<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Internet Happenings, Events and Sources


Thursday, January 08, 2004  

Beyond Bookmarks
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031223071958.htm

People are using the Web more than ever for their work-related and personal research, but keeping track of valuable URLs is just getting harder. William Jones and Harry Bruce at the University of Washington's Information School and Susan Dumais of Microsoft Research looked into the many tricks that people use to save "found" information (bookmarking, sticky notes, self-addressed e-mail, etc.) but concluded that most people don't use any of them when it comes time to revisit a page. They just go through the original search process all over again. "Our results so far tell us the tools for keeping track of Web pages don't mesh well with how people work with the Web," says Jones. The researchers found that even when offered an enhanced "Add to Favorites" option to a Web browser, it was largely ignored by students in the test group. As a result, the researchers are developing a conceptual framework for how people stockpile information, dubbed the "personal anticipation of information need," or PAIN. "People are motivated by PAIN," quips Bruce. The team is also addressing the problem of "information fragmentation" -- vital info is often scattered across e-mail, files, contact information, Web references, etc. -- with a "My Life" personal taxonomy intended to provide techniques and tools for organizing this hodgepodge of data. "We live in the Information Age, and the effective use of information is the key to prosperity," says a program officer at the National Science Foundation, which is funding the effort. "This project provides the theoretical underpinnings for a human-centric information environment that will enable individuals, families, organizations and societies to continually build upon their experience and gain control over the seemingly endless volumes of information confronting them."

posted by Marcus Zillman | 3:53 PM
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