Information Overload

Does RSS contribute to information overload? Well, I guess it depends on how you define 'information overload'. I feel information overload when I feel overwhelmed by the amount of data I have to sort through. The great thing about RSS is that it allows to you to filter items that are of interest to you. You only get items that you ask to get.

However, just like my TiVo, I watch/read WAY more stuff than I used to because it is so much more efficient for me to do so. RSS acts as the dam to information overload, however I'm allowing continuously more through as I find things that are meaningfully interesting to me.

While I think it can be argued that RSS both mitigates and aggravates the problem of information overload, I certainly feel better informed because of it.

New to Me

One site that is new to me this week is Connotea. This site is designed for scientists or clinicians, however it is free and easy to use. As you perform research you can click on the button in your browser (similar to del.icio.us) and it automatically saves your references. You can also add tags for easy retrieval. References can be public or private, emailed to certain colleagues, and of course, are available on any computer with Internet access. Connotea will also save links to any webpage, however, the most bibliographic data will be available when using sites like PubMed or Amazon.

Will I use it? In my other class this semester, we are preparing to do a group project. I think this would be a great tool to be able to share our research and easily access the references we've used.

Final Thoughts on Feed

I think we are getting closer to the Feed society all of the time. Nothing really seems to be stopping us because, as a culture, we believe that the good and convenience of the feeds outweigh the negatives. As an example, I have totally drunk the Google Kool-Aid, I know it, and I don't care! The dependence I have on my Internet connection and my social software tools is what leads to me to believe I'm headed down the path that leads to the Feed society.

Jon Stewart had a guest on last week that is trying to take a stand against the dehumanizing nature of our electronic dependence. Lee Siegel has written Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob. I definitely plan to check it out. I found it interesting that Mr. Siegel feels that there will ultimately be a backlash and a return to more focus on human interactions as a result of events like the MySpace suicide. I'm just not convinced.

I think the thing that struck me the most about Feed is how people had completely ceased to think for themselves. The didn't question anything the feed told them. Violet saw that Titus was not like everyone else, that he could still think and question. But Titus rebelled from those feelings because they made him different. I think one of the major responsibilities that school librarians, public librarians, and academic librarians have to is to make sure that patrons question the data they find, dig deep into the research, and to not be afraid of original thought.

Feed

Having read this book last year for YA Lit, I have to admit that I didn't love it, although I thought it was interesting. However, this book has stood the test of time for me. I still think about it because of my increasing reliance on feeds and the irritating need I have to feel connected all the time.

Could events like this actually happen? I actually think anything is possible. So many people said the things we have today could never happen, so I'm not one to say never. But even if I don't really think we can implant a chip into our brains, I do think our reliance to various feeds can certainly increase. The question is whether or not we are strong enough to know when to shut down and whether or not we continue to question everything we are being fed. You see the emergence of Crackberries (my husband among them) and people who believe everything they read online to be the gospel truth. So even if I don't think the problems in the book may come about in the exact way described, I do think the problems created by technology are real nonetheless.

Would I want a feed? No. Don't get me wrong, I love technology. It makes my life richer, connecting me to friends and family and keeping me informed and educated, and allows me to accomplish more in less time. The convenience of a feed would be awesome. But I need silence, escape and peace every so often. I need to talk a walk, play with my kids, and have time for quiet reflection. I wouldn't give that up for a feed.

Bloglines vs. Google Reader

I should say up front that I've been a Google Reader user for awhile, so I don't think that Bloglines could displace my love in one day.

• I actually prefer the font Bloglines uses, although I downloaded the Firefox Add-on for Google Reader and it has made things much prettier.
  
• I like how Google Reader lists new items front and center when you access the page. Bloglines split screen bugs me.
• I also like how Google Reader gives me recommendations based on my viewing habits. I know some people think it's creepy, but I've actually subscribed to some of the blogs "they" list for me, and I've been happy I did.
  
• Google Reader automatically lists the previous posts of a person's blog when you click on the blog title in the sidebar. Bloglines requires an extra click (I know, it's a travesty) by clicking the Display button.
• This is a little silly, but I like how Bloglines gives the number of blog subscriptions above the folders on the sidebar. You can see the number in Google Reader but only when you go to manage your subscriptions.
• I do like how Bloglines lets you see the number of subscribers to a feed.
• Also, I like how Bloglines lets you choose the folder as you add the subscription. In Google Reader, you have to add the subscription and then go into Manage Subscriptions to choose the folder.
  

New to Me

Netvibes is new to me today. I got intrigued when we watched the Michael Wesch video and I saw something that looked like Netvibes (maybe it was) but I had no idea how to find it or how it worked. It was super easy to set up. It's great because you can set it as your homepage and instead of checking multiple sites, you can get an overview of everything you like in one place. I have multiple email accounts using different services, and you can include them all allowing you to check your email in one place. I also like having the weather, news headlines, and Google search bars in one convenient location. I've also included Twitter and Facebook and downloaded a Google Reader widget. This is a great time-saver and I definitely think I'll stick with it.

Wordpress vs. Blogger

• In Wordpress you can upload pictures without going into a separate pop-up window.
• Both allow tagging/labels, but Wordpress also allows posts to be categorized.
• Both have a WYSIWYG editor and html editor.
• Wordpress stores pictures allowing you to label them and send them into the post editor whenever you wish. In contrast, Blogger only allows you to upload pictures that relate to the post you are working on.
• Wordpress supports Trackback and Blogger does not. Blogger uses backlinks.
  
• Wordpress scares me since I've only ever used Blogger! But, it does seem like it has a lot more capabilities that would be useful if I felt I wanted that additional functionality.
  

Messages from Brown & Duguid

Technology and automated bots cannot replace the human element in interactions. While some predicted the demise of libraries with the advent the the WWW, libraries have proven their worth with Generation Y. Thus, libraries need to continue to utilize new technologies in a way that complements their existing purpose.

Do not assume what new technologies can do or overestimate how it will be used. Look to the users and take clues about what is important to them. Don't assume that everyone knows how to use new social software and networking tools.

The library is a social system and provides a service that differs from what people can accomplish in isolation at home. Librarians need to stay current in their technological knowledge so they can help people in ways that save them time, effort, and money.

Social software is important to keep people who are at home connected to resources of the library. This is why tools such as IM and blogging are important--they help ensure that the community has links to library services from the comfort of their home.

Library Blog

My library (meaning the one I am a patron of, not the one I work for...yet!), PLCMC, a has a blog for gamers called The Gaming Zone. While not updated often, it does keep the gamers of the community connected with game reviews and advertises game nights and reports on library gaming events. It also has some good RSS links to library events, gaming items in the Charlotte Observer, and podcasts. I think this blog is a good way to serve a niche market in the library community, and to highlight library services and events.