Week 3 of MLA Web 2.0 101 class

I think MLA would have to have a more definitive, descriptive Acronym, or use the phrase: Medical Librarian Association, because after searching for MLA, I found lots of alternative & Interesting uses for MLA...
Why not have a presence on Facebook? All the library students are probably learning about it, and it would be a good way to network...by type of library, hospital or academic or ???; by locations, by interest groups etc.It might increase interest in our profession as well.

After looking at a couple of library websites I am not sure if we should have a facebook profile or not. I'm not sure how many health science graduate students have discretionary time for facebook.
I did come across a site that had an Ask A Librarian link , and that might be helpful. If students spend a lot of time in Facebook, it would be nice to have the option to search the catalog etc. from within FB, but I guess I am hesitant with our little staff time, to work on an online presence in FB.

I have heard that young folks have a different (looser) idea about privacy, but it could be that they are just naive. I'm pretty sure some of them don't understand the ramifications of their web presence down the line. My nephew's facebook page is embarassing to me!

I am enjoying facebook more as I go along and it could become addictive.
I think it is great to keep in touch with the younger generations and their use of technology. If we don't keep up as things morph, it will be really difficult to try to catch up later.

I preferred FB to My space...which seems geared more toward younger teens. More frenetic!

Bye dear readers, whomever you are!
Beth

Difference Between Blogs and Wiki's as I see it!

The difference between Blogs and Wikis (for me)
I like to read Blogs. I never comment on them. Blogs feel more personal to me.
Since Blogs are chronological, I'm always getting the most recent updates at the top and I don't have to figure out what is new or what I've already read.
My Bloglines Reader lets me know at a glance when there are new postings.
You can subscribe to blogs...I don't think you can subscribe to wiki's unless you are a member...but I am not aware of wiki readers.
I don't think you can store documents on blogs.
I find Wiki's to be much more collaborative, and it is tempting everytime I visit one to edit/comment etc. Blogs usually have one "author", whereas Wiki's have many.
Wiki's are much more suitable for group work/collaboration. They can be much more organized than blogs...a table of contents for instance, rather than in order chronologically. The editing feature of wiki's, the opportunity to add widgits such as calendars, videos, etc. is advantageous. OOPS...I just noticed that you can add a video to this Blog.
Wiki's just seem more versatile to me.
I like the idea of daily "wiki gardening" to help maintain wiki's and keep them fresh.
All for now!
Bye dear readers!

Applications for Blogs/RSS

How do you think you could use RSS feeds at your library? How do you think patrons could use RSS feeds?
I use RSS feeds to keep up with the medical literature, and it's great for easy access to famous librarians, and the latest trends in library land and the tech world.

Patrons could use RSS feeds for the same reasons...I really think it would help them get a handle on Keeping up with the Literature. It is also a great way to stay in touch with friends, family, and collleagues.

Finally... I'm a Blogger!

I have been subscribing to quite a list of blogs and RSS feeds for some time now, but I have never created a blog!