Facebook in Real Life

This is a video that was shown at one of the session I went to at the RI Library Association Conference a couple of weeks ago. It is a little dated because you can't do some of the things (like sending a drink), but it is still quite fun if you are a big user of Facebook. Enjoy

Library 2.0: Evolutionary or Revolutionary

For class, we read an interesting article that looked at Web 2.0 tools and their relation to library services. The focus of the article was to identify if this trend in library services, which has taken on the moniker "Library 2.0," is an evolution or a revolution. Based on my political science/history background, the definition of evolution and revolution comes down to the amount of time involved. If it is quick and drastic change, it is a revolution. If it is slow and steady, it is an evolution. The authors of the article we reviewed presented the idea that Library 2.0 is actually a little bit of both, and I think I can agree with that.

As with everything that is part of this new wave of online technology, I think the tools of Web 2.0 are revolutionary. Most of the tools involved are fairly new, having only come about since the beginning of the millennium. With that said, they haven't just burst on to the scene and remained the same. As blogs, wikis, and social media sites are continuing to be used, they are also adapting and evolving in response to how the people using them want them to operate. In a way, this is at the core of what makes Web 2.0/Library 2.0 operate: the ability of the end user to interact and help direct how they get what they want and to help mold that end product.

For me, that is part of what makes the idea of Library 2.0 more of an evolutionary model. My experience and understanding is that librarians really should have always been doing everything possible to get people the information and resources. What is a major shift is that there is a higher level of interactivity involved on the part of the patrons to help organize this information and be proactive in making more information that people would want readily available ... so much so that the patrons don't have to seek out information, the information finds its way to the patrons before they even know they want it.

What does the future hold? None of us can really predict the specifics because the technology is continuing to evolve and change and new inventions could revolutionize services even more. Either way, I think it is pretty exciting. We are living in a time of change.

How Blogs and Social Media Agendas Relate and Differ from Traditional Press

This piece from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism presents the findings of a study of how different types of social media sites are used by visitors. These include Twitter, YouTube, and general blogging tools hosted in various locations. What is particularly interesting is that each of the tools did in fact seemed to be used in very different ways. I do have to admit that I was not all that surprised that this was the case since the resulting uses seemed to be reflective of what the tools were designed for and how they perform.

For example, Twitter seemed much more focused on technology-topics and blogs much more focused on political issues. YouTube seems to work more on the idea of mob-mentality with a high level of interest directed by friends and loved ones pointing out videos that people should check out. While all three cases tended to cover stories and move on within a week, blogs seemed to be tied closely to traditional news sources when starting to cover a topic, though often expanding on the topic with commentary. The research seemed to show that both conservative and liberal viewpoints were well represented in all three areas.

The center's News Media Index is updated each week with more up-to-date research. For more information, feel free to check it out.

Teen Literature and Social Networking

I think that most people will agree that social networking and other elements of Web 2.0 has become a vital part of the world of today's teens. The Millennial Generation as dived into these tools with pleasure. As a result, they have a higher sense of immediacy and access that surpasses the young people of previous generations. Cell phones, email, and blogs have become such a major part of their lives that they are also sneaking into teen literature. You can check out a book list I have at the library I work at that highlights titles connected with such titles.

There is a brand new one coming out this summer that highlights Facebook in a unigue way. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. Set in 1996, Emma is just getting her first computer. As with so many people in that position, the computer comes with a CD-ROM with software to connect them (via dial MODEM) to AOL. She, and her best friend Josh are excited beyond belief, but something strange happens when they log-on for the first time. They find themselves on a strange blue and white page. At the top of the page, it says Facebook, and there is a picture of what looks like an older version of Emma. After browsing around for a while, it turns out that it is the Facebook page of Emma some 15 years in the future. She has married, but her marriage is not going well, and her friendship with Josh seems to have totally faded away.

As you can imagine, Emma and Josh find themselves adjusting their aspirations in the hopes of improving their situations. As they do so, they continue to visit Emma's future Facebook page, only to find out that they have generally made things worse. What does this really mean and how will they resolve their problems...

Well, I wish I could tell you that I actually knew! I heard about this book at the RI Library Association conference in a session on up-and-coming teen novels. The booktalk was awesome, and it left me salivating at the the thought of getting my hands on it. What is ironic is I am about the same age as Josh and Emma so it will bring me back in time while also being current. If anyone knows a way to get my hands on a preview copy, I would be happy to know.

I do wonder if today's kids will connect with mid-1990's tech, even if it is only as a plot device to set up the neat modern-based tale. How do you think they will receive the book? Do you want to read it as much as I do?

Mashable and Being MIA

I am sad to say that it has been nine days since I have posted anything to my blog. That is pretty sad when you figure that it kicked off as the result of auditing a class. With my vacation tying up and tying up a few other things, I am hoping to get back to full strength on here and in regard to the class as a whole.

Since I am such a sharer, I figured the next thing I would post about is Mashable, which is basically a center that brings together all sorts of news reports relating to everything that is social networking and Web 2.0. As you can imagine, access is pretty diverse. You can subscribe to it through Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn, a number of other sites. You can also download apps to use with your iPhone/iPad/iPod, Droid, or other G3 or G4 phone.

A friend of mine actually introduced me to it. One thing that is fun about the source is that it includes things that would be considered news, such as announcements about changes to services or technology from companies like Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple to just general interest stories about neat new apps and services or statistics about trends in connected to cell phones and Web 2.0.

Feel free to check it out and share your thoughts about it. I like the app as the best way to access the news. It pushes "breaking news" announcements for each new story so I see it and can follow up to read the article if I am interested. The same could be said for the AP, CNN, and NPR apps.

Reflections on "The Terrible Twos"

I have to admit that I had trouble connecting with Mr. Notes as he presents case. On the one hand, he seems to be promoting the "second wave of Web techniques to create more interactive and easy-to-use websites," but he seems awful hung up on the related terminology, particularly the "2.0" connection. Here is a section from a lecture I use in a class I teach:

Let’s start by talking about where this whole “2.0” business started. Join me on a time warp back a few years. In fact, we are talking at least 10 years. Like today, software was constantly being upgraded. Microsoft Office would be a wonderful example of this, and one that is continuing though today. Now, the company just uses the date (1995, 1998, 2000, 2004) as a way to indicate a major upgrade into the next generation of software. Prior to that, they used simple number: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0. If minor upgrades were made, then it was an increase in number after the decimal point. For example, the last version of Microsoft Office to use this formula was MS Office 3.1. Some companies continue to use that formula. For example, AOL just released AOL 9.6. Basically, the phrase Library 2.0 centers around the idea of a whole new generation of library services using Internet-based services and tools.

Notes actually refers to this in the final paragraphs on page one of the article.

With Web 2.0 (and its related Library 2.0 and similar nicknames), the techie talk is really just using existing terms to simply present the major shift in the way we view using the Internet. Rather than it being simple websites that presented controlled data, the content becomes highly interactive. This means not only allowing visitors to comment on the content, but to also interact in introducing additional content and molding how the content is presented. This on-line, social interactivity becomes the basis of the idea of social networking. As a result, we find ourselves surrounded by wikis, cloud tagging, and other great tools highlighted and promoted by Notes.

I am probably being harsh on poor Mr. Notes. Five years have gone by since the article was released and the controversy he has highlighted has generally died down in the intervening years. I think a lot of that includes a growing comfort/acceptance to the related terminology. In some ways, I think the concerns about the terminology are reflective of the challenges we all face as we are confronted with major shifts at how we view the world, and social networking has definitely caused that.

And yes, when I was at the RI Library Association Conference in 2009, there was talk about the fact that there is already a growing focus on Web 3.0. Here is the blurb for his luncheon presentation:

Cliff Landis, Assistant Professor and Technology Librarian, Valdosta State University, is planning ahead for Web 3.0 and beyond— specifically, how libraries can use evolving technologies to offer outstanding user-centered services. He’ll explain the connections between 2.0 technologies, share best practices for choosing tools, and demonstrate technologies that will be impacting libraries down the line.

The cool thing as that as we give these new tools a chance, like Mr. Notes, we will find a lot of valuable opportunities.

Web 2.0 in Other Fields

With all of the interest in new online and mobile tools, libraries are definitely hoping to expand services to meet the needs (and wants) of many of our patrons. We are not the only profession that is looking to these to improve services and expand our outreach to new patrons. Today's Providence Journal had a really interesting article about how area hospitals are using mobile technology to help with treatment of addictive behaviors and other conditions.

The article is called Cell phones could help you quit smoking and was written by Felice J. Freyer, the Journal's medical writer. The articles highlight how those trying to quit smoking receive helpful reminders and supportive comments at certain key time frames to support their attempts to quite smoking. Apparently, the cost is really not all that limited since the expense expended would equal a less-directed media campaign that would be less interactive with those hoping to receive successful treatment.

Later portions of the article talk abotu similar related programs at hospitals in other parts of RI or New England.