KCLS 27 Things Reflection

Looking back on the 27 things I realize that they have encouraged me to jump into making online accounts with a little more ease. Especially with social networking sites, before, even if I was curious I would not make an account just beacause I was too lazy ;) . So I am very happy to be more adventourous in making online accounts. In terms of goals though, I don't think it has really changed anything much for me. I will try to keep abreast of web 2.0 and other social networking crazes just to know what the youngins are getting into. And I've also decided to get more into second life as well. Actually though the activity that I enjoyed the most from the 27 things was learning about RSS feeds. They are really fun and informative. One thing that suprised me was that some libraries were building virtual libraries in Second Life and spending money to purchase virtual land. I never really needed any help when I was doing the 27 things, though I ended up helping some co workers out ;) . If you do this again, I would love to go more in depth into the online communities as sort of an KCLS staff group project to help promote the need of libraries to the public (especially on Second Life). I would love to see more training opportunities like these emerge, especially if we can do them while we are at work, and especially if there is some sort of reward for finishing all the tasks.

27 Things: YouTube

I have been aware of YouTube for a while now, my freinds and I always use it to look up old cartoons, or SNL segments (before NBC takes them down ;) ). Sometimes we find random comic peices or a Simpsons punchline clip. YouTube has been really great for that. I hope that YouTube will expand its ability to present grassroots news since its been hard to trust news from the media based on what does not get reported (like said Senator's bad remarks in the KCLS 27things Blog). Also now that Google owns YouTube it is providing a base to expand public domain use of copywrighted material which is a boon to libraries and Public Domain enthuiasts alike.

27 Things : Choose your own Adventure

Today we explored an aspect of web 2.0 that we have not experienced before. I went to 2006 web 2.0 awards page and chose a catogory that interested me, gaming ;) . I found an interesting site called multi-tap, where gamers can share screenshots they have taken in game. Its like flickr for gamers. It was a really interesting site, and I love what its trying to do because many PC games can end up being single player experiences, so its a nice way to take what you found in game and share it with a ton of interested folk.

27 Things : Google Labs

Google really seems to be attempting to expand their services. I really like all the potentially useful programs, and love again that they are free. I hope that google will not let success get to thier heads like so many other corporations that faced similar circumstances (TV, Cable, etc). I sincerely hope the nature of the web may just force things to remain public domain for a long time to come.

27 THINGS : ONLINE SOFTWARE

I really like the idea of online word processing and publication utilites. Not only is it more web freindly and colaboration friendly, but the microsoft word utilities are extremely expensive and most people are unable to afford them. Even with a student discount (which gives one a stripped down version of the software anyway), it is a costly purchase, and this often leads folks to pirating software. I really feel that public domain software like this is the best side of web 2.0.

27Things : Library 2.0

The most interesting aspect I find about Library 2.0 is the idea of going where people are. Creating a virtual library reference for people within online communities. I think I mentioned before but I really like the idea of virtual libraries in online games like Second Life. However I do think that the written word still has its place. Most everyone I know (26 and under) would rather read a book in hand than read text on a screen. Reading text on screen is so impersonal, and stressful for the eyes. It might be one thing to read a book on a device that could fit in your hand, but I don't know If I could ever read a book in *.PDF. I could see a future for animated books that would fit on a personal handheld device.

27 Things Custom Search Engines

Out of the two custom search engines, Rollyo, and Google Custom search engine, I found google to be the superior of the two. It was more user friendly and did not have the annoying advertising results tacked on in the front. Whats the point of a custom serch if you get ad results up at the top? Anyway, I made my own google custom search which looks through some of my favorite sites:


http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=000865933078350005589%3Aqfblz13tqpa&hl=en