Dear All,
I have recently caught up with discussion on the differences between
classification schemes and thesauri. The whole thing, I think arose from a lack
of clarity on my part.
I stated:
>There is such a degree of overlap between these [classification and subject]
schemes and thesauri that
>you're right it is essential to make this point. So no, we do not see these
>as separate entities at all.
The context within which I wrote that was specifically with regard to the HILT
project. We recognise the many differences that there are between the schemes,
however, we also recognise that all may have an important part to play in a
recommended resolution to the problem we are researching, and that is where the
"overlap" lies.
When we have something a little more concrete we will let you know. However, it
was very interesting to hear the different views on these matters. Perhaps
everyone would like to have a look at BUBL to see how they are using a
traditional classification scheme (Dewey) to catalogue the web.
http://bubl.ac.uk
A member of the BUBL staff pointed out that many library users are web users
therefore, they are familiar with one classification scheme or another, and vice
versa:
Therefore, a classification scheme is "a useful linking mechanism between print
and electronic resources, enabling easy location of related resources in either
format (e.g. if I locate the record on LINK for "Chess Variants" I then know
that related print resources can be found at 794.1 in a print collection (or
vice versa)"
Food for thought anyway,
Susannah
Elizabeth Cherhal wrote:
> At 12:30 22/11/00 +0000, Susannah Wake wrote:
> >Dear Elizabeth and list members,
> >
> >Thank you for your response. The answer to your question is that we are
> >going to put together a web page for classification and subject schemes.
> >There is such a degree of overlap between these schemes and thesauri that
> >you're right it is essential to make this point. So no, we do not see these
> >as separate entities at all. In fact a classification scheme could be the
> >basis of a resolution to the problem we are looking into.
>
> I havent read the previous discussion in this list so I'd better do that
> before
> saying things that have proabably alreday been said.
>
> The thesaurus page
> >
> >was only put together in the last day or so. We're working on the others.
> >However, we would welcome any links you could provide us with.
> >
>
> right, these 3 are well known I think, but to avoid searching ...
>
> MSC (mathematics subject classification) http://www.ams.org/msc/
> CCS (computing classification system) http://www.acm.org/class/1998/
> PACS (Physics and Astronomy Classification Scheme)
> http://publish.aps.org/PACS/pacsgen.html
>
> >Also, thanks to those who sent links to thesaurus sites. They have been
> >added to the page:
> >
> >http://hilt.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/Sources/thesauri.htm
> >
> >In my previous e-mail I briefly described what the HILT project was about.
> >
> >http://hilt.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/AboutHILT/overview.html
> >
>
> Good luck anyway
>
> Cheers,
>
> Elizabeth
--
*****************
Susannah Wake
HILT Research Assistant
Address: Strathclyde University Library,
101 St James' Road, Glasgow, G4 0NS
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://hilt.cdlr.strath.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)141 548 4586
Fax: +44 (0)141 548 2102
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