Folksonomies and User-Generated Results

Since Web 2.0 / Library 2.0 presages a "freeing of data," it seems fitting that the focuses of this week's class have been folksonomies and crowdsourcing.  In class, we mentioned the explosion of digital information and the overwhelming "abundance of choice" it creates.  Folksonomy is the practice of allowing users -- often collaboratively -- to classify and categorize data by managing tags.  I think the system of folksonomy has proven effective not only in organizing information (by assigning metadata to its contents) but also in the sense that it encourages users by involving and engaging them in the process of refining and indexing information.  Indeed, the practice of folksonomy, as Dr. Oguz conveyed, adds a human element into the mix.