Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Adding comments to your digitized materials
We now see programs that allow users to add comments to their digitized materials, like the Maine Memory Network (example). Allowing users to add comments is a great way of including their knowledge in the collection. Undoubtedly there will be a few people -- with long memories -- that would enjoy adding what they remember. (Genealogists, especially could have a heyday.)
Although it may sound frightening, providing a way for users to comment on all types of materials could be useful in ensuring that information -- unknown to the group that mounted the collection -- is not forgotten. One of the best places for this might be in allowing users to add comments to materials that document history, whether it be the history of a family, community, a product, or a company. What tidbits -- lost from the records -- could be added?!
As I think about this, I think of companies that are likely digitized their old records in order to create a knowledge management system. It is likely that they are digitizing the official documents kept as part of their document retention program. But those documents may not contain the "rest of the story" and the unsanitized version of what occurred during the product's life-cycle, for example. There could be comments added that would ensure that the company understood truly how it succeeded and reminded the company of what it shouldn't do again.
Would you want to approve comments that are submitted? Yes and you would want the right to not display any that were deemed inappropriate. Notice I didn't say delete, since an inappropriate comment could still have information that you may want to retain. We know that some people could submitted damaging and incorrect comments, so you need to be able to deal with that. Any program that is allowing people to add comments should have public statement about how they will deal with inappropriate or erroneous comments.
Finally, comments are useless if no one acts on them. If you accept comments, have someone review them and see what can be used from them. Who knows what you will find!
Technorati tag:
institutional repository, 
web 2.0
Although it may sound frightening, providing a way for users to comment on all types of materials could be useful in ensuring that information -- unknown to the group that mounted the collection -- is not forgotten. One of the best places for this might be in allowing users to add comments to materials that document history, whether it be the history of a family, community, a product, or a company. What tidbits -- lost from the records -- could be added?!
As I think about this, I think of companies that are likely digitized their old records in order to create a knowledge management system. It is likely that they are digitizing the official documents kept as part of their document retention program. But those documents may not contain the "rest of the story" and the unsanitized version of what occurred during the product's life-cycle, for example. There could be comments added that would ensure that the company understood truly how it succeeded and reminded the company of what it shouldn't do again.
Would you want to approve comments that are submitted? Yes and you would want the right to not display any that were deemed inappropriate. Notice I didn't say delete, since an inappropriate comment could still have information that you may want to retain. We know that some people could submitted damaging and incorrect comments, so you need to be able to deal with that. Any program that is allowing people to add comments should have public statement about how they will deal with inappropriate or erroneous comments.
Finally, comments are useless if no one acts on them. If you accept comments, have someone review them and see what can be used from them. Who knows what you will find!
Technorati tag:
Labels: Institutional Repository, Web 2.0
Monday, April 30, 2007
Digital collections & Web 2.0
As we become more comfortable with Web 2.0 tools, we are seeing them be used on sites that hold digital collections. Case in point, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN. The Walker Art Center has placed pieces of several collections online. Some can be viewed under Collections while others are in an online space called Gallery 9. What Web 2.0 tools are on the site?
5/1/2007: A commenter notes that the links are "broken." The Walker Art Center site seems to be totally down. Hopefully it will be back up soon. 11:15 a.m. -- Site is back up! Nate @ Walker said they suffered a block-wide power outage.
Technorati tag:web 2.0
- Blogs --There are six blogs that focus on different aspects of the Center and its mission. Here staff can communicate quickly and informally with the Center's patrons and visitors. (There is even a blog post about a Brewster Kahle speech.) Comments are allowed, giving readers a way of providing additional information or feedback.
- Podcasts -- These are available on the Internet and by telephone. Obviously, these are truly meant to be heard on one's cell phone while the person is viewing the work live. Not all of the works that have podcasts are available online, but some are (for example).
- E-mail Reminders -- How often do we see something on an event calendar that we forget to write down? The Center provides an easy way for people to receive an e-mail reminder about any specific upcoming event.
- Webcasts -- They are recording lectures and panel discussions for use on their web site after the fact. (BTW An upcoming panel is Becoming an Internet Phenomenon.) Those interested in these events may not be able to attend due to a time conflict or geographic distance. By using webcasts, the Walker Art Center is extending the reach of these events.
- RSS Feeds --There are RSS feeds for different sections of the web site including the webcasts. With RSS, there is no need to go to the web site constantly to find new content. Some of the content can come right to you.
- Those who are interested in the Walker Art Center are more knowledgeable about its activities and events.
- Some digital collections become more "three-dimensional" with the addition of audio and video.
- People feel more engaged with the Center and its work. We would hope that if people feel more engaged that they are then more supportive of the Center financially.
5/1/2007: A commenter notes that the links are "broken." The Walker Art Center site seems to be totally down. Hopefully it will be back up soon. 11:15 a.m. -- Site is back up! Nate @ Walker said they suffered a block-wide power outage.
Technorati tag:
Labels: Web 2.0
Friday, April 27, 2007
Auntie Mame and Web 2.0
I attended a workshop in Rochester today entitled "Social Libraries: The 2.0 Phenomenon" which was attended by approximately 80 people. As the day ended, I couldn't help think of the movie Auntie Mame. In the movie, young Patrick has to go live with his aunt (Mame). Mame is a knowledgeable socialite who travels the world. Poor Patrick finds that he doesn't understand everything that Mame talks about. The solution Auntie Mame suggests is for Patrick to write down those things he doesn't understand and to learn about them later. No matter how much you know about Web 2.0, there are always new things to learn and so there are notes written and sites/ideas to look up later.
I came away from today with a list of things I want to learn and I'll organize my learning activities using 43 Things. For me, many of the 43 Things will likely be Web 2.0 or technology related. And I'll likely include some of the 23 Things from the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County that are not already part of my weekly repertoire.
I am not the only person who left the workshop with a list of things to investigate. Stephen Abram likely included something during the day that was new from every person in the room. Some, however, may need to learn more than others. As we heard today, there are organizations that block some Internet sites that we need to learn more about. So some of the tools that many take for granted are not known by everyone.
At this point, those of use who are "living" online or who have a lot of interaction with people who are Millennials (or younger) need develop a basic understand of the different categories of tools. We need to know basically what the products are (e.g., Flickr, Second Life, IM, etc.) and have an idea of how they are used. We can't go through this time of change on the Internet without understanding the tools that are being developed and that will -- in some form or another -- become the new communication standards online. We need to use 23 Things and 43 Things (and whatever else) to move us forwards and keep us relevant.
As Abram and others have reminded us -- if you take only 15 minutes a day to learn something new, you can learn a tremendous amount over the long haul. 15 minutes. I'm taking the challenge (my 43 Things in development). How about you?
Technorati tag:web 2.0
I came away from today with a list of things I want to learn and I'll organize my learning activities using 43 Things. For me, many of the 43 Things will likely be Web 2.0 or technology related. And I'll likely include some of the 23 Things from the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County that are not already part of my weekly repertoire.
I am not the only person who left the workshop with a list of things to investigate. Stephen Abram likely included something during the day that was new from every person in the room. Some, however, may need to learn more than others. As we heard today, there are organizations that block some Internet sites that we need to learn more about. So some of the tools that many take for granted are not known by everyone.
At this point, those of use who are "living" online or who have a lot of interaction with people who are Millennials (or younger) need develop a basic understand of the different categories of tools. We need to know basically what the products are (e.g., Flickr, Second Life, IM, etc.) and have an idea of how they are used. We can't go through this time of change on the Internet without understanding the tools that are being developed and that will -- in some form or another -- become the new communication standards online. We need to use 23 Things and 43 Things (and whatever else) to move us forwards and keep us relevant.
As Abram and others have reminded us -- if you take only 15 minutes a day to learn something new, you can learn a tremendous amount over the long haul. 15 minutes. I'm taking the challenge (my 43 Things in development). How about you?
Technorati tag:
Labels: Web 2.0