How are we different?
Do you find it difficult to find the best websites for the purpose you have in mind? For example, when you need to find information or advice on a particular subject, or when you want to find the best service or products for your needs and then to get the best deal on it!
Websites are there to satisfy a need, those sites suggested from word searching are sometimes incredibly poor at meeting that need, because the words used in the word search do not necessarily describe the purpose intended. However there are some real gems out there which deserve your attention when you’re trying to do something in particular, but you don’t have the time or tools to find them!
The problem here is that search engines cannot convey the human experience of using a particular website in a particular situation, nor can they convey that experience in a way that is reliable and credible. Search engines are increasingly being manipulated by commercial interests, and some commentators are raising wider concerns about the collection and use of personal data on searching behaviour, for example.
Some social networking websites have developed a book marking capability to enable their users to share and tap into the collective wealth of experience of websites out there; the main strength of these sites is the community structure which allows knowledge to be shared effectively and allows everyone to see what others are tagging. However the actual experience of searching for useful websites very frustrating as it is organised around people and the subject areas are loosely tagged in ways that don’t mean much to the reader. It is also not clear what is good about the tagged site, and whether it will be what you are looking for.
If you are like us, most of the best sites that you have found are through following a tortuous trail of searches and links to sites that you have experienced for yourself, or through a chance conversation with a friend or colleague, or from reading an article which conveys the actual personal experience of using that site. This useful knowledge is then lost as quickly as it was found. Surely there must be a better way?
So we asked ourselves the question: could we find a way of combining the strengths of social networking / book marking sites with a searchable database of opinions and reviews which would help everyone to find the best sites in the areas that they are interested in?
This got us thinking about how we could create a space for focussed collaboration where people with shared interests could share their experiences of websites in a structured way in a particular subject area. This would enable visitors to quickly find what they are looking for by using the accumulation of knowledge i.e. The 'wisdom of crowds'.
Fingatips has been created to allow everyone who joins to directly benefit from the shared body of knowledge of websites. With your help we can develop this shared body of knowledge and establish active communities of interest, which will benefit all those who wish to visit or join those communities.
The website is free for as long as the service exists. We plan to not charge members at all, the funding of the website will be through advertising such as banner advertising. No individual information will be released or sold to third parties for commercial use, see privacy policy . There are no catches and if you are unhappy with the service there is no problem de-registering yourself.
Why use Fingatips?
The main benefits are:- Find the best websites most suited to your needs and interests
- Spend less time searching and more time doing
- Collect and organise links to your favourite websites, communities and contacts on your own homepage
- Add your opinions and reviews to help others find what they are looking for
- Find friends and communities to share and develop your knowledge
The privacy policy on Fingatips is more restricted than most social networking sites, in that minimal personal data is collected and so the risk of misuse of your data by others is reduced. See privacy policy.