Searching Twitter

The basic search within Twitter is quite straight-forward. I used the words "digital" and "library" and got screens-full of tweets in reply.

I used Twoogle, to search Twitter and Google using the same words. Both returned comprehensive results, the top results of course being where the phrase digital library was together. I quite liked the split screen between results and being able to scroll separately.

I noticed though, that although the Tweets were often in English, the websites mentioned in them, might not have English content.

A popular trend listed on Twitter recently, has been Google Wave. Its a cross between email, chat and search engine, blogger, and social networking site.

Watch this video: http://wave.google.com/help/wave/using-wave.html



You can search Twitter from within Wave - and it will keep collecting new search results as they occur.

I can't wait to start "Wave"-ing

Introduction to Twitter

I am already a Twitterer and have been for quite some time. I go through spates of tweeting, followed by spates of quietness. I use Facebook everyday, so I have set up my Twitter account, so that if I tweet, it also updates my Facebook status at the same time.

If you decide to do this, from your Twitter account, go to the bottom of the page, and click on "Goodies", then select "Widgets", then select "Facebook", and "install Twitter in Facebook" it will ask you to log in to your Facebook account.

I find the 140 characters in Twitter, a bit limiting - so normally use Facebook to update my status. However, I like keeping up to date with people/organisations that I am "following" in Twitter.

I recently attended the National Digital Forum conference, and found it fun to participate with other attendees, by tweeting from my iPod Touch.

Anyone wanting to follow me in Twitter, can do so @sauvblancgirl .

I already follow NZHistory Online - and attended a presentation that they gave at the NDF conference. They use Twitter as a marketing tool, to draw attention to items of interest in their collection. As there is only 140 characters, the messages are short and of a teasing nature, and usually has a URL shortened by bit.ly that takes you to either a weblink or a photo.

Online Privacy and Security

There seem to be millions of passwords and pin numbers you have to remember. Bank, email at home and work, network at home, network at work, video shop, library card etc, etc etc. And you are told to change them all frequently and not to write them down anywhere LOL!

The rules for password protection are sound. I've followed them for years. I have a generic password I use for everything that is of low importance. And secure passwords for high safety items like email accounts and banking etc.

I always use a mixture of upper, lowercase, and numerals.

However, that didn't prevent my GMail account from being hacked into from within webmail, and an email with a Korean website address was sent out in my name to everyone I had in my address book.

I am very careful where I use this GMail address too - its what we consider the family account. I have three other GMail addresses that I use, that I consider "disposable" addresses for when I don't want people to know who I am etc.

The best thing to do in circumstances like this, is to change your password and contact your ISP and your webmail provider.

My ISP reassured me that it didn't come from my computer - so that confirmed my home network firewall and security controls were working. They suggested that my password had been hacked - there is software that can do this, no password is 100% inviolate.

I've had no repeats since then. And will remember to change my password a wee bit more frequently than I used to.

I would be very hesitant to use a password generator. I don't like anyone else other than me knowing my passwords.

I am a heavy user of Facebook, and I think I don't think I get up to anything, that I wouldn't be happy to share with everyone. However, I am careful who I invite as friends, and I make best use of privacy controls as I can. Only my friends can see everything. I don't want everyone in the world having access to photos of my daughters or my nieces and nephews for that matter.

I think Facebook should make the controls easier to understand. It took me some time to get my head round all the different bits. A less technical person couldn't be blamed for being completely lost!

Exercise 22 - Social Networking and Libraries

I find the concept of a Library having a "MySpace" page or "FaceBook" page, very interesting.

Having examined several such pages, I can see that it is a good idea. Its a great way of reaching patrons - current and potential. Its a fab way of keeping people up to date with what is going on in the library. Letting people see that libraries aren't all about books. Its also a good way to get feedback from people too.

Interesting also, was the commentary about some libraries wanting to ban usage of such social networking sites from within the library. Isn't this "censorship.?" Doesn't this go against most librarians' principles?

I agreed with Meredith Farkas (http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2006/05/10/libraries-in-social-networking-software/) totally. Make a rule that is for everyone. That doesn't exclude one set of patrons.

What I did find funny, was seeing libraries listed as being "male" or "female" and "single." etc . . . LOL!

Exercise 21 - Social Networking

Well! I am already a member of FaceBook and Bebo.

I have to admit, I use Facebook loads more than Bebo. On FaceBook, I set up the North Shore Libraries group, some months ago. We now have 31 members. I made the group "invitation only" just to preserve our privacy.

The idea was to use it for social chit chat and goss across all the libraries. Another way of connecting the team together. We have some pictures posted, although the group has been rather quiet lately (largely, I expect, due to everyone being too busy working on Web 2.0 in their free time).

I joined Bebo a few months ago - mainly because I have teenage international students, and they wanted me to view their photos. Good way of keeping an eye on them too LOL!.

I recently found another social network site, called Perf.net. Not sure about that one. You can have too many membership I have found!

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8282916470