Folks, Folks, Folksonomy!
Many people are aware that there are various types of methods to assist people with searching for information about any topic. They can ask close acquaintances, people in chat rooms, or professionals in a particular field about certain information. They can head to the library to search on the computer for a book about the subject or if someone is really old fashioned, they can flip through the dusty library catalog in order to be swayed in the right direction on their discovery of the unknown. Yet, these days there is a much more convenient way to look up information or the latest trends. Instead of battling the search engines and being given information that is completely off topic from what they originally searched for, they can turn to their fellow human. Now folks are turning to other folks in order to satisfy their thirst for knowledge or just for plain old fun sites. Just imagine it. People sharing information that is regulated by no one and is open for all of the world to see. Imagine few restrictions, a chance for self expression, and where people control the information. Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it? Well, it seems that fairy tale is unfolding into reality and is taking the Internet by storm. What is it, you ask? Welcome to the wonderful world of folksonomies!
Folksonomies are not only a way for people to classify their favorite topics to share with the public, but they are a way for people to organize the world. It is people, not gatekeepers, who organize the information the way that they feel would be useful to others. Folksonomies are normally organized into common popular names because this way it is more traceable and accessible to users who desire to examine specific information. For example, there may be tags that have the words "movies" or "video" and each link brings the user to a page that is associated with the general term for search. So, if someone wanted to find a database for movies or rental DVD, then they can click on the tag to see what type of resources are available. One of the best aspects about folksonomies are the amount of freedom it gives to the users. Instead of being limited by narrowly defined vocabulary, it gives people a chance to express certain topics without having a moderator come along and scold them for using abstract terms.
Folksonomies not only are beneficial to regular people, but they are sufficient for organizations. How? Well, the reason is that they can help organizations gain an idea of the type of information that people are interested in. For example, if magazines wanted to find out about what stories people are interested in, they can check out the tags. They can see the content and perhaps people's responses inside of the forums of the websites. It may give them an idea for a feature story relating to the article because they will know that it will attract a broad audience. Perhaps, a small business wants to know what people want from their customer service department. They can access the tags and see what types of features businesses have for assisting customers. By observing the tags, they can make the necessary improvements to their website in order to make their business better for themselves and the consumer. Organizations can check out the tags and links in order to have a vivid interpretation of the websites that people observe on a daily basis. They can see what is hip and what is yesterday's news. This way they can examine the popularity and even improve their websites to attract more visitors by catering to the popular demand.
However, while I was researching about folksonomies I stumbled onto some of the disadvantages of folksonomies. Smith goes into a brief discussion about some of the problems that can arise with folksonomies. For example, Smith distinguishes the lack of synonym control, the lack of control on some of the words used to describe certain topics, and a few other issues that people practicing folksonomy should be aware of. I thought that it was quite interesting because it demonstrates the practice of allowing personal intellectual freedom to Internet surfers, but at the same time not everybody has the same interpretation about the world they live in. Everyone sees various issues in different lights and they may classify them in ways that not everybody can understand.
Everyone should take a glimpse at Chris's point about his personal view about the strength of folksonomies and how they help people to uncover a variety of information. Also, Miss M makes a good point about how folksonomies are a way for self expression and they help us to create an intriguing identity that is not always visible in reality.
Folksonomies are not only a way for people to classify their favorite topics to share with the public, but they are a way for people to organize the world. It is people, not gatekeepers, who organize the information the way that they feel would be useful to others. Folksonomies are normally organized into common popular names because this way it is more traceable and accessible to users who desire to examine specific information. For example, there may be tags that have the words "movies" or "video" and each link brings the user to a page that is associated with the general term for search. So, if someone wanted to find a database for movies or rental DVD, then they can click on the tag to see what type of resources are available. One of the best aspects about folksonomies are the amount of freedom it gives to the users. Instead of being limited by narrowly defined vocabulary, it gives people a chance to express certain topics without having a moderator come along and scold them for using abstract terms.
Folksonomies not only are beneficial to regular people, but they are sufficient for organizations. How? Well, the reason is that they can help organizations gain an idea of the type of information that people are interested in. For example, if magazines wanted to find out about what stories people are interested in, they can check out the tags. They can see the content and perhaps people's responses inside of the forums of the websites. It may give them an idea for a feature story relating to the article because they will know that it will attract a broad audience. Perhaps, a small business wants to know what people want from their customer service department. They can access the tags and see what types of features businesses have for assisting customers. By observing the tags, they can make the necessary improvements to their website in order to make their business better for themselves and the consumer. Organizations can check out the tags and links in order to have a vivid interpretation of the websites that people observe on a daily basis. They can see what is hip and what is yesterday's news. This way they can examine the popularity and even improve their websites to attract more visitors by catering to the popular demand.
However, while I was researching about folksonomies I stumbled onto some of the disadvantages of folksonomies. Smith goes into a brief discussion about some of the problems that can arise with folksonomies. For example, Smith distinguishes the lack of synonym control, the lack of control on some of the words used to describe certain topics, and a few other issues that people practicing folksonomy should be aware of. I thought that it was quite interesting because it demonstrates the practice of allowing personal intellectual freedom to Internet surfers, but at the same time not everybody has the same interpretation about the world they live in. Everyone sees various issues in different lights and they may classify them in ways that not everybody can understand.
Everyone should take a glimpse at Chris's point about his personal view about the strength of folksonomies and how they help people to uncover a variety of information. Also, Miss M makes a good point about how folksonomies are a way for self expression and they help us to create an intriguing identity that is not always visible in reality.
posted by Elena R @ 11:37 PM
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