User Generated Content
From Internet: Knowledge and Community
Contents |
Stub
Some websites have interactive components that allow visitors to the website to input information and update information that all users can access. Social Networking sites and web Forums are examples of almost exclusively user generated content. An example of a Hybrid between site creator and user generated content would be a news organization that displays articles on their web page and allows users to comment on the articles.
Real-time Data
- Stock prices local weather, traffic conditions, speed trap locations, roads in need of repair, polling data, etc.
- facbook status
- RSS
- all social networks
Discussion
The discussion here seems to be suggesting that the usability and usefulness of real-time data depends greatly on the application of the data (what it's being gathered for) and the integrity of the users (in relation to the purpose of their input). Certainly Facebook status updates are an example of how unhelpful real-time user input can be. But, I can also imagine situations where non-professionals could generate very important real-time data. The trick to getting something useful seems to be in the context and the deployment of the technology.
Smart-phones seem to be pushing the boundaries of what internet connected devices are capable of. Apps to report road problems to your local municipal government or track what your elected representative is actually up to come to mind. As the integration and expansion of technology in our daily lives increase, it seems likely that the amount of useful information autonomous groups of people will be able to produce on their own will also increase.
Live Information Vs. Dead Information
The internet has the unique feature of "Live" or active information that can be portrayed in a streaming fashion.
"Dead" information (such as this Wikipedia)appear flat, like in a book, and only has one dimension. Can be retrieved from any point and it is possible to only use one part of the information
"Living" information or streams allow readers to have constant updates of information and the information appears to move in a direction or a stream. The past information gets old and no longer current.
