Thing #23: Conclusion

Overall, I feel that the successful completion of 23 Things has benefited me, overall. I now possess a more-comprehensive understanding of the Web 2.0 phenomenon and how it can be applied in my workplace.

If a similar program were to be offered in the future, I would almost certainly jump at the chance to participate.

Thing #22: Downloadable Audiobooks

Personally, I was surprised at the selection of downloadable audiobooks available, especially the selection of 19th century literature that Project Gutenberg had available.

Thing #21: Podcasts

Regarding library functions, nothing podcast-related struck me as particularly advantageous over, say, an informative website or text-based RSS feed, though I imagine that a regular library news podcast may be potentially useful (or at the very least a novel idea) for some customers.

Thing #20(b): Review of YouTube

Things that I like(d) about YouTube include the fact that the site can provide hours of educational entertainment (edutainment; see the video in the previous post), as well as the ability to find commercials/videos/etc. that one hasn't seen in years (and may or may not need to find in order to win a bet).

Negative aspects of YouTube include the fact that the site can be a hotbed of both copyright violation (as with pretty much any Web 2.0 site), as well as all sorts of garbage (both videos and commentary regarding the videos of others), posted by nigh-illiterate troglodytes (as with pretty much any Web 2.0 site).

I personally don't see YouTube being of any particular use to a library system, unless it were to fit some sort of specific role in some sort of promotional campaign.

Thing #20: Youtube

I found this video long ago. I hereby deem it to be worth adding to my blog, since I find it entertaining, as a bizarre hybrid learn English/aerobic exercise program.

Thing #19: Award-Winning (And Award-Nominated) Web 2.0 Sites

The Web 2.0 Site that I chose to explore was craigslist.org, a site best known for finding a) housing and employment opportunities, b) opportunities and services that can, should, and shall go unmentioned in a work environment, and c) people attempting to buy, sell, or trade the strangest things.

My favorite discovery is that of someone attempting to trade most of a chocolate cake for a sock.

Thing #18: Online Productivity Tools

I'm posting this with Zoho, an online word-processing dohickey. I'm neither particularly impressed nor disappointed with either Zoho or Google Docs.

Thing #17: Sandbox Wiki

Blog about my experience, eh? Well, let's see...

After reading the details of the assignment, I created an account and logged into the Sandbox Wiki. I then clicked on the link to the Favorite Blogs page, and then hit the "edit page" button. I then added a link to my blog to the list of Howard County participants.

Thing #16: Wikis

As far as applications within a library system, I suspect that a Wiki would not be of much use, as Wikis require a relatively large amount of manpower to establish and maintain to any degree of usefulness. The very nature of a Wiki requires a large degree of multi-user collaboration (or a small number of editors working very regularly).

For a functional and useful Wiki to be established for an environment such as a library system, it would have to be either maintained by a capable team of library staff (who can regularly dedicate time and effort to the Wiki's maintenance) or open to public input (and thus easily vandalized or filled with inaccurate information, intentionally or not, thus increasing the need for moderation, and library staff manpower to be expended on it).