pcplantdb

[Richard Morris <webmaster@pfaf.org>]

Chad Knepp wrote:

> Well, my recollection of previous discussions is that many of the list
> members (myself included) were in favor of an "open vocabulary" method
> of creating relationships (ala del.icio.us tagging) as opposed to
> having a fixed list primarily because of the difficulty of creating
> such a list without leaving a lot out... although I think it might
> make sense to do some loose categorization such as positive, neutral,
> and negative relationships.  Having a "controlled vocabulary" in this
> instance is also difficult for the authors in that they would then
> need to pick the correct relationship from a very long list.  
>
> The obvious downsides in an "open vocabulary" of duplications and
> synonyms should sort itself out if authors can add relationships
> easily.  I don't see duplications as a problem, but searching for an
> absent synonym of an existing relationship is a correctable problem if
> adding the synonym is simple enough.
>
> John S. started such a list once, but you can infer from his list just
> how massive such a completed list would be.
>
> Stephanie Gerson writes:
>  > can someone help me find the post(s) - either on pcplantdb or piw - where 
>  > types of relationships were listed?
>  > 
>  > thanks,
>  > *Stephanie
Yes, I'd go with an open vocabulary. What might work is drop down list 
with current vocabulary, so users can either pick an existing item or 
enter a new one.

Rich

--
p.s. Can I take this opportunity to encourage to you to join our
friends of Plants For A Future membership scheme. Membership is only
£10 a year (£15 overseas) and we are trying to recruit 1000 friends
in the coming year. If we can reach this target then we will be
able to secure the land for our demonstration gardens and visitors
centre in Devon which could become a shining example of woodland
gardening, sustainability, and the use of perennial plants.
See http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/friends.html for details.

--
Plants for a Future: 7000 useful plants
Web:   http://www.pfaf.org/ same as http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Post:  1 Lerryn View, Lerryn, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0QJ
Tel:     01208 872 963 / 0845 458 4719  
Email: webmaster@pfaf.org
PFAF electronic mailing list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pfaf