pcplantdb

[Richard Morris <webmaster@pfaf.org>]

Hi All,
        Afew thoughts on schema, specifically how we divide up
the information about plants. Sort of inspired by ideas on Folksonomies,
and a piece I read discussing informal/foraml specs.

Basically we can divide info into two main groups

- those for which there is a well established formal/informal spec
        e.g. botanical names

- those for which there is no good spec
        most of what we have

How we organise data depends on which group things lie in.

Formal entries: in just makes sense to use a scheme close to formal 
spec, or easily convertable to formal spec.

Informal entries: use a folksomies structure where users can create 
their own headings/catagories. We do not impose our own incomplete 
ontologies (clasification system) onto these.

Stuff to go in formal spec: (just the spec for these not the actual data)
        Botanical names
        Botanical Families

        Common Names - whilsts informal, this is such a recuring theme

        Locilisation - Countries/Country codes/Lat-Long
                Very accepted spec for country code.

        Book references - generally accepted schemes for citation
                Author/Title/Publisher/Date/etc.

        Web references - URL - Title

Informal elements
        Plant uses - there can be a great many diferent plant uses
                do we wish to restrict our users to just those, we put  
                in or do we allow users to create their own?

        Habitats - Also a great many

	Division of page into sections - whilst we have some good section 
definitions (Edible Uses/Medicinal Uses/Cultivation details/...)
I can see a need where many other setion might be required.
For example a user might want to divide cultivation/propagation into
        stratification - stimulation of seeds
        pruning -
        grafting
        ...
Also other major headings
        history
        folklaw
        where to get seeds

I don't think its wise to restrict the type of sections allowable.

Other things I'm not sure how to place
        Mainly plant properties such as height, flowering times
        Probably in the formal spec bit.
        Could potentually allow users to add a property.

Thoughts?

Rich