StumbleUpon, a free plug-in for the Mozilla Firefox browser, enables users to search the Web in a fresh way. This system filters resources on the Web to meet the personalized interests of particular users.
This tool is a recommender system that combines a self-defined user profile of preferences, the recommendations of friends in a user’s social network (as expressed through Facebook connections), and similar users’ preferences.
StumbleUpon then combines high-end search capabilities, social networking, swarm intelligence and crowd sourcing, and popularity ratings — to filter websites to enhance targeted discovery (vs. more serendipitous Web search engine approaches).
Installing the add-on
First, launch your Mozilla Firefox browser. To download the add-on, go to the StumbleUpon add-on webpage.
Once that has been installed, you will find the add-on in your Mozilla Firefox toolbar.
Once you have started the Toolbar, click “Start Stumbling” in order to set up your account. You will be sent to the main site at www.stumbleupon.com.
Fill in the proper information to get started.
Functions
Once you become a StumbleUpon member, you will be able to tailor particular searches to your interests. You will have the ability to rate websites. This system memorizes the responses of the user and will use that information to further hone future searches.
Favorite sites are stored in the user’s profile page for easier future reference. Those who are generally curious may see which sites are currently rated the most popular by the “stumblers” in the system. This is available through StumbleUpon’s Discover link.
The “stumblers” are members of this recommender community. The general members contribute insights for the swarm intelligence / collective intelligence findings. Closer members in a user’s network have effects on each individual’s search results as well.
The recent stumblers are those who’ve most recently posted information or been active online.
Sharing web finds
Members may share their finds with other members via their member accounts or via e-mail addresses. This tool has the power to magnify social ties and clusters — particularly those with shared interests.
StumbleUpon enables users to socialize via mediated means by sharing contents but also learning more about others in their near and far networks. One of the pages highlights “Recent Stumblers” who’ve joined the network.
This tool will likely magnify the so-called “power law.” Those sites that are popular are becoming even more so because of recommendations by users, and those sites that are lesser known potentially may find it harder to gain a foothold.
Additional resources
The “See it in action” link on the main page leads to a short narrated video that introduces the StumbleUpon tool.
