When databases started to emerge in the 1980's there was a saying - garbage in garbage out. The issue was how to ensure that the items in the database were relevant and easy to find. Many understood the need to catalog all works based on the Library concept using the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. That means work because a human must have some level of understanding about the content. Meta tags were seen as a possibility. Then full text searches. Early Yahoo had reviewers that placed everything into categories using the computer directory system concept. Eventually Yahoo augmented this with text searches.

The Yahoo system probably came from the ENB (Engineering Note Book) concept that was developed and used at Hughes Aircraft. Every project and R&D effort had an ENB. The ENB would grow and evolve with the effort. Every entry was cataloged with a small description. New library entries were published weekly.

This library is based on the ENB concept. We carefully screen the content, yes someone reads it and it becomes part of the discussion. If we use it in our work, it goes into the library. If we think we will use it later in our work, it goes into the library. Nothing goes in unless someone reads it and thinks it is relevant to our work. We use the Internet for research in the tradition of the memex.

Be gentle with our garbage.