Lunges Homework 6: Social Networking

Facebook....a new phenomenon, well sort of. I have been a "member" of Facebook for part of this year and so this section is one that I am familiar with. I am not altogether that obsessed with Facebook though I do find it fun at times especially the status section, but I must say my "love affair" if there ever was one is waning a bit. I can understand the functions of both Facebook and MySpace in the keeping in touch with people especially those that don't live near to you and also finding new friends or groups with similar interests.

I have created a couple of groups in the past, in particular "Your Librarian has Shushed You" and this has a mixture of people I know and people I don't as part of it.

For this exercise I have joined the RMIT Swanston Library group. I found this through other Facebook Friends and also when I was searching for other Library Groups. I have yet to join any other group as I have yet to find one that I would like to join but I will keep on looking.

Searching Facebook is fairly simple as you use keyword searches and can choose to look under "groups" as well as searching "all" results also Facebook gives you a recommended groups section when looking at group sites.

Lunges Homework Number 5: Wikis

Well I have added onto a wiki already begun under the "21 Lunges Wiki" page, you can find my paragraph on the "Building Team Spirit Through Wiki Use" section. I could have gone on, in fact I did on paper, inventing a new "team building" game that could be played but I am afraid I may have gone a bit overboard so I have not included it here. Stay tuned it may very well be the new "Survivor" franchise!

The use of wikis I think can be a great asset to sharing between sites, friends, organisations etc and Wikipedia is a great example of what can be created. Communication in one spot would help with communication breakdowns and can be easily bookmarked on favourites. Bring it on!

Homework: Lunge 4 - Podcasts

Podcasting...this is the topic of Lunge Number 4 and I have subscribed to two podcasts on my Blog as well as on Google Reader. the Science Show and Radio National Breakfast Show (maybe I will learn about world affairs, arts and science?)

I have actually been a part of a podcast, lending my voice to one that the Library did a couple of years ago. I am however, still waiting for my Oscar.

Okay back to being serious, as part of the homework we have been asked to discuss the possibilities of using Podcasting to promote the library and I think this is actually a very good way of alerting library users to what the library can offer them at a time appropriate to the listener. The potential user can be sitting at their computer at home and whilst surfing the web can also be listening to a podcast about the library. Perhaps they missed the Library tour, no problems, they can have an audio session which will then enhance their next trip into the library. The library can also use podcasts to alert users to new databases, opening hours, new titles etc, in fact we could go on all day, but I won't.

Homework: RSS and News Feeds

Well here is my second piece of "homework" for 21 Lunges. I have joined Google Reader to keep an eye on some of my favourite librarians blogs (and will soon add non-library feeds to it too). I have concluded that the Reader will be quite useful in my life as I do like to keep up-to-date on my favourite sites and I can see that it will be handy for my learning curve on new technologies. I believe my next "challenge" will be to subscribe to some podcasts and discuss its virtues for the library. So until then I bid ye adieu!