LIBR 246-12: Web 2.0 and Social Networking Tools (Fall 2008)

My view of social software has evolved from a notion of software young people use to socialize, to amazing tools that libraries can use to service their users at low cost.  The technology is easy to use and it really can be effective.  Personally, I found pipes application the most useful.  Helping manage the flow of RSS feeds and delivering them where I wanted seemed to be the big one for me.  Professionally, I think the RSS feeds are the big one.  For example, in an academic setting I think it is extremly useful to have articles sent to professors on their chosen topics when they are publ

I came across this blog about RSS feeds.  I was strangly excited about the RSS icons that resemble glasses of beer.  Creating icons that clearly use the orange RSS look with your site's subject seems to be a great idea.  A little Photoshop and I could make a bookRSS icon.  I thought this was a neet idea.

Libraries need policies than govern the use of social software.  Blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds can all be abused and used inappropriatly.  I work in corporate settings and you would be amazed what grown adults do when they think noone is watching.  Even with clear rules people choose to abuse the resources they have been given.  For example, if there are no guidlines for what people can build during work hours ro what type of language or tones to use, what type of recourse woulda library have if a staff member used foul language on a post.  Rules provide boundires and everyone should know the

This blog post discusses the Imagination Cubed software by GE.  It seems to be a very easy to use way multiple users can collaborate and share ideas.  From the posts it is easy enough for a child to use.  If the ease of use is as they say, it might catch on!

There are several ways libraries can build communities using Flikr and vodcasts.  I think many of them revolve around participation of the patrons to create content and share or compete.  For example, I think it would be exciting to have young adults make short films or trailers about their favorite books.  They can also make their own book reviews or news stories about the community.

This article by James Lewin of Podcasting News shows what we have been seeing in our class.  High numbers  of Baby Boomers are using these resources.  I had thought that it would be a stuggle to have this technology embraced by all levels of demographics since the younger the patron , the more likely they have used and are comfortable with podcasts adn the like.  Studies still point to  more people of all ages getting on board so good amounts of programming should be focused at people older than

I think my favorite podcast site for the library examples is the Sunnyvale Public library. There were interesting topics and provocative summaries of the podcasts.  I really liked the recording of events that a patron may have missed.  Recording them can show future visitors what events are like and drive people to them going foward.  Layout was nice and I could find what I needed.  I wanted to pick Seattle's library for its interesting content, but the podcasts were way to long for me.  many over 1 hour!  No way I am still for that long, my com

As I looked around for cool things this week, I decided to look for opportunites of Yugma.  Stuff that didn't work real well.  It seems this is a really hot platform for virtual communications and conferences.  This Yugma Blog post has interesting thoughts from users and it shows it is grwoing super fast and is highly rated!

I see the virtual chat/reference as one of the most promising ideas.  Technology like Meebo and virtual chat can really help out in a pinch.  It is serving customers where they are.  Many virtual students can not go to a campus library so this alternative is great.  It is fast, and user friendly. Not only can you get answers, but you can get sources.

My search for how many people were murdered in AZ led me to a virtual service from the Maricopa Community College district.  Here is the transcript:
Hello, Matt (No email provided)

Chat Transcript: How many people were murdered in our state in 2005?
CostaLib: Librarian 'CostaLib' has joined the session.