Thing 23!!! Web 2.0 and libraries

I think that the Icebergs article hit the nail on the head, the key for the library of the future is to simply try and match up patrons and the information they need in the most efficient manner possible while balancing this need with the need of the patron for traditional library services. This task of achieving balance looks to be one of the most challenging and rewarding of the career, I hope that libraries continue to grow and adapt as the world adapts. One of the things that kept coming up with the Web 2.0 sites that we looked at with these 23 things is the community, people like to be connected to the other people around them as well as being connected with their information. Libraries are excellent examples of Web 2.0 in physical form, the web is adapting to the people and I feel that libraries will also adapt as needed to the changing needs of the patron.

Peace!

Thing 22, podcasting

For some reason I’ve never really been a fan of podcasts, but the main one that I follow is the sphere of hip-hop podcast, they offer music, interviews and other cool content. Another good one is the Syncast, much like the SOHH podcast but put out by the Syntax record company. Even these I don’t listen to that often because if I have the time to listen to something it’s most likely gonna be some fresh jams, not some joker talking about fresh jams…

Peace!

youtube!

Youtube.com is the place to be for all kinds of videos but one of the main things I use it for is music on demand, there are a few bands that are either from out of the country or just really really low key to the point where I can hardly find a spot to listen to their music online, I then head over to youtube and usually I can find some song that I want to hear pretty quickly, it’s the best place to hear the Nujabes, Blue Scholars and also to check out some old school rap videos. I like watching Turntablism and breakin’ along with checking my video game trailers and stuff like that. I’m heading over to listen to loyalty by the blue scholars as I’m typing this up right now. One other thing that is cool is the sharing of videos that you like with other people either by linking or embedding in other sites to get your video across. Try not to get rick roll’d!

Check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDyPvF0KL8

Peace!

Widgets!

In economics classes the product that is being produced is often a widget, whatever they may be, but software widgets are incredibly useful tools that can allow you to bring the Web to you instead of you going to the web, I think my main one was a stock ticker that simply showed how the market was doing on my desktop. Simple, elegant and functional. Of course you can customize as you like, since that is the nature of the web 2.0, but I feel that these are nice options to have to sort of mine data and information for you.

Peace!

Thing 19

I picked MetaCafe, it’s like youtube but the videos are sometimes a lot more serious and science oriented, for example they have a few make your own fireworks videos (I have not done) and a make your own fireballs video (I have done, so much fun to hold fire in your hand without burning yourself). I think that as a library we could put some videos up to help with research or simply demonstrate the fireball thing…

Peace!

Thing 18

I think that I prefer the iGoogle start page, just because I play chess on it a lot and tend to go to the google at least once a day. I wouldn’t set it to my homepage tho, I have about 10 tabs on my firefox opening screen and I enjoy clicking thru them to see what’s new. I tend to stay away from online organizers, if I have it online I might forget to check it before I go out the door but if it’s written on my arm I usually see it. I think that if you are all going to use one thing we can all find the file converters useful at some time or another, thank you software companies!

Peace!

Delicious

Delicious is yet another cool way for us to learn more about the other people in the world, what are they looking at on the web? What sites do you consider cool and want to share? We are all somewhat nosy to a point and want to know what’s happening with other people, and sites like delicious help us share what we have going on as well as learning about other people’s tastes.

Tagging isn’t just about graffiti any more, tagging is also an excellent way to categorize the vast amount of content that is being added to the net constantly, if I had the idea correctly you tag your stuff to help crawlers and search engines know what the heck your content is about, and in the end helps people that want your stuff to find your stuff. Win win.

Peace!

Facebookery and Myspaciousness

Social networking sites are all the rage, everyone is doing it! I have a myspace which is more of a goofy thing going on and I also have a facebook, which I try to keep mainly clean and professional looking. So far I really haven’t been “Drawn in” to the point where I can waste hours and hours on either site, but I do know people who can spend 12 hours on myspace doing…well I don’t really know what they do for 12 hours. I like checking out new apps and would one day like to write my own for facebook and myspace, but that’s another project that I put down to someday. The main thing that I use facebook and myspace for is communication with my friends, and broadcasting what I’m up to if I feel like it. Hit me up on facebook if you haven’t already!

Peace!

Dig Dug

Out of the sites mentioned I am most familiar with Digg and have been a party to some weird attempted sabotage, such as getting this article about lawls to the front by having everyone you know Digg it and telling their friends to digg it too. Once again tho this is a great tool and it utilizes what the net and technology in general is good at, the aggregate. By looking at what large crowds are interested in you can find things that are  interesting to you as well, probably. I know for a fact that I most likely would have missed this article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/3280225/US-teenager-jailed-for-grandmother-gangster-rap-video.html

Peace!

Maps?!?!?!? Who needs a map?

Not saying that I really neeeed a map, but if I did, being able to customize one as needed would be an awesome feature, I think google is going to take over the world, but at least they can help us out along the way to world domination. I could use that for directions to a party, tell people where the hot spots are in heights, or simply point out my various hangouts across the city. Should be fun!

Peace!