In my
previous post, “Creative
Literary and Pragmatic Lists”, I indicated that one creative component of a
pragmatic list is the selection of a category to sit in first place. When I added the essay to my “Directory of Postings,”
I realized my first place was “Arrangement Structures > Alphabetical Order.”
Of all
arrangement structures, alphabetical order is certainly the most boring. In addition, there are people, some in the
information industry, who hate alphabetical order. They feel it has no meaning, which of course
is its beauty. But do I really want my
first category to be something that is both boring and controversial?
So I need
to put a category in front of “Alphabetical Order,” which is not so easy. My Directory is hierarchical with categories
alphabetized. If I keep “Arrangement
Structures” as the first major category, I need a structure that appears
earlier in the alphabet than “Al.” There
ain’t one. The alphabet is alpha. The word is based on the Greek word for “A.”
It’s supposed to be first, which is one way it keeps its primacy.
The next
idea places a different major category into first place. It has to fit in the alphabet before
“Arrangement Structures.” My second
major category is “Arrangement Theory.” I
need a word for theory that begins with a letter before “S.” That word is “Principles.”
My first
category is now “Arrangement Principles > Categories.” Not controversial, but not very sexy
either. So I look at the first few categories of arrangement
principles:
Categories
Findability
Information
Architecture
Knowledge
Development
Parameters
Perspective
Persuasive
Strategies
I could
find a synonym for categories, but “Findability” is not very sexy either. The sexiest is “Persuasive Strategies,” a
phrase I use often so I can’t change it.
Then I realize all I have to do is put “Arrangement” in front of a
category and my problem is solved.
Unfortunately,
“Arrangement Persuasive Strategies” is awkward and changes a phrase I use
often. “Findability,” “Information
Architecture,” and “Knowledge Development” also awkward, plus lots of people
work in those areas. I want to feature
something where I am the primary practitioner.
That brings
us to “Parameters” and “Perspective.”
“Arrangement” fits nicely in front of both. But “Parameters” is a little amorphous. I use it to represent the sometimes odd
characteristics that must be considered in an arrangement. For example, in “Working with
Parameters,” a post about my client Snoopy, I discuss building an arrangement
around Bloglines’ inability to accurately display spreadsheets.
Which
leaves “Arrangement Perspective.” How
delightful. I always promote designing arrangements
from the perspective of the user. And
there’s an added bonus, a double meaning.
“Arrangement Perspective” could also mean my perspective on arrangement,
which is what IsisInBlog is all about.
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