Wiki

Wikis are ways for people to submit articles on the internet. It seems similar to a blog, but it doesn't seem like a written response to someone's article as much as articles on a topic. I thought the idea of using the Wiki for book reviews was interesting. Anybody could write a review on any genre of literature. I think book reviews would be a good way the library could use Wiki. For example in the summer reading program, adults fill out written reviews, but using a Wiki, they could submit it electronically. Also reference articles like study guides or an encyclopedia, the library could use Wikis.

Web 2.0

Today I read about Library 2.0 and how the futurists think this will affect libraries. Web 2.0 is a way of incorporating many different formats into one place. Library 2.0 would be a library that was more online and geared toward users of the internet. The futurists are scared. Libraries that use such antiquated devices such as books will go the way of the eight track player and be obsolete. We need to change with the changing times before we're left by the side of the information super highway. But not all futurists are running around like Chicken Little, some think that what the library does right now, they do right. Libraries provide more than just materials. They provide a people element that computers can't duplicate. My thoughts are that the future will be somewhere in the middle. There will be people that want online information and there will be some that just want a person to speak to. And libraries will be ok.

Technorati

Today I explored Technorati, a website that searches blogs. Its similar to Google for blogs, videos, and other media. I searched the regular search, tagging, and the directory for "Library 2.0" For the regular search I received 25,449 searches. In the Directory, I received 644 searches. And in tagging, I received a variety of blogs, videos, and photos. Its difficult to find the directory and tagging search, but its located under advanced search. I explored the popular searches and found there was popular searches for blogs, videos, news stories, tagging, and movies. It was more information about movies than actually downloading the movie. But it was interesting.

Tags

Today we looked at Tagging. Its a way to categorize links online so they are easier to search. I looked at an account on Del.icio.us. There were several links and they had comments from other users who have used those links. I think this service will be helpful to librarians who love to categorize things. They could categorize the links they use day to day. And then other librarians could comment on those links. Other library systems could share those links too. Then there would be harmony in the library world and everyone would be happy.

Search Engine

I learned how to create my own search engine with Rollyo. This is the link to it. Rob's Search Engine
I created a TV Search that allows me to search the major TV studios plus some other cites for information about TV shows. It was easy to do. And could be used by librarians who only search a couple cites .

Library Thing

Today I learned about Library Thing. I was able to catalog books in a private library. I simply put in the title, and then the program searches Amazon for the book. Then I add it to my library. Here is a link to my library: http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=RobBLibrary&shelf=list

I can search my catalog and share my catalog with others. Its a fun program for any bibliophile.

Generators

I learned that there are many different generators. Some manipulate images, some words. I found one that allows me to put in a phrase on a cake. Its fun to play with generators. You can come up with many scenarios. All I have to do is input a phrase and then the program adds it to the picture or creates a new phrase or something.

There are also avatars. These are pictures that represent the person. Its like your very own cartoon person. I tried to do one program, Meez, but it always kicked me out of the program.