The tag cloud is dead. Long live the tag cloud.

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The tag cloud is dead. Long live the tag cloud.

The tag cloud is dead. Long live the tag cloud.

Anonymous says

September 11, 2008 - 2:36pm

I think the visual gag of a tag cloud on a tombstone is inspired, but is that idea really out there? That TagClouds are dead, 'so yesterday' whatever? Does it reflect with reality or opinion to make a editorial point, or is it just an idea for a gag?

Rob Cottingham says

September 12, 2008 - 4:50pm

Hi, I was indeed trying to make an editorial point (especially in conjunction with the title): that the tag cloud's first incarnation (the too-cool-for-school stage of a technology) is dead, as is its second (the oh-but-you-have-to-have-one stage).

Fingers crossed, I'm hoping we've reached its third incarnation - as a useful interface element that's appropriate in some circumstances but not others.

(Hmm... I can't tell if that reincarnation metaphor is influenced more by Eastern spirituality or a childhood spent watching Doctor Who.)

Anonymous says

January 18, 2010 - 9:04pm

Saw a site in the IP Capital business using a fake tag cloud... just a jpeg - really bush league.

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