What is OpenTaste?
OpenTaste is an open, non-proprietary technology for independent developers and website operators to develop web-scale tools and APIs for storing and sharing taste information between OpenTaste-enabled web applications. Taste information can be used to create personalized experiences to site visitors, customers, and online community members.
Open Taste puts people in control of their taste information by making their information portable, yet private and shared only with the sites they choose.
What does that mean?
All too often, finding what you want on the web is like walking into a huge store. Even though you could ask someone for help, explaining what you're looking for is almost more trouble than it's worth. When they can't help you find it, you're never quite sure if it's because they didn't really understand what you're looking for or if they really didn't have it. And you're not sure where to try next.
OpenTaste makes your preferences portable so you can share them. It's about making the web more like walking into a favorite local store where they've known you for years and can recommend something to you that's even better than what you thought you wanted.
What are some possible applications for OpenTaste technology?
Collect taste information for personalized recommendations
Build wish-lists and share them with friends
Filter the signal from the noise in social media
Why OpenTaste?
Whatever comes after Web 2.0, it should not be about websites compiling and exchanging data about you (without your awareness and control). It should be about you being able to collect and share --- or not share --- your preferences.
Whatever comes after Web 2.0, it should be about websites delivering value to you by intelligently using the personal data you choose to share with them.
