Digg.com

The coining of the term Web 2.0 by O’Reilly Media in 2004 to describe the “second generation of web-based services” brought about more emphasis on developing websites to become more user-interactive. More interaction online means increased participation from all types of people on the web to develop more two way communication, making the internet a very powerful tool. These interactive websites include such features as RSS feeds, social bookmarking, wikis, and podcasts.
One example of an interactive online application is www.digg.com. Digg.com is a “user driven social content website,” according to the websites “about us” link. The website describes a digg as a “digital media democracy.” The website allows free access to all people, who can contribute articles, videos podcasts, etc. that can be found online that are interesting. The incentive for posting articles on digg.com is that members feel that these articles are interesting enough to be brought to the attention of many others, which otherwise would not have had many hits on its original website. Becoming a member only requires an e-mail address and a birth date. As a member, you can either digg an article or bury it. In other words, you can approve it for further viewing from other members or decline it. Burying an article helps eliminate spam from the website. The articles popularity depends on how many diggs it gets. The articles with the most diggs, gets a spot on the front page.
Digg.com is very easy to navigate through. On the websites home page, you can choose to search for news or topics in text, podcasts, or videos. To the right is a search bar that allows you to search via keywords for posts on any subject. You can view the most popular diggs that have been posted within the last 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or year by clicking the link. What makes this website even more user oriented is that you can create and post your own article instead of posting someone else’s. The amount of diggs you receive is a sign of social status on the website and could land you a spot on youtube or popular blogs.
Also at the top of the home page of digg.com are six main subjects that you can narrow your search interests to. These subjects are linked as follows: technology, science, world and business, sports, entertainment, and gaming.
If you are interested in articles or videos for example that a certain person contributes to digg.com, you can subscribe to an RSS feed that sends you all submissions by that one person. Many members subscribe to their friends and discuss each others submissions to create a common interest and unity in the virtual world. Members can also subscribe to RSS feeds based on their interest in certain subjects like music, technology, gaming, etc.
Digg.com is an excellent example of an interactive online application, which gives the users power to share and create. You’re your own boss because you can digg or bury any article you want based on your preferences and interests. Digg.com allows you to use one news archive for finding stories, news, and video in one stop, eliminating the hassle of using search engines that continuously bring up irrelevant hits. Digg.com’s professional look and ease of use can attract people of all ages and computer knowledge backgrounds.