jen's blog

This course has provided a great overview of social software in all its forms and especially on how it can benefit libraries and help them to build their online presence in the community.  Social software is free and easy to use and there's a lot of potential out there for libraries as they gradually develop more advanced social software based services. While I had used social software such as blogs, RSS, and YouTube before starting the course, now I have a much better idea of the potential uses and pitfalls.

Gaming and virtual worlds are a great way to bring the library to where the younger generations are spending a lot of their time. Gathering youths together through these two areas forms positive relationships both with the library and between the youths themselves, everyone interacting and having fun together. Gaming and virtual worlds can be very engaging and this increased focus can be harnessed into a positive learning environment.

While I was not unaware of the downsides of online social networks such as bullying and online predators, I had not realized how much controversy these tools have been causing and was surprised at how this week's readings focused so heavily on these negatives. I still find a little bit strange the idea of relating extensive private and personal information online for the entire world to see.

It was very interesting this week reading further into the pros and cons of tagging and folksonomies. As in last week's post, I remain intrigued by the way folksonomies can be a great complement to controlled classification methods, balancing out each other's weaknesses with their own unique strengths. In refuting the disadvantages of folksonomies in The Hive Mind: Folksonomies and User-Based Tagging, Kroski in many cases transforms the weaknesses of folksonomies into strengths.

This week's readings have helped clarify how bookmarking and tagging can be social. Knowing that del.icio.us tags are available to all users and understanding how that becomes social software is quite different. The idea that in tagging personal information people may unknowingly contribute to some kind of global folksonomy is fascinating.  I like the idea that social tagging and more controlled classification methods are complementary and can work together to minimize each other's weaknesses.

  This week's case studies demonstrate many potential uses for wikis and the diverse ways in which they can be implemented. Of the case studies this week, I was most impressed by those that greeted users with a functional main page.

It has been interesting over the past two weeks to see the many ways RSS technology is being used and I'm curious to see how it will evolve to meet the needs of its users. It's a good idea to use RSS feeds to keep up with your interests online, actively and selectively searching out potential sources. RSS feeds are great for keeping current and they encourage continuous professional learning, something that is important but can be time-consuming.

For over a year now, I've been using RSS feeds to keep track of a lot of different sources - in fact, way too many of them. I add new ones suggested by other sites or I find them while browsing and I just don't want to give anything up. It's fun to open up my reader and see what has been updated, but I can't keep current with them all. Sometimes I let everything slide for a while instead and then have to play catch up with my favourites, while other feeds I can barely remember.

Many of this week's readings address ethical issues that need to be remembered when creating and evaluating blogs. Setting out these ethical pitfalls increases awareness, emphasizing the impact unethical blogging can have on such a wide audience. Perhaps naively, I was a little surprised at the implication that many bloggers don't take care in what they write. I would expect that, assuming there is no ulterior motive, the act of putting thoughts and ideas out on the web for everyone to read should encourage responsibility and increase quality.