Before information is used or cited, it is important to know who the publisher is--especially if an author cannot be found--and what makes them qualified to publish on the subject.
Since the nature of most Web 2.0 applications encourages open hosting, the publisher's role is passive--although a publisher may take action against a submission or submitter if there are complaints.
Knowing that the site is a Web 2.0 application (blogspot.com, wikispaces.com, etc.) indicates that the content has not been reviewed prior to publication. This makes it even more important to evaluate the author. Because of this, if information about an author cannot be determined or verified, there is good reason not to use the information.
Comments and the actions of other participants may be interpreted as a sign that information can be trusted or not.
Finding and Evaluating Publishers in a Web 1.0 World
(note, to return to the Web 2.0 workshop, close the window opened by this link)
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