Dewey application for web resources

[Wilfred (Bill) Drew Jr.]

Wayne Daniels wrote:
> 
> Here's an application of a familiar idea to make access to Net
> resources a good deal easier than it is at present. Please take a
> look at "Expanding Universe : a classified search tool for amateur
> astronomy"
> (http://www.mtrl.toronto.on.ca/centres/bsd/astronomy).
> This is a site created by myself and some colleagues at the Metro
> Toronto Reference Library. It offers a very large number of astronomy
> links, but what makes it unusual is the design. The site is organized
> according to a modified form of the Dewey Decimal Classification. The
> result is, in effect, a set of virtual library shelves, whose "books"
> can be browsed by clicking on each in turn. Access is through either
> Dewey menus or through keywords derived from Dewey headings.

I applaud the ingenuity of this site but must confess my confusion at
applying shelf numbers to "virtual objects".  I can see applying Dewey
subject categories to the web but find it misplaced and inaporpriate to
assing call numbers or numerical classifications to such objects.  I
find the same troubles in those that attempt to "classify" web sites
using LC numbers.  We should be looking at implementing indexing schemes
for the internet not assigning numerical tags to them.  Sites could be
cataloged without having to resort to call numbers.

--
Wilfred Drew (Call me "Bill") Systems Librarian (also reference)
SUNY College of Ag. & Tech.;   P.O. Box 902;  Morrisville, NY 13408-0902
E-mail: DREWWE at MORRISVILLE.EDU  Cooltalk:drewwe at 136.204.83.8
powwow:drewwe at wedrew.lib.morrisville.edu
Phone: (315)684-6055 or 684-6060 Fax: (315)684-6115 
New Homepage: http://www.snymor.edu/~drewwe/
Not Just Cows: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/njc/ 
LibraryLinks: http://www.morrisville.edu/pages/library/
SUNYLA'97: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/sunyla/sunyla97.htm
--