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

I’ve used RSS feeds before through Google Reader and I thought it was great. But this week, I saw how cool the RSS technology really is. I had not realized its potential to really make a website or blog better. I learned that RSS feeds can be embedded into any websites so that only pertinent information we care about will be displayed.

I learned that while everyone can easily start a blog through various free services, not everyone can have a successful blog. There are a lot of considerations before starting one and our lecture, guest speakers and readings this week discussed many them. I liked the following tips the most:

Well, in the spirit of our to do of finding an insteresting blog post I found a large group of discruntled HP laptop buyers having the same issue as me.  http://www.notebookhingecrack.com/2007/09/16/hp-dv9000-notebook-hinge-crack/ is a site that has users share their problems and provide their tips on how to navigate the HP/ Best Buy repair nightmare.  I see the power of the group connecting and helping each other out.  I feel like I have an ally in this battle now.  This site has archives and resourc

Just when I thought I finally understood blogs I found out about a new web phenomenon called “lifestreaming.”  Actually, after surfing the net for more information, it looks like it has been popular for a while, but this was the first time I’ve ever heard of it.  ReadWriteWeb blogger, Sarah Perez, predicts that lifestreaming will soon become more popular than blogs.  S

Blogging will help me remember concepts I’ll be learning in this class.  Secondly, it will give me the practice needed to become a better writer/contributor in most Web 2.0 applications.  With practice, I will become more confident as a blogger/writer (I hope).   I think blogging also fosters open communication and feedback-- two

After going over this week’s materials, I realize that I am connected and have even become dependent on many social software tools. The fact that I can check rankings/ratings on pretty much everything has dramatically changed my life! Sometimes I feel like I can’t watch a movie without first checking the reviews on RottenTomatoes.com or Movies.com. I rarely buy a book without finding out what readers from Amazon.com and other sites have said about it.