Item 16

Wikis are a good way for maintaining information that needs widespread access. They can be easily updated with no need to reprint multiple pages after each change. Being able to limit who can update what makes it easier to maintain the integrity of the data. Libraries have been using wikis for some time for procedures manuals, subject guides, homework help, etc. They're fun to play with when you have time.

Item 14

My technorati screen doesn't even come close to resembling what's on the tutorial, at least on the signed out version. There is no Discover section and the search box doesn't have drop down options. I don't know if the signed in version would have these, because I just don't want another name and password to remember to delete. I'm afraid I don't spend my days looking for blogs to read. I'd rather be outdoors gardening, walking my dog, riding a bike, talking to real live people face to face, anything besides staring at a computer screen. Technology is a wonderful thing in moderation. It can also be a great time waster.

Item 15

Already heard about LibraryThing. Maybe someday I'll consider entering my library after I retire (if it's still around). It's an interesting concept. There is the old privacy issue again. How private is private. My library doesn't contain anything that would set off Homeland Security bells, but I'm still not comfortable with the idea of putting it out for the whole world to see.

My deliberately empty profile is here. http://www.librarything.com/profile/mskriss I know all about creating book catalogs and tagging, so I don't really need to practice it here. According to the FAQs, if I don't have any books in it, they will delete it for me in 3 months. Then I don't have to remember yet another name/password. One of the reasons I limit what I do online is because I don't want to have to keep track of dozens of user names/passwords. It's hard enough remembering all the ones I need for work, banking, prescriptions, etc.

Item 13

Delicious is a good way to track bookmarks that you want/need to share, especially if you are doing collaborative projects. It works well in libraries to track those elusive sights that one stumbles across that have the perfect answer to a difficult or esoteric question, in case the question comes up again.

Item 12

Guess I'm not much into playing with images when I don't have time to really sit down and play! Tried posting an image a few times, but all I get is a broken link. That's the way it goes...

item 11

Sorry. But I really don't feel comfortable setting up a Myspace or Facebook account. I'd just have to turn around and delete it immediately after this section, so there's no point. I don't even want my name out there because it is unique and too traceable.

Item 10

I'm afraid I am old-fashioned enough to have serious privacy concerns about social networking online. I don't think many of the children and young people using them really understand how what they are posting could affect their future (or maybe they just don't care). I never kept a personal diary or journal in writing, so I'm not about to put my personal thoughts on a site (blog or social network) for the whole world to see. No matter how private you think your site is supposed to be, there will always be someone who can find a way through or around any walls you think you have built (think big brother, or future employers). I think social networking sites should be used with a great deal of caution and thought.

That being said, it's possible libraries can find a way to create a presence without being considered an "intruder" by the very users they are trying to reach. But jumping in with both feet just because you want to be seen using the latest and greatest technology/service would not seem to be a very smart approach, although, sadly, it is an all too popular one. You could turn off the very people you are trying to turn on to your services.