LIBR 246-12: Web 2.0 and Social Networking Tools (Fall 2008)

This week's activity will give you experience using social networking software, developing a profile and exploring other user's profiles. There are two options: one for Facebook and one for MySpace.

Create a Facebook Page

1. Create a Facebook account (if you're new to Facebook) - You will first need to visit http://www.facebook.com and create an account. Just follow the simple instructions to do this. Once you have an account you will be able to view the profiles of people in your network. In my case, that is everyone with a norwich.edu e-mail address. No one else can see profiles outside of their network unless they are friends with them.

2. Create a page - Create a Facebook page for a fictional library (please do not use the name of a library you know exists). Add some Facebook applications that you think librarians might want to have on their profile (you may want to check out the “Top Ten Facebook Apps for Librarians”).

3. Browse profiles in your network - Start browsing the profiles of other people at San Jose State University or another academic library you are affiliated with. You can search for a specific person or just browse people in your network/institution. Are some students posting inappropriate things about themselves? Are faculty members in Facebook? How are faculty using it?

4. Add a friend - Now you are going to add me as a friend to your Facebook Profile. Like I said, you will not be able to view my profile until you add me as a friend and I reciprocate by adding you. Click on “search” at the top of the page and in the search box type in Meredith Farkas. Make sure you are searching in all networks and not just your own. You will then see my picture, but will not be able to access my profile. You are going to choose the option to add me as a friend. You will then need to confirm that you want to add me as a friend. I will then receive a message that you have added me as a friend. Once I’ve added you as a friend, you will be able to see my profile and who my friends are.

5. Write a blog post about your experience in and impressions of Facebook and include the URL of your page. Be sure to categorize your post under the topic Exercise.

Those Who Already Have a Facebook Profile

1. Create a MySpace account - Create a MySpace page for a fictional library (please do not use the name of a library you know exists). You will first need to create a MySpace account.

2. Seed your MySpace page with the sort of information a library MySpace page would have (news, links, etc. -- the examples should be a useful guide). Integrate at least one application be it a tool that pulls in RSS feeds, a chat tool, a video, or a catalog search box.

3. Find users in your local area - The best way to find local users on MySpace is to search for schools in your area through their search interface. You can search by school under Classmate Finder. Lots of people who are not current students affiliate themselves with their former schools, so you will find people of all ages under a specific school. Once you’ve got a list of results, start taking a look at their profiles. Notice how different they all look; this is because users can change the look of their profiles using style sheets. Notice that some have blogs and others do not use this feature. Look at the discussions that go on in these spaces.

4. Write a blog post about your experience in and impressions of MySpace and include the URL of your profile. Be sure to categorize your post under the topic Exercise.