Exploration 6 - Online Office Tools

I have previously fiddled around with Google Docs, so I was somewhat familiar with the advantages (and disadvantages) that come along with using online office tools. Obviously, they are great for creating and sharing basic word processing and spreadsheet documents. Friends of mine have used them for collaborating on group papers, not having too many complaints despite the limited features and other little quirks that go along with using a web-based program.

What I liked about Zoho was the ability to place one document in many different files using tags. I don't recall Google Docs having this feature, but it's one they may want to ad. I have had the problem of wanting a document to appear many different places, but having to re-save it in many different places when I edited one particular copy. I also dig how it will link up with many blogging serviecs to that a person can post to their blog from the program. Offline editing capabilities can also come in handy when you are (shock!) without internet but need to work on that web-based document you've created. The limited features aren't too noticible (except when it comes to font selection), though there seems to be a bit of a lag in response time when you click on commands. This is likely just due to the slow connection here in the libraries.

As the 2.0 blog pointed out already, web-based office tools are great for our patrons, who otherwise would be without things like Excel and PowerPoint in the library. They are also great for working on projects with people in other locations. Though there are probably a few kinks to work out (and a few features the creators may want to add), these programs are pretty solid and will likely stick around, if not dominate the office tool field in the next few years.

Exploration 4 - RSS Feeds and Feed Readers

I am not sure why, but I have never been too excited over the whole "RSS Feed" phenomenon. I understand how they work. I understand how they are useful. I know a lot of people who swear by them. For myself though, I find them to be a waste of time.

I visit many different websites every day, reading up on important (and not-so-important) news and gossip. I've never found that typing in the individual web addresses (which are all very short and easy to remember) took up any more time than logging into a separate site like Bloglines to read a feed. When I view a blog or another site through a feed, I lose out on graphics and other little features that are unique to a particular site.

Where I feel RSS feeds come in handy is in the delivery of news and events about an organization that may not be a regular distributor of news (like CNN or NYT). For instance, a library website. We are not constantly putting out news stories about our organization. But when we want to annouce a particular promotion, or information about upcoming programs, we can put up a story that would immediately reach people subscribed to a feed (and who may not otherwise check the website constantly for the latest library news). In addition, having several different feeds specific to other not frequent (but important when they occur) updates, like the release of a book by an author a patron is following, or news about a particular library group, is great for keeping patrons up to date on the specific events, authors, and whatnot they rely on the library to provide.

So basically, my view on RSS feeds is this: quite useful in the library world for communicating with the public, but of varying usefulness in everyday life depending on one's needs.

Exploration 2 - Blogs

I have maintained a "blog" of some sorts for over six years, so I am rather familiar with the world of blogging. As a LiveJournal user, I have enjoyed connecting with other librarians and seeking advice through library-themed groups, or visiting group or personal blogs run by librarians. It is truly a wonderful way to share ideas and experiences with fellow professionals that you may not get to encounter outside a national conference.

I can haz blog!

Woohoo! I have created my blog and I am now ready to do some 2.0 exploring. Oh how exciting :-)