Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Oh, How Tweet Tweet It Is!

So, let me start off this week's discussion with ...

I LOVE TWITTER. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE TWITTER. LOOOOOOVE TWITTER #crazylady


That being said, let's get down to business!

The LC blogpost is interesting. I am proud to say I actually saw their original tweet about cataloging all tweets first hand when the story first broke. I have mixed feelings on the issue - I don't really think it's a big deal in regards to privacy/access to information. I feel Twitter is a public forum, and if you aren't comfortable with that, then Twitter is not the social media forum for you.

I think Twitter can be VERY useful to libraries and librarians, especially for sharing information and getting ideas. It is a great tool for keeping track of news from the different organizations and upcoming events. I follow a bunch of different librarians, libraries (such as all our local libraries that are on Twitter, including the newly joined Newport Library) as well as large public libraries, such as NYPL. After reading through the uses list of Twitter in the lecture, I think the one that sounds the most odd (or the one I would least ever use Twitter for) is to make lists or reminder notes. Really? Twitter to jot down ideas? I guess ultimately that is what Twitter is, but this just seemed odd.

The guides, studies and tips have some fantastic links, and I can't wait to explore them thoroughly! I didn't know about some of the tools and add-ons, though I did know about the tie-in to Facebook, the locator service, and the search function.

While I am sure we will all be following some similar library/librarian tweeters, here are some of the others I like (purely for personal enjoyment and entertainment)

Whitney Cummings
Pierce Morgan
Howie Mandel
Reach Out and Read
Cox Rhode Races
Runner's World
Chad Ochocinco
Weight Watchers

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Vacation ... and School

Hello, from the lovely Florida Keys! I have spent the last 3 days in Key West, and we are now staying at a family condo in Key Largo. The weather is beautiful - 80's and sunny!! And here I am, on a Saturday morning, on the couch in the AC writing on my blog and trying to catch up on a little school work. Mostly Sakai stuff because I cannot muster up the energy to start writing some papers. Those will have to wait until I am home on Monday night!

My internet has been in and out, so I will be honest; I have not yet read this week's assignments. It appears to be on mobile access and libraries, and I have commented on some other blogs already. I will look at it next week!

Before even reading the articles, I do feel like mobile access is important, and one of the blogs I ready (maybe Kristin's? ahh, I can't remember!) mentioned that even though it is important for libraries to be up to date on the latest technology, they also have to give that technology to the patrons in the form they want - and that includes mobile devices. I couldn't agree with that more!

Adios for now! That pool is calling my name :o)

Friday, February 17, 2012

Book Review: Everything Bad is Good For You

Boy, I wish this was true when it came to food :o) I am about a quarter of the way through, and so far the author has talked about gaming and the positive effects it has (much more in depth than just hand/eye coordination levels improving). The book is actually much more technical than I anticpated, and I admit, I tend to glaze over in those spots. I like the gist though, and Johnson explains himself well and has some good ideas.

After skimming through, the other topics are Televsion, the Internet, and Film (all Part I). Part II seems to be more philosophical, talking about a couple of different theories Johnson has come up with that integrates technology and pop culture. I have to admit, I have no idea where to go with the media outlet for my book review. I'm hoping as I read further, some sort of idea will jump out at me!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Blogs Wikis RSS Feeds & Some New Terms I Didn't Know

I was excited to learn two new terms today: folksonomie and AJAX. I don't know if I will ever reference them in conversation again, but it was interesting to know that these terms exist, and what they mean.

I was confused as well, initially, by the seemingly interchangeable use of Web 2.0 tools and Library 2.0 tools. It seems it depended on what article I was reading on which term they used. What I took from this article was that not all Web 2.0 tools are (nor should they be) necessarily Library 2.0 tools. I agreed with the author that only the tools that library and its users NEED should be included. This actually relates back to my literature topic because I will be looking at what users expect out of these tools from the library, therefore essentially finding out what their own needs are as users. The tools can also be what librarians need, such as the possible use of a wiki, for internal communication or a project to be shared amongst staff or a department.

I'm not sure I took away exactly what an RSS feed would do for the library users, so if anyone has any insight on that, please share! I think blogs are a wonderful way to include the community in the technological aspect of the library, and what AADL does is great (especially with patrons being able to see other patrons comments). It really does show respect that you trust your community, and I'm sure there is an option for the administrator to delete comments if they don't. :o)

Friday, February 10, 2012

Literature Review

I tried titling this "Literature Review ... Dum Dum Dum", as in that ominous music sound in the background, but figured it just looked liked I was saying it was dumb, so I decided against it.

I digress.

For my literature review topic, I am researching what public library users expect from 2.0 tools. This seems a little broad and I am hoping that I am able to narrow it down a little as I get going on the research, but this is my starting point!

I WANT MY PRIVACY!

One of my friends on Facebook (the mother of a 20 year old and a 14 year old) posted this video this morning. It seemed to come at an apt time considering what Boyd said about how teens perceive their privacy on Facebook in regards to their parents. I don't know, maybe this daughter's settings weren't set properly, but her father obviously found her post and from the gunshots I'd say he isn't happy about it.

WARNING - Some mild cuss words are in the video. Don't shoot the messenger.

Let's see if I can figure out how to post this link! ...Upset Dad, Click Here!

Just looking for thoughts and reactions in light of Boyd's commentary

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Culture Of Connectivity - Paying Attention & Fighting the Flu

Oomph. What a tough week for a 54:00 minute video to watch :o) I am fighting this virus with all I have, so I am trying to watch the video on one side screen and take notes in my blog so as not to have to retype them all over again. If anything I say comes across as clumsy, misspelled or delirious, I beg your forgiveness. These alka-seltzer tablets are amazing for the drug-like induced sensations I am currently experiencing :o)

First note on video: The first woman to speak encouraged eating and tweeting throughout the entire session. I like.

Notes:

  • Sociological divide - not all kids/students are born equal in digital skills, even at places like Harvard.
  • This guys cheeks are super-rosy ... why is that?
  • Two approaches: see what sticks, experiments, OR plan goals and work from there. Need a combo.
  • Fair amount of data now for use in social and academic contexts (Boyd)
  • Locate social media, and what they do, oversight of what they are and how set up
  • Repurposed "liking" on Facebook as emotional set up instead of corporate support
  • Conversation - social grooming, peripheral awareness (what's for breakfast), not really there
  • Social presence expected, old connections, longer connectedness than pre-social media
  • Scrapbook of their social lives
  • Public Space - Social Space
  • Persistance (always online), Replicability (cut & paste), Searchability, Scalability (embarrassing, humiliating, sexual or grotesque)
  • Invisible audiences
  • Collapsed contexts - lack of boundaries make it difficult to maintain distinct contexts
  • Privacy/Publicity - social control - negotiate privacy
  • Angelina quote - put out there so can keep close what is really private
  • Overuse of pronouns - I know what SHE said
  • Search engines - don't know how to make a query, use of copyright
  • Wikipedia - amazing opportunity instead of just "bad"
  • Process of creation, constant evolution of media literacy
  • Social constructs - not everyone gets along
  • Teacher Involvement - where does it begin, end or blur? A dance of tango
  • Online face is only one facet of that person's story
I really enjoyed listening to Boyd; I found her engaging and funny and did not dread the time of the video once she started her presentation. Certain points really stuck or made me think more about the teens/student in these types of forums.

 I found that she encouraged me to think about people on social media in a different light, especially teens, such as what their view of privacy is versus that of their parents. As she quoted Angelina Jolie, she speaks of putting stuff out there so people don't bug you about what you really want to keep private. I like this view, but I can't help but be a bit skeptical. If people are throwing what they want out their to keep their REALLY private stuff private, I cannot even begin to imagine what they are hiding! 

I could also appreciate her comments on teacher/professor involvement with students in the social media constructs. None of the social media sites were around when I was in high school so it wasn't as much a concern then, but now I find I am friends with a couple of professors on Facebook, and the experience can be strange. There is a line there that seems odd since we are similar in age, areas of origin, etc., but I feel there should be a divide (until graduation possible, when we could be considered colleagues?) I always feel that even when we are apparent "equals" I am always the student and they are always the professor (respect, or need for a therapy session? who knows) ... the same could be said between the boss/worker relationship and their social media use.

I could comment on every point she made, but this is already quite lengthy due to my bulleted list of notes during Boyd's presentation. I will leave them up as a gracious token of support for those that may have not made it through the entire video ;o)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Week #2 - Evolution/Revolution Pros/Cons Old/New

Evolution or Revolution?

This article has been especially helpful in terms of articles for my literature review!

Basically, this article summarizes a few different points of view that surround the concept of 2.0 tools:
- Revolutionary (what a brand new idea!)
- Evolutionary (we are expanding upon the basics, such as email is the same as letters and posts, just electronic)
- Miserable attempt at change (we fail to meet the users needs and expectations)
- Nothing unique about it - it is just another change, and has been met like any other changes in the past. Deal with it and move on!

I'd like to think it's somewhat evolutionary, with revolutionary ideas built in. I don't think it's a miserable attempt at change, but we do need to recognize what the users needs and expectations are and make sure we adapt to them! (The article also addresses some main principles of 2.0 tools, which are quite similar to the concept of a library in general; the library is everywhere, has no barriers, invites participation, and uses the best of a flexible breed of systems)

Pro's & Con's of Social Networking

I really appreciated how this article was set up, and loved the individual thoughts surrounding the issue. I agree the concept of social media is pretty "value neutral", so those using that particular media can express whatever views suit them (usually causes controversy, but that seems part of the point of their posts). I found it interesting that one of the quotes (and I apologize for lack of names, I forgot to jot them down when taking notes) suggested that young users can tell the fake posts, or scam, from the real ones, and the older generations probably take everything as truth. Sort of a "it's in print it must be true" ideal.

Lisa Barone did state that she does not think social media is just a fad, and I agree. I think it is here to stay, though the format and sites may change, the concept will be around forever (sort of an evolution of the newspaper!)

Old Media/New Media

This article addresses how blogs and social media relate and differ from traditional press. The statistics were pretty interesting, such as 50% of people rely on others they know for most of their news and information updates. I also found it amazing how all of the social media outlets utilize different types of news for their forums. Bloggers tend to be more emotional/social, Twitter has a lot of breaking news and stuff that does not get in the mainstream news (either at all or for at least a week), and YouTube is considered very serediptious(sp?) The attention spans are brief of those using social media and I even find myself switching between apps to stay updated and see what is going on. I have a horrible habit of checking Twitter at 2am when I wake up for a bathroom break (did I just admit that?)