Module 3 - Task Web 2.0 blinklist and HTML

In the blink of an eye...?

The way people use the WWW is fundamentally shifting from a one way transfer of information to being two (or multi-way) transfers of information and much more social or people focussed.

Heilemann states that the web is turning “ into a two way democratic, participatory medium...controlled by no one and shaped by everyone...our medium”. (Sen, 2008).

Napster, Digg, YouTube, Facebook and Myspace are companies that have contributed to the change of landscape. They are all social applications that allow sharing of information between users.

This has lead to an expectation of new sites and applications to be social and easy to use.

Format and benefits

So what is Blinklist? It was only when I returned to the Web CT and read ‘bookmark’ site that I got it really. When I accessed the site and on first glance I was confronted with a stack of information. I couldn’t immediately see a welcome, how to use section or even what Blinklist was.

It claims that it is “the smarter way to surf the internet” but I am not convinced of this at all.

There were some ‘friends’ that I didn’t know I had waiting for me. Blinklist doesn’t appear very intuitive. I’m not sure what I am supposed to do. The html list is visually dull by comparison (from a graphic user interface point of view), but at a glance I can tell that it’s a list and even the précis of some of these sites and articles. It’s more accessible (eg could be easily read by a screen reader) and can be downloaded more quickly. Some people may prefer the graphics and layout of the Blinklist, but the HTML text only is faster to download.Text only is FAST.

Differences

Blinklist

• web 2.0 technology
• 'social', as 'friends' already here to greet me - even though I have no idea who they are!
• articles or other links appear rated – not sure by whom
• one can vote for articles (however, there has been very little voting on this site so this function is rendered useless)
• only in the FAQs at the base of the site is there any info about what blinklist is and how you can access it. Essentially it is a social bookmarking site, but nowhere near as user friendly as del.icio.us.
• advertising links appear on the site.

HTML

• web 1.0 old tech (not bad tech)
• able to be read at a glance the list
• relatively accessible and usable

dull interface, but if you just want content, then it serves its purpose.

Over several visits, I have not found Blinklist engaging because it is not intuitive to use, I have found other applications much easier to use.

I definitely prefer the ‘old school’ html listing - my requirements are to access information as quickly as possible (and not be distracted). The html list is instantly understood and simple to use, some with a small summary of the content.

References

Sen, P. (Executive Producer) (2008, July 29) Download:the True Story of the Internet. Episode People Power [Television broadcast] Australia:Foxtel.