Browse Hierarchy
Two methods for finding information are searching and browsing.
Traditional search has focused on entering a query and then looking at the results, often resulting in a process similar to finding a needle in a haystack. ArchivalWare’s browse hierarchy can be compared to a virtual file system.
Much like the file system architecture found on a Windows operating
system, ArchivalWare’s browse features offer the ability to group digital objects together into folders and to organize those folders into a
hierarchical structure. Also available is the ability to edit or add to that
structure once it is in place. Browse folders, like the folders in the
Windows file system, can be renamed, moved or copied to a different
location, or deleted. The contents of each folder can likewise be changed
at any time.
ArchivalWare’s browse hierarchy is used primarily as a graphical search
mechanism. Whereas ArchivalWare’s powerful full-text search and
retrieval functions allow users to quickly and easily find digital objects
matching entered query terms, the browse hierarchy offers an alternative
route to users who may not know exactly what they are looking for, or
who wish to browse broad categories or groups of digital objects to get a
feel for the contents of the system. By starting at a more generalized
top-level browse folder, a user can then further narrow their search by
moving down to more specific topics.