Thing 3, 4, 5: Flickr & Image Generators

Browsing Flickr is a lot of fun and provides me wonderful time suckage. I shouldn't be amazed but I still am how many people put so many personal photographs online. I've used Flickr for presentations and to look at images from places I used to live as well as photostreams of friends. I don't take a lot of photos so I don't know how effective a Flickr account is for me personally, but for work it's a great tool!

Here's a link to a cool photograph of the escalators at Swiss Cottage Tube Station in London. This was my tube station when I lived in London.

The spell with Flickr is a cool app, but I need to spend some more time with some of the other flickr mashups(it's been a busy 2 weeks!)

Library 2.0

I see Web and Library 2.0 all around me at work. Some of the problems I see involve our attempts to implement Web 2.0 and concerns about retaining some control over content. A few years ago my department attempted a wiki to train student workers on reference desk policies and procedures. But when it was suggested that we allow students and staff to comment or make minor edits there was immediate resistance and in the end the "wiki" became a static page of rules and procedures. But it hasn't all been negative there are really exciting developments. I'm excited when I see librarians willing to experiment and try things out without worrying if it's the perfect software or application. Web 2.0 to me is about experimentation and collaboration. Try it, share it.

I agree with Stephen Abram that immersing yourself in 2.0 is the best way to understand 2.0. That's why I decided to commit to 23 Things this summer instead of constantly saying to myself, "I want to use Flickr, maybe when I have some more time" because I NEVER have more time. Committing to this program forces me to shut up and do it and deal with all the unintended consequences. The video from the Shifted Librarian was kinda trippy but a good visual explanation of the evolution of Web 2.0. But what it mainly made me think about is our reliance on machines and how much of us is out there on them. By writing this blog I am giving more information about myself and it is, to me, more personal than revealing my credit card information to Amazon.com. I've always had a love/hate relationship with the Internet, using it to connect with friends, family and needing it for news and access to food, culture, entertainment and education. But I worry about living my life online and the consequences of so much "exposure."

Blogging for 23 Things

This is my first homegrown blog ever as part of North Texas 23. This is an experiment, we'll see how well it works!