CPL 2.0: Social bookmarking with Delicious

Q: What are the advantages of storing, sharing, and tagging web content this way? What are the disadvantages?

A: As Delicious is the only social bookmarking site I have used, I'll look at the advantages and disadvantages of it:

Advantages of Delicious:

• Delicious is a relatively easy platform for listing, managing and sharing URLs.
• Creating and updating bookmarks is fast and simple, and Delicious allows users to make up their own, individualized tags and descriptions.
• Sharing a set of Delicious bookmarks is as simple as sending a direct link.

Staff at Third Floor, Central regularly refer customers to the Best Websites link on the E-Library page to look at the sites we most commonly use and recommend.

Disadvantages of Delicious:

• Reference staff often find the Delicious site to be quite slow. In programs and tours or when showing the Best Websites to customers on the desk, I generally open the various bundles in different tabs rather than clicking in and out of the site.
• If a Delicious site can be accessed by numerous people (i.e., CPL staff), there is a possibility that new additions or changes to the bookmarks may not be consistent with the information already created.
• The tags and bundles are created by knowledgable staff but may not always be useful or easy to use for every customer.
• People unfamiliar with the site may find it difficult to navigate.

I don't find the Delicious site to be remotely attractive or terribly user-friendly. As far as I'm concerned, the CPL staff have done a wonderful job of making the best of an imperfect (but necessary) resource.