Folksonomy

By Luke Jarrat, Alina Pritchard, Ryan Marks & Amit Nathwani

Web 2.0

• “Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning all connected devices” Tim O’Reilly

• User does not have to be technically inept

• Content can be placed on multiple platforms

• No need to download programs, software etc.

Folksonomy

• It is a type of distributed classification system

• Individuals and groups create these systems

• Tags are added to items online by users

The History of Folksonomy

• Meta data was born in the late 1990s

• Delicious created in 2003

• Users were able to tag using key words

• Thomas Vander Wal created the term Folksonomy.

• A hybrid of folk and taxonomy

Folk and Taxonomy

• Martin Lister defines taxonomy “a particular classification scheme”

• Folk = common people

• Combined = social classification of social matters

How people use tags

• All Social media use tags so it is widely available

• Identify pictures

• Grouping a topic in one place

Hash Tagging (#)

• Twitter

• # allow users to get the information they require

• @ tag people

Advantages of Tagging

• It defines the user

• People can see other people who are tagging the same thing

• Browsing made easier

• Cost saving because tagging taps into an existing base of information

Disadvantages of Tagging

• Could lead to miscommunication or false presentation of data/identity

• You have a lack of control over how you’re tagged

• Privacy issues that arise from tagging

How to improve tagging

• A subject has to be accepted before being published

• Auto correct

Conclusion

• Folksonomy is a positive trait of web 2.0

• Represents progression

• Shows how unique people are

• There are some flaws, however