- From: Aida Slavic <aida@acorweb.net>
- Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 13:47:01 -0000
- To: "SKOS" <public-esw-thes@w3.org>
Hi! I can only offer the clear-cut distinction from the theory of documentary/bibliographic classifications where any classifications can be either taxonomic or aspect(perspective). In taxonomic or entity classification each entity has only one place in the classification structure. That is, an entity is classed according to one of its properties. (e.g. iron in the taxonomy of chemical elements will have a single place) In an aspect or perspective classifications an entity will be placed in several places according to the aspect from which it is studied...(e.g. iron may be classed in chemistry, medicine, industry, mining, art) Taxonomic classificatory structures are used for representation of a specific knowledge field or area. Aspect classifications are necessary in communication and dissemination of recorded knowledge and they have to deal not only with knowledge per se but with its presentation, aspects, applications etc.) Any aspect classification may contain a number of taxonomies. I my expereince people use expression 'taxonomy' instead of using term classification. The use of 'words' (instead of notation+words) does not change the nature of the existing structure. So the use of words in representation of what is essentially a classification structure will not convert it to a thesaurus. Classificatory structure, and taxonomy as a type of classification, can be represented by words and they usually are when implemented for IR but they are still classifications. Aida -----Original Message----- From: public-esw-thes-request@w3.org [mailto:public-esw-thes-request@w3.org]On Behalf Of Leonard Will Sent: 02 February 2005 12:30 To: SKOS Subject: Re: What about "taxonomies"? RE: Glossary of terms relating to thesauri and faceted classification In message <GOEIKOOAMJONEFCANOKCMEEHFIAA.bernard.vatant@mondeca.com> on Wed, 2 Feb 2005, Bernard Vatant <bernard.vatant@mondeca.com> wrote > >Leonard > >Re-reading your excellent work, I'm not finding the word "taxonomy" anywhere. > >OTOH, the SKOS page presents SKOS Core as "an RDF vocabulary for >describing thesauri, glossaries, taxonomies, terminologies". > >This word "taxonomy" makes me really nervous, because it is used by so >many people in so many different ways ... And I would gladly live >without it, except in its original sense used in my botanics books and >that seems to be consistent with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy > >But the IT industry has decided it otherwise, and seem to use the word >in all sorts of ways which, at the end of the day, seems to me, boil >down to some kind of skos:ConceptScheme. And customers keep asking our >salesman : "How do you manage taxonomies?", and he forwards the >questions to me :(( > . . . > >I would like to have the opinion of folks here about this "taxonomy" >issue before answering "skos:ConceptScheme" when people say "Taxonomy" >:)) > >Similar question for "terminology", BTW > >Thanks for your lights > >Bernard Bernard I've received both copies of your message - I'll just reply to the list to save you from receiving unnecessary duplicates. I quite agree with you that it would be much better if we could leave the term "taxonomy" to the biologists. Unfortunately it has become fashionable, though as you say it is not clear what its definition should be, which is the reason why there is no definition for it yet in the glossary on my Web page. Personally I think its use often conceals some woolly thinking by people who are not quite sure whether they are talking about a thesaurus, a classification scheme or some combination of these. The combined schemes are important, because I like the "unified" approach, where a set of defined concepts can be arranged (a) alphabetically, with relationships listed under each; (b) hierarchically, based on BT/NT relationships; and (c) in classified groupings and sequences bringing together concepts relating to the same subject area, i.e. as a faceted classification scheme. Perhaps "concept scheme" is sufficiently broad to cover all possible different structures of concepts and their relationships - is there a formal definition of "skos:ConceptScheme"? I'd be interested in any recommendations for a precise definition of "taxonomy" in the wider sense. At present I'm inclined to define it with my tongue in my cheek as "a classification scheme, typically used for Web sites, designed without regard to established and consistent principles". Regards Leonard -- Willpower Information (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E Will) Information Management Consultants Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 0092 27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7BQ, UK. Fax: +44 (0)870 051 7276 L.Will@Willpowerinfo.co.uk Sheena.Will@Willpowerinfo.co.uk ---------------- <URL:http://www.willpowerinfo.co.uk/> -----------------
Received on Wednesday, 2 February 2005 13:47:48 UTC