Personalization of Web Services: Opportunities and Challenges

Monica Bonett, Software Developer     M.Bonett@ukoln.ac.uk     (Research and Development UKOLN (UK Office for Library and Information Networking) University of Bath)

Ariadne 2001
(ReLIS:doi:doiari:y:2001:i:28:p:2)

Abstract:

World Wide Web services operate in a cut-throat environment where even satisfied customers and growth do not guarantee continued existence. As users become ever more proficient in their use of the web and are exposed to a wider range of experiences, they may well become more demanding, and their definition of what constitutes good service may be refined. Personalization is an ever-growing feature of on-line services that is manifested in different ways and contexts, harnessing a series of developing technologies. It is the latest carrot being offered to woo the (so-perceived) fickle Web User and win over their loyalty of custom. Will personalised service become part of users’ standard definition of good service? If this is what users are expecting, how can resource discovery and learning services evolve in this direction so that they meet the challenge? This article looks at some examples and products providing personalization, explains the terminology and the technology, and asks whether on-line services that support resource discovery and learning should be embracing this new concept, and how.

Note: Monica Bonett provides an overview of personalization on the World Wide Web and discusses ideas for development within resource discovery systems.
Month: 22-June-2001
Year: 2001

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