listing categorization/labeling, then search/navigation by category

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Ginny mentioned the idea of categorization.

Roughly, there's two techniques:
1. machine categorization
   1a) keyword-based
   1b) more sophisticated models
2. manual categorization (aka labels)
   2a) fixed category names
   2b) flexible category names

then for search:
 - use these as the FPXML category names.
 - index the category names for keyword search
 - provide restricts by category (must-have, must-not-have) in the API
 - expose to consumers in the UI (and gadget?)

for v1, I recommend 1a followed by 2a, since we don't have the staffing for
anything more sophisticated.  For the consumer UI, keep it simple e.g. add
as a set of restrict-links for each listing.

for the actual categories, I recommend names that:
 - users want to search on but which aren't simple keywords
 - are reasonably non-subjective  (ok to say: when in doubt, tag it)
 - can be seeded (started) with keywords, e.g. not completely abstract
   concepts.
e.g. "fun" could be a category meaning that you'll have fun doing this
activity (e.g. playground build or reading to a child, not a suicide
hotline or blood donation), and we seed it with a bunch of keyword searches
and hand-tagging.
e.g. "skill building" could be a category meaning that you'll learn a
valuable skill (e.g. habitat for humanity and not soup kitchen), and we can
easily seed them with keywords on various skills. (though could be tricky
if the skills are pre-requisites)

Original issue reported on code.google.com by adam.sah on 30 Jun 2009 at 11:13

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Original comment by adam.sah on 30 Jun 2009 at 11:14

• Added labels: Milestone-Roadmap
• Removed labels: Milestone-TBD

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Original comment by ehysen on 6 Jul 2009 at 7:12