Classification
The current departments in the Ubuntu Software Center are derived almost exactly from the from the freedesktop.org menu specification. However, this categorization is quite awkward and does not scale to the number of applications and other software packages we want to display. Some examples:
- As more software integrates with the Internet, the “Internet” category is becoming bloated and less relevant. For instance, the collaborative text editor Gobby is in “Internet” merely because the collaboration usually takes place over the Internet.
- Many applications in the “Office” category are equally or more applicable to home, school, or university — for example, word processors, spreadsheets, and calendar software.
- Many applications in the “Education” category are equally or more applicable to professions or hobbies — especially those relating to science and mathematics, engineering, and human languages.
- Because the categories are designed primarily for graphical applications, there are no obvious categories for things like screen savers, fonts, and server software.
- All the categories need subcategories, so that (for example) you do not have to wade through first-person shooters while looking for a card game.
Assume that we can change anything about this set of categories. (We could implement this partly with approved changes to the menu specification, and/or partly with a separate category system.)
Assume also that applications will be allowed to have a primary category (where they will appear in the “Applications” menu) and subcategory, and if necessary also a secondary category and subcategory (for easier finding when browsing available software).
Now, what should the categories and subcategories be? Present your ideas here, whether for all or part of the classification scheme. (Do not worry about how the system would be implemented.) Please sign your name with each proposal, and put a separator (----) between proposals. Thanks! This is largely consistent with the game categories at Newegg.com, although I simplified it a touch for areas we probably don't have a huge number of games yet. Freshmeat and Sourceforge use the Trove system for organizing their stuff, I believed it's based off of this. -- jorge 2009-08-28 23:10:50 Use the same categories as KDE as they follow the XDG spec. Also if someone does install a program from an outside source, we can be relativity certain it will be placed in the right category. Finally it will promote continuity over various *buntu variants. --Corey Buckingham Some possible subcategories for the current "Internet" category could be Firefox & Thunderbird Extensions - There are enough of these to deserve their own category. The last two categories are perhaps too small to be on their own. There would also need to be an 'other' group for things which don't fit anywhere else. The order of the list at this point is random and would need thought. Comments? --Evan Huus Proposed Category Breakdown Starting rationale: More than 2 levels of categories (in most cases!) is useless and confusing to users. you don't want them to have to drill down too far. Games are an exception. Too many category options or too few is bad Standards allow users to know what to do even when visiting somewhere new What I've done: 8 General categories from 11 existing ones 3 subcategories for every 8 category- not too many, not too few Subcategories share naming conventions so users understand even if they have not visited that particular subcategory before (ie, --- Browsing always leads you to content viewers, Creative always to content creating tools, tools always to programs that perform functions assisting other programs or content use)... ...yet unique names are used where appropriate to avoid confusion and inflexibility *Internet: *Utilities (Accessories combined with System Tools): *Media (Graphics combined with Sound & Video): *Games: *Office: *Education: *Programming: *Universal Access: Other: Remove this general category completely and sort into existing categories... even make more if need be. “Other” is just lazy. Just some general thoughts I had. Not sure if it's any good. --Scott Moelker "Engineering" Category Addition Engineering as top level section would be rather nice. Education implies that the programs are for learning. Circuit capture and signal analysis is really not for learning in my situation, it is engineering work. -- Dereck Wonnacott