User:Ile/Categories

A few words about categorization.

In PartioWiki there is a semi-hierarchic categorization is use. There is a root for all categories called Main Categories. In this page is 12 categories and no pages. These 12 categories are as follows. I put few categories of the next level after each category in brackets. I had some troubles while translating and so some categories have couple candidates separated by commas.

• History (B-P, Persons, Museums, Dates)
• Age groups (Cubs, Patrols, Rovers)
• Publications (Books, Letters, Stamps, Leaflets...)
• Scouting, Theory of Scouting (International Scouting, Ideology, Religion, Training, Sea Scouting, Handicapped Scouting, Internet Scouting...)
• Scoutcraft (First aid, Knots, Orienteering, Fire making)
• Habits, Manners, Customs, Rituals, Practices(Yells, Camp fire, Songs, Games...)
• ScoutWiki (Time lines, Templates, Users, Help...)
• Camping sites, trip targets (Huts, Parks, Encampments...)
• Events (Treks, Courses, Camps, Competitions, Jamborees...)
• Symbols, Signs (Flags, Badges, Uniforms...)
• Equipments (Outfit, Shoes, Tents, Tools, Lights...)
• Associations, Organizations (Local groups, International oragnizations, Districts...)

So, what's the point of all this?

The idea is that if categories are used as totally unorganized networks it is hard to take advantage of them. For example if you are not sure of what you are exactly looking for or you don't know name for it then Main Categories page will come handy. There is a single point where to start looking for right direction.

And, what's this semi-hierarchy?

The first two or three levels (counting from the Main Categories page) of categories are hierarchic (meaning that a category has exactly one parent category). This is done to make the categorising of a wiki article more simple (yes, I know this all categorization business is sometimes bit tricky). When you write an article and start wondering in which categories it should be put this system shows its benefits.

At some point the hierarchy breaks up, because some categories simply belong to two or more categories.

Subject of debate?

This would be my suggestion for categorization. Of course this is a subject of debate. And I'm more than happy if some one has ideas about this topic. Please write your opinion to the talk page of this article.