Dipity.com Dipity Blog

One of our many new and improved Dipity 3.0 features is the ability for all users to create timelines quickly and easily by simply typing in a search query about any topic. Much like a Google search, a websearch timeline will instantly generate a variety of News, Videos, RSS feeds and pictures around a keyword. Unlike Google search however, the results are presented in chronological order and users can interact with the information in a dynamic and innovative way.

The best part of this tool is that creating a digital timeline from search is as easy as one, two, three… literally.

To create your own search-based topic follow these basic steps:

1. Choose a keyword for your topic and enter it in the search bar. Something specific like, “Felix Hernandez Cy Young” works better than something broad and general like “Baseball.” Once you have typed your topic, hit enter or click the search button.

2. You will be taken to the search results page. If there is already an existing topic for your search term, you will have the option to create one by using the “Click Here” link. Clicking this link will automatically created a public timeline using YouTube and Google News and Newslink Searches. You can always add more content later.

3. Admire your brand new timeline. If you want, you can add more sources to your topic in the “Events and Event Sources” menu. This will allow you to add Flickr and Twitter content as well as populate your timeline with content based on other key words. For example, you could add “Mariners Baseball” or “King Felix” to your timeline.

Here is an embed of the King Felix timeline:

We came up with the create from search feature so users could instantly generate topics about breaking news and events and keep them updated with the push of a button. It is a great way to track developing news stories, research a topic for an upcoming or ongoing project, establish context around a theme or simply browse the things you normally search for in a new and innovative way. Whatever your use for this feature it won’t take up much of your time to give it a try. It only takes a few seconds!

For proof, we made this handy Screencast Tutorial about how make timelines from websearch. I was able to create nine new Dipity timelines in roughly four minutes. I challenge any of our users out there to see if they can do more!

Enjoy!