Thing 17 - Learn about tagging and Folksonomy; then, discover Del.icio.us.

Listen to a podcast on tagging, folksonomy and social bookmarking





Tagging is an open and informal method of categorizing that allows users to associate keywords with online content such as web pages, pictures or blog posts. Unlike library subject cataloging, which follows a strict set of guidelines (i.e. Library of Congress subject headings), tagging is completely unstructured and freeform. It allows users to create connections between data anyway they want.

This week, in addition to exploring Technorati tagging, we want to also take a look at popular social bookmarking site called Del.icio.us (typed in as http://del.icio.us/).

Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking manager which allows you to bookmark a web page and add tags to categorize your bookmarks.

Many users find that the real power of Del.icio.us is in the ability of users to share bookmarks. At its' core, Del.icio.us has a strong social networking aspect. Del.icio.us allows you to see how other users have tagged similar links. This is a great way to discover other web sites that may be of interest to you. You can think of it as peering into another person's filing cabinet; the difference is that this powerful bookmarking tool connects each user's filing cabinet into an expansive knowledge network.

For this discovery exercise, you are asked to take a look at Del.icio.us and learn about this popular bookmarking tool. First, please familiarize yourself further with the concept of tagging and folksonomy.

Discovery Resources:


Tagging & Folksonomy - YouTube Video - 2:12 minutes - This short video explains through examples the concept of tagging and folksonomy.

Folksonomy - Wikipedia article

Folksonomies and Image Tagging: Seeing the Future? - article by Diane Neal -- Bulletin, October/November 2007

Tags & Folksonomies - What are they, and why should you care? - 2005 blog post from Threadwatch.org. Highly readable and still revelant reading.

Making your Library Del.icio.us - OPAL presentation by Jason Griffey. You need the OPAL plug-in to do this one.

Making your library Del.icio.us - Podcast (WMA audio file) of same the presentation by Jason Griffey.

Social Bookmarking Showdown - blog article at Wired that compares the major social bookmarking sites.

The Brave new world of Social Bookmarking - article by Amanda Etches-Johnson in the Canadian Library Association news

Social Bookmarking in Plain English - 3:25 minute YouTube video by Common Craft Productions.

Otter Group Del.icio.us tutorial (8 min video) - Highly recommended!!!

Us.ef.ul: A beginners guide to Del.icio.us

Several Habits of wildly successful Del.icio.us users

Discovery Exercise:

1. Read, watch or listen to at least two resources on tagging and folksonomy.
2. View the 8 minute Del.icio.us tutorial to get a good overview of Del.icio.us and its features.
3. Take a look around Del.icio.us using the VBPLL2 account that was created for this exercise. To access these bookmarks, please select the del.icio.us link, VBPLL2, on the right hand side of this post, directly underneath the SNAP SHOTS link in the navigation area. Note: In this account you will find lots of resources that have been highlighted or used throughout the course of the Learning 2.0 program.
4. Explore the site options and try clicking on a bookmark that has also been bookmarked by a lot of other users. Can you see the comments they added about this bookmark or the tags that they used to categorize this reference?
5. Create a blog post about your experience and thoughts about this tool.
   Can you see the potential of this tool for research assistance? Or just as an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere?
   

OPTIONAL: If you’re up to the challenge, create a Del.icio.us account for yourself and discover how this useful bookmarking tool can replace your traditional browser bookmark list. You might even want to explore Del.icio.us’ latest addition, a network badge. (Psst! see it over there at the end of the navigation sidebar under the Cluster Map)

Note: If you do setup a Del.icio.us account, here’s a quick word about the Del.icio.us Buttons. On staff PCs, meaning the toolbars locked down by ComIT, the Del.icio.us buttons will install as options in your browser bookmarks. Use the “Post to my Del.icio.us” link to add the current web page to your account (you may need to log in first). Use the “My Del.icio.us” link to view your account.