Currently I am finalising an accepted research proposal paper about user generated content to be presented in the 6th International Technology Conference to be held in Berlin, Germany in January 2010. In this paper (co-authored with Associated Professor Tuncay Ercan from Yasar University in Turkey) we identified interesting issues and a number of emerged opportunities too.
In this post I’d like to highlight one key finding related to the user generated content. It is validation of user generated content by other users. Through our joint research initiative, we found that peer recognition is an important validation technique for user generate content. However, more important aspect is having an online tool to facilitate this process efficiently and timely manner with minimum effort by the user. We evaluated a number of tools and developed a model to be introduced to the body of knowledge in the scientific journal arm of the conference.
Why am I highlighting this point here?
It is because Yasni is one of the key tools which we found an efficient and effective way of centralised validation tool for user generated content in various networks and sites. I will provide more information on this once the paper is published publicly. This is only a heads up for this important finding. In this blog I will highlight one sample test.
One of the tests for this paper we conducted was asking search engines like google about my personally generated content captured by the search engines. Then I was able to link them to Yasni very easily. I usually have content in Ecademy, Linkedin, Naymz, Superfan, Twitter, and many other online sites. It has been very easy to link my published content to Yasni; just a simple search command and accepting found content objects. Then, the user accepted content become available and open to members of Yasni to validate the content as credible. Of course, there is subjectivity in this rating like anything else in cyberspace but it is still better than having unrated materials. It is indicative and produce a number of intangible benefits. For example, this rating system has some by products such as creating a spirit of networking amongst the members and awareness of user generated content by a larger group of people which also may lead to business contacts and global business opportunities.
I am wondering whether this blog will be captured by search engine will reach Yasni’s credibility rating systems. Yes, even though it is an automated system, as a user of Yasni, I have some responsibility to take care of my own content. Like any other content management system in the world, Yasni also does not do spoon feeding!
How do you find Yasni’s user content credibility feature?
Regards,
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz