Download this tutorial as a pdf file here.

Zeeschuimer is a plugin for the browser Mozilla Firefox from Digital Methods Initiative.

It allows for moderate data harvesting for several social media, e.g. Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, etc.

Zeeschuimer can be used with a 4CAT server provided that one is available, or data can be downloaded directly in the NDJSON format and then converted to the CSV format, using the Zeehaven service provided by Public Data Lab, an interdisciplinary network dedicated to collective inquiry with and about digital data, digital methods and digital infrastructures.

CDMM's tutorial shows how to set up Zeehaven, and examples of basic use with Instagram and TikTok, including data conversion with Zeehaven.

As stated in the specifications for the respective services, Zeeschuimer and Zeehaven both handle and store data locally from scripts working in the user's own browser. Foxscroller does not handle data, it only scrolls.

Important: Please notice that due to security concerns TikTok may not be used on Aarhus University's equipment, or equipment used for connecting to sensitive parts of the university's network. Similar rules may apply at other institutions and workplaces. For further information please visit Aarhus University's TikTok FAQ, English version: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/administration/it/guides/security/tiktok-faq, or Danish version: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/administration/it/vejledninger/sikkerhed/faq-om-tiktok

Services used in the tutorial:
Zeeschuimer: https://www.digitalmethods.net/Dmi/ToolZeeschuimer
Zeehaven: https://publicdatalab.github.io/zeehaven/
FoxScroller: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/foxscroller/