Data Storage Using Spreadsheet and Metatags

Abstract

Metatag identifiers are stored in a spreadsheet, and are made available for use in metatagging various files. Steps may include: identifying the item of data in a document; activating an activation code; providing a listing of metatag choices; selecting a metatag from the listing of metatag choices; identifying the selected metatag with a column in the spreadsheet; and storing at least a portion of the item of data in a cell of the column. The listing is preferably a visually displayed listing, and selection can be made by clicking. Data previously associated with a metatag, and stored in the spreadsheet can be displayed as values. The values for a given metatag can thus be sorted and listed, providing immediate feedback to a user to assist in determining the propriety of a particular metatag.

1 . A method of storing descriptive metatag-value pairs for parametized information regarding first and second items having differing classifications, comprising:
 providing a first electronic interface through which a first human user can select a first classification for the first item;   providing the first user with (a) a first set of metatag choices determined at least in part by the user's selection of the first classification, and (b) candidate values for at least one of the metatag choices that allows the user to define a first metatag-value pair;   providing a second electronic interface through which the user can define a new metatag which is then optionally made available in a selection list to a second human user for the second user to utilize in entering a second metatag-value pair for possible association with the second item in the second document; and   storing an association of the first item and the new metatag in a data structure.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the first item to the system comprises locating the item in a at least one of a text or an HTML document. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the first item to the system comprises blocking a portion of the item. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the first item to the system comprises identifying a consumer object as the item. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the first item to the system comprises identifying real estate as the item. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the first item to the system comprises identifying a transportation device as the item. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the candidate values from a published list. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first set of metatag choices relates to a type of the first item. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metatag choices relates to a quality of the first item. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metatag choices relates to a price of the first item. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the metatag choices relates to a source of the first item. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data structure comprises a database file. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data structure comprises a spreadsheet. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising identifying a selected one of the first set of metatags with a column in the spreadsheet, and storing one of the candidate values in a cell of the column. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: providing a classification index that the first user can utilize to limit the metatag choices. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing first the user to sort at least some of the first set of the metatag choices according to frequency of prior usage. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tagging the portion of the first item in a document with a selected one of the first set of metatag choices. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating an activation code to trigger display of at least some of the first set of metatag choices to the user. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating an activation code to trigger display of the candidate values to the user. 
   
   
       20 . A computer having a processor and a memory, and running software that executes a method according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       21 . The computer of  claim 20 , further comprising a component that links the processor to a network.