Hi all!
Thing 3 of 23 Things for Archivists is an introduction, or, re-introduction, really, to Web 2.0. At this juncture, it seems challenging to even remember the Web as it was, the World Wide Web, the baby of Tim Berners-Lee. That Web is still kicking, but now it's got fancy, fancy, customizable shoes on. The Interactive Archivist (posted by 23 Things), calls Web 2.0 an "interactive environment where users have the ability to create content as easily as they consume it. Web 2.0 is often referred to as the read/write Web or the living Web". As Archivists, we should all understand and value these changes to user-centric venues of communication. We, after all, specialize in users, and in communication.
So, there might be a downside to the We the People of Internet technology [insert Wikipedia horror stories--and that site is heavily monitored, even]. Sometimes, as we know, the quality of that information can lose the luster of Archivist-controlled accuracy and specificity. Is less more? Or is more more? These are the questions. Youtube, Facebook, Mobiles in the library/archives: friend or foe? Like most anything, the answer lies in purposing the tools and information. These technologies give archivists the opportunity to share collections, and to facilitate user interaction in an otherwise practically-impenetrable locale. It can lessen that intimidation factor. IM tools are arguably leading to the rapid degeneration of the English language. However, they're also leading to connectivity, to visibility, to, presumably, a little public lovin' for your hidden-away gem in the non-climate-controlled basement of the historic home of Admiral Important Guy. Imagine a virtual tour of your archives up on Youtube, for example. Or a tutorial about your regulations, your collections, and/or archives in general, to which you can refer patrons before they come in. Look, even Thing 3 was a video! This is 2.0-- my blog, your blog, the Meebo box--and it is giving us the power to communicate. It isn't a lecture; it's a discussion.
The Interactive Archivist discusses "Wikinomics", which is composed of openness, peering, sharing, and acting globally. Considering that the virtual world is blipping right on into Web 3.0, archivists better start passing the ketchup. And imagine all the interactivity and collaborations we could have between institutions and related collections! Yippee!
Also, love this Interactive Archivist posting of case studies in Web 2.0. ...Except maybe the tough love on a Facebook fail for SAA (wohhh wohhhh). We'll get 'em next time.
Happy Webbing!
Bee
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