarks tagged "event" | del.icio.us/tag/event | |
| Above bookmarks also tagged "nyc" | del.icio.us/tag/event+nyc | |
| Also tagged "music" | del.icio.us/tag/event+nyc+music |
If tags are applied consistently to the bookmarks, the faceted classification system that emerges can support richer modes of navigation.
see the Wikipedia entry on faceted classification.
Goal of experiment
By testing a faceted tag schema on portions of the JDC, it will give insight into how tags might be used intelligently by a small group. Perhaps it will guide the development of tag tools beyond the Tag Cloud.
Current scope
I've attached tags to most of the pages in the Example App section of the documentation.
Attribute Types
form - The tag describes the form of an item.
subject - The tag indicates the subject of the item.
label - The tag identifies a specific item.
Current tags
| tag | attribute | |
| example | form | |
| sourcecode | form | |
| screenshot | form | |
| collection | form | |
| discussion | form | |
| app_Blog | label | |
| app_CompanyDirectory | label | |
| app_IssueTracker | label | |
| app_KnowledgeBase | label | |
| app_CalendarEvent | label | |
| search | subject | |
| table | subject | |
| CSS | subject | |
| config | subject | |
| charts | subject | |
| tabs | subject | |
| actions | subject | |
| Ajax | subject | |
| javascript | subject |
Issues
Need Seperate Tag Database?
- Current implementation is too slow
- Current implementation can't tag url or file that is outside current wiki
- outside url
- Seperate database could support actions to manage tags
- rename tag on multiple pages
- Would allow users to have a personal set of tags
- seperate from the public tags
Need support for keyboard shortcuts
Tag Cloud insufficient for faceted navigation
Seperate "tagasphere" for faceted navigation tags?
- Prevent users from introducing imprecise tags
- Can you "lock" certain tags?
