Tags

I see the usefulness of tags, but I really don't tag. I do use del.icio.us and I love it but I don't tag on there or on Shelfari. I do use "labels" for my blog but that is as far as I go. I know that tags are useful if someone is looking for only items that fall into that subject or area, but you have to be careful because what you might label as one thing some one else will label it as another.

It could be helpful in the catalog especially if they are member driven and not staff driven. There probably will be some people, who like me find them quite annoying and others who find them useful. If we are going to use them I think that there should be some kind of limit or order so we don't have so many of them. There is always going to be someone who writes, WWII, instead of spelling it out and another person will come along and spell it out. Does it really matter since they are the same thing? No, but someone will cause a fuss about it.

Social Networks- (I forgot the week)

Anyway, I'm kindof getting burned out on this whole Web 2.0 business. It is very long and we have packed so much into it already. So forgive me if my brain is a little fuzzy. Wait...it's fuzzy all the time.

Social Networking-I do social network: Crackbook, Allupinyourspace and my favorite Ghetto Planet. (Facebook, Myspace and Black Planet for those who don't know. No, I'm not calling all black people ghetto but there seems to be a lot of them on there, most of them are my friends...hahahaha). I do check them often and I enjoy "seeing" people that I haven't seen in years or becoming "friends" with people that I will never know for the purpose of playing games. Now, those who know me know I love to talk. So it should be no surprise that I update on the regular. (Did I just go back to the 90's with that phrase?) It's a great way to keep in touch with people and tell all your business.

That leads me to this problem, when on these sites people have no filters (well, I know that sometimes I don't) and you end up writing and saying things that are crazy. Then, your realize it and you can't take it back, oh well. But, that's not the worse of it, people marriages have broken up over these sites. OMG! Now, I don't know why people get on these sites and lose their minds but they do. So here is my advice, write what you are going to say, then don't publish it take a moment and look at it. If it sounds crazy then erase it and try again.

Wait...maybe I should take my own advice...oh who am I kidding, I know I won't.

Random News

So on the right hand side at the bottom I have Spanish phrase of the day. You click on the little cartoon and it will give you a phrase...well I have clicked a couple of times and it seems to only give you so many before it repeats. Or does it just know that you have clicked so may times and it doesn't offer you new ones? I have to know. So if you have a couple of minutes to spare click on Speedy and see what happens. Inquiring minds want to know!

Week # 8- Online Gaming/Your Choice

This week's topic is all about online gaming. I do game online both with my PC and with my Xbox 360 and with the Wii. (What can I say, I like to game). One of my favorite sites for gaming is Big Fish Games. You have to download them so they are not really recommended for public library use. But if you have your own computer at home then give them a spin. They have both free one hour downloads and a paid membership, (I try the games first for free and if I like them then I do ahead and buy them). It's my favorite way to play on-line. They are safe with no ads and no virus or other scary stuff.

I think that the library can use online gaming as a way to bring more people into the library. I know that one branch already has teen game night and I think that it is a great idea. What I would like to see is computers between one and four set up in each of the children's department that has online games for those who are younger.

My home library system, has four computers that are used only for educational games that the library has purchased. They are very popular and they offer a safe alternative for parents who don't want their children playing the shoot 'em up games that are usually offered for free on-line. These computers could be games only with no access to the internet and no Microsoft Office.

I think that even if we don't buy games for our system that we should at least have a list of games that are appropriate for each age level. Many times parents as well as children will ask what sites are good for online games. While I do game online, I only know sites that are not really appropriate for younger players.

I also think that we should have a class on gaming for adults. There are a lot of sites that are good for card and board games that I think would be great for adult patrons. It is all about education and introducting the adults to the web in a different way.

Week #7- Wiki

“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” -Michael Scott (Steve Carell), The Office.

This week's topic is wikis, which many people use, but don't know that they are using it. I like wikis for what they allow, user input and flexibility. But, caveat emptor, (Latin-let the buyer beware), what you see is what you get. As Wikipedia found out after the episode,"The Negotiation" aired and their site was flooded with activity. (Not all of it good).

The wiki that we have for staff use is good but it is not the first place that I usually look. I think that a lot of staff aren't using regularly, not because we don't like it, because we are still stuck in our "old ways".

I think the the library could use wikis in a similar way as Durham County. We could ask for patron input about the library, (how did you enjoy such and such program, etc). Of course, there would have to be some control over what things are considered acceptable and what are not.

Another way we could use wikis is similar Shelfari and other sites, that allow you to add author information. If we wanted to do brief bios about authors or even Henrico County and library history. There are many ways to use wikis.

Week # 6- Photo Sharing (Flickr)

This week we are learning about photo sharing. I do share photos on-line so I am familiar with some of the sites. I do have a Flickr account (before it was suggested) but I don't use it much. Most of my on-line photo sharing is done with my social networking accounts. However, I do like Flickr and I think it is neat! (Did I just use neat?)



I can't see how the library will use Flickr, but I'm sure that someone out there is thinking of a way. I guess you can use them to share photos of events, but I'm not sure how many patrons would care to have their photos all over the internet. I like to have my pictures taken and I do put them up. But I would want them to be all over the web where anyone could use them for any purpose. (Please don't pretend that it does not happen, because you know it does!) Yes, I know that they have copyright protection, but don't kid yourself into thinking that you are safe because it's there. People photocopy protected items all the time. If you don't believe me, just look at how many people photocopy books.



Now, I know that the "assignment" was to post a picture and write about it. But, there was a chick fight in the library and you have to see all the photos. So, I am posting the link and you can check it out for yourself.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9878737@N02/

Enjoy!!!

Random Thought for Today

Sorry, I have been busy lately and have gotten behind on my random thoughts. Not that I haven't had any random thoughts just haven't had time to blog about them. Now, here is today's thought:

Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?