\u00abSocial Thinking\u00bb is the name of a new function on www.hiig.de that allows people to comment on, criticize and share almost all the texts on the website in a somewhat unusual form. Keywords such as Social Reading and Open Science provided the inspiration for this extra little feature.<\/p>\n
A simple commenting function is fully adequate for many websites. In its capacity as a research institute, however, the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society also strives to publish texts that well exceed the standard length and complexity of web texts. Another motive is\u00a0to enable individuals visiting the website to exchange views and ideas with their authors, in keeping\u00a0with the objectives of the Open Science movement. Apart from collating remarks and opinions, the\u00a0declared aim of Social Thinking is accordingly to encourage transparent collaboration on texts\u00a0based\u00a0on precise feedback, for which conventional commenting tools might prove to be unsuitable. The\u00a0function should also be regarded as an experiment: how willing are interested parties to get involved\u00a0in the ideas presented here? How can\u00a0scientific or educational texts be incorporated purposefully in feedback loops? And can this kind of\u00a0function lead to interdisciplinary cooperation on all levels of the internal project structure, too?<\/p>\n
You can activate the function simply by clicking on the switch on the right-hand\u00a0side of the screen. Then select the chosen passage of text in the main body of the website you\u00a0wish to share or comment on. Comments inserted in this way are allotted a designated place in the\u00a0right-hand sidebar indicated by a blue marking, exactly opposite the line of text concerned.The more people click on them and the more feedback overlaps a certain passage, the darker the\u00a0shade of blue becomes. If you click on a comment in the sidebar, it pops up and allows more\u00a0feedback. It is possible to click on and flip through multiple comments of this kind like a card index\u00a0system, using the blue arrows or the pagination function below.<\/p>\n
The default setting for the Social Thinking tool is normally deactivated as a precaution against
\ncollecting data inadvertently. When Social Thinking is activated, the website creates a file (a so-called\u00a0“cookie”) on your computer or hand-held device, with the help of which you can record the basic\u00a0setting \u00abSocial Thinking on\/off\u00bb as well as the name by which you wish to enter your comments\u00a0(optional). This file is automatically deleted from your browser one month later.<\/p>\n
If you enter a comment, the HIIG server will also save the content of your feedback, the time\/date\u00a0and your IP address, if applicable. This record is permanent and can be viewed by the administrators\u00a0who manage the website. No other particulars are saved, and the data that is recorded can quickly\u00a0be deleted again on request.<\/p>\n
If you have any queries or require further details, please contact:<\/p>\n
Martin Pleiss \u2013 martin.pleiss@hiig.de<\/a><\/p>\n