Tagging is an open and informal method of categorizing that allows users to associate keywords with online content (webpages, pictures & posts).Unlike library subject cataloging, which follows a strict set of guidelines (e.g., Library of Congress subject headings), tagging is completely unstructured and freeform, allowing users to create connections between data anyway they want. This system of social classification, or collaborative tagging, is known as folksonomy.
In the past few weeks, we’ve already explored a few sites — Flickr and LibraryThing to name two — that allow users to take advantage of tagging.
This week, in addition to exploring Technorati tagging, we want to also take 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 social network aspect, which allows you to see how other users have tagged similar links and also discover other websites that may be of interest to you. You can think of it as peering into another users’ filing cabinet, but with this powerful bookmarking tool each user's filing cabinet helps to build 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.
Discovery Resources
- Social Bookmarking in Plain English - a brief video explaining what social bookmarking is and why you should use it
- Otter Group del.icio.us tutorial (8 min video, under Featured Podcast) - you can also view another version of this video (bigger size, but less readable)
- Us.ef.ul: A beginners guide to del.icio.us
- Several Habits of wildly successful del.icio.us users
- PLCMC's podcast on tagging, folksonomies & social bookmarking
Discovery Exercise
- View the above listed resources to get a good overview of del.icio.us's features.
- Explore de.licio.us, including the hotlist of popular bookmarks (on the left side of the main page), the "tags to watch" list (on the right side of the main page, the tag cloud, and/or the LPLS del.icio.us bookmark list.
- 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?
- How could library staff use this tool?
Discover More
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 can create a network badge to share your del.icio.us list with your coworkers.
(Psst! See an example at the end of the navigation sidebar on the right.)
NOTE: If you do setup a del.icio.us account, here’s a quick word about the del.icio.us Buttons. On PCs that are locked down (ie, most staff computers), these will install as options in your browser bookmarks. Use the “Post to my del.icio.us” link to add the current webpage to your account. (You'll need to log into your del.icio.us account first to use this button.) Use the “My del.icio.us” link to view your online account. Read a guide to saving bookmarks for more information.
Here's how to make it work for staff computers: Once you register for a del.icio.us account, you're taken to Step 2: Install Buttons. Instead, scroll down and look for where it says "Alternatively, you can use: Bookmarklets available on the help/buttons page." Follow that link. Under the section labeled "How do I get them?" click on the install link. You'll need to click Run on a couple of boxes that pop up. Once the installation is complete, you can find the bookmark buttons in your browser's Favorites menu, under Links. If you have any problems completing this process, please ask Jerianne for help.
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