Week8: Online Credibility

When you have a question, you may access to “Yahoo Answer” to find the answer. In Taiwan, it is very common and popular that online users seek answer via “Yahoo Answer” including me. No matter a pasta recipe or a computer problem, you mostly can find the answer you want, and you even can get further medical information. Why these online users believe the information is because of their common sense and providers personal experiences. Providers have to be members of Yahoo and their ID name and evaluations would be shown below their posted articles, so answer finders can rely on these answers based on providers’ evaluation, which is evaluated by answer seekers.

In Taiwan, there is a very famous and popular Bulletin Board System used by college students, called “PTT”, also having the largest membership base in Taiwan. One of the most popular extracurricular activities among college students is go accessing PTT to post something or find some solutions to problems. There are hundreds discussion boards categorized by functions, so I added some functional boards to “My Favorite” and assorted them according to various functions. Most users heavily rely on the information of PTT because of its complete management and abundant resources. Also, the information flows quickly among users so they can easily get information without obstacle.

Three years ago, I was seeking about medical information due to surgery need, so I started to search information from PTT. Finally I got desirous information and then made decision to do the surgery. I trusted the information is because information providers’ previous experiences, as well as clear and complete information.  Furthermore, it is easier and more convenient to get information online especially when you want to know about medical information. If you want to get professional information from an expert, you have to make appointment and then allowing you to consult the expert. However, you may waste time and money. If you also refer to others opinions and previous experiences, you could acquire more knowledge about your condition and I think it is helpful.

On PTT, every master of each board has the authority to forbid geeks to post articles and delete untrue information; besides, board master would collect valuable information to specific area allowing every user to view. Moreover, only original author is able to edit his/her own article in order to avoid mixers to mess up.

More and more people rely on online information instead of TV, radio or newspaper. In my opinion, I think a self-controlled community to manage a web site is one of elements to create credible and valuable information. Once users find the source of information is unclear or information is stolen from other web site, they can report to webmaster and then web manager would correct it, so more and more believable information could be accessed.

~ by taphy on May 14, 2007.