As the internet continues to surge forward, expanding exponentially and adding hundreds of new websites each day, it is becoming tough to filter out unnecessary or unwanted websites and information. It is also becoming more and more difficult to discover new and interesting sites, as users are restricting themselves to a few select websites that they know and use often. Enter: StumbleUpon.
StumbleUpon: What is it?
StumbleUpon is a downloadable toolbar application for three major browsers including Firefox, Internet Explorer and Flock. However, SU wears many hats. It functions as a social networking site, random website surfer, social bookmarker and site reviewer; all rolled into one powerful, 170Kb application. All of this has culminated to make StumbleUpon truly one of the most fascinating Web 2.0 sites to date.
Founded in 2001, SU has come quite a long way. By 2006, it had over 1 million users, and now boasts over 8 million registered members and grows more each day.
How does it work?
The first step users take to start enjoying the benefits of StumbleUpon is to sign-up and register with the site. At this time, users also create a personal profile and select areas of interest such as writing, music, movies, animals, video games, art, etc. These categories help determine which sites StumbeUpon will bring you to. Once the profile is complete and the toolbar is installed, the user can then click the “Stumble!” button on the toolbar and be whisked off to a random site that relates to their chosen interests.
Collaborative filtering: What the heck is that?
You might hear the words “collaborative filtering” often used in association with StumbleUpon. This phrase describes the meat and potatoes of SU. It refers to an automated process that combines human opinions with machine learning of personal preference to create virtual communities of like-minded Web surfers. Learn more about collaborative filtering here.
With the StumbleUpon toolbar, users can rate websites by clicking the “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” buttons on the toolbar while the page is open. They also have the option to write a review of the website, which shows up on the user’s home blog.
SU’s collaborative filtering system can be compared to the Amazon.com item-based collaborative filter system. Whenever you purchase or rate something on Amazon.com, you usually end up getting an email or notification stating, “You liked x, we recommend y!” StumbleUpon takes this concept to the next level by “discovering” websites that fit your interests based on what the users themselves like and what other users with similar interests like.
Why is StumbleUpon better than Digg?
Digg.com is another similar site that also utilizes the concept of collaborative filtering. Unlike StumbleUpon, however, Digg operates primarily from the homepage of the site, where users can view a list of recently “dug” sites. They then have to physically click on a link that brings them to the selected site. With StumbleUpon, one simple click of the mouse on the Stumble button whenever you have a browser window open will take you directly to a random website catered to your perceived interests. I find that this is way more interesting and creative than sorting through links of popular websites. The Stumble button adds an addictive quality that s unmatched by Digg.
The Final Word:
StumbleUpon is not only an entertaining and fun application; it is also a useful tool. In fact, StumbleUpon just recently earned me 10 extra credit points in a class. We were given the opportunity to earn points by submitting a website, book, article, etc. that presented design principles in an interesting, compelling way. StumbleUpon brought me to this site, which I submitted to the professor and successfully earned 10 extra credit points. Wonderful!
StumbleUpon, without a doubt, effectively changed the way I use the internet. Before StumbleUpon came along, I used the internet for homework and Facebook, not much else. Nowadays, I can log onto the internet and be endlessly entertained by random website surfing. I honestly don’t know what I would do on the internet without StumbleUpon, it has brought me to discover new and exciting things day after day. The final word? StumbleUpon rocks, and if you haven’t already, you should download it as soon as possible.
Overall rating: 5/5
For more information, see also:
• “A Way to Find Your Corner of the Internet Sky” – New York Times article with interviews from the creators of StumbleUpon
• StumbleUpon vs. Digg – A review with stats and graphs from the point-of-view of a website owner
• StumbleUpon about page
MLA Source:
Helft, Miguel. “A Way to Find Your Corner of the Internet Sky.” The New York Times 7 Oct. 2007. 9 Oct. 2009
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