MySpace Libraries

Huh?
I've looked at quite a few libraries myspace sites, and I'm not sure I see the point. To be honest, I fond some of them a little embarrassing, although I find my own site embarrassing as well, so maybe I'm just being overly cringy.

But still, who are they reaching? The friends lists are made up of more authors and organisations than patrons, because really, why would kids want a library as a 'friend' in their social network? would they want to list their school, or individual teachers? don't forget, once you have been added you can not only see blogs, rude comments, smutty bulletins, etc. but get notifications of them as well. Isn't it a little like inviting an authority figure to a sleepover? myspace is supposed to be a fun, social, gossipy place for friends, and fans. I can appreicate that libraries need to promote themselves and their activities, but in the social networking sites, who is listening?

Facebook vs MySpace

I have had a MySpace for ages. Can't go past it if you are a music fan. Most of my "friends" on myspace are bands, mostly unknown, that I'm keeping track of.

So I have never been particularly interested in Facebook, because I have never been particularly interested in "social networking". If I want to talk to a friend, we talk. If we just want to check in without actually conversing, there is sms.

But, due to demands, I now have a Facebook account. So far I have thrown virtual novelty confectionary at people, discovered I am a glass of hard liquor and joined a hate group that seems to want to maim drivers who don't indicate. What all this is supposed to be doing for me I'm not sure, but it's definitely wasting time and I suspect that superpoke doesn't really help build social skills. Who really wants a sheep thrown at them? Do you want to be the kind of person that would do that? Do you want to be friends with the sork of sicko that would enjoy you doing that?

Well, I suppose Facebook can make one confront and question one's inner self.

Anyway, I must return to investigate others Faces.

Past catches up

Oops. We came to the RSS section of the course and a distant memory drifted vaguely into view. RSS sounded so familiar. Feedreaders even more so. Then I began to remember a time when the state library was a little excited about enabling RSS feeds from their website. All library staff were given a rundown on them and encouraged to join a feedreader. Which I did, at the time. I also checked it faithfully for months afterward and then totally forgot about it.

It hasn't forgotten me. I returned, only to be refused entry, leading me to suspect my account had lapsed. But no, it was only my memory refusing to store passwords. Once this key was accessed, I was in.

I couldn't bring myself to fully face the information overload it contained. There were hundreds of feeds in each catagory. Piles reaching the metaphorical ceiling. Erk.

So I have learnt a little somthing from this exercise. It's one thing to be creating all these new accounts, but remember, after the novely has worn off and you forget - they won't.

I'm back

So I've got a bit of catching up to do. Sometimes, with a life like mine, one finds oneself unexpectedly out of the country. I cannot reveal exactly why but the photo is a clue.

Lets just pretend the pic came from Image Chef and no one will get hurt.

A small sample of my light reading material is posted on LibraryThing. Of course, I am unable to share my more serious tomes, as many are unaware of their existence, and should they be discovered, our political, religious and economic systems will collapse around the world. So I'm saving that one for a really bad hair day.

Must press on. More web to be woven.

LibraryThing link