I found that there were a lot of connections to the articles we've read previously and Chapter 5. First, the idea of tagging information so that there is organization to our miscellaneous information is referenced in Web Squared. It began that we only tagged photos, but no we tag information. As Weinberger says, "tags work as a way for individuals to remember and refind pages." In Web Squared they say, "we add tags to our tweets so that they can be grouped more easily." These two points coincide perfectly. It's completely relevant to this class too because we add the #dtc356 tag to all of our tweets so that we're easily able to access one another's tweets without having to sort through all of the personal/irrelevant information.
In Web 2.0 and Web Squared the key idea centers around collecting metadata and creating a more user friendly experience. In Web Sqauared, they even say "As the information shadows become thicker, more substantial, the need for explicit metadata diminishes." This idea supports Weinberger's third new strategic principle "everything is metadata and everything can be a label." It's important that people keep this in mind when collecting information about users. Weinberger uses the example of searching for a specific Shakespeare play where you search in Google for either Shakespeare or a specific quote to find what you're looking for. Both Shakespeare and the quote act as metadata for the play itself. Through tagging everything possible with the quote and Shakespeare, users are able to find exactly what they're looking for much quicker than they would otherwise. It's doing exactly as Weinberger says - increasing usability and leverage of knowledge which empowers our knowledge beyond comprehension.
I have been hearing more and more about tags lately. I wasn't really quite sure what they were until recently (guess I'm a little behind) but now that I know what they are I find them super useful but still a little bizarre. We refer to things by their "tag" rather than their actual name, creating a whole new collection of data. But, like the example you talked about from the book, it's increasing usability and leverage of knowledge, and that's a pretty good thing. Too bad not everyone has access to it though, creating world inequalities.
ReplyDeleteTags are the best, I think the invention of tags is almost as big as the microwave, almost as big haha. I truly agree with what Wienberg says about everything being a label. On the net, its reality. Increasing usability goes back to what Tim was talking about in his Web 2.0 article as well. Wienberg is basically talking about that, just in a different approach.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a lot of people are noticing new things about tagging and I really like how you explained it. I to am just realizing how cool taggin is and the vast amount of things that we do tag on a regular basis. Good use of quotes as well. Also, good job with a nice solid explanation in your second paragraph. You should try looking up different definitions of metadata. I did and some of gave me a much better understanding of what metadata really is and how it works for us.
ReplyDeleteLeif did my grading for me! He's spot on when he says, "nice solid explanation in your second paragraph." I totally agree. The connections were solid, and the use of quotes worked to support your point. This type of connection will be really useful in your midterm, so keep examples like this in your pocket for future use :) I would've been curious to hear even a few more examples of connections, but what you did here is well done. Thanks.
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