I do not disagree.  I think my views are without a great deal of
foundation as yet, more I am challenging existing concepts (ensuring we
do not live with the "we have always done it this way" phrase).  I send
the same message about IPSV as Stella also does, it is not there to
replace a classification scheme, had it been I would have been heavily
chastised for being so involved in it and the LGCS.  So perhaps
classification is not time-limited after all.

As an avid believer in classification it gives comfort that my "musing"
has provided such valuable information (to me at least).  Many thanks
for the thoughts.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stuart Orr
Sent: 07 September 2006 13:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Definition of Classification

I do not think that classification is time-limited. It should be coming
into its own in the digital age. It is difficult to think how you could
manage records ensuring that you have both a rich source of information
and an adequate source of evidence of business activity with employing
one
or more forms of classification (using the term in its broad sense).
Restricting oneself to trying to instate paper-centric hierarchical
classification schemes may be time-limited.

Selecting subject-terms is surely about resource discovery rather than
records management. As Philip Bradshaw points out even in resource
discovery this would be insufficient.

Stella Dextre-Clark in the background documentation to IPSV states that
it
is not attempting to replace a classification scheme.

Classification schemes simply feed one or more metadata fields and can
assist users who add documents or folders by taking away some of the
thinking. We know that users rarely like to add metadata and it is
difficult to imagine the average users expending the time required to
cherry-pick enough metadata to replace what is provided by sound
classification schemes.

I am sure that you or another contributor will be able to point out the
error of my ways and I wait to be persuaded

Stuart Orr



Stuart

Very interesting.

This brings me to another issue.

I have been musing about the proper use of metadata.  If one uses
metadata in accordance with acknowledged standards and applies the likes
of subject based metadata accurately (I am thinking here about the IPSV
v2) will we find ourselves in an environment when search engines become
sufficiently well designed to render classification by traditional
(hierarchical means) redundant?  I think so and believe we are not too
far away.  The argument against is the need to use a consistent
framework to ensure that the customer gets what they want irrespective
of source, and we all know how well we communicate!

I am of the opinion that traditional classification is now time limited
and we will not need to group things systematically save in a virtual
environment.  I would be interested to learn more about developing such
a virtual environment.

Views/argument much appreciated.

_______________________________________________________________________
Leicestershire County Council - rated a  'four-star' council by the Audit Commission
_______________________________________________________________________


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