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!!!

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.

...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!