Thing 27. Twitter

Ok. I added a Twitter feed to both my blogs, set up a Twitter page and tweaked the design, stuck in a pic., etc. I even posted a couple of tweets. But...I just don't see the purpose of casual microblogging. No, wait, I take that back. I'd much rather have folks microblogging via Twitter than posting constantly on Facebook. I mean, c'mon, I really don't need to know all the cute stuff somebody's kid is doing hour after hour, all day long. Enough all ready. So go ahead and use Twitter for that.

But for non-recreational microblogging, I can see the value of Twitter. As an example, during Israel's attack on Gaza, I heard there were thousands of tweets coming out each day, reporting directly on what was happening, while the media was kept in the dark. And as for libraries, I suppose there's a value of using Twitter to keep folks current on what's happening that very hour at the library, say, during major programming.

So, go ahead and keep Twittering. Just don't do it so much. BTW, the Twitter handle is Radfo001.

Thing 26. Thing Ning

I joined the ning for "Thing" as well as for Library 2.0.

I haven't done too much with 2.O, but I've added some comments, a video, etc., to the "Thing" ning. I can't find the badge you're supposed to include, though.

I think nings are pretty useful. From what I can see, they're easy to build and work with. It's cool they offer so much as a platform: blogs, vids, widgets, too.

Thing 25. Blogger's Toolkit

I had problems with this "Thing." A lot of the tools just weren't interesting to me (for example, I really don't feel the need to monkey around with more image applications and widgets), and some I found too complex or had other difficulties with.

For instance, I tried Clustrmap. Even though I didn't think I'd get very many hits on my blog, I thought it'd be interesting to be able to map what I got. But I originally set up Clustrmap to run on my old Wordpress blog and subsequently had problems with my account and password when I tried to use it on the new one. With this mapping concept in mind, I also gave Gvisit a shot. The application seemed easy enough to work with, but I had the impression it would be a widget that I could install and use on my blog. Instead, I found it was only a link to Google maps. I didn't find this useful, as I couldn't figure how someone reading my blog could use it.

Another application I considered was for adding a tag cloud, something I've found valuable in such applications as discovery layers. While the documentation on this particular site blog (phydeaux3) made it seem easy, I was a little wary of installing it on my template, even after I'd saved it. Most of the documentation was straightforward, but then it became confusing, not matching up with what I saw on my template. So, once again, I figured it wasn't for me.

About the only thing I added for this "Thing" was a search box. And that, of course, as super-easy, as it came from the list of Blogger widgets. One click and there it was. Presto.

So I didn't get much out of this "Thing." Hope I have more success on the next one.

Thing 24. Refresh Your Blog

I'm starting the new "Thing" all over again. I was going to experiment and use Wordpress as a platform for the next round of "Thing," but just found it too user-unfriendly. Adding javascript, for instance, is a no-no, for security reasons. So, I've back with Blogger.

My goal is to post a "Thing" every week, something I haven't been very good at with my old blog, "The Chilly Librarian." "Chilly..." started out as my "Thing" blog, then evolved into new themes after I finished the first "Thing" round. But those new themes were tough to come up with. I didn't want to blog on a topic just to vent my spleen; there's enough of that out there already. So I started researching some of the topics I want to write about, which takes still more time. I've finally figured out, though, that blogging is like every other kind of writing: you have to make time for it and JUST DO IT. But since "Thing" has a structured plan to follow, I don't think regular posting should be too difficult this time of around. (I know, famous last words, right?)

I'm pretty active with blogs, using Bloglines via RSS to keep track of about 50 of them, on topics such as libraries (of course), tech and politics. I also blog for the Bookspace area of the library website where I work.

So, I'm up and running with the first new "Thing" and a brand new blog. You'll be seeing the results as I learn more.