Thing 22: Staying Current

To stay current I'm setting up RSS feeds from the following:

http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/rss.xml

http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/

http://librarybytes.com/

However, with the advances in technology is it really possible to stay "current"?

Thing 21: Student 2.0

I have one question; where these 30 years ago. This would have been great when I had to sit at the kitchen table and pour through all 20 volumes of the encyclopedia and get up the next morning to retrieve something I had accidently thrown away the night before. I really feel like a DINOSAUR.

Thing 20: Book 2.0

I think the "book" is going through various transformations. Whether we read from paper or a digital device we are still reading what someone chose to share by writing. The offerings today are available in almost every format imaginable.
There is however the matter of cost. Libraries provide digital media for checkout. This includes "E-books and DABs. These are pretty much maintanance-free when compared to printed materials. Other digital information services are also readily available at your library. So, while these other formats are in place, the prices of these items (Kindle, I-phones,etc.) will keep some of us going to the library.

Thing 19: Social Networking/Others

I looked at some of the others and found them to be larger versions of Yahoo Groups.
Some I would have an ocassion to use and others I wouldn't go through the registration process
when the info is readily available elsewhere.
I think any of the sites could be used to promote library services and inter-library networking. There should be a way to combine them into one.

Thing 18:Social Networking/ Facebook and MySpace

I am relatively new to Facebook. I have had a Myspace page for some time now. I ventured into Myspace after attending a workshop presented by the local Police Depatment. The presenting officer said if you really wanted to know kids are doing get a page on Myspace.
He was not wrong!
I now have Facebook "wall". While I'm still not sure what it's all about, it is fun. I've been contacted by people I've not seen nor heard from in years.

I am however concerned about some of the postings. I don't think one should post the names of children.

I do think Social Networking is here to stay. Just look at the amount of ads!

Thing 17 Podcasts

Podcasts can be useful but can also be abused. As it stands, there are no regulations as to what can be "cast". Unlike TV and Radio, there is absolutely no control. However, it seems to be a popular way of communicating. Here are some uses for podcasting:

Wikinews -New briefs

Assistive Media -Readings of short-format magazine articles for visually impaired readers
http://podcast.assistivemedia.org/

Chicago Police Department- " Crime watch" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/chicago-police-department/

AA Just For Today - Self-rehabilitation from alcoholism http://aajustfortoday/

Thing 16: YouTube

I, like many others, have received emails containing "Youtube" videos. Some were funny and some were really disgusting. With the freedom the internet allows, there will always be abuses.
However, I think it has it's place in "Society 2.0"

Here's an interesting video from Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z81SViX2VIg

Thing 15: Rollyo

I did a search using ROLLYO. I actually got information without having to beat off the ads. Other search engines are usually cluttered with ads and other "keyword" stuff that has little, if anything to do with your search. This provided what I was looking for without having to "fish it out". It was good to not the have the other "stuff". This could be a much used library tool!

Thing 14: Online Productivity Tools

I actually used several of the tools before they became popular.
These are some I almost daily:

Google Calendar

Google Reader

Google Startpage

Pandora

Last.fm
There are several others that I will be using soon. These tools are quite like the microwave oven and cell phone; nobody will ever remember not having them.

Thing 13 : Library Thing

By George, I think I've got it!

Thing 12 - WIKIS

I am behind, but I am attempting to complete this. Interestingly enough, I've discovered that a lot of the "23 Things" I now use more than I thought I would. These "wiki" things are popping everywhere. I find it interesting that there are so many people that "seem" to know so much about anything. There are city wikis that actually tell whats on sell and where. There are wikis about wikis. I was also curious as to where the word came from. It is a Hawaian word that means "quick" or "fast". With that said, I'll "wiki-ly" move on!