When I see comments regarding the difficulty in categorizing content, my first question is, “who is the categorizer”? Is it the one who feels the need to manage content? Or is it the one who uses it? I am leaving the gray areas out of this argument, i.e., I want to organize content because I want to use it.

There are two ways of “managing” content. One is through deductive means, i.e., establishing the categories and then shoving the content into those categories. The current library system is a good example of that. (And, BTW, has been pretty successful.) The other method is an inductive method. This method allows categories to emerge and die as they are useful. In the latter, we would see “users” creating these categories and tagging to them. In our system, as categories become popular they move towards the top of the page. The most popular will be at the top.

Currently, browsr does not allow users to create categories (it actually employs a top-down or deductive system), but it is not the ultimate goal of the application. We needed to start somewhere so we decided to begin the process by suggesting categories. In our next version (coming out soon) we will be allowing users to create their own categories. Subsequently, users will be able blog and rank a category as they can do now with sites.

Therefore, browsr will be using an inductive method in allowing users to create their own categories. That is why we use the term “People Powered Directory”.

When I see comments regarding the difficulty in categorizing content, my first question is, “who is the categorizer”? Is it the one who feels the need to manage content? Or is it the one who uses it? For sure, I am leaving the gray areas out of this argument, i.e., I want to organize content because I want to use it.

There are two ways of “managing” content. One is through deductive means, i.e., establishing the categories and then shoving the content into those categories. The current library system is a good example of that. (And, BTW, has been pretty successful.)

The other method is an inductive method. This method allows categories to emerge and die as they are useful. In the latter, we would see “users” creating these categories and tagging to them. In our system, as categories become popular they move towards the top of the page. The most popular will be at the top.

Currently, browsr does not allow users to create categories (therefore, it actually employs a top-down or deductive system), but it is not the ultimate goal of the application. We needed to start somewhere so we decided to begin the process by suggesting categories. In our next version (coming out soon) we will be allowing users to create their own categories. Subsequently, users will be able blog and rank a category as they can do now with sites.

Therefore, browsr will be using an inductive method in allowing users to create their own categories. That is why we use the term “People Powered Directory”.

“Additionally, by placing your information, files, bookmarks, blogs and photos on BROWSR you hereby grant us, our affiliates, and our partners a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, nonexclusive, license to use, reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, transfer, transmit, distribute your information, files, blogs, files and photos.”

“browsr is a social directory manager. browsr empowers you to easily add, categorize and share your directory of favorite sites with others.”
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