Key terms explained
The following terms appear throughout the Kolawispak service and its documentation. Understanding them should make the service easier to use from the outset.
Item
A single unit of information within the Kolawispak system. An item has been received, classified, and made available for review. Items are the basic unit of content that users encounter when navigating the interface.
Category
A defined group within the classification scheme. Every item belongs to exactly one category, which determines where it appears in the navigation structure and how it is presented in the review environment. Categories are established by the service operator rather than by individual users.
Classification
The process of assigning an incoming item to a category. Classification may involve automated analysis followed by human review. The result of classification is a record of which category an item belongs to, along with any supplementary notation that the classification team has added.
Review status
An attribute attached to each item indicating where it sits in the handling workflow. Status values vary depending on the service configuration, but typically include states such as received, classified, available, and under review. Status is displayed alongside item metadata in the interface.
Metadata
Descriptive information attached to an item that helps users understand its context. Metadata typically includes the item's category, its date of receipt, its current review status, and any reference identifier assigned during classification. Metadata is visible alongside the primary content of each item.
Enquiry
A message submitted to the Kolawispak team via the contact form on the Enquiries page. Enquiries may cover access requests, questions about the service, or requests for clarification about specific items or categories. An enquiry is the primary channel for communication between users and the team.
Access
The condition of being authorised to view and navigate information within the Kolawispak service. Access is established after the team has reviewed an enquiry and determined that the request is within scope. Access is not automatic and is not implied by visiting this website.
How information is structured within the service
Kolawispak organises information using a hierarchical category structure. Understanding this structure makes it easier to navigate the interface and locate relevant items.
The broadest groupings in the classification scheme. They represent the primary divisions of the information the service handles. Navigation at the top level takes you between these major areas.
Within each top-level category, finer distinctions are applied. Sub-categories allow items that share a broad classification to be separated based on more specific characteristics.
The leaf level of the hierarchy. Each item sits within a specific sub-category and carries its own metadata. Users interact most directly with items during the review process.
Some items carry references to related items in other categories. These cross-references appear as links within the item view and allow users to navigate to related content without returning to the main navigation.
Users do not create, rename, or reorganise categories. The category structure is defined and maintained by the Kolawispak team. If you believe a category is missing or incorrectly defined for your purposes, you can raise this through an enquiry. The team will consider the suggestion as part of its ongoing service review process.