Context (Taxonomy Part III)

In the post on Taxonomy, I had suggested looking at Computerworld.com. If you examine the side navigation, you have "Knowledge Centers". Each Center focuses on a particular technology discipline such as Operating systems or Development. As the user is drawn into the section through various efforts, he is placed into a context. This provides the opportunity to explore articles related to a particular subject matter. I may go to Operating Systems to see a review of a new Linux functionality but I become aware of an additional article on Active X control concerns for the desktop. This context provides stickiness. Stickiness lengthens time on site, which equals additional advertising revenue.

Too often, web sites (and Interface Design) lack context. But context drives the 10X. Context creates a 10XFactor. I can go to any kitchen remodeling website. The one site I will stay on the longest is the one that provides context. It is not a conscious decision. The decision is based on immediate value.

Now let's explode the concept. Suppose you could drive context dynamically. Apply the theory of relativity. Context is relative to where you are both physically and chronologically. Context is defined by a position in time. If we enter the keywords of Clinton and politics into a search engine, we would see a result set with a focus on Hillary Clinton. If we conducted the same search 10 years ago. The focus of the results would be on Bill Clinton. If we used a search engine existing in the 1960's, the result may generate George Clinton and Parliament. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one). Now take the taxonomy structure that we discussed before and drive a context navigation engine. Now the context is relative to chronology. That is the unfulfilled promise of Web. 2.0.