Tools for Sourcing

Since paths, interaction and transfer over the internet work rhizomically, attempting to source a bulk of content on a specific topic becomes increasingly difficult and myriad. The more content is searched and stored, the narrower the field becomes in which to discover useful information. Converse to this logic, the more data that is amassed, the more routes and opportunities for fresh information open up. To ensure website hits are documented, logged and not revisited by other team members, a number of plug-in tools have been implemented to systematize the content sourcing stage of the project.

StumbleUpon

creates a record of the path taken through an internet search, enabling logging and categorisation of websites. Websites are listed on a home page and accessible for all users to see and add to. Furthermore, a plug-in tool enables new websites to be ‘stumbled upon.’ These are recommended by other users, cross referenced with appropriate tags and sourced from the existing bank of websites so are different and relevant. This not only enables a documentation of the content sourcing procedure but is also a way to hit upon fresh content that may be of use.

GoogleDocs

is a shared spreadsheet document system that can be accessed by all users and updated live. Sources of content are split into two categories here; those that have been searched through and those that are yet to be looked at. Users can see who else is online and can communicate through a chat facility. Documents can therefore be sourced more efficiently as it is obvious which avenues have already been explored and which need immediate attention.