Final Thoughts

As I said in the previous post, this program has been great! Saying that, I did have a few difficulties along the way (figuring out the set-up process on some sites or running searches on the technorati site ---I had to click on Advanced Search-), but I came away strengthened intellectually by the process.

This program was set up so well that I have only two suggestions for improvement. Perhaps, some of the articles that were chosen for the discovery exercises could have been a bit shorter (I think that many people had/have limited time to work on the exercises and being able to read shorter articles could help with the time issue). I have noted that the deadline was pushed back, though. *smiles* Also, besides utilizing the spreadsheet (as it is), is there another way to record progress (It seemed as if some participants were confused about it--and I was one of them)?

If the libary offered another discovery program, I would love to sign up!!

Learning 2.0 Experience

This has been a great program. I have learned about so many different aspects of 2.0. In particular, I'm glad that I found out about RSS (I created an account), the 2.0 winners site (so, I can learn more about other great sites), and librarything (Awesome idea!!). I will probably use those aforementioned sites the most (besides myspace--I had an account for a few years before this program).

Besides learning about some great 2.0 sites, this program has encouraged me to stay up-to-date on technology, especially related to the web. Hopefully, I will learn about more great sites, as a result of my efforts.

Rollyo

http://rollyo.com/quryous/natural_hair/

So, I created this abovementioned search engine. I searched and searched this subject and I couldn't find one; so, I'm glad to have added this one to the list. This is a great site and I hope to search and/or contribute more sites. This site should be great for research purposes (leisurely and/or scholarly). *smiles*

LibraryThing

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Quryous

Awhile ago, in one of my blogs, I talked about librarything. I discovered it in that exercise about mashups/2.0 winners. I'm really excited about it; I hope to add more items to my list. *smiles*

FunImage

http://www.chinesetools.eu/names/

So, I went to "the generator blog" and I found the abovementioned site. I generated ^my name^ in chinese. Isn't that neat?? Well, I thought so. *smiles*

I'm glad that I learned about that generator blog.

PodsVodsLibrary

So, I visited Arizona State University's library page :(http://www.asu.edu/lib/librarychannel/)
I like how easy it is to see the available podcasts and videos. I think it's a great way for that library to reach out to its patrons in this effective way. The videos are especially helpful when a visual is more helpful for information needs. As an example, I saw that the library had "library tutorial" videos; these would be extremely helpful as a "step-by-step" visual (almost as if you're actually with the librarian), more so than a words-on-paper approach. Though these 'casts may not be a total question-answer haven for patrons, they lend a more personal touch for library services over the internet and offer another way (at least partially) for patrons to obtain needed info.

Podcasts

I'm glad that I've learned more about podcasts as a result of this 2.0 project. I didn't know that you could add these files to your Rss feeds and that they were so easy to find. I can make my own personal "radio station"!! I've found a few podcasts centered around subjects of interest to me.

I've found podcastalley.com to be a user-friendly site; the search function is particularly clear and helpful. So, it was very easy to add my favorite podcasts to my bloglines account.

I can see various libraries using podcasts to reach out to patrons (potential or actual) about library services and programs.

Youtube

I like Youtube because it's easy to upload your own videos and to find videos of interest from other users. I think that the search function is particulary easy to use. I've found instructional/cultural things that I don't think I would have otherwise easily found without this site. I've also found shows from my childhood, and the abovementioned one is particularly cool because it's a show that not that many people remember (or at least people the few people that I've asked).

I think that libraries could add library related youtube clips to their websites. Also, library patrons could constructively comment on what they did or didn't like about certain videos. That kind of reponse could potentially improve library services.

Good remarks aside, I don't like the offensive comments in the "comments & responses" section. I think that there should be a better way for users to filter out these types of comments. It's not to say that I don't appreciate constructive criticism, but when posters start "flaming" each other and using vulgar language, then it's gone too far and this type of online atmosphere may effect the viewership of the site.