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Categorization --> Countries: Include empires?

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:28 pm
by RitcheyMT
I've created the category Countries in the wiki. I ran across a category "Ottoman Empire" which doesn't exist anymore but was a factor back in the 1700s. Should it be classified under countries or under some other category like "Empires"?

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:32 am
by ForbesMM
If we for see several articles included in these categories, then yes, I think we should have the categories. I don't know that they need to be created immediately.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:01 am
by RitcheyMT
Thanks for reminding me this doesn't necessarily have to happen now. I get into categorizing sometimes and find myself wanting to plan a whole future six-lane highway system when all we need now is a one-lane blacktop from point A to B. I'll hold off making the Empires category, and I'll categorize the Ottoman Empire article in Category:Countries for now.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:59 am
by fergie34-p40
ritcheymt wrote:Thanks for reminding me this doesn't necessarily have to happen now. I get into categorizing sometimes and find myself wanting to plan a whole future six-lane highway system when all we need now is a one-lane blacktop from point A to B. I'll hold off making the Empires category, and I'll categorize the Ottoman Empire article in Category:Countries for now.

How about setting up a category under countries called old and or historic for items like the Ottoman Empire and other former (no longer used) empires, nations, or countries. These could then be broken out later if need be. When building a road you need room for expansion.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:35 pm
by ForbesMM
fergie34 wrote:How about setting up a category under countries called old and or historic for items like the Ottoman Empire and other former (no longer used) empires, nations, or countries. These could then be broken out later if need be. When building a road you need room for expansion.
I think you may be on to something.... I'm liking this idea :D

Re: modern vs. historic countries

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:03 pm
by RitcheyMT
fergie34 wrote:How about setting up a category under countries called old and or historic for items like the Ottoman Empire and other former (no longer used) empires, nations, or countries. These could then be broken out later if need be. When building a road you need room for expansion.
This is a great idea. So folks, how should I name these categories and subcategories? Should it go like this:

Countries
[INDENT]Historic countries
Modern countries

[/INDENT]...or this?

Countries
[INDENT]Historic countries
Current countries
[/INDENT] ...I guess it would pay to see how Library of Congress authorities handles this.

Re: modern vs. historic countries

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:47 am
by fergie34-p40
ritcheymt wrote:This is a great idea. So folks, how should I name these categories and subcategories? Should it go like this:




Countries[INDENT]Historic countries[/INDENT][INDENT]Modern countries[/INDENT]...or this?




Countries[INDENT]Historic countries[/INDENT][INDENT]Current countries[/INDENT]...I guess it would pay to see how Library of Congress authorities handles this.

I would think that the Library of Congress format would be the best. If this is to bulky I would think your second option would be better.


Countries[INDENT]Historic countries[/INDENT]

[INDENT]Current countries[/INDENT]
With the way some parts of the world change sometimes over night this would make it easier to adjust.:D

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:57 pm
by Thomas_Lerman
Are you saying that "Countries" would only have only two entries in it?
  1. Historic countries
  2. Current or Modern countries
If someone was not sure whether the country existed, they would have to check both place? I can see advantages both ways.

An example, a relative was born in Bohemia. I have had several people ask where that is. I know that it does not exist as a country, etc. Bohemia should still exist as a portal/page with historical information, research information, where to find records, old boundaries versus new boundaries, etc. Okay, this is going off on a slight tangent with this example.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:02 pm
by fergie34-p40
Thomas_Lerman wrote:Are you saying that "Countries" would only have only two entries in it?
  1. Historic countries
  2. Current or Modern countries
If someone was not sure whether the country existed, they would have to check both place? I can see advantages both ways.

An example, a relative was born in Bohemia. I have had several people ask where that is. I know that it does not exist as a country, etc. Bohemia should still exist as a portal/page with historical information, research information, where to find records, old boundaries versus new boundaries, etc. Okay, this is going off on a slight tangent with this example.


I would think the breakdown would be something like this;


Countries[INDENT]Historic[INDENT]1. Ottoman Empire[/INDENT]

[INDENT]2. ?????????[/INDENT]

[INDENT]3. ?????????[/INDENT]

Current/Modern[INDENT]1. Turkey[/INDENT]

[INDENT]2. ???????[/INDENT]

[INDENT]3. ???????[/INDENT]

[/INDENT]I think this would be an easy format for anyone to navigate.

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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:09 am
by Darris Williams-p40
At what point do we set up some user testing. It might be interesting to sit down and observe some people actually using the wiki and get their input on how some of these ideas work for them. There are a lot of missionaries that work in various parts of the Family History Department that might make good test subjects.