Just How Useful is CiteULike?

Social bookmarking forms the basis of this website called CiteULike. So what’s new in that? There are many more websites which help us organize, store, manage and search bookmarks on the Internet just like this one. Then what is so different about CiteULike? The answer lies in its specialization.

CiteULike, unlike any of its cotemporaries, focuses on the sharing of basically scholarly papers, research papers or scientific references amongst people. These people can make use of the specific tools which CiteULike has designed for these very purposes.

The Functioning

CiteULike allows you to select any paper on the web browser and then add that to your personal library. The best part about this website is that you don’t have to type in the citation details yourself. This website does this work automatically. Since your personal library is saved on the web browser itself, you can access it from any computer in the world that has an Internet connection. The question whether your library is safe on the Internet or not, holds no value. This website is managed by a professional datacentre that backs up the database every night. So your library remains absolutely safe. Moreover, CiteULike deletes ‘Spam’ automatically the moment it is detected.

You can group all the related papers in your library using tags. CiteULike allows you to apply the same tag to as many papers you want. This makes the cataloguing of the papers a cakewalk.

Making the ‘Homepage’ Appearance

Not every other paper makes it to this website’s homepage. Only the ones that are peer-reviewed and from a recognized journal or from any of the links, that are supported by this website, makes it to the homepage.

This helps the website to filter any unwanted or untrue piece of information as well as in the detection of any kind of Spam. People who think that this is the place to advertise because of the sake of the convenience of its users, it allows the entry to various search engines…then they are wrong. Any such material is eradicated from the website as soon as it is found and thus, this keeps the website clutter free.

Moreover, this site does not help people to promote any of their smart works. They are obviously allowed to get them posted and if anyone would find them interesting enough, then it shall be bookmarked. Thus, this site indirectly guarantees to be fair.

The Extra Edge

The biggest advantage that this has is that it is ‘social’. You have features that make you share your library or bibliographies with others, or to find out who all are reading the same papers as you, or to simply send invitations to your friends to make them read what you think would be beneficial to them. It allows you to see what others have publicly posted (since you have the option to privately post them as well), what comments they have given, add bookmarklets to directly refer or link to other common website etc.

More than anything else…this site is a wonderful resource for all especially the science lovers. The more one uses it, works on it, the more he/she benefits from it. Let’s all get started!

Twitter: More Than a Social Networking Site

On World Wide Web there are numerous social networking websites competing with each other. These websites offers a platform for individuals to interact socially and to provide more detailed status updates to their friends, family and contacts. Twitter’s description is as follows:-

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking and a micro blogging platform on which you can build up links. Twitter was officially launched in October 2006 by Obvious and LLC. A user can send updates to twitter websites through SMS, instant messaging or by other social networking sites such as Face book, Orkut, etc. Updates will further be displayed on the users profile page within seconds. Once you are registered “you will follow others and others will follow you”. It’s a good way to stay in touch with your near and dear ones.

How to update a message?

When you log in to Twitter you will find a window on the home page where you can type the messages (up to 140 characters). After that click on the update button and your message will be received instantly by those who are logged in and have subscribed your updates (Vice-Versa).

What is the concept?

In Twitter you need someone whom you will follow. You can take on following process just by receiving their Twitter updates. For that you have to stay updated regarding your following status by just checking up the profile page of that person or click on the following link from your logged in home page. There can be distinct sources of following the updates such as via mobile phone, IM or on the web. In the same manner you can also possess followers. If you want to know about your followers then just set up your email preferences and notify the latest addition to your followers list. If you don’t want strangers to go through your updates then go to the settings and lock the same. Mobile phone updates are automatically protected until and unless you choose.

Specific terminologies used in Twitter

Short Code- These are specific numbers made for SMS and MMS messages. Short codes are mainly meant for text messages as Twitter utilize various short codes while sending or receiving the updates. User has to pay nominal charges for using the short codes.

Tracking- It is all about following a particular word as a result you will receive all the Twitters related to that. To get rid of the same you simply type untracked with the word and send.

Nudge- This term is given to the friendly reminder regarding Twitter’s update. Your followers or friends can nudge you to Twitter (nudge + username).

Auto Nudge- It’s an automatic self reminding update feature.

Direct Messages- It’s an option available for the user with the help of which one can directly send a message to the followers. This feature is very beneficial when your post directly pertains to an individual.

How can one endorse his/her products and services?

Twitter is definitely a very useful method for endorsing a new product launched by a company. For instance: If Reebok has launched its latest collection of sports wear than Twitter can be used for promotion. Imagine Reebok group where you can send a message each time you purchase a new product and send a code to a friend who will utilize it and he/she will further transfer it to his/her followers and the chain goes on. This way it will lead to sales generation.

Observation

Twitter is surely a useful addition to the web. And it’s now being recognized as a valuable marketing tool as well. There are several Twitter users following each other every day and must be sharing something or the other valuable which can further assist them in endorsing their products and services. So overall Twitter not just promotes social interaction but it also turned out as a great source for corporate marketing.