Webwatch – Social bookmarking

Searching Google, or any other search engine for that matter, is a bit like pushing an ‘erupt’ button on a volcano: you enter a search term, and await the information giant to spew out its results, some of which will be very useful and others not so much.

However, when you do come across a useful website, a really good way to save and/or share it is by using a social bookmarking tool.

Social bookmarking include the likes of Delicious and Diigo, tools that allow you to save, organise, sort and share your favourite websites. These tools work on the same principle as placing a bookmark in a page of a book, but have been tailored for an online environment. They are also free, easy to set up and use, which are added bonuses.

Visit the home page of either website to set-up a username and password. Once you have completed this process you can begin to bookmark web pages from any computer, whether it be at work, home or on the road. Buttons for your browser – Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer – can be easily installed from the social bookmarking website. After they are installed (usually by just dragging them to your toolbar), you can then easily bookmark web pages by clicking on the buttons rather than having to login to the site each time.

Websites you bookmark can be tagged with words to describe them, which makes them easier to manage, much like sorting physical folders in a filing cabinet. The big advantage of using social bookmarking is that you can share your bookmarks with friends and colleagues, and they can share theirs with you. This gives you access to lots more information and to websites that you might have missed in your own searches. Social bookmarking makes the sharing and management of knowledge easier. Give it a go!

Visit the websites: www.delicious.com; www.diigo.com