What kind of information is being posted by the library accounts above? What kind of information should libraries post?
After looking at the library posts, it seems that almost without exception, we are posting about library programs and library and book-related current events.
I think that this is the appropriate kind of information for the libraries to be posting. The usefulness of Twitter comes from being able to provide information directly to your audience (people who choose to follow you), so it makes sense for us to be promoting our programming.
One area that I think we could improve on is in engaging with our followers. The endless stream of announcements and program info may get tiresome to some. Responding to questions, retweeting, asking questions, posting photos, links and the like may help us to improve the library's image and make Twitter a more useful outreach tool.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
LibraryThing
Do you see any practical applications for LibraryThing either at home or at work? Will you start using this site?
I think that there are a number of quite useful things about LibraryThing. The recommendations feature is perhaps the most useful to me at work and something I can see myself returning to to answer readers' advisory questions. The recommended books seem to be more idiosynchratic or subjective than the suggested titles in Novelist. Sometimes, the Novelist suggestions are rather mechanical or unhelpful- it doesn't take into account things like tone or the style of writing. With LibraryThing, this can be overcome because the suggestions are made by real people, not an algorithm.
I think that there are a number of quite useful things about LibraryThing. The recommendations feature is perhaps the most useful to me at work and something I can see myself returning to to answer readers' advisory questions. The recommended books seem to be more idiosynchratic or subjective than the suggested titles in Novelist. Sometimes, the Novelist suggestions are rather mechanical or unhelpful- it doesn't take into account things like tone or the style of writing. With LibraryThing, this can be overcome because the suggestions are made by real people, not an algorithm.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Online Productivity Tools
Do you see free online tools like these eventually replacing expensive software like MS Office?
Since Microsoft has had a monopoly on 'productivity tools' for decades, online tools won't be able to replace Office overnight, but they may eventually make inroads. I suspect that large businesses will continue to use the Microsoft products- they have become standards- and that individuals, small businesses, non-profits, etc. will be more likely to use the free online tools in the future.
Revamped Microsoft Office Will Be Free on the Web
Since Microsoft has had a monopoly on 'productivity tools' for decades, online tools won't be able to replace Office overnight, but they may eventually make inroads. I suspect that large businesses will continue to use the Microsoft products- they have become standards- and that individuals, small businesses, non-profits, etc. will be more likely to use the free online tools in the future.
Revamped Microsoft Office Will Be Free on the Web
Flickr & YouTube
Comment on the quality, entertainment value, or usefulness of the content on these sites
Like Facebook, the value (or quality of content) in Flickr and Youtube is really determined by the user. Both sites have an amazing amount of treasure and trash.
I use both sites fairly regularly for different purposes. Flickr is great for keeping up with favourite artists and crafty people. Some of my family members also have accounts, so it makes showing off recents pics (and commenting on them!) easy peasy.
YouTube is usually used (in my house anyway...) for one of two things:
1. watching funny cat videos
or
2. watching practical joke videos
YouTube can be practical too, though. I turn to it when I'm stuck on a knitting or spinning project and need technical help. There are lots of really clear and useful videos available describing or explaining almost anything you could want to know!
Long Draw Spinning
an amazing spinner
Like Facebook, the value (or quality of content) in Flickr and Youtube is really determined by the user. Both sites have an amazing amount of treasure and trash.
I use both sites fairly regularly for different purposes. Flickr is great for keeping up with favourite artists and crafty people. Some of my family members also have accounts, so it makes showing off recents pics (and commenting on them!) easy peasy.
YouTube is usually used (in my house anyway...) for one of two things:
1. watching funny cat videos
or
2. watching practical joke videos
YouTube can be practical too, though. I turn to it when I'm stuck on a knitting or spinning project and need technical help. There are lots of really clear and useful videos available describing or explaining almost anything you could want to know!
Long Draw Spinning
an amazing spinner
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