online library community

Once again, this weeks content raises several advantages and disadvantages of online social networking.  The readings point out that online social networks such as facebook and myspace makes contact more available, is 'fun' and often disassociated from school (which is very appealing when sitting in a friday lecture, during summer or for resistant students).  They offer people to join groups of their interest, and at that, are limitless and inclusive.  Of course with the exposure of personal content comes the threat of predators, harrassment and violation of privacy.

My Thoughts 

I'll admit first thing that the extent of knowledge of wikis lies in the might Wikipedia.  Even then, I vaguely knew that anyone in the global community could edit a page.  I had imagined a team working the wee night hours in nowhere land doing all the work for us.  Farkas reading however clearned up a lot of my misconceptions--or lack thereof--of wikis.  

Software

There are pros and cons for both hosted blog software and independent blog software. I think that it may be more useful for libraries to use open-source software. With open source, libraries would be able to have more control with the software and customize it to best suit their needs.