Are folksonomies useful?

The simple question prompt for this post is deceptively complex, because besides defining what a folksonomy is, we have to define what usefulness is. Useful for what purpose? For whom? Why?

If we define folksonomies as systems of categorization created by lay people with no specialized vocabulary, the answer is a little different than if we define folksonomies as systems of categorization created by users of the information. Both definitions are correct.

Obviously, folksonomies have many flaws that critics are quick to point out. With no controlled vocabulary, one must simply guess at keywords and hope someone has the same ideas of vocabulary terms. With anyone allowed to tag, spammers are likely and expected, blurring the clarity of the concept cloud for any given subject. Yes, there are flaws and weaknesses. So do all systems for information aggregation. The real controversy, I feel, is that they are the OPPOSITE flaws of other typical search strategies, which is what makes them scary.

Traditional controlled vocabulary solves the problem of inconsistency, but at the expense of potential elitism, wherein only those selected "in the know" searchers will understand how to utilize the system optimally. This phenomenon can be eased somewhat by the use of tools such as search term redirection and taxonomies of controlled vocabulary terms. However, the knowledge elitism of controlled vocabulary can no more be fully eradicated by these features than the opposite flaw of variability can be fully eradicated from a folksonomy. They are inherent features of the system.

Likewise algorithmic searching has its flaws, as computer controlled functions, no matter how complex, necessarily leave out some of the connections that can only be made using direct human insight and intuition. The opposite flaw of folksonomy is that it is overly human, and thus subject to spam, variability, and the worst flaws of direct human usage.

In other words, different types of organizational schemes can all be useful, given a certain situation or potential usage. For some knowledge gathering, only a scientific search can do, and algorithmic function works particularly well. For other types of organization and searching, an aggregated controlled vocabulary can be the most useful, because some concepts are easily definable and broken down into easily manageable terms and subdivisions. Other searches, however, may be far easier using a method more in line with human intuition and variability. Some types of knowledge simply work better that way.

I believe that the more different types of search options are available on any particular data set, the more likely a searcher will be able to effectively utilize one of them. Likewise, some data sets, by their nature, require different organizational schemes, and folksonomy can be one solution to oddball data sets that do not fit into the more rationalized structures of controlled vocabulary, and are not easily found through algorithmic searching.

Discussions vs Wikis

As I've delved further into some of the Gated Nations on Newsvine, I've found some actual substantive discussion that I've felt was lacking in the general Open Nations. I was promptly accepted to one rather prominent "anything goes" Nation, and have seen insightful commentary and community discussion. More impressively, the conversation takes several different tones at once. Some are having honest sharing experiences in one thread, some are having heated discussions in another, and some are spouting vitriol in other areas. Unlike other forums I've been in, the tone for one conversation does not set the tone for any of the others, and the members quite easily keep their respective communication styles seperate. I've found this interesting and have been actively engaging in these conversations to make better sense of it.

What I've found in most other places is that there is one set theme to a discussion, and that theme permeates until another theme takes its place. Like Wikis for example. The back end of wikipedia, where the editing happens, is often full of discussions on the appropriateness of changes to front end content. Much of it is substantive philosophical and informational discussion. I've seen many debates about the goal of sharing as much information as possible, balanced with the goal of having all, or at least most, information be correct and cited. I've seen rather vitriolic debates about appropriate content simply solved by a rewording and corrected reference by a third party.

The back end editing area of Wikipedia is its own community, for sure, and I think that's an unavoidable and integrative part of wikis. The currency of information balances the accuracy for sure and looking at the back end can sometimes be more constructive about the debates surrounding a given issue than the article itself. As a resource, they can be amazingly informative and concise on the front end, but full of debate and intrigue on the back end.

Also, there's the issue of trolling. Occasionally a user will take it into their head to deface a page, for whatever reason. Replacing real information with pictures of penises or other such juvenile nonsense before someone else comes along and corrects the page again. However, occasionally, someone changes the content so subtle that it appears to be correct information, but is the opposite. This is dangerous for research purposes and one reason sources must always be vetted personally.

Many regular Wikipedia editors have subscriptions to the back ends of the articles they police, so that any erroneous changes are regularly reported and fixed. This means Wikipedia is slowly turning into more like a curated encyclopedia, maintained by a staff, rather than the stereotype of a willy-nilly, anyone can make anything true place. However, vetting is always necessary in case of slip-ups, and Wikipedia makes finding the original source and checking it super easy with the references listed. If an idea doesn't have a reference, vetting it can be a bit more difficult.

I referenced a Wiki in my last paper for Dr, Bonnici, actually, and consider them an appropriate resource for certain rare situations. I was discussing memes and the unwritten rules they represent, so a Wiki of memes which is also a site involved in viral meme creation seemed to be the authoritative source on the subject. In that case a Wiki was the source. When discussing an issue that is fluid and dynamic and has to do with internet culture, sometimes Wikis can be not only the most useful resource, but also the most reputable one in the given circumstance.

With that being said, it is crucial to vet any and all Wiki information, particularly if the information is not sociological in nature. Wikis are an ongoing, evolving discussion, whereas a paper or article is a single unit of information, and it is important to acknowledge the differences between them and what type of information the subject at hand requires.

I would not cite Wikipedia as a definitive medical resource, but I would mine it for references for primary research. I might, however, cite a Wiki in a political science paper, if I was discussing the extremely current and changing political spectrum. That would be an appropriate use of a Wiki, and I think it would be wrong to demonize them entirely as unreliable, biased sources. All sources should be taken with a grain of salt and fully researched and vetted. Wikis are no exception.

Newsvine experience part one

Seeing a community for the first time is always a little off-balancing. News about politics is completely unavoidable on Newsvine. On Facebook I tend to keep things civil with friends of differing political beliefs, because everyone on there is my Facebook friend, and thus part of a network of friendship so to speak. On Newsvine people that join the various Nations are not necessarily chosen to be in your family, particularly with my experience thus far with Open Nations. 

\Because of this difference it seems as though people post political dissents and commentary as inflammatory and provoking as possible to garner negative response and argument.

I’ve noticed this on other debate forums, where people engage in debates as a sort of performance. The winner is not the word block closest to the truth, or the most meaningful and insightful comment, but the word block that gathers enough interest and resonance from other commenters, whether positive or negative. Trolls even specialize in gathering negative attention, often trying to fool the other person into believing they are engaging in serious debate when the goal is just stirring up emotions.

Newsvine so far seems like a place to vent about politics, or argue for fun, like 4chan with less memes and porn. And yet at the same time, if you stick to Nations that share a given ideology, there is a huge amount of confirmation bias. I’ve seen quite a few discussions with like-minded people cracking the same offensive jokes and patting one another on the back for their similar political beliefs, without any of the debate for fun going on. As far as a place to engage in real constructive debate where ideas are challenged and people learn from one another as they discuss issues, perhaps I’ll have to delve more into the many Gated Nations of Newsvine.

Bookmarking and tagging

From this point forward, posts will be concerned with LS 590: Social Media and Informatics

I intend to focus my studies for the projects in this course on community building. I'm particularly interested in the use of RSS feeds and forums, and learning how to build and manage them. I am also interested in not only the how but the why of community building, as well as privacy issues inherent in creating private spaces within the public sphere of the internet. I am hoping that much of my research will be practical and informative, and allow me greater flexibility in using freely available social media tools to create safe community spaces.

One of my goals as a technologically oriented librarian is to help build open source OPAC and search algorithm features designed and implemented by librarians, for librarians. I believe that this can not only reduce costs for libraries, by reducing the reliance on third party software, but also create greater flexibility to fill the needs of different libraries and solve many of the problems that third part software companies may not consider. This requires a community of librarians to create, test, and implement ideas, so community building is a big focus of mine.

Bookmarking and tagging are huge community-oriented tools to allow people to connect disparate concepts in the sea of information to one another, and provide further growth of knowledge. Tagging can lead a searcher from one relevant article to the next, without the need to pick out specific keywords or rely on a computer-generated search algorithm to pick out relevant information. It uses direct human intuition rather than algorithmic mathematics, which can be both more flawed and more accurate, sometimes at the same time. Bookmarking is a favorite of mine, and I use several types of software to save articles and websites for future use, so that I can refer back to previously identified resources and information.

As a budding library professional I appreciate the tools that enable greater community communication, and faster, more accurate access to information. Human intuition and interpretation is a powerful tool that cannot yet be fully mimicked by computers, and I think it would be foolish of us not to take advantage of it, flaws and all.

End of Semester wrap up

My group and I have just completed the upload process for the database and instructional assignment. I must say that my fluency has definitely increased since the last post in a variety of areas. Due to issues with not having enough space on the bama server for all our documents, I just learned all about embedding documents and videos.

I had never used SQL queries before this class, in the language we learned. I had only manipulated databases from a front-end perspective, so the design and implementation of the database was very instructive for me. I enjoyed researching the language myself, and fiddling until I found the correct syntax for the queries I needed.

Many of the requirements for this course seemed to follow a fiddle-until-it-works approach. I wonder if this is particular to information technologies, and I will use this approach with every new technology I encounter, or whether it is a feature of the simple types of systems we have learned in this introductory class, or whether it is simply a representation of the way I learn new technologies personally. Only time will tell.

The usability study was informative in a very different sort of way. I know the basic ethics of how to conduct research, but putting all of those requirements into practice can become time consuming and difficult. Scholarly publication involves a narrow margin for error, so all potential biases must be addressed at the very least, even if they cannot be mitigated. I enjoy working with such detail, but sometimes it felt as though I was belaboring the process. I believe that it is simply a laborious process, and the more I belabor it the better the results.

Myers Briggs and Group Dynamics

As far as group dynamics, team projects have always been difficult for me. I’ve normally been one of the people on the sideline that dances around waiting for someone to take the lead. Then I wind up being more like the secretary that organizes everything, and get frustrated with lack of leadership. So I’ve started trying to step out of my comfort zone and take on leadership roles, even though I don’t like steamrolling others, or being labelled as the “leader” necessarily. Since I tend to be very organized with projects, and think in a very organized way, being the leader tends to make sense for me, even if it makes me slightly uncomfortable.

Group projects are also difficult because of the broad array of experiences and skills everyone brings to the table. When Dr. Bonnici first announced that we would be allowed to choose our groups I immediately began contacting people that I knew would get along, and that have widely different skill sets from my own, so that we can complement one another. I especially wanted those with good people skills. While interacting with the public is something that I can do, it is not especially close to my comfort zone, and not something I am particularly good at. I tend to either be too formal or too casual for any given interaction, and I tend to give off a creepy vibe at times, because of my anxiety with social interaction. So I figured if I was going to step out of my comfort zone in one area, I should have a team to help me for another. I’m great with organizing, however, so I volunteered to write up documents for the study, and organize everyone’s input into the documents we need.

I was rather disappointed when I saw the information about group dynamics in the class modules when I saw that we needed to take and discuss the Myers-Briggs personality test. This is because I have had previous strong negative experience with this particular test. I had a manager that made every one of his employees take this test. Many of the employees did not understand the vocabulary of the particular test he had chosen, and I had to assist at least one in identifying key parts of the test. I fear for the others that did not request my assistance.

The test was extremely biased against those who speak English as a foreign language, or who have limited educational background, which in the restaurant industry was most of the staff. This manager then proceeded to evaluate each individual based on their personality scores, and tell them what their strengths and weaknesses were, and where they fit into the business model. I was denied a promotion because according to him my test results indicated that I was not suitable for any leadership or training positions, even though I was already performing well in such a position, without the official title or pay raise.

My negative experience is of course not generalizable to the entire system, and despite my preconception, I do admit that the Myers-Briggs has a certain limited usefulness. However, I believe that it can be overused and valued beyond its potential as a tool. The potential biases are rampant in various versions of the test, and that any universal scheme to categorize people is a flawed premise. My opinion may be because I am within a single question of the center on three out of four metrics, so my “personality type” can change from day to day, based on my current daily abilities and feelings. In other words, since I’m someone who falls through the cracks of the metric, I can see the cracks more clearly. I’m sure for most people, the personality tests are accurate and useful. However, the metric is not scientifically vetted, and should not be purported as scientific fact, but many people do. I hesitate to call it pseudo-science, because it does have some scientific foundations, but it certainly comes close to that line.

Despite my reservations about the Myers-Briggs, it can be useful, and I have posted my result in the group discussion board. My experience with it notwithstanding, it can be useful for elucidating potential niches for team members. So far I believe we have fairly well established our niches in the group, and the study is moving along.

Fluency change

So far in LS 560, I have done mostly web design. My IT fluency levels haven't changed substantially, but there is a marked difference between what I know I can do in theory, and what I can do in practice. I had a working knowledge of html years ago, but my skills have atrophied from lack of use, so the ability to put them to use again has been exhilarating and informative. I am relieved to find that html has not changed much since I designed my first webpage.

One new skill for me is the use of style sheets, which I had never done before. For me they are still in the range of theoretical rather than practical, but I'm working on changing that and becoming more familiar with how to utilize them effectively. The main challenge for me so far has been figuring out the syntactical differences between html and css, so that I can determine how to map concepts and tags from the html in the site design itself over into the style sheet.

Additionally, I'd never used any of the meta-data tags in my html coding before. I had never heard of them before when I had my original experience with web design. I don't know if that's because they weren't en vogue when I learned to build websites, or if I was simply too much of a self-taught amateur to be aware of them. I remember hearing about them as a way to manipulate google years after, and controversies that caused google to change the way it reads metadata, but I never figured out the specifics of how such tags are indexed or considered. I would still consider myself an amateur in this area, and am still trying to determine some of their precise practical applications.

Some of html has actually simplified with html 5, so my web design has actually become a bit easier than it used to be. In addition to exploring style sheets and meta tags, I am using columns and tables for my site, which I had some previous experience with, but have fleshed out my competency a bit. If I have time before the assignment comes due, I am also looking forward to exploring a little java, which I had barely gotten my feet wet in years ago doing mouse overs.

IT Fluency

A new semester, and a new blogging adventure! This blog is called Allie's Kitchen, because Allie is my constant screen name and nick on the wide world of the internet, and because for most of my life I've been professional cook. My kitchen at home is my safe space, the space I feel most comfortable, and usually the space where I do the most thinking and decision making, and I wanted to bring that feeling and sense of thoughtfulness to my librarian blogging. It's a combination of my internet self, who is focused on constant learning and interaction, and the thoughtful composed part of myself that does most of my critical thinking. I feel that my librarian self would ideally be a balance between these two facets.

Currently, I am working as a tax preparer during tax season, while on hiatus from food service due to health issues I'm sorting out. I live in Huntsville, with my girlfriend and my very thoughtful six-year-old daughter, as well as four cats and one dog. (Help me please lol.) My interests in library studies include user-interface system design and public library community outreach issues that can be aided with technology. How we search, what we search for, who gets to search, and why we search for the things we do the way we do are all interesting research questions for me. One of my longterm goals is to develop the skills necessary to help build a collaborative search interface built by librarians for libraries, which would both reduce library reliance on third party system, and allow for greater customization to serve diverse population needs. We share the workload when it comes to authority records and collaborative call number assignments, why not share the work on our own search algorithms too?

As far as my proficiency with technology, I have done quite a bit with html and database design and maintenance, but most of my experience is rather dated, and forgotten from lack of use. As far as skills that are less rusty, I'm comfortable with social media and proficient in the use of internet information search tools. Having not grown up with computers, I am fascinated by them, and often approach technology the way I imagine most Baby Boomers do, as a powerful tool constantly both present and necessary in my life. However, like someone of an older generation, I often take a bit more time to intuitively grasp new apps or new technologies. I did not own a computer until I began grad school in Fall, and instead used a cheap tablet which I had modified to behave like a computer in most circumstances. I did not own a smartphone until last Christmas (2014) and now I'm addicted to the user-friendliness of a device I don't have to force as hard to do my bidding for social and research tasks. I'm excellent at figuring out ways to make technology do what I want it to do, but it often takes me longer to figure out the appropriate work-arounds.

Many of my own limitations made me decide to interview my girlfriend, to compare our differences in technology use, because of the many differences I know we share in these areas. For one, she grew up in a much higher income bracket than I did, and has almost always had ready access to modern technology and computers. She does not own a computer, but has had a smartphone almost since smartphones existed, and uses it in the same ways I normally use a computer. She is extremely versatile in more modern forms of technology, but she still winds up coming to me with issues that involve more old-school research skill. It's almost as though her tech savviness skips a generation because of her income level. I find that concept fascinating. Another reason for our differences is that I am a visual learner, and think in words and concepts. I read constantly. She, on the other hand, is slightly dyslexic, and not as comfortable reading when she needs to find information. She is more likely to try to find a video or sound bite for what she needs to know, and would rather watch Netflix than read a book, no matter the subject. This makes for quite a few differences between us, even though we are the same age, and I thought exploring these differences could prove educational.

I focused my questions more on practical applications of technology, and how she would go about solving a technological problem. Knowing that her smartphone is the only means she normally uses to use the internet, first I asked what steps she would take if she lost her phone. She answered that after having a good cry about it, and provided the phone was truly lost and she couldn't find it, she would borrow a phone to call her service provider and have the number turned off, as well as try to log onto facebook and let everyone know that her phone is lost. She did not seem aware of the fact that service providers can often track lost and stolen phones. She would then attempt to get some kind of replacement phone, even if it wasn't a smartphone and have her phone number transferred to it so she could stay in contact.

My second question posited a meeting with friends, and I asked how she would go about communicating and coordinating meeting times and places with others. She said that for pre-planned event she would create a facebook event and distribute invitations electronically. This is a technology feature that I have only recently become aware of, so she seems more proficient than me in this aspect. For a smaller group or a more casual event, she would call and text others to establish contact, which is understandable considering her main means of connecting is, besides all else, a phone.

I also asked about how she would go about performing a research task for work, or doing an online job application, knowing that these things are notoriously difficult to do using a smartphone, and asked about how she would deal with such barriers. She said that her primary research method would be to use google to find appropriate resources, and had knowledge of where to look for job links on employer websites. Faced with difficulties, however, she admitted that she would probably turn to me for help, or go to the public library to use a computer for job applications or an encyclopedia for research. When I asked, she was not aware of the existence of online encyclopedias, or how to use many of the library's research tools. She knows how to copy and paste a resume into an application, but is not aware of how to use attachments or store documents online.

I found these differences extremely illustrative of the differences between our technology habits which illuminate our divergent ways of thinking and experiencing technology on a regular basis. Whereas I'm just discovering many social media tools and smartphone apps and technology, my girlfriend is far more fluent in those types of technology, whereas she seems lacking in other computer-based skills that I consider fundamental to the way I use technology such as online data storage and research techniques. I feel that this is illustrative not only of our differences in terms of what technology we grew up with and what means we have each traditionally used to access resources, but also indicative of the differences inherent in our personalities and learning styles, as well as what kinds of resources we are likely to seek out. She mentioned that rather than researching a particular subject, she is more likely to wait for information to show up on her facebook feed, whereas I often seek out information through other means, and I consider the passive vs. active learning implications an interesting concept for possible further exploration.