Social Networking Web 2.0 Facebook Project

Facebook logo by AJC1 with CC license: some rights reserved

This week for my Social Networking Web 2.o project, I explored a lot of alternate resources suggested in the assignment. I checked out stumbled upon it and truly like this source of information. This is one resource that aids one a lot like Delicious in being an information resource. It is very handy to know about. I also checked out Linked In which I already have an account with. I checked out the Facebook app, yet prefer not to have this on my Facebook page as this is not business. It is social and I like to keep the two separate. Next, I checked out Plaxo

which hosts its own ecards. Plaxo is a resource that assists in organizing your address book information. If one were to have that many business contacts, then this would be a very handy resource. Yahoo 360 is no longer open. I do utilize Yahoo Mail service and use the home website for the search engine and have also enjoyed utilizing their directories. However, I do not use their My Page. It seems to serve me little. I did use the Instant Message system for a time; however, they developed the IM into their mail system and it is no longer necessary to use the IM outside of it, so I do not have this software downloaded anymore. This provides added memory space. Utterli is in the middle of changing their website; though, I am following them through Twitter. Remember the Milk is simply adorable. It is a to do list that may be used through apps at other resources. Reddit hosts information posted across the nation. It is quite utilizable in keeping up on what is "hot" socially. I did check out the three linked libraries in the assignment, one of which has an app. Okay, I am going to try and cut the rest of this short. I looked up all of the other resources listed. Ravalry, BakeSpace, and BirdPosts were a complete hit with me. Now on to the others-I have to say that I hate chaos and with so many different resources out there, there appears to be a lot of clutter.

Twitter logo by Andriano Gasparri with CC license: some rights reserved

My biggest concern is authentication. There is a site called patientslikeme. I have to wonder who is giving recommendations or advice. My concern goes along with the concerns for Wikipedia. I think authentication should be something that websites of such nature should be required to have. I understand free enterprise and also understand that needs creates invention. My overall concern is the chaos, source of authority, validity, and security. With so many apps out there, I tend to be leery of trying something that is not the rave. Even then, I question. I think website evaluation should be included along with app exploration. Some of the apps only have a vague front page that require starting an account before one truly knows what one is getting themselves into. So those are the main questions that I pose.

I did read the difference between a group and a page from mashable social media. This is very good at keeping one up on the latest social media releases. I have a profile on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tamara.gibbs1. I joined the following groups on Facebook: Anne of Green Gables Fans, Beta Gamma Zeta Phi Theat Kappa, Beverly Lewis books, Logansport High School Class of 1987, and the Official Facebook Page Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I also have a Twitter account at http://twitter.com/#!/Tamara_Libr105. I am following several there as well. I have been comparing the differences between Twitter and Facebook. I see the value in Twitter for broadcasting. However, I think Facebook wins hands down on social networking. I joined the Libr 105 group and kept in contact with group members regarding class projects. This aids in reducing anxiety as one may discover how one is faring in relationship to other classmates. It appears that I am not lagging and am right on track! I have also had the benefit of observing catalog apps that may be an item that I could have to place into consideration in the future as I pursue my library science degree further.

What I like most about Facebook is that this is where everyone is. I had a Myspace account, yet all my friends are on Facebook. If you want to find someone, then Facebook is the place to look. I like that the chat and message service is right on the same page. Newsfeeds and privacy may be customized to accommodate the individual. I use this site to stay in touch with my classmates and family. Its nice to keep up on friends and their accomplishments educational, occupational, and new additions to their immediate family. One aspect that I enjoy about Facebook is that one may now friend someone for game apps without adding to their Facebook friend list. This is of benefit to those who wish to enjoy new found friends without risk of personal information being revealed. I also am enjoying the Spotify and have looked up many types of music in my adventures of not only social media though also music genre. One example would be symphonic metal which combines Gothic and Opera with modern instrumentation for a rather interesting representation of Scandinavian music which I have long been entranced with. I am looking forward to the new Timeline that is due to come out soon.
My public library does not have a Facebook page; however, the library in which I served my practicum does. It may be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delphi-Public-Library/188979794516341. They have recently updated their page to commercial site. This affects the way in which one receives newsfeeds. I keep closer track of their page through Google Reader than with the Facebook page due to the status of only being a "fan" and not a friend. The Delphi Public Library uses the website to keep patrons up-to-date on scheduled events as well as posting interesting facts of the day. New releases would be an item that would attract patrons. This is something that would aid in promotion of the library and their services. It also hosts location information for people to access the actual facility itself. Mashups could be used to assist patrons in understanding the layout of the library which would aid in retrieval time being shortened with the knowledge of floor plan available. Apps for OPAC information could also be made available as some have already established. Various other apps could also be made accessible to patrons through their Facebook page and broaden the scope of the library's collection with electronic resources.
Overall, this has been a rather enjoyable project. It has taken me into worlds that I might otherwise not probe. It has walked me through the chaos of congested web traffic and made key attractions represented and drawn to my attention. I have examined the difference between tweets and posted notes. I see each as a valuable contribution to social media, yet would foresee sources with different appeal for different uses and practicalities. I have also examined several apps and see the benefit that they could serve a library. Social media not only provides an outreach to online patrons, it could also extend the library collection through the many applications that could be utilized to serve. I have finished this project with a new understanding of social media and its many benefits and continue to reflect upon the potential that it possesses therein.

Here is a video that I found rather interesting and may lead you to further investigation:

New Social Media Not So New by Standford University

Library Security

Business Library Security Gates by William and Mary Law Library with CC License: some rights reserved

This week's topic is a review of what I have already studied in Library Management and Collection Development. I did experience working with Media that had locking cases that had to be removed upon checking out during my practicum this summer. We do remove media from shelves and only provide the cases to view for patrons who wish to use them at the LRC. As you

would all know, most of the collection is located in the Virtual Library as it is accessible by many for a reasonable price. There is less concern over damaged material as well going this route and not a great deal of waiting lists in the forefront for research. For this I am grateful. That would wreak havoc immensely!

My Facebook experience is going well. Twitter is busy as always. Kindle ebooks is a very hot issue. For the Boston Public Library the Friends of the Library are having a book sale. NYPL boasts of the second season of "The Vampire Diaries". Good Reads states that women and cats will do what they please and that men and dogs need to get use to it. The library of congress states that it is PIE time of year again. I actually posted my first Tweet this week after following for a while. I am not sure that I will ever have anything important enough to "broadcast", yet I am enjoying keeping up on all of the library services. Since Facebook is now providing libraries with commercial services, many are making the change over. The new "like' status does not deliver posting information. So the best way to follow is either through Google Reader or through Twitter if they have one. I am yet completely amazed that Facebook dropped their apps directory. So many apps have fallen off that I feel as though I did not get a good experience at seeing these put into effect. I am anxiously waiting to see this new Timeline that they ar

e bringing out. I have been enjoying the new Spotify. They have an "Ultimate Holiday Playlist" that I have subscribed to; though, I have created my own Thanksgiving playlist that any are welcomed to join in listening with me if you are on Facebook and care to click. I actually sent a link to Twitter and to Facebook.

For my video, I am gathering Snapshots of Second Life as I continue to learn to navigate. I intend on making a video of my learning process and presenting it as a final representation to the project's objectives for Web 2.0. Second Life has had a bit of progress compared to my insulting initiation. I know how to change the color of clothing and to walk, fly, run and teleport. I did notice that one can get lost if one goes flying too far off of an island. The next step is to locate some of the library resources available.

My group project is coming along. My partner has managed to complete her section and is eagerly waiting for my portion. I have been waiting the technology plan to be forwarded; however, it seems that the old one has been accomplished with the recent renovation and a new one is only in the enactment stage and yet to be seen. So with this I will proceed to complete my powerpoint slides to place before her. I intend on using the holiday to try and get ahead.

I wish everyone a very lovely Thanksgiving holiday.

glitter-graphics.com

Web and Internet Design

Have a Heart by Sam Felder with CC license: some rights reserved

This week's session has been a refresher over some points that I have already studied in my HTML class that I was fortunate to have taken. I would recommend taking such a class for anyone interested in web design. Universal design is discussed at length as it covers the presentation of the screen and its appearance to mobile accessing as well as that which falls into the assistive/adaptive technology category. I found a video discussion that covers legislation involved with library services and the disabled population that you may be interested in viewing.

Accessibility in Libraries by williamsonkate

I am happy to say that our Technology Review project is coming along nicely. We have both managed to set appointments, perform interviews, record our notes and upload them for group viewing on our group collaboration page. At present we are discussing how to approach the

compilation of our project as well as the presentation. So I can safely say that we are on track

with the scheduling of performed tasks.

Facebook logo by AJC1 with CC license: some rights reserved

For my Web 2.0 projects, my social media project of Facebook has been acceptable; though, I would have liked to see better results from the apps area. I have enjoyed making friends, chatting, joining our library group, becoming a fan of public libraries-though this is only on the "like" feature as most are commercial websites now. I have also enjoyed interaction with a game called "Farmville". One new feature that has recently been extended has been the ability to add

social game friends without having to add them as "friends" to your webpage. This has been a big hit with everyone on this game. It has also been a very nice experience to participate in an

interactive game that involves visiting others who play the farm and receiving benefits from having interaction and participation as such. I am not a "game" person; though, when one sends gifts to help someone else out it is very much like the "barn raising" experience in Quaker community and was rather intriguing to me. The apps directory has been removed and this in my opinion is a mistake. I do not think that it is user-friendly in that regard. I also have found that as I made my way through the list of links for the assignment that many are no longer in service. I have managed to join the following apps: weRead, profilebanner(which will not take affect until the new release of Timeline), and podclass. I was able to subscribe through

GoogleReader to the following apps as they were not serviceable links: pickniks, and WorldCat.

I am somewhat interested in the Zoho app which is usable; though, apparently not accessible through Facebook. Here is a link to my facebook page if any would care to venture:

http://www.facebook.com/tamara.gibbs1. In regards to the group, I can see where collaborating in a group would be of assistance with class programming. I think that it would bring better results on a social media, then a cafe question thread on Blackboard, simply because students frequent the website.

Twitter logo by Andriano Gasparri with CC license: some rights reserved

My Twitter name is Tamara_Libr105 if you care to receive me as your friend. I am beginning to like this more as a bulletin board than social interaction. I can see the benefits of having a Twitter account; though am yet in favor of Facebook for social interaction. I have subscripted to GoodReads, nypl, AamazonKindle, LibraryJournal, IUPUI, AtYourLibrary, IvyTechCC, ABAJournal(mobile devices), NIH Library, BPL Boston, ALALibrary, LawLibCongress, Thomas, critereononline, LibraryofCT, librarycongress, NovaList, HTMLWebDesign, googlebooks,

audible_com, ilfannual, and athomelibrarian(Ms. Griffith). I have also subscribed to the local newspaper tweet and find this a very nice feature for incident reports. For all practicalities, I still think that I would use GoogleReader before Twitter.

Libraries in Second Life by The Daring Librarian with CC licence: some rights reserved

I am plugging away at experimenting with the video editor. When I wrap up my investigation in social media which will be soon, I will press forward into this deeper. I am yet wanting to check out the Second Life a little more to see the practicalities in utilizing this as a resource.

Have a nice week!

Assistive Technology

This week certainly sparked my interest with the assistive and adaptive technologies discussed. My group partner is Christina Huesman. We are composing our questions by the end of this week and setting up appointments for next week-or at least that is the plan. We have a good start on the project. We have also both selected the Assistive Tech 13.2 project as it directly correlates within our current project. It should make for smooth transition.

Facebook Logo by AJC1 CC License: some rights reserved

My social media experience with Facebook has been informative and yet is complicated. I have pursued following several libraries on Facebook. However, many are commercial sites and only utilize the "like" feature. So to remedy this, I have elected the Google Reader to assist me in keeping up on these sites. I have joined the Libr 105 group and conversed with other classmates there. I do use Facebook on a daily basis. In fact, I prefer it over My Space. I find it difficult to

believe that I actually do prefer it. My Space accommodates html and comment posting with an additional blog application and I would never have believed that I would prefer Facebook

it. I guess this is much like the difference between Facebook and Twitter. Apps do not necessarily mean better. I enjoy Facebook simply because everyone is on it. I have located high school friends and am able to keep up on "little things" that would normally be overlooked. Some

of the apps that are listed in our assignment that I have been pursuing are being blocked by security browsing issues. I have to discover why this is happening to access and explore these applications.

Twitter by xotoko CC license: some rights reserved

Twitter is a new experience. It took a little search and find; though, I am beginning to get an understanding of it. Searches seem easier on Twitter. Perhaps this has to do with the brevity of the postings. It reminds me of Google Reader at least that is how I would use the source. I do not think it is much for social media after experiencing Facebook. I do think that it would be more of a professional service for quick broadcasting.

For my video project I am working on CyberLink DVD Suite Deluxe. I have to work through the tutorials to figure out how to use all of the "magic touches" that may be applied. I will post more as I discover more. Here is a video that I found on YouTube with screencasting using the software that I am embarking on.

Cyberlink DVD Suite 7 by CyberlinkChannel

I have been exploring Second Life. I think quite honestly that there are a lot of weirdos on it. I have been very vulgarly approached while in process of figuring out my appearance and would never recommend this to a child in naivety. While I am not big on censorship, I do hold to guidance and this is definitely a source that needs some guidelines attached to it. I have only begun to check out the appearance and so have not found my way to other sites. (I am not sure that I want to!)

I pray that everyone had a lovely weekend and a wonderful fresh new week in this lovely month of November.