Comments on: Tag clouds: gadget, gizmo, gew-gaw or generation gap? http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:55:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: john cass http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-9524 john cass Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:01:30 +0000 http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-9524 Yes in a way, it is easier to find a category if ordered alphabetically, while a tag cloud can be rather confusing for the tags that reference only few articles. Tag clouds are good for highlighting the topics that are most popular, so by definition tag clouds under represent those topics that are not popular. However, a list of 20-40 categories in the side navigation of a blog is unmanageable because you will probably have to scroll up and down to see all of the categories. Unless you know what you are looking for, in that case to me it is easier to find a category from a list of categories if ordered alphabetically, no matter how long the list. Having said all this my preference is for a tag cloud, but there are limitations, I think however the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The only way to determine if you should use a tag cloud for a particular audience is to test it, and see what the audience thinks. Yes in a way, it is easier to find a category if ordered alphabetically, while a tag cloud can be rather confusing for the tags that reference only few articles. Tag clouds are good for highlighting the topics that are most popular, so by definition tag clouds under represent those topics that are not popular. However, a list of 20-40 categories in the side navigation of a blog is unmanageable because you will probably have to scroll up and down to see all of the categories. Unless you know what you are looking for, in that case to me it is easier to find a category from a list of categories if ordered alphabetically, no matter how long the list. Having said all this my preference is for a tag cloud, but there are limitations, I think however the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The only way to determine if you should use a tag cloud for a particular audience is to test it, and see what the audience thinks.

]]> By: GregPC http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-9713 GregPC Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:03:05 +0000 http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-9713 It also depends on the nature of the information the tag cloud represents and how it is presented. For example, the <a href="http://chir.ag/phernalia/preztags/" rel="nofollow">US Presidential Speeches Tag Cloud</a> provides an excellent way to see the major themes from a number of speeches over time. It also provides a handy key for the novice to understand the conventions being used. It also depends on the nature of the information the tag cloud represents and how it is presented. For example, the US Presidential Speeches Tag Cloud provides an excellent way to see the major themes from a number of speeches over time. It also provides a handy key for the novice to understand the conventions being used.

]]> By: john cass http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-10559 john cass Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:45:37 +0000 http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-10559 that's a good example greg that’s a good example greg

]]> By: John Johansen http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-13265 John Johansen Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:13:42 +0000 http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-13265 I like John's point about popularity. And Greg's example seems to back that up. The most popular themes will be the most visible. One downside to tag clouds coalescing around popularity is the question tagging scheme. I'm not sure if you are asking broadly about user-generated tag clouds or more controlled tagging. But, in a user-generate cloud, the same piece of content may get a different tag by each user, limiting the usefulness of the cloud as an index. Alternatively, if people discover certain tags are popular they may be used for only marginally related content. Overall, I think the idea of tagging is useful but still has some work ahead of it in becoming a tool that is always easier to use than a traditional index. I like John’s point about popularity. And Greg’s example seems to back that up. The most popular themes will be the most visible.

One downside to tag clouds coalescing around popularity is the question tagging scheme. I’m not sure if you are asking broadly about user-generated tag clouds or more controlled tagging. But, in a user-generate cloud, the same piece of content may get a different tag by each user, limiting the usefulness of the cloud as an index. Alternatively, if people discover certain tags are popular they may be used for only marginally related content.

Overall, I think the idea of tagging is useful but still has some work ahead of it in becoming a tool that is always easier to use than a traditional index.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-25465 Aaron Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:51:23 +0000 http://www.ucredible.com/OTR/2007/07/26/tag-clouds-gadget-gizmo-gew-gaw-or-generation-gap/#comment-25465 Greg's example really did help a lot.. and now I am all into finding the most popular theme. Greg’s example really did help a lot.. and now I am all into finding the most popular theme.

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