Post date: Aug 25, 2016 2:57:04 AM
I have selected two social bookmarking tools to investigate.
I have signed up to Diigo and Mendeley
Also, I have added the Mendeley Web Importer Bookmarklet and the Diigolet to my favourites bar (on Safari), (also the Google applet). Plus the Mendeley Web Importer browser extension to Chrome. I also now have the Mendeley Desktop app installed.
I found this useful also. Mendeley comparison page https://www.mendeley.com/compare-mendeley/ *on the Mendeley site btw! Do I need to fact check? After looking at this I’ve decided the following: Mendeley does seem rather cool. The almost "100 million documents" database 'could' be an incredible resource - I'm not sure yet. Quality? Does that matter? The site is still to be developed to include (completed) library systems integration and the ability to search across external databases. This would really make Mendeley a great research tool, or, even better. I'd have to spend some time using it to give a more valid opinion.
“Your published research data will include a Force11 compliant citation so that other researchers can effortlessly cite your research. We will also provide a unique DOI for each version of your dataset, so that your dataset's citation will always be valid” page accessed 18-08-2016 https://data.mendeley.com
Share the data with control as to who can access the information.
Works on multiple devices and can be added to ‘on the go’ (eg: from mobile). Safely archived (DARK archive)
https://www.mendeley.com/features/ page accessed 18-08-2016.
“The Best free way to manage your research. Organise, share, discover” Organise, cite, and collaborate.
"Reference manager, read and annotate, add and organise, collaborate, backup sync and mobile, network and discover"
community managed database https://www.mendeley.com/features/reference-manager/ page accessed 18-08-2016.
(compatable with many online catalogues. EG: Science Direct)
Does it require a particular browser or other software? Mendeley works on Mac, Windows, Linux, or any operating system. Browsers: Chrome and Firefox just need an install and a download of a Web Importer browser extension. Safari and IE need to add the bookmarklet to the favourites or bookmarks bar. You do need to install the citation plugin, which, when installing, detects which word processing application you are using. There is also an institutional edition but I have not looked into this as yet.
If you have used personal bibliographic software such as EndNote, what similarities / differences can you see? I haven't used EndNote since 2004 and didn't get a chance to do the extra week 3 exercise. If I can I will update this question after an investigation.
I have gathered information on the similarities and differences from the Mendeley comparisons page. Accessed 21-08-2016 Both offer the ability for citations, annotations, and organising using pdfs. EndNoteWeb may compare when it comes to cross-platform needs, although it is not compatible with all web browsers. Mendeley has access to open data and a social network, EndNote does not.
What similarities / differences can you see with bookmarking/ favorites? My bookmarking and favourites lists are out of control and make me feel overwhelmed, they need to be managed. More effort is needed. If I need to create a bibliography ...it would be difficult. Mendeley is a tool that, at the same time as organising and collecting data, for example, things I'd like to come back to, and things I'd like a quick and easy way to manage the organisation of easily, it allows for an easy and quick way to manage on the go or at a later stage, including citations and annotation. Mendeley's ability to cite, organise and allow for the bibliography part (if needed) to be organised and accessible as you go - as you bookmark. The tool manages the information more efficiently and opens up different options for how the data or information can be utilised. For example; personal, social or open.
What social features does the tool include? You can create a profile ( a research or academic profile). The social aspect is interesting. Like FaceBook you can follow authors, see who is following them and whom they are following and also explore their network. The user interface is simple clean and uncluttered, very appealing and easy to navigate. You can follow people or groups and ask to join groups. There are also aspects like "Team Plans" up to 50 people can collaborate (at a cost per month).
How do you get started using it e.g. do you need to pay money, register, install software, or a toolbar etc. It is free and you need to register to join with an email and password (verification). You can install the desktop app (download and install to applications(mac)), plus bookmarklet into browser favourites bar (Safari), and as stated above for other browsers a Web Importer browser extension. Also the free Mendeley (pdf reader) app for iphone and iPad. Also available for android devices. You can also access Mendeley by logging in to the webpage if you are not on your own computer. There are plugins, including Mendeley Importer (Unofficial).
Can you move the data from one system to another e.g. import your Delicious bookmarks, your browser bookmarks or favorites? Can you export to bibliographic software like EndNote?
Mendeley allows for you to import or transfer your data from EndNote, Papers, Zotero, Refworks, Jabref and more. For example, you can export an xml from Endnote and then add the file into Mendeley."Mendeley can import BibTeX, RIS and EndNote XML files so you can transfer from Papers, Zotero and EndNote" https://www.mendeley.com/features/add-and-organize/ page accessed 20-08-2016
I don't believe you can import your browser bookmarks into Mendeley. I am still looking to see if I can import some Chrome bookmarks that I've imported to Diigo as an html file. Perhaps a work-around? There is an export option in the Mendeley app but I am yet to do more work on a test document I've imported. (I did find a Mendeley tutorial to install the bookmarklet to your devices.)
How successful are these processes? This is something I need to test.
How useful do you think the social aspects of the tool would be?
I had a look through some of the social networking pages. It really seems to function well in that you can see the researcher's profile information, specialty etc, subject interest, papers available, their network. It depends on how much information each user reveals, much like FaceBook I presume, however the networking within specialties seems like an ideal setup for knowledge sharing. I've seen a site called ORCID and wonder if there are problems with Mendeley social network or vice versa. I can see it as an amazing tool for open or closed networking, open sourcing research, controlling and managing the research data and communications. The site states that the research is not accessible and is backed up using the DARK place... the DARKarchive (is Voldemort there too?). Are there privacy issues?
How easy is it to use? What problems did you encounter?
My first try was easy. The interface is easy to navigate visually and usability was smooth. Need to look further into it. Not really looking for research papers, however was blown away so to speak by the exciting looking bunch of research papers that I can access and read - again need to look further into it. There are some negative reviews on iTunes regarding the Mendeley apps for iPhone and iPad, I reviewed several from 2011 - 2016. Generally it seems that Mendeley as a service, a tool and the content gains positive reviews. It is more the functionality of the actual mobile apps that are the problem, plus the need for more features for mobile use.
Using the site to explore data: I couldn't open any links from the right column "Browse Disciplines" menu on the Groups page. Also these options do not work when they are seen as a dropdown menu from a user page. This is quite bad, as searching by Disciplines is quite a significant 'need' for the premise and promise of the Mendeley tool and service/function. Perhaps a website management maintenance issue, I would need to check to see if it is fixed asap (and if there are more of these kinds of website issues)
I am researching online regarding the information and not actually thoroughly testing the application myself as yet.
Regarding problems with Mendeley however, is this article from August 25, 2015 on the topic of Mendeley stating limitations, in particular, regarding Citation Style Language, CSL. The Limitations of Mendeley for Academic Writing
Noteworthy is that the author, Dr Linda Glassop is the founder of "ComWriter". "ComWriter is the product being pitched in the article as an alternative and superior reference manager. The response comment is particularly pertinent as it suggests the issue is actually to do with open standards. (These are all things I am new to and learning about, included as they are of interest.)
Would you consider investigating this tool further? Why? Absolutely. It contains a seemingly lively social aspect with many contributors/members, not that i'm a researcher. On the website it appears easy to find support (F.A.Q.s, about and 'how to' information available). A sophisticated visual design aesthetic and generally I like the usability and navigation of the site. However, I would like the option to navigate back with a consistent home or back button on the page. Actually there are some navigation issues. Certain parts can be a little confusing to get around within the site. The desktop app is simple and easy to use, as is the boorkmarklet and web importer browser. I find the social aspect interesting. The collaboration aspects and the ability for collaboration on data management, like bibliographies, I expected, but didn't expect an actual user interface similar in structure and function to FaceBook. I've not used, explored and utilised Mendeley enough, but I am interested to participate and 'have a go' so to speak. Perhaps just read some research papers and try test citation and annotation and take a file or two through a test pipeline. I have installed the University of South Australia 2011 (Harvard) citation style on my desktop app. I also saved a suggested article based on what I'd recently added - happy with that. Plus I have discovered many papers and groups from the subject search for "animation". I'm also happy with that.
The best thing to come from all of my online research is this magnificent selection of comparison charts. Which one is the best reference management software?
page viewed 21-08-2016
Lesson learned: I need to work through the application and test things for myself. Also to keep in mind dates written/created of online resources.
What does the tool claim to do? How do its creators describe it?
It is a research tool and knowledge sharing community. A social bookmarking application. It is an abbreviation for "Digest of Internet Information, Groups and Other stuff" Annotation tools allow for effective reading (highlights and notes). Build a personal library in the cloud. Archives webpages from your saved links. Options for variation in the level of detail in organising the information you are saving or have saved. You have control over information sharing using privacy settings. Collaboration aspects such as groups that utilise the sharing of bookmarks, sticky notes, highlights and forums.
In 2010 creators describe Diigo as " [moving one step further] to providing the best cloud-based personal information management (PIM) service that allows people to collect, highlight, access and share a variety of information, on a variety of devices." http://help.diigo.com/ page accessed 21-08-2016
Is it designed for particular types of documents or websites? Give examples
The bookmarklet, Diigolet, allows for these options: 'annotate', 'save', 'read later', 'screenshot', 'share this page', 'search Diigo', (plus 'focused research' in premium plan/paid user option). PDF annotation can be done by first uploading the PDF file and then opening it within your Diigo library, or alternatively and often more conveniently, by opening it directly in the browser and using the Diigo browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. (extensions for IE, Safari, and Opera currently do not support this capability)
Diigo's web services: Social Media Bookmarking, Save by email, Import bookmarks, Export your library, Export annotated PDF files, Diigo API, Publish to Blog, Tagrolls, Enhanced Linkrolls, "Add to Diigo" Widget, Save to delicious(which doesn't exist anymore), Auto blog post, Save favourite tweets.
Does it require a particular browser or other software? Mac and PC, any browsers, ios and android.
Options for browser add-ons include:
Bookmarklets: Diigolet, Diigo toolbar, Web Highlighter for IPad Safari, and Simple Bookmarklet.
Extensions/Web apps: Diigo Extension (Chrome,IE, Firefox), Awesome Screenshot (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), Quicknote (Chrome)
Mobile and Desktop apps: Diigo Browser for ios, Diigo for Android, Quicknote on Mac.
The PDF annotation tool (upload pdf or open in browser) only works in the Diigo browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, not Safari, IE, or Opera. Also it is only available for the "standard plan" @ $4 a month. Not available at all for free.
If you have used personal bibliographic software such as EndNote, what similarities / differences can you see?
What similarities / differences can you see with bookmarking/ favourites?
What social features does the tool include? Bookmarks are available to a social network. As a user you can view other user's 'libraries' and groups. Users have a profile, people can follow users, see followers, and 'followings'. Notes can be added simultaneously by more than one person. Networks, communities and 'Discover' is being phased out. A Diigo blog post from April 5 2016 states "A major change will be our movement away from the social aspects in Diigo." viewed 21st August 2016. 'Diigo Teams' and private content sharing will be developed to work for groups such as education and corporation users. An example of groups in Diigo: "Classroom 2.0" and "Diigo in Education"
Create a group, interact with your group on Diigo or on on webpages in-situ, create a group or knowledge repository. You can only create a private group with 3 members in the free plan. You cannot create a public group. Many social features, such as social media bookmarking are limited or not available for free plan users. (Spammers being one of the main reasons).
How do you get started using it e.g. do you need to pay money, register, install software, or a toolbar etc. Free (uses freemium business model), however there is an option for 3 premium plans where you pay a subscription. Free for teachers. The basic being $7 a year to omit advertising and include 2000 highlights. Login using the website.
Can you move the data from one system to another e.g. import your Delicious bookmarks, your browser bookmarks or favorites? Can you export to bibliographic software like EndNote? How successful are these processes? I need to test exporting options from Diigo. You can export Chrome bookmarks as an html file and import them to Diigo (I did actually do this. Successfully). Weirdly Diigo still has "export to Del.icio.us" information all over it's site.
How useful do you think the social aspects of the tool would be? Diigo states it is phasing out its social aspects that have been utilised over its near 10 year operation, in favour of putting their energy more into it being a personal platform, that does include knowledge sharing aspects, in particular regarding education groups and corporations.
How easy is it to use? What problems did you encounter? Limits would be frustrating, for example: free users can only utilise 500 highlights. However if I were writing research papers, even just one, it would make sense to pay a small monthly fee to gain access to the extended features I'd need. (I did a test tweet from a Diigo highlight. It worked though it looked like I had my huge messy incoherent draft open on display for everyone. I'll test again from a different page.)
Would you consider investigating this tool further? Why? I would explore it as a free user to get a feel for if it is useful to me. I expect it will be and I would likely become a paying user, the developers are always improving and evolving the application. It would be frustrating if it 'dissolved' like Del.icio.us It appears that Diigo are active in their management, communication and development of the application in the ever changing digital environment. I would like to use both Mendeley and Diigo.
I tried del.icio.us for several days: I get an error message when trying to sign up. It 'shut down' in 2010! Information here
Faviki site is down - I have tried for a week
I had a brief look at Zotero