Blogs, Wikis, RSS Feeds & Blogs, Wikis, RSS Feeds & Other Communication ToolsOther Communication Tools

ByBy

Michael R. LeachMichael R. LeachHarvard UniversityHarvard University

mrleach@fas.harvard.edumrleach@fas.harvard.edu

July 2005July 2005 Copyright 2005 Harvard UniversityCopyright 2005 Harvard University 22

Agenda for this talkAgenda for this talk

IntroductionIntroduction Wiki Use in L/IS FieldWiki Use in L/IS Field Blog/RSS Use in L/IS FieldBlog/RSS Use in L/IS Field Other Communication Tools UseOther Communication Tools Use SummarySummary

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What are WikisWhat are Wikis

Basically, a “group word processor”Basically, a “group word processor” Can be much more:Can be much more:

• Collaborative development environmentCollaborative development environment• Document delivery systemDocument delivery system• Publishing platformPublishing platform

Web based, with editing/word Web based, with editing/word processing toolsprocessing tools

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What are BlogsWhat are Blogs

Basically, an online “diary”Basically, an online “diary” Have capabilities to be more:Have capabilities to be more:

• Edited journalEdited journal• Information delivery platformInformation delivery platform• News service, etc.News service, etc.

Web based with comment interface Web based with comment interface & author interface& author interface

Interface with other IT:RSSInterface with other IT:RSS

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What is RSS?What is RSS?

““Really Simple Syndication”Really Simple Syndication” Push technology, like emailPush technology, like email

• Implemented with blogsImplemented with blogs Can be synchronous/real time orCan be synchronous/real time or

have a time delayhave a time delay Based on XML technologyBased on XML technology

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RSS UsesRSS Uses

Similar to blogsSimilar to blogs• Diary/publicationDiary/publication• News feedsNews feeds• AnnouncementsAnnouncements• Aggregators/Summary systemAggregators/Summary system

Blog authors who gather/collectBlog authors who gather/collect

• Selective dissemination of informationSelective dissemination of information

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Other TechnologiesOther Technologies

PodcastingPodcasting Multi-purpose web browsersMulti-purpose web browsers Integrated mail/RSS systemsIntegrated mail/RSS systems

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PodcastingPodcasting

Based on weblog technology and Based on weblog technology and Apple’s Ipod music technologyApple’s Ipod music technology

Basically blogging with audio filesBasically blogging with audio files Another file sharing serviceAnother file sharing service

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Multi-Purpose Web BrowsersMulti-Purpose Web Browsers

Lead by “Firefox” (Mozilla)Lead by “Firefox” (Mozilla)• Open SourceOpen Source• New leader in fieldNew leader in field

Microsoft developing new IEMicrosoft developing new IE Tabbed windowsTabbed windows CustomizationCustomization RSS integrationRSS integration

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Integrated Mail/RSSIntegrated Mail/RSS

Lead by “Thunderbird” (Mozilla)Lead by “Thunderbird” (Mozilla)• Open source & new leaderOpen source & new leader• Competing against MS Outlook & EudoraCompeting against MS Outlook & Eudora• Strong security featuresStrong security features

Harvard FAS recommendationHarvard FAS recommendation Some caution: not fully “attacked” yetSome caution: not fully “attacked” yet

RSS & email integrationRSS & email integration

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How these communication How these communication technologies are usedtechnologies are used

Supplement existing communications Supplement existing communications technologiestechnologies• E.g. beyond email, or synchronous with E.g. beyond email, or synchronous with

emailemail• More than just a static web pageMore than just a static web page

Dynamic, “real time” Dynamic, “real time”

• Without some of the drawbacksWithout some of the drawbacks E.g. no spam (yet!)E.g. no spam (yet!) Low learning curves (kids can do it)Low learning curves (kids can do it)

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Wiki Use in L/IS DisciplineWiki Use in L/IS Discipline

ASIST Web Content Review Task ASIST Web Content Review Task ForceForce• Group of Information Architecture Group of Information Architecture

professionals who were appointed to professionals who were appointed to make recommendations for the next make recommendations for the next version of the ASIST web siteversion of the ASIST web site

• Wiki used to write reportsWiki used to write reports Free, virtual, long distance capabilitiesFree, virtual, long distance capabilities Was very effectiveWas very effective

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More Wiki UsesMore Wiki Uses

Wikipedia: Wikipedia: • Collaborative, online encyclopediaCollaborative, online encyclopedia• ““Model” example of good productModel” example of good product• Proven track recordProven track record

LISWiki: LISWiki: • Launched 2005 June 30Launched 2005 June 30• Potential, but unprovenPotential, but unproven

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Wiki PotentialWiki Potential

SocietiesSocieties• GovernanceGovernance

Policy developmentPolicy development Communication/collaboration amongst Communication/collaboration amongst

committee/task force memberscommittee/task force members

• Member servicesMember services Creation of “white papers”Creation of “white papers” Program development (unit level)Program development (unit level)

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Wiki Potential in LibrariesWiki Potential in Libraries

ManagementManagement• Committee/task force report writingCommittee/task force report writing• Sharing best practices among Sharing best practices among

employees, especially in geographically employees, especially in geographically dispersed locationsdispersed locations

Consortial WorkConsortial Work• Policies, license development, etc.Policies, license development, etc.

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Wiki “Worries”Wiki “Worries”

For now, just an “Internal Tool”For now, just an “Internal Tool” Not for use/display with usersNot for use/display with users

• Not “controllable”Not “controllable” QualityQuality AccountabilityAccountability

• Public image issuesPublic image issues While a “hot technology” not yet proven for While a “hot technology” not yet proven for

specific, public usesspecific, public uses

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Blog/RSS Use in L/IS DisciplineBlog/RSS Use in L/IS Discipline

High & increasing adoption rateHigh & increasing adoption rate Individual, personal blogs in L/IS are Individual, personal blogs in L/IS are

proliferatingproliferating• Quality variesQuality varies

ContentContent Editorial controlEditorial control RegularityRegularity

• Issues of permanenceIssues of permanence New form of gray literatureNew form of gray literature

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Even More Blog/RSS UsesEven More Blog/RSS Uses

In ASIST:In ASIST:• Governance usesGovernance uses

Leadership Development CommitteeLeadership Development Committee Marketing Task ForceMarketing Task Force

• Membership servicesMembership services Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group Annual ConferenceAnnual Conference Chapter levelChapter level

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ASIST Governance BlogsASIST Governance Blogs

Leadership Development CommitteeLeadership Development Committee• A standing committee reporting to the A standing committee reporting to the

PresidentPresident• Use has been lowUse has been low

Strategic Marketing Task ForceStrategic Marketing Task Force• A specialized, short-term committee A specialized, short-term committee

reporting to the Board of Directorsreporting to the Board of Directors• Use has been higher, more effectiveUse has been higher, more effective

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More Blog/RSS UsesMore Blog/RSS Uses

Chapters & Special Interest GroupsChapters & Special Interest Groups• Programs on Blogs/RSSPrograms on Blogs/RSS• Communication from officers to Communication from officers to

membersmembers Feedback from members to officersFeedback from members to officers

• Showcase special interestsShowcase special interests Highly focused subject blogsHighly focused subject blogs

• Program/meeting summariesProgram/meeting summaries

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Annual ConferencesAnnual Conferences

Now adopted by many LIS societiesNow adopted by many LIS societies• ALA, SLA, ASIST, etc., in U.S.ALA, SLA, ASIST, etc., in U.S.• Have a few years of experienceHave a few years of experience• Aimed for conference attendees and Aimed for conference attendees and

non-attendeesnon-attendees• Fuller conference experienceFuller conference experience• Multiple view points for discussionMultiple view points for discussion

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Blog, Wiki, PodcastingBlog, Wiki, PodcastingASIST Special Interest GroupASIST Special Interest Group

Currently a “proto-SIG”Currently a “proto-SIG” Announced just 1 month agoAnnounced just 1 month ago Over 50 interested membersOver 50 interested members

• Some have extensive experienceSome have extensive experience• Some have no experienceSome have no experience• Board member supportBoard member support• Not an age-dependent membershipNot an age-dependent membership

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SIG-BWPSIG-BWP

Name is a key issueName is a key issue• Academics vs. Practitioners ?!Academics vs. Practitioners ?!• Too much a “fad”Too much a “fad”• Part of communication researchPart of communication research

Could there be some technology Could there be some technology “snobbishness” (elitism)“snobbishness” (elitism)• Similar discussion thread in other units Similar discussion thread in other units

of the societyof the society

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SIG-BWP DevelopmentSIG-BWP Development

Electronic discussion group supportElectronic discussion group support Need to have a wide-ranging Need to have a wide-ranging

discussiondiscussion• Define scope and purpose/missionDefine scope and purpose/mission• Relationship with rest of ASIST & outside Relationship with rest of ASIST & outside

communitycommunity• Good opportunity for practitioners & Good opportunity for practitioners &

academics to talk, collaborate, etc.academics to talk, collaborate, etc.

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Blog/RSS PotentialBlog/RSS Potential Announcements & newsfeedsAnnouncements & newsfeeds

• Societies, libraries, unitsSocieties, libraries, units• ““New Books” (other resource) listsNew Books” (other resource) lists• Calendar for upcoming trainingCalendar for upcoming training• Selective dissemination of informationSelective dissemination of information• People “in the news”People “in the news”

Marketing & publicity product/venueMarketing & publicity product/venue Keep in mind that blogs/RSS are simple Keep in mind that blogs/RSS are simple

technologies with low learning curves & technologies with low learning curves & better vendor support (e.g. browsers)better vendor support (e.g. browsers)

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Blog WorriesBlog Worries

No editorial controlNo editorial control• This is changingThis is changing• Marketing & public relations controlMarketing & public relations control

Too personalToo personal• Can hurt job prospectsCan hurt job prospects

Chronicle of Higher EducationChronicle of Higher Education article article (2005/06)(2005/06)

Further proliferation of informationFurther proliferation of information• i.e. more information overloadi.e. more information overload

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Podcasting in GeneralPodcasting in General

Share music filesShare music files Audio version of blog postsAudio version of blog posts News media adoptionNews media adoption

• Listen to news on way to workListen to news on way to work Private “radio” news service, with skipping Private “radio” news service, with skipping

capabilitiescapabilities

Language learning capabilitiesLanguage learning capabilities• Listen to “tapes” on the way to workListen to “tapes” on the way to work

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Podcasting in L/ISPodcasting in L/IS

No uses as of yetNo uses as of yet Could be:Could be:

• Speeches/presentationsSpeeches/presentations• Audio help/tutorial/training filesAudio help/tutorial/training files

E.g. language usesE.g. language uses

• New avenue for specific support for deaf New avenue for specific support for deaf usersusers

E.g. audio policies, access information, help, E.g. audio policies, access information, help, tutorials, etc.tutorials, etc.

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SummarySummary

Blogs, Wikis, etc. expand webBlogs, Wikis, etc. expand web Allow new modes of communication Allow new modes of communication

& collaboration& collaboration Full potential not yet realizedFull potential not yet realized Full security & drawbacks also not Full security & drawbacks also not

yet realizedyet realized Dynamic & changing @ fast paceDynamic & changing @ fast pace L/IS community should experiementL/IS community should experiement

July 2005July 2005 Copyright 2005 Harvard UniversityCopyright 2005 Harvard University 3030

Thank you.Thank you.

Michael LeachMichael Leach

mrleach@fas.harvard.edumrleach@fas.harvard.edu

Comments, questions, etc.Comments, questions, etc.

Welcomed.Welcomed.