*Info. Trapping*

Information trapping is a tool similar to RSS.  Information trapping can be a useful when researching a topic to filter out irrelevant topics.  An artical gave an example on how it would be useful.  If you went to a search engine site and typed in elections you would get a bunch of info. on the democratic and republican parties.  If you wanted information on a third party you wouldn’t find much luck.  Information trapping can save you a bunch of time and have the topics you want filtered.

http://futureperfectpublishing.com/2007/09/03/information-trapping-an-interview-with-tara-calashain/

 

http://www.cyber-aspect.com/breviews/book_review.asp?rev=34

 

http://mendicantbug.com/2008/04/10/what-is-information-trapping/

Collective Intelligence

The definition of collective intelligence somewhat sounds like Communities of Practice.  I guess because the definition of both is people in a community helping one another.  People getting ideas from people and sharing and growing together.  Definition of Collective

1. Assembled or accumulated into a whole.
2. Of, relating to, characteristic of, or made by a number of people acting as a group: a collective decision.

Definition of Intelligence.

1. The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.
2. The faculty of thought and reason.
3. Superior powers of mind.

So I put the definition together People together acquiring knowledge.  People can help each other by sharing ideas.  On my blog about Communities of Practice I added how large corporations were secretive about new ideas they came up with because of competition but when they started sharing their ideas the came up with solutions to problems they had and ways to make them better.  They helped each other and surprisingly the company grew by interacting with the competitors and everyone benefited and gained knowledge  from each other.  Collective Intelligence may be a new term but we have been doing this for decades.  People communicate with each other who share the same interest.  The ask questions, get new ideas and hopefully come up with a better solution or product.  

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective%5Fintelligence

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/intelligence

http://www.masternewmedia.org/2003/05/27/what_is_collective_intelligence.htm

Communities of Practice.

I’m trying to get out of the habit of  using wikipedia for definitions so I went deeper and surprisingly found a site that broke the term down a little bit more where I could understand.   http://www.ewenger.com/theory/index.htm.  The definition was A group of people who share an interest or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better.  To me this sounds similar to the definition for PLE. ( how you can learn from each other).  Also I  read how huge corporations would keep ideas and concepts under wraps because of the fear and competition.  As anyone would.  If I came across a new idea for something that I thought was big I would be reluctant to share my ideas with someone who may try to duplicate it.  But what they found out is sharing their ideas and concept did  the opposite of what they thought.  They collaborated with other corporations they got new ideas and found out how to make ideas better and stronger.  They grew from it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communities_of_practicehttp://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/404/lesser.html

A great blogger.

After reading some random blogs over and over I got bored QUICKLY.  But I stumbled across a few that I liked and kept my attention.  I believe the key is remember your audience. Who are you talking too? Obviously if your writing and someone is interested in the subject they won’t grow bored.  For example, I am very interested in culinary arts.  I love looking for new recipes.  I’ve taken classes in culinary arts so I am familiar with some of the terms.  If someone writes blanch the almonds on a blog I know what they are talking about.  But if someone stumbles across the blog and is interested in cooking something they wont be as familiar with the terms.  So I guess also keep in mind the general audience.  Keep your blog interesting and some what simple for ordinary people to understand. Have a passion about what you are writing because it shows through.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2089124_be-power-blogger.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1375620?trk=ssp

 

http://www.ewriting.pamil-visions.com/2007/04/09/how-to-be-a-successful-blogger-learning-from-the-best/

?Twitter?

So the wikipedia definition for twitter is is a free social networking and micro-blogging service, that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.  HUH? what is the point of using twitter.  Just by reading the definition it seems like it would be a way to network which is highly important but honestly what is twitter.

After attempting to find out what twitter was on wikipedia i went to the twitter website and got a better understanding.  At first it seemed like a more professional myspace.  The website says it is a way to stay connected to family, friends and co- workers which led me to believe what is the point of using it if its just a mock myspace like how many other sites attempt.  But I read a comment that said

• It’s one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet.  From TIME magazine

• Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app. From New York Times

These comments made me think that Twitter really is a big deal.  I understand a little more now but if anyone can explain it better please do.

http://www.commoncraft.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TwitterTwitter

http://webtrends.about.com/od/socialnetworking/a/what-is-twitter.htm