Friday, March 24, 2006
Second Generation Tag Clouds
Second Generation Tag Clouds
February 23, 2006 05:34 PM | Posted in:
Lets build on the analysis of tag clouds from , and look ahead at
what the near future may hold for second generation tag clouds
(perhaps over the next 12 to 18 months). As you read these
predictions for structural and usage changes, keep two conclusions
from the previous post in mind: first, adequate context is critical
to sustaining the chain of understanding necessary for successful tag
clouds; second, one of the most valuable aspects of tag clouds is as
visualizations of semantic fields.
Based on this understanding, expect to see two broad trends second
in generation tag clouds.
In the first instance, tag clouds will continue to become
recognizable and comprehensible to a greater share of users as they
move down the novelty curve from nouveau to known. In step with
this growing awareness and familiarity, tag cloud usage will become:
1. More frequent
2. More common
3. More specialized
4. More sophisticated
In the second instance, tag cloud structures and interactions will
become more complex. Expect to see:
1. More support for cloud consumers to meet their needs for context
2. Refined presentation of the semantic fields underlying clouds
3. Attached controls or features and functionality that allow cloud
consumers to directly change the context, content, and presentation
of clouds
Together, these broad trends mean we can expect to see a second
generation of numerous and diverse tag clouds valued for content and
capability over form. Second generation clouds will be easier to
understand (when designed correctly...) and open to manipulation by
users via increased functionality. In this way, clouds will
visualize semantic fields for a greater range of situations and
needs, across a greater range of specificity, in a greater diversity
of information environments, for a greater number of more varied
cloud consumers.
Usage Trends
To date, tag clouds have been applied to just a few kinds of focuses
(links, photos, albums, blog posts are the more recognizable). In the
future, expect to see specialized tag cloud implementations emerge for
a tremendous variety of semantic fields and focuses: celebrities,
cars, properties or homes for sale, hotels and travel destinations,
products, sports teams, media of all types, political campaigns,
financial markets, brands, etc.
From a business viewpoint, these tag cloud implementations will aim
to advance business ventures exploring the potential value of
aggregating and exposing semantic fields for a variety of strategic
purposes:
1. Creating new markets
2. Understanding or changing existing markets
3. Providing value-added services
4. Establishing communities of interest / need / activity
5. Aiding oversight and regulatory imperatives for transparency and
accountability.
February 23, 2006 05:34 PM | Posted in:
Lets build on the analysis of tag clouds from , and look ahead at
what the near future may hold for second generation tag clouds
(perhaps over the next 12 to 18 months). As you read these
predictions for structural and usage changes, keep two conclusions
from the previous post in mind: first, adequate context is critical
to sustaining the chain of understanding necessary for successful tag
clouds; second, one of the most valuable aspects of tag clouds is as
visualizations of semantic fields.
Based on this understanding, expect to see two broad trends second
in generation tag clouds.
In the first instance, tag clouds will continue to become
recognizable and comprehensible to a greater share of users as they
move down the novelty curve from nouveau to known. In step with
this growing awareness and familiarity, tag cloud usage will become:
1. More frequent
2. More common
3. More specialized
4. More sophisticated
In the second instance, tag cloud structures and interactions will
become more complex. Expect to see:
1. More support for cloud consumers to meet their needs for context
2. Refined presentation of the semantic fields underlying clouds
3. Attached controls or features and functionality that allow cloud
consumers to directly change the context, content, and presentation
of clouds
Together, these broad trends mean we can expect to see a second
generation of numerous and diverse tag clouds valued for content and
capability over form. Second generation clouds will be easier to
understand (when designed correctly...) and open to manipulation by
users via increased functionality. In this way, clouds will
visualize semantic fields for a greater range of situations and
needs, across a greater range of specificity, in a greater diversity
of information environments, for a greater number of more varied
cloud consumers.
Usage Trends
To date, tag clouds have been applied to just a few kinds of focuses
(links, photos, albums, blog posts are the more recognizable). In the
future, expect to see specialized tag cloud implementations emerge for
a tremendous variety of semantic fields and focuses: celebrities,
cars, properties or homes for sale, hotels and travel destinations,
products, sports teams, media of all types, political campaigns,
financial markets, brands, etc.
From a business viewpoint, these tag cloud implementations will aim
to advance business ventures exploring the potential value of
aggregating and exposing semantic fields for a variety of strategic
purposes:
1. Creating new markets
2. Understanding or changing existing markets
3. Providing value-added services
4. Establishing communities of interest / need / activity
5. Aiding oversight and regulatory imperatives for transparency and
accountability.
