Methods 1 and 2: Library 2.0 and Web 2.0

Next, think about what you have read and seen. What are your thoughts regarding Web 2.0 and Library 2.0? What do the terms mean to you? To your library? Or libraries in general?

After reading and listening to some of the online material and YouTube videos, Web 2.0 is everything internet. YouTube, Google, Yahoo, Meebo, are small or big parts which help make the internet experience better each time . Web 2.0 is the connection and the use of these parts together to make the experience much more exciting and useful every time the net is used.

Library 2.0 for me means the the way in which the parts aforementioned, in addition to other library material, can be used for libraries. Blogger can be used to set up a blog for a local library to market programs to a community. Instant messaging can be used and is currently being used in a university library which I know of to answer questions some students may have.

End of the road, 23 Things

Woohooo, thank you, I have made it. Let's see, the question is, what have I done? Besides all the stress related to making sure my Things were done weekly, I had a great time learning new Things...honestly. My favorite Thing was probably Digg, I use Digg daily to keep up with new interesting stuff all the time. Tweeter was probably the most upsetting because I expected something cool that everyone is using instead I got a kind of cumbersome way of understanding dialogue and I did not necessarily get "it." At the time of me typing this in, there are probably a few million people who would disagree.

The challenging aspects were that there was so much with so little time to do the 23 Things. The learning went relatively smooth but because of a lack of time, I did not go through the process like I initially wanted to. For example, read about the Thing, do some research i.e. google, grab some coffee and really understand the Thing. ( I tend to take my time)

What we could use in the library that I was impressed with is Youtube. I really enjoyed seeing what the different libraries and their staffs had come up with. This was really neat.

Anyhoo, thank you and I have finally made it.

Thing 22: Developing Things for our library

I always thought of myself as a little bit of a tech nerd until I did the 23 things. Just going through the 23 things like we did at the library increased the skill level amongst the staff, even more with me. Techno language has been updated to understand some of the conversations youth have and even if I have not encountered a question of this sort, I know I will at least have a good foundation to answer one. I am not qualified to answer how this program could be adapted because as far as I am concerned, many things can be adapted if one likes it to be that way. Specifically, library based dewey decimal type stuff.

To reiterate, just one more Thing remains!

Podcasting: Numero 21

Podcast, I had heard this term used many times before but I never fully understood what the term meant until the 23 Things. Podcasting can be a very useful tool in distributing information in a timely manner. For example, 23 Things, every week I could get an update of the next weeks assignment via audio and the podcatcher would add that to my list automatically. At first this seems too much because I am not used to things being sent or given to me automatically without having to do some research. The trick is finding a "podcast" which interests you and will keep you interested.

A few podcasts which I found interesting were about libraries. I saw a few videos about instructionals and I could see a timeline of older videos which allowed me to gauge the type of information disseminated. Though the concept is interesting I still did not find any podcast which I truly wanted to be a part of. Specifically, the concept of podcast is not yet fully grasped. Until I can fully understand I will continue to learn and ask questions.

This is the dilemma I am currently facing...not having podcast fully grasped.

Thing 20: Youtube

Thing 20 required us to watch videos on a few and describe what we saw. I used the following questions to guide me about what to write: what were the videos trying to accomplish, how effective were they, and can I think of other uses for videos to help promote libraries or serve the public?

Three libraries which I chose were either in Texas or in Illinois. The first library I chose was in Plano and it talked about the technical services division. The video described what jobs are and the functions of the technical services division. It described the different personnell and jobs, technicians, librarians, etc. I found it overall effective in describing the section of technical services. Out of all three I found this one to be most conservative in the way the instruction was shown on video.

The next video I chose was located near a library where I grew up, Arlington Heights Memorial library, also the technical services department. I was given a few good facts, such as the library processes 300 items a day and there are AMT's which stand for Acquisiiton Material Team. This video was funny and compared the functions of working in a library department to an emergency room. This video was funny and is most effective in teaching people who know nothing about libraries how a library works.

The last video was actually from a college I used to attend over 14 years ago. The college is William Rainey Harper College from Illinois. This video described in general what a library does more specific an Academic library. The video was very funny and made a lasting impression but more so because of the humor and not so because of the information given.

I think videos would be a good way to introduce the public to their library and show patrons some of our weekly and monthly programs.

19 out of 23 things thing

Google docs, wow if this really does work then people can get rid of their Microsoft Office and not have to worry...not really but it works well. I was talking to a guy at Best Buy the other day about getting an Apple computer. Now, I have never had one before but I wanted to see what it was about. The biggest complaint I had was that the software needed to interpret what I was getting from a computer in Windows using Microsoft Word to a computer using Mac software was a little expensive. From what the guy was telling me, the software is not full proof.

The good thing about Google docs, is that it is cheap and inexpensive, $0. The software is right on the net, so I should not have a problem unless Firefox and IE 8 are also incompatible. It is really not a bad idea and nowhere near the potential it can be at.

Wiki, wiki, wiki on to 18

I like Wikipedia because of the massive amounts of information they have,(though if one tried to use this for college as a reference, I am positive the assignment would be turned back.) Wikipedia is good for giving someone a starting point and helping one find resources for searching.

The Wetpaint site is a useful way for people to network. Just like MySpace and Facebook, a person usually gives some basic information and others can comment or not.

Libworm, Diecisiete or 17

Seriously, these Things which we have been doing are truly neat. Libworm is no exception as it is a search engine for professionals or people who want information with a little merit. Libworm reminds me of something students would use at a college.

My experience so far involved me putting in a keyword...you guessed it, iPhone and the site came back with a few topics but the one most relevant was the Top 25 Medical Applications. So the system will probably not bring up exactly what one wants. This is why I compare this to something found at a school because the site I found was "credible," though it was not really what I wanted, still neat to read.

LibraryThing is Thing #16

LibraryThing has some very neat features and it is also a fine addition to my technology addiction. <-----that rhymed... Anyhow, I found a few books which I need and a group. Since I am in my Masters program, I thought it was neat to find there is one such group which lets one post questions about anything having to do with graduate school. I have plenty of questions from, is the degree worth it and the right school? I find the process to be a little frustrating so I joined the group in hopes of learning more.

I was also able to find a few books and the neat thing is I can check up the author and find out other works as well. One of the authors I chose wrote about the iPhone. While I was looking at the authors other works, I found more material which I enjoy such as computer stuff. So that was cool. I was also able to put this on my phone so I can enjoy LibraryThing anywhere.

Number 15: You Digg

Digging is cool, plain and simple. I am not talking about going out to the backyard and pulling up a bunch of weeds, I mean Digg. This is one of my favorite sites already because of the great things it can do. For any person who likes to look and see what people like nowadays this site has it all.

In the few minutes that I was able to log in and check the site, I found a lot of good information...information that I find good, I found out how to make the, Matrix "Merovingian Knot," found out about the movie Watchmen and more info on Iran.
The cool thing about Digg is the stuff that interests me is here, from information on the world to simple things like knot ties, movies and computer games. This site is awesome, I love it.

Another good thing is that I am able to use it on the phone as well.

Delicious: 14

Bookmarking and Tagging go hand in hand...I see this now. When I was writing about Tagging earlier, I was under the impression that it would be easy to run into trouble. As I learn about Bookmarking and Tagging, it is very easy to obtain a lot of good websites within a short period of time.

For example, with Bookmarking, I typed in Mixed Martial Art or MMA then I was taken to a site which showed other peoples choices then I clicked on the tags. I then went from there to other sites which I enjoy, sports, news, etc. All from the tags on the bookmarks!

Pretty cool if you ask me and easy. The only thing I wish I was able to find a way to use this on my iPhone.

Tag...you're it.

Tagging seems like the same as typing in a keyword into Google search and finding something related to that keyword. The difference is "Tagging" or attaching meanings to words is informal...where as Google is more of the opposite.

I have personally used Tag before but in Facebook people can be "tagged" in pictures and assigned some sort of definition. If that make sense.

Many of the assignments can be used in libraries and this is no exception, though I probably would not recommend using Tag because of the inability to control the what is tagged and what is not.

If these past few paragraphs seem a little confusing, it is because I am not 100% confident that I know what Tagging is...though I am familiar.

Twitter = Thing 12

Twitter...never thought I would be a part of this phenomena "heard round the world." The last time I heard Twitter on the news was when the kid who does the pranks, Ashton Kutcher had a "twitter-off" with CNN about who could reach 1 million Tweets? I apologize if this information is not 100% correct but I remember it as such.

The ability to get updates is something I find extremely useful...especially when it comes from the news. I cannot see myself actually texting others about my day to day activities but receiving "tweets" is refreshingly cool.

Tweet you later...

11, yes number 11

Thing number 11 is about IM'ing. I remember when I was younger, the only IM software available was from AOL. Now, there is Yahoo and the one I chose which was Meebo. The cool thing about Meebo is that it allows one to traverse across many different types of IM'ing software. Instant Messaging is handy but for me texting is a little safer...not everyone can see what you are doing except for the phone companies.

I read an article not too long ago that suggested instant messaging was inappropriate for work, I argue if used properly, IM'ing can exponentially speed up many aspects of daily work...provided the job requires one to stay at the desk. Anyhooooow, on to the next thing.

Ning

Thing 10 is now in the bag. As I was looking for networks, it felt as though Ning is more specific or at least the "blog pages" look different and have more options, at least to me it did than a regular blog. I hope this made sense.

When names of groups were put into the search box, the groups popped up and then when I asked to join, the paper work came then my birthdate, etc. One negative thing otherwise my experience was o.k. I unsuccessfully looked for my high school back in Chicago and could not find it but then I found a successful martial artist web page and ultimately signed on to a network about the city of Chicago and how to make it a more complete scene.

Thing 9

Fedor, The Chicago Bears and CNN were the three groups I decided to join on Facebook. For anyone who follows MMA it is an acronym for Mixed Martial Arts and the number one ranked fighter for quite some time has been a fella in the heavyweight division named Fedor Emelianenko. CNN is where I get some of my news and of course, if anyone has been following my blog they know I am from Chicago...so there.

This is the first Facebook page I have done for myself. That being said, my wife did one for us a while ago and I must say I was astonished so many people found me. I never get on Facebook,but my wife is always giving me updates on what people write about me. Not all positive but will leave that for later.

I looked for one person and have no idea if it was that person because there was no picture. Otherwise I enjoyed signing up for the groups.

On to Numero Ocho

Yes, the title is partly in Spanish. MySpace and Facebook are both networking sites that I have heard used many times before but have never delved too much into them...until now.

Facebook is sorta like my new iPhone, serves its purpose but can be overwhelming. The possibilities are endless that I might be able to find an old high school buddy or like what happened on my wife's Facebook, an old girlfriend of mine tried to contact me through her site...that was a headache. Hence the reason I personally do not want to try to get a Facebook or MySpace account, I have what I need and if people want to talk, they can call or maybe the old fashioned "text."

Otherwise for people like my brother-n-law who is a very social person, then Facebook is perfect but for me it is too much at this time. I can see how people can stay in touch through groups and that sort of thing.

Number 7: RSS Feeds

Don't you find that technology, if used correctly, is something really cool? I have that feeling with the Google Reader and RSS feeds. The guy on the Youtube video made alot of sense when he mentioned the feature of RSS is to update the person with information instead of a person having to look for the information...good point.

The flip side of this is and this may sound crazy, but I like how some websites look and the tidbits of information that I probably would not get if I have all the information transferred to one place. So, I think this is probably useful for someone who wants stock quotes, certain pieces of information, and not necessarily for the occasional browser. I know, I know, but this is what I would use this for.

Thing 6:Aggregator

So far I have found Thing 6 to be one of the most useful quirky thingamajegs around. The "reader" allows one to connect to many websites at once by uploading new content to your "website," without having to go to each website the information is automatically uploaded!

I know it sounds as if I am repeating myself but this is a handy tool to have if one wants to be able to look at what he or she deems important relatively quickly. This tool comes in handy for those who have only a few minutes and want to check on a few things from one place. I will be using this tool during my 15 min. breaks.

Thing 5: Same picture different stuff

I am having a wonderful time with Flickr and Blogging. I am just finding out the importance of the applications and the world it can open up. Keeping extended family informed on how everything is going with the kids or even posting sort of an internet journal is a manner in which I might use this. Flickr is perhaps the only site I know of right now that I know how to use so I would be very apprehensive in suggesting anything else until another application is learned. I appreciate all comments, thank you.

Thing 4: More Flickr

I finally learned how to put my name into the name changer...thing. It took me a long time in cyber world to figure out that I am supposed to put the HTML wording into the box, must of been five minutes but in cyber world that is a millenia. These are the images for the letters which it came up with and I think it looks great.

Photo searching

First time I ever used Flickr and it was surprisingly simple. The picture I chose to write about is http://www.flickr.com/photos/finsterbaby/441013149/favorites, about my favorite animal, the English Bulldog. My wife will not let me have one yet but as of yesterday we have two Weimaraners, two Shorkies (half-shitzu, half-yorkie), and a cat. Whew, anyhow, Flickr was a pleasant surprise and I will add this to my "to-learn" list.

23 Things participants

I first want to start off by saying hello to my fellow 23 Things participants.