Web 2.0 Tools

Looked at a few Web 2.0 Tools and my favorite is Pandora Radio.
I had heard about this from my boys in college but still had not taken the time to check it out. Created an account and set up multiple stations. As easy as choosing an artist you enjoy and then letting Pandora choose and play continuous, similar music from many artists/groups - some already familiar to me and some new. A nice feature is the "About the Music" panel which gives you interesting details about the artist and song currently playing.

I have to agree with some of the other classmate's blog comments about the amount of time that can be spent playing and/or using Web 2.0 tools (toys). I did look at some of the other tools like iFoods, Craigslist, Revolution Health, and Twitter - and the hours can just fly by!!! I guess that is why I enjoyed Pandora Radio. All I have to do is select a station I created that I am in the mood for and let Pandora do her stuff - whether I am working on classwork on my laptop, watering the plants or making dinner.

Since Web 2.0 tools focus on creating and sharing information it definitely has a place in the library world with both librarians and patrons.

ZOHO

I created an account with Zoho and spent some time looking at the various features offered. Zoho is a collection of web-based applications offered to individuals, students and businesses that encourage collaborative work. These include the basics for word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database applications. In addition there are others such as Zoho Planner where you can keep track of appointments and To-do Lists and Zoho Chat to facilitate group discussions.

Zoho offers a host of business applications that look to be suited to the small business. Invoicing, Project Management, Human Resource applications to name a few. Having spent time in a business that used spreadsheets to manage multiple projects I wish I could go back in time to utilize such web-based applications that feature collaborative documents - much better than team members all working off different versions of project documentation. Zoho Meeting is another useful application to be used for Web conferencing or training.

While Zoho Writer was easy to use and had all the useful features of basic word processing I was not able to publish a post directly to my blog. Does anyone have advice on this feature?

Wikis

This was a great introduction to wikis for me as Wikipedia has been the basis for most of the wiki experience I have had so far. Wikis create a community sharing atmosphere and can be very beneficial in the academic world with instructor postings & collaborative classroom work, business & scientific applications, conference planning, personal interests and of course a host of library uses. Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki highlights great programs and technological wonders in the library world with the objective of sharing library success stories and new innovation.

A couple of interesting wikis I came across:

Wikitravel - a worldwide travel guide with participating contributors from around the world.

wikiHow - Collaborative How-to Manuals - from how to knit an iPod cover to installing home security to planning a wedding.

I was able to create an account and log into the PLCMC Wiki but could not add my blog to the Favorite Blogs page.