Smashing Mashups

I discovered that I have been using mashups but never realized it before this week's training excerises. Some of the links didn't work and some had no appeal to me whatsoever. However, I did find one that I love playing with
www.gmap-pedometer.com. I've mapped out some walking routes in my neighborhood, gotten the mileage, and calculated calories used. Now all I have to do is actually WALK!

Flickr and Community Spirit

Tagging enables one to search quickly and productively. Flickr allows users to post their photos and tag them so that others can more easily find them among the millions of photos on the web site. Groups consisting of friends who share common interests and family members can be created to enhance "community" participation.

Flickr

The "f" in Flickr must stand for fun! I'm having fun searching for humorous photos, pictures of places I've been or would like to go, or just random searches. However, I have no interest in Aunt Hilda birthday party type pictures. I'm sure they mean bunches to Hilda but not to me.

Web2.0

Web2.0 Awards was fun. In particular, I enjoyed Arcaplay and Zillow. I skipped any sites that required signups. It was good that quite a few did not.

Having someone else do the time consuming surfing on the web to find the best is wonderful!

I understand what Technorati is about. What I don't understand is its appeal. Maybe it's me but I don't really want to search anonymous blogs to get information or for fun. There's only so many hours in the day. Better ways exist to spend them.

This was my introduction to Del.icio.us. An account was extremely easy to set up, and searching and adding bookmarks seems simple. I can see where Del.icio.us would be a good way to organize bookmarks. I enjoyed seeing what other users had bookmarked. Great way to discover new web sites.

Tagging sounds like a useful tool in organizing and finding information. Of course, since there is no "set of rules", tagging might only be as good as the tagger.

Say What

Frustration, frustration. Okay, I have created a myspace. Now I'm trying to personalize it. Oh wait a minute...it can't be done at work.

Well, I created a myspace and added some friends. Just one more place to check and discover that no one has written. Of course, I haven't written either, so there you go. Setting up the myspace was easy.

Creating a presence via an online social network may be inevitable for libraries. Teens are savvy computer users and multitaskers. Long gone are the days when libraries could sit and wait for teens to come. Now libraires need to go where teens go...myspace. But just a presence is not enough. Libraries must bring value to this teen cyberworld. Ask the teens.

saywhatnow

More Graphics at pYzam.com

Library 2.0 means connecting with our customers in the ways and at the times that the customers want. It means having the information they want in the formats they want. Library 2.0 means using the tools available to connect with our customers - of all ages and it also means adapting to new technologies as they come! We do not need to be the first, necessarily, to test new technologies, but we should not be the last either!

It was easy to add my book to the reader's advisory section of VBPL's wiki. I enjoyed reading the recommendations. A great way to find the next read!

I love wikis. Although the info may not always be correct, a wiki is a great place to find topical and entertainment information.

I chose Google Reader to set up my RSS feed. It was simple and painless. I've shared my feeds on my blog for all who are interested.

IM is a great idea for libraries. People are increasingly using the computer for information. IM is a convenient and quick method for libraries to connect with their customers. Hopefully VBPL will be able to expand this service to customers to include more libraries and longer hours.

I have used IM to ask questions of businesses and services such as Cox, Dell, etc. I love the interaction, but I always request a copy of the conversation as my memory isn't as good as it used to be!

Very interesting, but I still prefer going to my favorite websites direct.

My 71/2

Lifelong learning=reading