Web 2.0 Tools - 43Things

I chose to explore the website www.43things.com. My favorite aspect of it was that you could make of list of things you want to do (like personal goals) and see how many other people had the same goal(s). I liked it because I think websites like that help you feel more connected to other people. I don't really think this website has an important place in the library setting, but nonetheless, I think that many people would enjoy exploring it.

Zoho

I can definitely see a place for this in the future. I thought it was just as easy to use Microsoft Word. The fact that you don't have to worry about different software versions is great. When I was in college that was a problem I ran into when I would use my old computer at home and then try to open the file again on computer lab or library computer. This web-based app would have also been useful for group work in college because it would also eliminate the problem of trying to share a document with a group of people who have all different typing programs and versions.

Wiki

I can see how this tool could be useful to our library system. I especially like the one that the Stevens County Library had. I thought it was a great idea to have people post about their favorite things about the area. I do have a concern with wikis that was validated with the Library Success wiki and that is vandalism. Since anyone can post it seems like if we do have a wiki for the library it will be necessary for us to monitor the content that does get added to make sure that this doesn't become an issue for us.

Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

Of the posts that I read, I thought they all brought up good points. One thing that especially stood out to me was in the first one when the author discussed eliminating barriers that keep the patrons from the resources. From what I have seen of the new website, I think that we are starting to do this ourselves. The current website can be frustrating to navigate to access information (other than just the catalog). The new one makes it much easier to find that information and will hopefully help people find the what they need when they are trying to visit us remotely.

Technorati

It is interesting to see all the stuff that people are blogging about. I could see it being a great tool for researching various people's opinions on specific topics.

Del.icio.us

I think that this could be a very useful tool. The fact that you can create bookmarks through it that can be accessed from any computer is definitely my favorite feature.

Rollyo

I created a search roll of my favorite online bookstores. http://www.rollyo.com/judybelle/my_online_bookstores/

Library Thing

I have used Library Thing in the past. It is a great way to record what you have enjoyed reading, what you want to read in the future, or what you hated so much you would never read again. My father-in-law was complaining to me that he kept forgetting what book he left off on in a series so I recommend the website to him and now he uses it all the time.

Image Generator

Here is a smiley face I created using one of the image generators. The link for the site is http://www.ezsmiley.com/create.php.

Lack of Web Etiquette

I have to say that while looking at the different websites to find various RSS feeds, I was surprised at some of the blogs. I have heard that people do not have the same manners online as they do in the real world, but I thought it was disturbing to see how rude some people are. I think two main contributers to this are the fact that people don't have to see/meet the people they are calling dumb f***s and other obscene names and that they can do it all while remaining anoymous. It is good to have a place to discuss many of the issues that are going on in our world but a lot of people are not using their better judgement in the way they post. Arguments and discussions can be healthy but the way that many people are conducting them with so many insults is doing more harm than good.

RSS Feeds

RSS feeds make it easier to view many different websites' information in a much quicker way.

Technology Related Post

I am not sure what to say about technology except that I just bought a new scanner and have been busy scanning old family photos in it to back them up in case something happens to the originals. Once I get more done I will be posting them on one of the many photo sharing websites to allow the rest of my family access to them when they want. I will probably be using snapfish.com.

Flickr

The Flickr Toy to create motivational posters looks like it might come in handy in the future. It looks like a lot of fun. http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/

Flickr

I thought this was a beautiful picture. The way the trunk of the tree grew is fasinating. Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/popsdigital/416380991/

Library 2.0 Challenges

The hardest part of the Library 2.0 exercises is going to be finding time to do them at work with minimal interruptions, but as long as it is okay if we go at our own pace and can play catch up every once and awhile this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Here is my blog.