The informative benefits of individual-level classified data have generally gone to corporations and governments (McChesney, 1999; Fortier, 2001; Rule, 2002). It would be naive to dismiss the trends toward corporate control on the internet, but there is also great potential for individuals and less powerful groups to benefit from SBS. It is the content provided by the many that makeup a SBS, and open architecture software has the potential to subvert abuses such as spam.

I look forward to continuing my exploration of the subject and issues raised in this preliminary report. Questions I intend to further investigate include what is different about tagging verses other types of classification? How social is social bookmarking? I look forward to your feedback.