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 (i.e.Library of Congress subject headings), tagging is completely unstructured and freeform, allowing users to create connections between data any way they want.Flickr and LibraryThing are examples of sites that allow users to take advantage of tagging. Now we will take a look at how tagging enables people to share their favorite web sites with others by using a social bookmarking site.
Start your exploration of social bookmarking by watching this video by the Common Craft.
Learn more about tagging and social bookmarking in Wikipedia.
There are several social bookmarking sites available, the most popular is Del.icio.us. Del.icio.us allows you to bookmark a web page and then add tags to categorize your bookmarks. You can also see how other users have tagged similar links. It also allows you to discover websites on topics that interest you that other people have found.
Discovery Exercise
- Search del.icio.us for something you’re interested in. Check out some of the tags people have used for that topic.
- Set up an account on del.icio.us. Add a few websites and add your own tags to each of your links. If you like del.icio.us and want to easily add bookmarks to your account, you can put buttons on your browser toolbar. Instructions are available for Internet Explorer and Firefox.
- Set up an account on Diigo Check out the long list of Tools, http://www.diigo.com/tools and the possibility to save to Delicious. If you like Diigo better, try to import your Delicious Bookmarks into Diigo.
- New bookmarks by MLA on library topics: http://delicious.com/tag/mlaweb2.0
- PennTags, to create project Support Pages: http://tags.library.upenn.edu/
- Medical Blog Tag Cloud: http://www.medworm.com/rss/blogtags.php?cloud=big&t=m
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