LIBR 246-04/13 Web 2.0 (Spring 2010)

Before the beginning of the semester, I had some assumptions that I have since had to reevaluate, if not set aside completely. I assumed I knew quite a lot about social software and its potential in libraries. I spent a lot of 2009 researching the subject as I helped our library set up a Facebook page and then build its website using Wordpress. And, hey, I was already on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr, and I had already subscribed to a ton of blog feeds through Google Reader.

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

I don't think my general attitude toward social software has changed. I started out considering it useful and even game-changing. It's far easier to network and stay in touch with friends and acquaintances now than it's ever been before. I've fallen out of touch with old college friends and former co-workers that I would have stayed in touch with given today's social software.

You know, what I've been most surprised by in this class is the potential of Web 2.0 technologies. It's not that I didn't use them before, even think highly of them before, but I didn't realize what could really be accomplished over the Web. I guess it's an issue of both delving deeper, and also seeing first hand some prime examples.

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

I have always viewed social software with great potential, but until this class I had no idea how much potential there was.  I learned about social software tools that didn't exist and I also expanded my definition of what social software is.  Or maybe a better way of putting it is I learned one that social software isn't just Facebook, Flickr, LibraryThing, but wikis and blogs and so many others.

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

When I told people I was taking a Web 2.0 class, they looked at me like it was the stupidest idea ever.  I thought it would be pretty easy, taking a surface approach to tools like Facebook.  I take social software more seriously now, since I know how multi-faceted it can be.  There are so many ways this software can be used professionally.  I'd never even considered half of them!