The Penultimate Round-Up

Woohoo! The end is near. Everyone is thinking about their proposals and how they can change the world. I mean change your library! Right? Rachel Kinkaid gets the gold star of the week for being the very first to post her proposal. Proposals should be submitted in the format of your choosing with a link or content on the wiki space provided.

This week contained all kinds of fun technologies and some very fact filled presentations. Steve Lawson and Michael Porter started the week off right with their unique personalities and a discussion on Flickr. Second Life and the world of online gaming was revealed to us through the duo of Kelly Czarnecki and Matt Gullet. Lauren Pressley filled our ears with the tale of how we can use Flickr for training and Mathew Stuckings discussed social software initiatives at the National Library of Austrailia. The screencast by Beth Evans discussed her library's very successful venture with MySpace.

There were two different kinds of activities you were asked to complete. You were to explore Facebook, MySpace, or Second Life. In Flickr you needed to do one of three things: find out about flickr and search the photos, create an account and search for a group you can join, or create an account and add someone you know in real life to your account.

You guys were busy on your blogs and asking some really tough questions. Fred wondered how young people view their inworld and real world self and if they consider the consequences of their online actions. Tiah started a discussion that continues on when, where, and how we should participate in things like MySpace. Many of you were dazzled by Flickr and I can not blame you as I am an avid user myself. Josalyn hit the nail on the head when she titled a post "Media Consumers to Media Creators." Social software allows everyone to be a creator of content. Power to the people.

This has been an amazing week. In the chats with my two groups we discussed privacy issues with photo sharing sites, how to educate young people about reality and virtual worlds, and, as always, taking over the world.

Have great weekends. I am thrilled to see all of the cool things you come up with for your proposals. I am ready to be wowed.