Web 2.0 Training - Online Productivity

This week we learned about online productivity tools, specifically online calenders and Google Docs. Online calenders are probably helpful to people that have jam-packed schedules, but I don't think they're for me. Usually I only have a vague idea of what my weekend plans might be, and when I finally decide to formalize those plans, I doubt that I would take the time to input them onto my computer. Besides, I already have a fully functional calender that keeps my entire life in order - no, I never get my schedule confused, because all I have to do is call my wife and ask her what our plans are.

Google Docs would have been very helpful when I was in college and working on group assignments, but these days I don't think I would use it personally. Still, I think they would help at any job where group presentations or reports are required. Google Docs allows any updates to take place online and in one place, so one group member won't edit something that has already been changed. The document will also look the same on every computer; you don't have to worry about different computer settings changing the entire look of the report.

I think that librarians could also recommend Google Docs to any patron that uses the CHPL computers to work on projects. Does this sound familiar: a patron works 'all day' on a paper, then 'saves' their work (or 'emails a copy to themselves'), but then we find them desperately returning the next day to the same computer, hoping and praying that a copy is still on the computer because they DID NOT actually save their work. Of course their work has already been deleted off of the computer, and of course they proceed to get mad at you. Maybe if we recommended Google Docs to people working on their papers, librarians could avoid these issues and documents would actually be saved online. Of course, if these people can't handle the enormous difficulty of clicking the big 'attach' key located in every single email program known to man, followed by a quick click of the 'send' button, well, then Google Docs might seem just a tad advanced...

Web 2.0 Training - Tags / Social Bookmarks

Before this week's lesson, the only time I thought about 'delicious' was on those lucky nights when my mom makes dinner. But now...um...well, sorry, that's still probably going to be the only way I'll use the term 'delicious.' However, I can see the benefits in using the website of the same name.

Now, I don't think Delicious can help me personally; I just don't think I would spend my time looking up websites that random strangers find useful. This could lead me to websites that get my name put on a government list! (No, Delicious, I don't want to visit blow-up-the-library dot com!!!) The second potential benefit to Delicious is that I could access all of my favorite web sites from every computer without relying on the 'favorites' button. Of course, I can already do this pretty easily, because I set up an RSS Feed back in Week 2 of our class that not only provides instant access to my favorite sites, but also lets me know if those sites have been updated.

Still, I can see how Delicious could help out at CHPL. We could network with librarians around the country and find different web sites that could be used to help our patrons. This search is made even easier using the tag features employed on the Delicious web site. And when the patrons are happy, the librarians are happy. And when the patrons can get their information quicker, maybe they'll spend that extra time and go home to make a delicious dinner for their appreciative and loving sons!

Mmm, I'm hungry now.

Web 2.0 Training - Social Networking

I joined Myspace a few months after I first moved to Richmond. I had typed a long and rather humorous (in my own personal opinion) email that looked back at the movies I had seen in 2005. I was going to send it to the two people I used to discuss movies with in Blacksburg, and then for some crazy reason, I just decided to take that email I had written and turn it into a blog. I joined Myspace (I don't remember why I picked that particular site), copied and pasted my movie review into a blog post, and sent the link to a bunch of people. And I've continued to write about random things ever since, usually sports or music. I pretty much see it as a journal; I can write about a concert I attended, and then go back later to re-read and remember details from the show. Meanwhile, my friends can read about what I've been up to as well, and I can read about the things that are on their mind. I also like the music on Myspace; you can usually listen to at least three songs by any band on Myspace, which is great for discovering new music. Or in my brother's case, you can put your own music online for others to discover.

Over the past year or so, people have tried to get me to switch over to Facebook, but I think one social networking site is enough. I blame Facebook's popularity on Chris Hansen; because of him, the words 'Myspace' and 'child predator' have become forever linked. Facebook took advantage of Myspace's bad press and rose to the top, but I refuse to change...or maybe I am just too lazy to keep up with that many social networking sites. Or perhaps the problem is that I'm not lazy enough? Whatever the case, I think I'll just stick with Myspace. Maybe I'm just 'internet old-fashioned' - you know, I still use yahoo as my search engine instead of google!

It's becoming difficult to think of ways that the library can efficiently use all of this technology. We could use Facebook to post pictures...but we already learned about how Flickr can help with that. We could use Myspace so the librarians could write their latest thoughts...but we already talked about how sites like blogger can do the same thing. We could send messages about upcoming events on social networking sites...but then we could also just use Twitter for this purpose. I guess a better question is how the library can provide all of this information effectively without overloading our consumers. Should we be using every new feature that the internet has to offer, so patrons can follow us in the way that is most convenient for them? Or would this dilute the information that we have to offer? If one librarian is a 'tweeter' and another prefers podcasts, how will the patron know where to go? These are questions that need to be considered for the library to best utilize the many features of Web 2.0.

Meanwhile, in my continuing critique of our own personal weekly lesson, we were given the optional assignment of checking out Wikipedia's List Of Social Networking Sites. I must say, I think it's hilarious that the first site they list is Adult Friend Finder, which wikipedia describes as an 'online sex and swinger personals community website.' Thanks Wikipedia; these are the kinds of websites that give the internet a bad name, and by dignifying this site as legitimate, you are contributing to the internet's eventual demise. Surely Wikipedia, you could have found a better social networking site to place at the top of your alphabetical list. "Abba Fans Since '86" might appreciate the publicity, and their mission isn't sick and disturbing. Er...um...actually...you know, on second thought, maybe wikipedia got their list right the first time.

Web 2.0 Training - Your Choice / Gaming

Brian & Mechanical Bull #2 4-25-04
Originally uploaded by brubaker867

I'm not really into computer games - my favorite video game is still Super Bomber Man on Super Nintendo, a game anybody can pick up and play right away because you really only need to know one button. So instead I played around some more with Flickr, finding old pictures on my wife's laptop computer and saving them on-line where they won't take up space on my computer.

And besides...why would I waste my time playing a computer game when I could be riding a mechanical bull?

Web 2.0 Training - Wikis

Wikis are websites that can easily be edited by anybody using them. I think the library could use wikis for basically the same function as the "CHPLearning 'sandbox' wiki" - users could submit book reviews or suggestions of things to do around the community. I do think it would be important to have people register for a CHPL wiki before they can edit the site...that way, people will be accountable for the content that they create. You don't want somebody cyber-bullying another person because they have a differing opinion about the latest Jodi Picoult novel.


Another potential problem with wikis is the publishing of misinformation, which can often be discovered on incorrect Wikipedia pages and...um...I'm sorry, that's it, I've run out of interesting things to say about wikis. My mind is choosing to instead focus on U2 songs, and has been ever since I bought tickets this morning for their October concert...and my brain was already on overdrive with the exciting news that the Chicago Bears just traded for a franchise quarterback when the team has NEVER had one before, not to mention I'm still processing the bizarre fact that my wife's company just hired a new employee named Michael Vick. So I apologize; maybe next week I'll be able to come up with more than an opening paragraph offering a thoughtful take on the Web 2.0 lessons.


Of course...I do still feel the need to once again mock the "Common Craft" video that we watched this week. I'm sorry, but if I'm going on a camping trip with three other people, we will definitely be communicating our plans by email. And there won't be thousands of emails like the teacher would lead us to believe...it seems that in his constant desire to leave behind the 'old way,' he's forgotten about a little device called the 'reply-all' button. This handy tool enables me to send the same message to all of my camping buddies simultaneously! It would be much easier to read four group emails than it would be to make a whole other website that I would have to go out of my way to visit. But I'll always check my email; a message about my camping trip would be read immediately. So using wikis for planning a camping trip gets a loud "BOO" from me. And I'll wave a big 'thumbs down' at the screen as soon as I finish typing this sentence.

Web 2.0 Training - Flickr, Part 2

Flickr and other photo sharing websites are pretty useful. I have visited them in the past to see pictures of family members that are living across the country and to see the places and things they are doing. But I had never actually joined Flickr until this week...I'm really bad at remembering to take pictures when I go on an adventure. My wife has the same problem, but we decided to buy a digital camera in December and force ourselves to start using it. We took several pictures with our new camera when we went to Las Vegas in January, and now that I've joined Flickr, I can let other family members see images from our trip as well as backup these photos online.

I think Flickr could be utilized by the children's departments at CHPL. Pictures could be taken of story times and shown online; librarians could also look for images of story times at other libraries and see if there are props or books that can be incorporated here in Henrico. Flickr could also be used for contests - maybe kids could take books with them on their summer vacations and take pictures from far away places with their Twin Hickory copy of "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" in hand. Children could then see all of the cool places the books have journeyed while being encouraged to bring along something to read on their trip.

Web 2.0 Training - Flickr, Part 1

Originally uploaded by thefacelesskid

Today I created my own Flickr account, but since I did not bring a digital camera with me to work, I decided to randomly search the Flickr archives for concerts that I've attended recently and see if I could find myself. I'm not sure if I've succeeded here - I'm only about 50% sure that the guy in the lower right hand corner wearing glasses is me. But I DID drive down to VA Beach to see The Gaslight Anthem in October, and I WAS standing in that general area, so I think it's a good bet. Still, it would be nice if the photographer had taken another step or two back so I could confirm if this is definitively me...does this glasses-wearing-person have on one of my shirts, or is he standing next to my wife? These would be key facts in determining the true identity of the man in the lower right hand corner.

But whether or not that is me, the concert was awesome! The entire crowd sang along to every word of every song. I'm convinced that singer Brian Fallon was cloned from Bruce Springsteen's DNA and born sometime around 1980 to punk rock parents. He told a couple stories about visiting places that are mentioned in Springsteen songs, and he even wore the same kind of beanie that Bruce wears on the Live At Hammersmith Odeon DVD. Definitely check out The Gaslight Anthem if you like good rock 'n roll.

As for me, I'm going to check out some more Flickr, and think of ways that we can use it at CHPL. Flickr Away!!!

Web 2.0 Training - Podcasts

I've been aware of podcasts for a long time; almost five years ago, my friend Jason was telling me how podcasts would replace radio, and how we would be able to easily listen to whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted (and avoid the junk that was on most commercial radio stations). But I didn't really jump on the podcasting bandwagon until I got an iPod over a year ago. I usually only listen to the radio when I'm driving; now I could load a podcast onto my iPod and listen to that instead. And yet, when I'm driving, podcasting still takes a backseat to my cds, WNRN, and AM Sports Radio. But there is one place where I always listen to podcasts - the gym.

Podcasts are perfect for the gym; they force your brain to listen to a conversation rather than acknowledge the heavy weight lifting that you're currently sweating through. I've found that most of my music is too fast or too slow to match the medium, steady pace of lifting weights, so listening to podcasts was the perfect solution. (Obviously, it's a different situation if you are on a treadmill; your mind is too fried to pay attention to a conversation, you need fast music that motivates you to keep going. I've found H2O albums to be the perfect choice...on the rare occasions that I can actually motivate myself to get on the treadmill in the first place.) Now I lift and listen to people talk about sports, movies, music or current events - the only problem is when something funny is said and I start to laugh mid-lift. My new routine to get ready for the gym involves changing clothes, filling my water bottle, and loading a podcast onto my iPod - it's just natural, I don't even have to think about it. In fact, it still throws me off that my favorite weekly podcast was canceled at the beginning of the year (Weasel Radio, based out of Madison, Wisconsin). I used to listen to Owen and Ben argue sports, music and politics every Thursday, but then Owen went and moved to Seattle. Yes, I'm nostalgic for a podcast gone by...how's that for living the Web 2.0 life?

I think podcasts could be very useful at the library. Story Times could be recorded and then archived for future listening. In fact, you could just bypass the actual library 'Story Time' and record the librarian reading a book in the comfort of their own home. Maybe sound effects could be added as well - you could have a whole Story Time Podcasting Production! You could turn book discussions, computer classes, and live appearances by book authors into podcasts as well. Podcasts could be geared towards a broad audience, or target a specific group, such as teens or Henrico County residents. There are a variety of ways this technology can be utilized at Henrico County Public Libraries, and I look forward to seeing how we will move forward into the podcasting world.

Web 2.0 Training - Twitter

I apologize to the Web 2.0 Committee Member that created this week's lesson, but I really don't see the point of microblogging through Twitter. If I'm going to take the time to read something online, let alone follow it on a daily basis, I would hope that it contained more substance than 140 characters can provide. And I don't think that Twitter is a useful tool for work at the library either; why would anybody want constant one sentence updates telling them about each day's events when they could just go to the main website and look at the calendar? Anyways, I think my distaste for Twitter was accurately described by ESPN's Bill Simmons:

In 15 years, writing went from "reflecting on what happened and putting together some coherent thoughts" to "reflecting on what happened as quickly as possible" to "reflecting on what's happening as it's happening" to "here are my half-baked thoughts about absolutely anything and I'm not even going to attempt to entertain you," or as I like to call it, Twitter/Facebook Syndrome. Do my friends REALLY CARE if I send out an update, "Bill is flying on an airplane finishing a mailbag right now?" (Which is true, by the way.) I just don't think they would. I certainly wouldn't. That's why I refuse to use Twitter.

Amen.

Of course, the video in this week's lesson about Twitter did include the quote, "Carla's friends followed her updates, and learned that she recently discovered a passion for Van Halen," which made me laugh out loud, so I guess this week's lesson wasn't a total waste.

...Oh, and just to clarify, I laughed at that quote for its randomness, not because I dislike Van Halen, whose first album should be owned by everyone. Even the Hagar era had its moments - somewhere in the depths of 100.7 FM in Radford there is a recording of me belting out the opening to "Poundcake" in all its glory. Still, the idea of somebody discovering Van Halen through Twitter would make David Lee Roth spin in his grave.

Web 2.0 Training - RSS Feeds

This week I learned about RSS Feeds, which enable you to check for updates on numerous websites by just visiting one page. I have never used RSS Feeds before - I can count on one hand the number of websites that I visit on a daily basis, and it has never felt time consuming to go to each of these pages individually. But in the spirit of learning, I decided to set one up anyways.



The video mentioned Yahoo Reader as a viable RSS Feed, and since I have a yahoo email address, I decided to try this instead of the two other sites suggested in the Web 2.0 Blog. I added several websites to my Yahoo Reader, but the results were mixed at best. Some of the RSS Feeds would work as I had assumed they would - I clicked on the headline, and the article opened in another box on my Yahoo Reader page. But when I clicked the headlines from some other sites, the internet browser just went to that particular webpage for me to read the article - it was as if I had just gone to the webpage from the beginning! I returned to my Yahoo Reader page by clicking the back button. Another problem I encountered was that some of the webpages had actually been updated more recently than my RSS Feed initially stated. I also found it frustrating that I could not read comments on the RSS Feed, only the main article. In the end, I think RSS Feeds would have been a lot more useful ten years ago when we had to spend five minutes waiting for each webpage to load. But I'm not sure how much time is saved these days when the internet moves at light speed.



I have also been racking my brain to think of ways that RSS Feeds could be used at the library. Maybe an RSS Feed could be offered that tells about all of the events being offered at the library - but I don't know if that's necessary when we already have a calendar on the main website, plus events are scheduled well in advance and don't require the immediacy of an RSS Feed. Perhaps an RSS Feed could be set up that lets patrons know whenever new books are added to the catalog. This way patrons will know whenever their favorite authors have a new book out. Of course, we might have to set up a separate RSS Feed devoted to James Patterson - I think he has a new book out every month!

Web 2.0 Training - Blogs

This is the first of many blog posts that will cover the Web 2.0 Class I'm currently taking through Henrico Public Libraries. As everyone should know, the name of my blog comes from a classic episode of "The Simpsons" - Homer's computer tells him "To start, press any key," and he wonders aloud "Where's the 'any' key?" Fortunately I am a little more knowledgeable about computers than Homer. For instance, I am familiar with blogs; I have one through myspace that I use to help keep up with long-distance friends from college. But I am looking forward to learning more through this class - I'm particularly interested in the lesson on podcasting in Week 5. So let's start the fun!