Thing 23 - Final thoughts

This is it, my final thing, number 23! It's come around surprisingly quickly and seeing as I'm on leave next week, for the first time in the whole programme, I'm ahead!!

Oxford 23 things has been an excellent programme for trying out Web 2.0 tools, whether you're a complete novice or you've already dabbled. As I worked through the tasks, I discovered that I'd used more Web 2.0 tools than I thought I had. It's been interesting to think about how to apply these tools in a professional and library context.

My favourite tool definitely has to be Google Reader and RSS feeds. Although I'd had a go with Google Reader before, I hadn't stuck with it but since re-familiarising myself with it, I'm a convert who keeps up to date on most of my feeds. It saves me a lot of time, being able to read updates through an aggregator rather than checking each individual site. Other tools that I've liked are Twitter and iGoogle, of which I was already a dedicated user.

As for my least favourite tool, it has to be Flickr. I'm not a big photographer and when I do take photos that I want to share, I'm more likely to post them on Facebook. Also I really resented the fact that I had to set up yet another username and password, this time a YahooID. Every time I've had to use it, I've forgotten what it is and spent ages having to look it up! I'm still slightly sceptical about LinkedIn but who knows, I may be persuaded round.

I've learnt a lot during my foray into the world of Web 2.0 and it's given food for thought. I'm still not sure if the library and information world are making too much of Web 2.0. It's difficult to measure it's effectiveness as a method of communicating with users and there's are questions over whether students want the library in their online social space. Surely it's only a matter of time until the next big thing comes along.

That said, I don't want to end of a negative note so I'd just like to thank Staff Development and all those involved in the planning and execution of Oxford 23 things. Well done on a great programme!