Crap Detection 101, Susan Eder

Check UPDATE BELOW April 13/10

"Crap Detection 101" by Howard Rheinghold

Note: image from Chris John Beckett on flickr.

(C) The article written in 2009, still applies today.

(R) The author provides balanced content and provides references by linking.

(A) The author's credentials can be found online. He is an author and an editor. He also teaches as well as has his own web site.

(P) The material is presented as fact.

UPDATE: APRIL 13, 2010 : Crap Detection 101

Note: Image from NMC Campus Observer

CRAP TEST: On Howard Rheinghold's article about "Crap Detection"

C: Currency: The date the article was written is June 30 2009. This is almost a year ago. Usually this would make a difference in how relevant and true the information would still be today. However, in this case, since the information has not changed that much, it is still viewed as current. If it was written 10 years ago, then no the facts would have to be updated. The site that the article in, is a current website that is maintained.

R: Reliability: The kind of information included in the resource section includes both opinion and web sites offering information on how to avoid crap as well as other tips. This opinion is gathered from experience. The opinion becomes fact when teaching us what he has learned to avoid faulty information. Some of the sites offer help in checking for errors.

A: Authority: The creator of this text is Harold Rheinghold. He is author of Tools for Thought, The Virtual Community and Smart Mobs. He was the editor for Whole Earth Review and he was an executive editor for Hotwired. Rheinghold taught digital journalism and social media at Berkley, Standford and De Montfort University in the UK. He is the author of CRAP 101. It would seem then that Harold Rheinghold has all the credentials needed to make his comments reliable. The site is published by the San Francisco Chronicle. The publishers state that all blogs are the opinions of the authors and not that of the publication. The advertisements on the website are few.

P: Purpose/Point of View: This is an opinion piece based on the facts as Rheinghold himself sees them. It is biased because it only gives us his views on how to sift through all the crap online. The only thing he is trying to sell us is information based on his point of view.