One thing that interests me about wikis is the wide variety of uses they have. They aren’t just used for one kind of information-sharing, even in similar types of settings like libraries. Some people see the format and think “Collaborative book lists!” while others see “Event planning!” And while generally we think of wikis as reflective of a group process, I noticed that the Bull Run Library’s wiki contained a statement that the wiki was the work of a single library patron. Actually that kind of relieved me–I don’t much care for PBWiki’s format (although it is free and easy), and I would hope that an actual library would devote a little more money and design time to their site, but it is a nice effort to keep current and of-interest information available online. That is a big advantage for smaller systems without strong websites. For libraries with a strong web presence already, wikis still make it easy for staff to quickly share information with patrons and each other–especially nice for reference and reader’s advisory departments.
Quest 8: Social Networking October 10, 2007
I was a very reluctant user of social networking sites, but over the last several years I have at some point created accounts on Friendster, MySpace, Facebook, and I think even Bebo although I’ve never used that one. It really wasn’t until Facebook that I found much of anything worthwhile in social networking, and by then I was so annoyed with all the hype I almost didn’t sign up. I am really glad I did, though–I LOVE Facebook.
You might hear me talking a lot about MySpace, because I developed the TLC’s staff class on MySpace, and in class I think I do a pretty good job of keeping my opinion on MySpace to myself (which is that it is a badly designed site that users make look even worse with their profile designs, and unless you follow a lot of musicians there isn’t much of value on the site). It has been a very influential website, and I do think it is important to understand how it works and why people like it (I think many young people are drawn to the chaotic design that I personally can’t stand).
But Facebook is different. I’ve only used it for a few months, but virtually all of my friends are now using it, and living far away from my friends it has been a great, fun way of seeing what they are up to. The applications are really fun, some of them even useful, and the site itself is fairly clean. I have gotten back in touch with several people I hadn’t spoken to in years, some of whom are living in different countries, and it also seems good for professional networking with the large numbers of librarians on Facebook and the related applications and groups.
I suspect that my friends and I might eventually get bored with Facebook and stop using it, but for now, it has even replaced email with many of my friends and I am really enjoying it.
Quest 7: Photosharing October 10, 2007
Originally uploaded by gretchens
I have used Flickr on and off for a couple years. I signed up after I bought a digital camera and took a trip to Europe, so I would have someplace to put all my photos. Now I am glad I got the Pro account, because all those photos would probably be lost now that my hard drive has died.
I learned some new things in the State Library’s Flickr class, including geotagging and some of the more social aspects of the site. I didn’t have any Flickr contacts before this class, but now I have found several friends on Flickr.
I recently explored lots of photo sharing sites for a TLC class I developed, and my favorite new photo site is Picnik. It pulls photos in right from Flickr or Facebook and has tons of great editing tools. It is also really easy to use. Unfortunately, it crashes my work computer so I don’t use it too much! Another new site I found with features similar to Flickr but completely free is Zooomr (yes, that’s with 3 o’s).
Weird, while I was writing this post I got a new email, and one of my friends has added me as a contact on Flickr!
