I doubt that I will keep up this blog or any other after 23Things is over. However, that does not mean that I fail to see the advantages of a blog, especially for a library. I think I am well motivated to both encourage my colleagues to try Things like blogs and to go ahead and setup a blog for our library that I can allow my colleagues to post on/experiment with. I guess that is the type of person (and librarian) that I am: a facilitator.
I was familiar with almost all of the Things we covered in the 23Things. What stands out for me most is the way novices responded to these Tools and the ideas shared by others. I now have a more multifaceted view of Web/Library 2.0 and can see how it might be implemented beyond how I initially see possible uses.
And just think, with the way things progress, in two years we could have a whole new 23Things to explore.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thing 21: Student Tools
It seems like it would relatively easy to encourage students to use either the RPC or the Assignment Calculator. Research projects can be overwhelming. A step-by-step guide can be motivational, especially if you can point that there is a light at the end of tunnel.
I am not sure how many students (high school or college) would follow the steps precisely and timely; but I definitely think it would be something students would and could use as a touchstone or base for their research operations.
The level of customization in the Assignment Calculator (i.e. the links other web pages and resources) makes the Tool even more valuable, and it reiterates the idea that this guide (in this online form) can actually be a launching point.
I am not sure how many students (high school or college) would follow the steps precisely and timely; but I definitely think it would be something students would and could use as a touchstone or base for their research operations.
The level of customization in the Assignment Calculator (i.e. the links other web pages and resources) makes the Tool even more valuable, and it reiterates the idea that this guide (in this online form) can actually be a launching point.
Thing 20: Books 2.0
Electronic books are a big part of our library's collection for several key reasons. The price of e-books versus print books is perhaps the most motivational reason. The level of access is a very close second.
Books that are not in paper, analog form are a big part of the future of books. They will not 100% replace printed text; that is because of the market for the printed word and the features and uses of electronic texts. These two sectors of the larger world of Book are not directly in competition with each other. They each have their place and fulfill purposes that are often quite different.
The question "Do you think these Book 2.0 tools hamper or enhance one's reading experience?" is interesting and I could answer yes or no depending on how I qualify my answer. Our fast-paced online world where everything is delivered in short bursts might decrease one's attention span as far as reading a novel or textbook is concerned. Yet, tools like Twittelit can offering enticing introductions that might lead to someone reading a entire book. Other tools like What Should I Read Next? are actually creating more access to books. I don't very many Book 2.0 tools and iterations are really impeding or impinging upon the form of the Book as we know it. I believe I see it this way because I do not think that the printed, analog form of the book is sacred. Someone who does see it that why might be leery of this Book 2.0 business. I enjoy Book 2.0 technology. I think the ideas transcend the page... the screen, the lcd, etc.
As far as making any Book 2.o Tools part of your library, I would offer the same advice as I have with other Web 2.o / Library 2.0 technologies: Use it if fulfills a purpose, not because it is new or trendy. In the case of Book 2.0 specifically, I would say something more precise like: Use it if it actually increases reading.
Books that are not in paper, analog form are a big part of the future of books. They will not 100% replace printed text; that is because of the market for the printed word and the features and uses of electronic texts. These two sectors of the larger world of Book are not directly in competition with each other. They each have their place and fulfill purposes that are often quite different.
The question "Do you think these Book 2.0 tools hamper or enhance one's reading experience?" is interesting and I could answer yes or no depending on how I qualify my answer. Our fast-paced online world where everything is delivered in short bursts might decrease one's attention span as far as reading a novel or textbook is concerned. Yet, tools like Twittelit can offering enticing introductions that might lead to someone reading a entire book. Other tools like What Should I Read Next? are actually creating more access to books. I don't very many Book 2.0 tools and iterations are really impeding or impinging upon the form of the Book as we know it. I believe I see it this way because I do not think that the printed, analog form of the book is sacred. Someone who does see it that why might be leery of this Book 2.0 business. I enjoy Book 2.0 technology. I think the ideas transcend the page... the screen, the lcd, etc.
As far as making any Book 2.o Tools part of your library, I would offer the same advice as I have with other Web 2.o / Library 2.0 technologies: Use it if fulfills a purpose, not because it is new or trendy. In the case of Book 2.0 specifically, I would say something more precise like: Use it if it actually increases reading.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thing 19: Other Social Networking Sites
I looked into gather.com. Wow. It is very different now than when it first launched. You can tell by reading the publishers weekly article. It was originally designed to be a more bibliophile-focused site. Now it is more of a general social networking site. The title of the article is "Can Gather.com Get Book Lovers Online?" and the answer is, apparently, no.
There are users sharing and discussing writing. Yet, the overall feel is still more like a social networking site that exists not as a place to accomplish anything in particular but to just be a part of something.
I searched ning.com for social networks about/for libraries/librarians. The most popular (i.e. most members) was the Library 2.0 network. Not really surprising. Ultimately, I decided not to join this or any of the other networks I looked into. I think there are two types of Internet users: Those who like to socialize and those who just want answers/information. I am more like the latter. If I have information to share, I will try to share it. But mostly I am using the Web as tool and not as a socialization location.
There are users sharing and discussing writing. Yet, the overall feel is still more like a social networking site that exists not as a place to accomplish anything in particular but to just be a part of something.
I searched ning.com for social networks about/for libraries/librarians. The most popular (i.e. most members) was the Library 2.0 network. Not really surprising. Ultimately, I decided not to join this or any of the other networks I looked into. I think there are two types of Internet users: Those who like to socialize and those who just want answers/information. I am more like the latter. If I have information to share, I will try to share it. But mostly I am using the Web as tool and not as a socialization location.
Thing 18: MySpace Facebook
I think MySpace and Facebook might be a step too far into pop culture. Maybe it works out for some public libraries, especially teen outreach; but I feel clear divisions are often necessary.
I want libraries and librarians to be seen as experts, as individuals and institutions above the endless cycle of fads in pop culture. I want us to be clearly seen as the place to go for information and knowledge... trustworthy and thorough information and knowledge. Some patrons might think nothing of a library being on MySpace or Facebook; but many users of MySpace and Facebook realize how frivolous and time-wasting it can be. I wonder what they think of the library being on these sites. Perhaps they think we have too much time on our hands.
I know exactly what MySpace and Facebook are, and I know my library does not need them. All I can say to the individuals and institutions who choose to utilize these Things is make sure you have clearly defined goals. Don't do something because "all of the kids are doing it" - if it isn't fulfilling a purpose, focus on something that does.
I want libraries and librarians to be seen as experts, as individuals and institutions above the endless cycle of fads in pop culture. I want us to be clearly seen as the place to go for information and knowledge... trustworthy and thorough information and knowledge. Some patrons might think nothing of a library being on MySpace or Facebook; but many users of MySpace and Facebook realize how frivolous and time-wasting it can be. I wonder what they think of the library being on these sites. Perhaps they think we have too much time on our hands.
I know exactly what MySpace and Facebook are, and I know my library does not need them. All I can say to the individuals and institutions who choose to utilize these Things is make sure you have clearly defined goals. Don't do something because "all of the kids are doing it" - if it isn't fulfilling a purpose, focus on something that does.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thing 17: Podcasts
I have not listened to podcasts that much at all. I understand how they can be helpful, though. I went to the Educational Podcast Directory and perused the offerings and still did not see anything that really piqued my interest. The foreign language podcasts were somewhat interesting. I can see the value of hearing a language you are trying to learn.
It's interesting, though: I never hear about anyone actually listening to a podcast but I do hear about people recording podcasts. Are podcasts even listened to that much? In searching for library related podcasts, I see a lot that are essentially spoken blogs. Yes, there are visually impaired individuals who could benefit from a podcast; but many podcasts seem to audible just for the sake of being audible. I say choose your words better and leave them as text.
It's interesting, though: I never hear about anyone actually listening to a podcast but I do hear about people recording podcasts. Are podcasts even listened to that much? In searching for library related podcasts, I see a lot that are essentially spoken blogs. Yes, there are visually impaired individuals who could benefit from a podcast; but many podcasts seem to audible just for the sake of being audible. I say choose your words better and leave them as text.
Thing 16: YouTube
*YouTube. Who doesn't know about YouTube? I guess there could be a few people; and those are always the people who are shocked when you tell them how much Google paid for YouTube.
I chose this video because it is great topic (Boolean operators) that often needs explaining and really benefits from the visual elements added to the video.
Using YouTube is pretty easy. And I had no difficulty finding this type of video because I had this topic in mind before I started searching. If you had a more inexact idea of what you were looking for, searching YouTube could be problematic because of the sheer number of videos. Searching for the word library, for example, returns an interesting variety of hits.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thing 15: Rollyo
My Rollyo is an academic article/report search of free online databases. They are mostly of a technical/scientific nature. Rollyo is quite useful, as you can see with this specific of search of many resources. I would really like to use this more, perhaps even in a "real" way, but the sponsored links just kill it for me. I really do not want to introduce those into a more academic style search. I will have to investigate it further and see if the pros can outwiegh the cons.
Thing 14: Online Productivity Tools
The start page I checked out was My Yahoo! because I actually used it in the mid-1990's and I wanted to see how things have changed. It is very interesting how the basic idea is nearly exactly the same: Customizing a "home" on the Web where you can find the familiar and venture off into the unfamiliar. I like the customizations you can make and all of the features you can add; but I think I don't use a start page now for the same reason I stopped using them before. Namely, the sameness gets boring to me quickly, actually (and I don't feel like taking the time to change things around) and, despite all of the stuff, I don't feel it is everything I need on a daily basis.
What do I do now then?
One of the best things I have done for productivity and thoroughness is to customize my Firefox browser. Right now, when I open Firefox, 10 tabs open instantly all-at-once to the Web sites I like to begin with and start other activities from. It is like a start page in a way, just multiple pages... perhaps it should be called a start browser.
It is really easy to do this, too. Just go to Tools, select Options, and you'll see a text box with your homepage URL in it. If you want to add more tabs, just separate each URL with a pipe (this thing | i.e.,shift+backslash).
As far as the other tools go, the pdf converters are really handy and I use them quite often. Google calendar is very good, and it is very easy to post in a blog (as you can see I did below) or on a web page.
What do I do now then?
One of the best things I have done for productivity and thoroughness is to customize my Firefox browser. Right now, when I open Firefox, 10 tabs open instantly all-at-once to the Web sites I like to begin with and start other activities from. It is like a start page in a way, just multiple pages... perhaps it should be called a start browser.
It is really easy to do this, too. Just go to Tools, select Options, and you'll see a text box with your homepage URL in it. If you want to add more tabs, just separate each URL with a pipe (this thing | i.e.,shift+backslash).
As far as the other tools go, the pdf converters are really handy and I use them quite often. Google calendar is very good, and it is very easy to post in a blog (as you can see I did below) or on a web page.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thing 13: LibraryThing
LibraryThing on 23Things - we are at the apex of thingness.
My catalog is here.
My books span the spectrum of popularity; but they really rank about where I thought they would.
I also looked for local events; and found none.
Overall, LibraryThing is interesting. And it easily fits into a particular category of resources in our Web 2.0 universe. Namely, free space and technology that would be otherwise unaffordable or prohibitively time consuming. Not many libraries/librarians have to the time or resources to make these types of tools from scratch. It is interesting how the boundaries of library are blurred when a library locates many different resources in many different locations around the Web.
My catalog is here.
My books span the spectrum of popularity; but they really rank about where I thought they would.
I also looked for local events; and found none.
Overall, LibraryThing is interesting. And it easily fits into a particular category of resources in our Web 2.0 universe. Namely, free space and technology that would be otherwise unaffordable or prohibitively time consuming. Not many libraries/librarians have to the time or resources to make these types of tools from scratch. It is interesting how the boundaries of library are blurred when a library locates many different resources in many different locations around the Web.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thing 12: Wikis
Wikis I get. Wikis I understand. Wikis I like.
They are a great way to collaborate and build knowledge. The informal nature and ease of access and editing is great for when you need perhaps just a simple piece of information; or you want to share a small piece of information that is part of some larger whole.
In my position, I deal with a lot of technical information. Wikis are a great way to not only share this type of information, but also a very good way to keep technical information very up-to-date.
I edited the frontpage of the 23things pbwiki; and it was fast and easy. Wikis are a great way to share knowledge as well as collect it. They might actually be my favorite Web 2.0 Thing - which is interesting because they are the most Web 2.0-ish Thing technology-wise, but they are quite 2.0 as far as information and knowledge collaboration is concerned.
They are a great way to collaborate and build knowledge. The informal nature and ease of access and editing is great for when you need perhaps just a simple piece of information; or you want to share a small piece of information that is part of some larger whole.
In my position, I deal with a lot of technical information. Wikis are a great way to not only share this type of information, but also a very good way to keep technical information very up-to-date.
I edited the frontpage of the 23things pbwiki; and it was fast and easy. Wikis are a great way to share knowledge as well as collect it. They might actually be my favorite Web 2.0 Thing - which is interesting because they are the most Web 2.0-ish Thing technology-wise, but they are quite 2.0 as far as information and knowledge collaboration is concerned.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thing 11: Social Media
I've done some searching in Digg, etc; and it just seems to be another way to share funny pictures; odd videos; or bizarre textual exchanges on the internet. Sometimes there are links to news stories; but I really expect there to be more news than what is marked. It (social media) appears to be an especially good way to filter out what is important in a timely manner, which is increasingly important as more and more information is released in less and less time. In theory, a good idea. Yet, in reality, the Digg's (for example) are often on fun things, neat things, here-today-gone-tomorrow news items, etc. Social media, for me, becomes too social. It is less about sharing data and information that could potentially become knowledge and more about instant gratification, humor, and other fleeting experiences like staying up on the news of the day. Am I a fan of social media? Not really; but as with other Web 2.0 "things", it will be interesting to see what another librarian who has time and patience can do with it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thing 10: Delicious
Delicious is an interesting concept and can lead to increased understanding of the nature of human organization as much as it can keep URLs handy. We investigated social tagging somewhat at school; but Delicious seems much cleaner and, well, more organized than other systems. I have tried many different searches and I cannot seem to duplicate some of the results we ran into in school: Namely, anything weird. You can drill down into Delicious pretty far; even then I cannot find anything too esoteric or arcane. Delicious obviously does not edit tags in any way. So why are there not just weird or oddly personal tags? I am not sure, but I have an idea about tagging. It seems that most individuals tag a web site with what they think will be a good tag, as opposed to tagging it with what pops into their mind or what might actually cause them to remember the contents of the web site by merely glancing the tags. For example, I come across a web site containing imagery/photos that I think are funny. I could easily think of tags that I think will be a good tag and I know these tags would make more sense to others; but I have then over thought my own tags and thought about my tags as perceived by others. This quickly moves into ideas about determining what tags are useful (or most useful) and authority over tags. What if I tag photographs of apples as bananas? I guess I like authoritative determinations of aboutness, even if social tagging can have its benefits. This probably has to do with the way I search for things, research things, and save/store things: I would much rather interact with the data/information itself then what others might label it. I guess I am like a professional chef who doesn't want input from a novice; or like a professional athlete who does not want advice from a novice athlete. Yes, it is possible on special occasions that an amatuer might have something to offer a professional; but if they frequently do, why did I go to library school? and what does that say about the content and instruction in library school?
So, how would I use Delicious (and tools like it)? I would probably make it available to patrons because I understand they might want it; but I would not really use it that much myself - perhaps in the future I might; because I forecast that it will become more and more authoritative.
So, how would I use Delicious (and tools like it)? I would probably make it available to patrons because I understand they might want it; but I would not really use it that much myself - perhaps in the future I might; because I forecast that it will become more and more authoritative.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thing 9: Sharing
The idea of a share-able database is interesting. I can see more uses arising for that than another photo sharing opportunity, because, perhaps, about of half of Web 2.0 is about sharing photographs. Visual imagery seems to be a big part of the 2.0 aspect.
I don't know that I would use the Lazybase type of tool for anything in my personal life. I would not have that much to populate a database with; and what I could possibly put in a database, I don't think I would want to share via the internet.
For library, professional use, a Lazybase type of tool could be put to use to share information with patrons. It could be a good place to share noteworthy books, books centered on a theme, or even new books.
I don't know that I would use the Lazybase type of tool for anything in my personal life. I would not have that much to populate a database with; and what I could possibly put in a database, I don't think I would want to share via the internet.
For library, professional use, a Lazybase type of tool could be put to use to share information with patrons. It could be a good place to share noteworthy books, books centered on a theme, or even new books.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thing 8: Communication Web 2.0 Style
I have experience with IM-ing, text-messages, and web conferencing in personal, educational, and professional situations. As with almost all Web 2.0 technologies, these tools can be fantastic when used appropriately in situations that really necessitate advanced "things".
Chat resources, as well as online conferencing resources that lack sound, can be a great way to overcome limitations of physical space or proximity. And the immediacy is often a big help. I made a point to note online conferencing without sound because it is quite different from online conferencing with sound. The added layer of audio can frequently make a big difference in keeping attendees engaged and simply getting your point across. I am a fan of web conferencing; chatting and text messaging, however, have a particular negative aspect of which I am not a fan.
Where web conferencing strives to simulate conversations, meetings, and other "lengthy" interactions, chatting and text-messaging imply immediacy through interaction on (perceived) lower level. I am not taking issue (at the moment!) with the bad grammar and other various butchering of the written word; I am concerned with the focus on immediacy and speed, which is quite often a reason behind bad spelling, etc. The perceived level of interaction for most users is at a lower level than normal - body language, eye contact, etc are all absent. Yes, this can actually be liberating for some patrons; but it (immediate, informal, inconsequential interaction) also heightens impatience exponentially. If a patron cannot have an answer immediately, they sometimes do not want it all. The next day?; in an hour?; I have to check? - but I am IM-ing you, I want the answer back as fast as I can ask the question!
These "things" have their place - we just need to be aware of the cultural norms and expectationas surrounding these "things" in addition to knowing of them and how to use them.
Chat resources, as well as online conferencing resources that lack sound, can be a great way to overcome limitations of physical space or proximity. And the immediacy is often a big help. I made a point to note online conferencing without sound because it is quite different from online conferencing with sound. The added layer of audio can frequently make a big difference in keeping attendees engaged and simply getting your point across. I am a fan of web conferencing; chatting and text messaging, however, have a particular negative aspect of which I am not a fan.
Where web conferencing strives to simulate conversations, meetings, and other "lengthy" interactions, chatting and text-messaging imply immediacy through interaction on (perceived) lower level. I am not taking issue (at the moment!) with the bad grammar and other various butchering of the written word; I am concerned with the focus on immediacy and speed, which is quite often a reason behind bad spelling, etc. The perceived level of interaction for most users is at a lower level than normal - body language, eye contact, etc are all absent. Yes, this can actually be liberating for some patrons; but it (immediate, informal, inconsequential interaction) also heightens impatience exponentially. If a patron cannot have an answer immediately, they sometimes do not want it all. The next day?; in an hour?; I have to check? - but I am IM-ing you, I want the answer back as fast as I can ask the question!
These "things" have their place - we just need to be aware of the cultural norms and expectationas surrounding these "things" in addition to knowing of them and how to use them.
Thing 7: Online Image Generators
I know we where supposed to "Create an image that illustrates your 23 Things @ NEFLIN activities"; but I wanted to see if I could create something a bit more functional.
With that in mind, I wanted to find something eye-catching yet familiar. I think I found it in this current creation. The colors and the image overall are visually striking; and the concept of the _____ for Dummies book is fairly well-known. So, most people who catch a glimpse of this image (and who could avoid it!) will immediately understand it is something (or links to something) that is intended to be helpful. I could easily use this in my library to grab attention and direct those unfamiliar with the OPAC to some basic searching instructions.
I found this image generator at imagegenerator.org. It is in the Make graphics with your text section; and all of the text is fully customizable and the cartoon man figure has a couple of options.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thing 6: MAsHupS
I find 99% of Flickr mashups
That 1% is reserved for something I have not yet found. Mashups seem like another case of Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Perhaps some libraries can find these mashups useful; but, at the moment, I don't think I would use them for anything.
That 1% is reserved for something I have not yet found. Mashups seem like another case of Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Perhaps some libraries can find these mashups useful; but, at the moment, I don't think I would use them for anything.
Thing 5; Flickr - your one stop shop for bad photos and bad grammar :-)
I took and uploaded this picture to symbolize how we often get patrons who are surprised to learn that our catalog is online. We turn our lcd monitors toward them to show them how to search; and they say things like, Wow, your stuff is online now. And it's actually more young people than you would guess. (Step away from the myspace! Pry your cell phone from your thumbs! Get your face out of facebook! Catch up with the Web 1.0 stuff that you've missed!)
As far as using Flickr is concerned, I found it rather simple - but that is the point. I've known about Flickr for a good while... and even after this exercise I don't know if I would have any use for it. If I want to share pictures on the web, I would just share the pictures. I have the space and the skills to do it; but some other folks might not have the same resources as me and I can see them finding Flickr useful.
It seems like moderation is definitely not the goal for most Flickr accounts, however. Looks like most users are just dumping everything from their cameras onto the web.
I don't think I would use Flickr in my personal life or professional life at the moment. It will be interesting to look at other posts and see if anyone has thought of anything for Flickr that I haven't.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thing 4: RSS
So, RSS is a Web 2.0 solution to a Web 2.0 problem? We can use RSS to ignore imagery, etc - but Web 2.0 is so image/visual heavy. Web 2.0 is that kind of situation, though. The technologies are useful when they fulfill a purpose yet are quickly cumbersome and time-consuming when they are incorporated just the sake a being new technology.
I tried out Google Reader as an aggregator and it seems very user friendly after spending just a few minutes with it. I added NEFLIN's blah blah blah blog; a news package; marketplace.org's feed; and cnet.com's feed. I searched for a blog on technology in libraries and encountered an older feed from the ALA. There was a link to the new blog; but it was odd having a feed come back high in the results that had not had a new post in about 9 months. It seems it would be productive to have older blogs/feeds weeded out of the results or placed lower in the results.
RSS feeds seem like a really great way to get to the point and also stay up to date without really trying. I think RSS could have the same impact on my personal life as my professional life: Keeping up to date with the latest information, across a variety of subjects, in a very time-friendly manner. RSS reminds me of a listserv - you get very up to date information and communication on a topic of interest to you. The biggest difference I can see at the moment is that the exchange of information on a listserv is often more accessible and on-target (e.g. responses to an emailed question are in a new email and as easily and accessibly received as any email). A blog might get some good comments; but the percentage of "good" comments seems lower.
If you find a good, on-target blog, I think RSS would be a fantastic tool for keeping up with that blog. As for overall information, I think I would continue my usual methods for searching for information. It seems very similar to what Google Reader is doing: Providing results/lists for me to glance at and determine what might be useful. I feel you could quickly go overboard, though. It seems one of the best lessons we can learn from Web 2.0 (as Web 2.0 increasingly makes our lives more information-packed) is that moderation is key, moderation determined by taking a step back and asking, "Will this fulfill a purpose? Or is it just cool because it's new?"
I tried out Google Reader as an aggregator and it seems very user friendly after spending just a few minutes with it. I added NEFLIN's blah blah blah blog; a news package; marketplace.org's feed; and cnet.com's feed. I searched for a blog on technology in libraries and encountered an older feed from the ALA. There was a link to the new blog; but it was odd having a feed come back high in the results that had not had a new post in about 9 months. It seems it would be productive to have older blogs/feeds weeded out of the results or placed lower in the results.
RSS feeds seem like a really great way to get to the point and also stay up to date without really trying. I think RSS could have the same impact on my personal life as my professional life: Keeping up to date with the latest information, across a variety of subjects, in a very time-friendly manner. RSS reminds me of a listserv - you get very up to date information and communication on a topic of interest to you. The biggest difference I can see at the moment is that the exchange of information on a listserv is often more accessible and on-target (e.g. responses to an emailed question are in a new email and as easily and accessibly received as any email). A blog might get some good comments; but the percentage of "good" comments seems lower.
If you find a good, on-target blog, I think RSS would be a fantastic tool for keeping up with that blog. As for overall information, I think I would continue my usual methods for searching for information. It seems very similar to what Google Reader is doing: Providing results/lists for me to glance at and determine what might be useful. I feel you could quickly go overboard, though. It seems one of the best lessons we can learn from Web 2.0 (as Web 2.0 increasingly makes our lives more information-packed) is that moderation is key, moderation determined by taking a step back and asking, "Will this fulfill a purpose? Or is it just cool because it's new?"
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thing 3: Searching Blogs
I've spent some time comparing Technorati with Google Blog Search. I really thought I was going to like Technorati more; but that is not the case. I searched for "library 2.0" in both as a phrase. Google Blog Search resulted in more hits and it was easier to sort the results chronologically. I looks like Technorati sorted the blog entries from newest to oldest automatically. However, Technorati retrieved far fewer results and newest entry was not as new as what Google found. Recency is not super important to me with this particular topic; but I did like seeing the greater number of results in Google's search. I actually found a NEFLIN 23 Things participant's blog on the first page of the Google results, so that was interesting.
For a second round of searching, I tried out various keywords related to libraries and the utilization of chat/IM tools for reference interaction, etc. Google retrieved better results - they were much more on-target. Technorati seemed to sort results differently. Perhaps they look the popularity of blogs and weigh that when displaying the results because a lot of the first results where not on the topic of chat/IM tools in libraries but simply mentioned both the word library and some chat/IM technology. Of course, this is what a search should do: look for instances of keywords together; but it is strange that many of the results in Technorati where, overall, off-topic.
In the end, though, I don't think I would use blog search tools that often. Why? Because I would simply use Google or Yahoo to search everything, not just blogs. I am after the best information when performing a search. I don't know if I would ever want to limit my searching to blogs - maybe if the source for my information explicitly had to be a blog. I don't know if that would ever happen. Perhaps these blog searching tools are for individuals interested in blogs on another level than just information retrievel. You know, something like "fun" and "spare time" - whatever those are!!!
For a second round of searching, I tried out various keywords related to libraries and the utilization of chat/IM tools for reference interaction, etc. Google retrieved better results - they were much more on-target. Technorati seemed to sort results differently. Perhaps they look the popularity of blogs and weigh that when displaying the results because a lot of the first results where not on the topic of chat/IM tools in libraries but simply mentioned both the word library and some chat/IM technology. Of course, this is what a search should do: look for instances of keywords together; but it is strange that many of the results in Technorati where, overall, off-topic.
In the end, though, I don't think I would use blog search tools that often. Why? Because I would simply use Google or Yahoo to search everything, not just blogs. I am after the best information when performing a search. I don't know if I would ever want to limit my searching to blogs - maybe if the source for my information explicitly had to be a blog. I don't know if that would ever happen. Perhaps these blog searching tools are for individuals interested in blogs on another level than just information retrievel. You know, something like "fun" and "spare time" - whatever those are!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thing 2: Web 2.0... finally
I actually consider Web 2.0 to be more like Web 1.5. All of the "things" that are Web 2.0 are mostly a result of increased memory, processor speed, and higher-speed internet connections. Audio, video, and software for interactivity, collaboration, etc, are the result of more or less natural increases in technology - and not really revolutions in technology. Hence, I say Web 1.5 vs. Web 2.0.
The one aspect of the Web1.0 to Web 2.0 transition (that makes me think this is not quite as big as a jump from 1 to 2 sounds) is that fact that information is still locked up. And that is biggest deal to me as a librarian. What do I mean by locked up? The information is still contained in and constrained by code (html, etc). We have to describe what a piece of information is before we can allow it to be processed as information (in a constrained form). [This whole discussion could easily move into topics such as the Semantic Web; but I don't really want to get into that here.]
So, Web 2.0 is not as revolutionary to me as it seems to be to others. I especially do not like the fact that it trains you to be impatient and to crave visual and/or auditory stimulation in all tasks. Some patrons can do anything and everything on mypsace, facebook, twitter, flickr, etc -- but they have to come ask for help with printing. The 2.0 tasks that require one set of skills are eclipsing everyday, normal skills that everyday, normal tasks require... especially, the skill of patience. But I think that is always happening with new stuff - older individuals think the younger individuals are missing something and moving too fast.
I will have to think about the balancing act associated with Web 2.0 Things as we get to them in the course of our 23 Things.
The one aspect of the Web1.0 to Web 2.0 transition (that makes me think this is not quite as big as a jump from 1 to 2 sounds) is that fact that information is still locked up. And that is biggest deal to me as a librarian. What do I mean by locked up? The information is still contained in and constrained by code (html, etc). We have to describe what a piece of information is before we can allow it to be processed as information (in a constrained form). [This whole discussion could easily move into topics such as the Semantic Web; but I don't really want to get into that here.]
So, Web 2.0 is not as revolutionary to me as it seems to be to others. I especially do not like the fact that it trains you to be impatient and to crave visual and/or auditory stimulation in all tasks. Some patrons can do anything and everything on mypsace, facebook, twitter, flickr, etc -- but they have to come ask for help with printing. The 2.0 tasks that require one set of skills are eclipsing everyday, normal skills that everyday, normal tasks require... especially, the skill of patience. But I think that is always happening with new stuff - older individuals think the younger individuals are missing something and moving too fast.
I will have to think about the balancing act associated with Web 2.0 Things as we get to them in the course of our 23 Things.
Monday, January 12, 2009
...and...
...a blog is born.
Setting up a blog is fairly simple. The process is quite streamlined; but it really wasn't that difficult years ago. In fact, in school, back in 2000, a professor wanted us to have blogs as a variation of keeping a personal journal. To most of us, "blog" sounded like the name of a poor quality Lego rip-off. Yet, it was easy to get started (and to understand, after the professor explained blog was short for web log).
I feel pretty comfortable with the technology and possibilities of the Things. I know that I will learn a thing or two experiencing these Things with others; and I hope through comments and posts I can provide insights to others.
Okay, bring on the Things!
Setting up a blog is fairly simple. The process is quite streamlined; but it really wasn't that difficult years ago. In fact, in school, back in 2000, a professor wanted us to have blogs as a variation of keeping a personal journal. To most of us, "blog" sounded like the name of a poor quality Lego rip-off. Yet, it was easy to get started (and to understand, after the professor explained blog was short for web log).
I feel pretty comfortable with the technology and possibilities of the Things. I know that I will learn a thing or two experiencing these Things with others; and I hope through comments and posts I can provide insights to others.
Okay, bring on the Things!
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