Harnessing Collective Intelligence

The web 2.0 applications have eight core patterns, and the first pattern we discussed in the past few days is Harnessing Collective Intelligence. The phrase “Harnessing Collective Intelligence”, which was mentioned by Tim O’Reilly, is a highly effective method that users add valuable content to Internet applications. Harnessing Collective Intelligence forms architecture of participation to collect information both implicitly and explicitly.

In this post, the web 2.0 application of Simler will be discussed.

Simler is a social messaging service that connects you with other like-minded people. It was conceived and designed in Salt lake City, UT-then lovingly built in Portland. Somewhere, Simler sounds like making friends through the website. Actually, people use it to share information.

On one hand, Simler’s users explicitly make contribution by posting tags, adding comments and creating posts. In order to give users the most flexibility, Simler does not post any topics or tags by itself, tag creation is totally user-generated. It is all about users’ contribution and interaction. It is easy for users to create new tags and search old tags. For example, in the “Tags” section of the main menu, there is an option to “Create New Tags”. Type the new tag that you would like to create in the input field and press return.

On the other hand, Simler implicitly gathers information on how its users are using it site and relaying this back to them in a worthwhile way. The “Tag Directory” in the Simler site motivates participation effectively. And it categorises tags into different topics and also show the number of posts and comments.

In addition, Simler has a minimum age limit of 18 years old to protect younger users from more adult-oriented content. It is considerable to let younger users on the system when Simler has the appropriate tools for parents to protect their children.

In brief, Simler is an interactive web 2.0 application which represents the pattern of Harnessing Collective Intelligence. Simler provides platforms or communities for people who have common interest to interact with each other.It motivates participation of its users in order to make its site great.