Ninging

I'm sure Ning has its admirers, but I found it only a "so-so" social networking platform; I, like many others, no doubt, prefer the likes of Facebook and Linkedin to Ning. However, one can find a goodly amount of interesting networks to peruse and join, and it is quite simple to create your own network from scratch...Doing the basic "library" search will yield a group called "Library 2.0," interestingly enough. A few examples of networks of the odder sort include "Dr. Pepperless," which is included in a listing of wellness networks and which seeks to study the effect going without drinking Dr. Pepper has on Dr. Pepper lovers; and "Nerdfighters," which comes up when one searches "trombone."

Defacing Facebook

It's actually quite simple to find people you know on Facebook...Most of the time, Facebook will find them for you and suggest that you make them your "friend." I actually hadn't posted anything on my before this Thing, nor had I become a fan or anything or joined anything, etc. There are plenty of school organizations to join, though, some of which offer those alumni looking for a job a little extra support, something nice in these dire economic times.

Facing Facebook

I was inspired to create a Facebook account some months back after attending an Amigos Conference and sitting through a session on emerging technologies and libraries. It's amazing how quickly you can get in touch with old friends and classmates in no time at all. However, I don't think there's necessarily a privacy issue, since you can restrict access to your account quite a bit and can really limit what you wish to show " in public."

RSSing

Common Craft did another good job with their explanation, especially in comparing the "old" and "new" ways of getting blog posts and news with Netflix and video stores. The suggested blogs to subscribe to were helpful, as well.

It seems that patrons might be interested in using these tools to keep up with their local librarians' blogs, in particular if those blogs offer critiques of popular (and not so popular) books, films, etc. Another chance for libraries to remain on the cutting edge...

Blog reading

This seems to be quite a useful tool, indeed. After one has subscribed to all blogs one is interested in, one merely "goes down the line" to get new posts instead of having to pull up each blog separately and on a regular basis. The Internet is getting easier all the time! In a general sense, this is similar to the Firefox feature called "Morning Coffee" that my wife uses, which automatically loads all her favorite sites she visits regularly immediately each time she accesses the Internet.

LOLWKS

Lolcats is quite popular, of course, and it only makes sense that it would be available on a site such as Big Huge Labs. I found out about Lolcats first through my wife, who peruses the site often, but who appreciates the "FAIL" postings even more. Again, another easy-to-use tool that is perfect for making a humorous and succinct point displayed along with an image. And you can manipulate it to be in the Lolcats, FAIL, or whatever other "vein" you choose...