Thanks to Tim Lauer for his post describing Scuttle and social bookmarking. Scuttle is similar to del.icio.us, but can be run on your own server. Not everyone will appreciate the opportunity to host your own apps (and not everybody should), but I enjoy the challenge of getting and keeping such applications running and the open source scripts allow me to tinker and attempt to customize and maybe come up with improvements.
I have been developing an online database of useful web sites for several years. While I have shared this site, the limitation in my approach is me. The site provides my collection of sites. I have a unique orientation, personal motives, and limited experience – I share these limitations with everyone else. Social software is intended to integrate the experiences of several individuals and greater a more useful resource as a consequence.
So, I am converting my existing database into a Scuttle database in the hopes that others will use the site and contribute. If no one adds anything, I still have the resource that I started with converted into the Scuttle format. If others add personal favorites, there is the potential to create a more useful resource.
I must admit I am concerned with the downside of social sites – i.e., individuals using such resources to spam or offer other forms of inappropriate content. This is the reality that educators must contend with if they are willing to take the risk of using online social tools. I am guessing the danger is less with the large hosted applications because of the focus such sites can bring to preventative measures. Popular personally hosted software (e.g., the software running this blog) has also developed a network of supporters who have been willing to create measures to limit problems. Scuttle is new and this network has yet to emerge.
Anyway, my new Scuttle site can be found at http://ndwild.psych.und.nodak.edu/book/scuttle/. You are welcome to take a look.
[Tech stuff – why Scuttle is cool]
