Hi everyone!
Woohoo, widgets! Widgets are spectacularly useful. They're sort like the kid from the popular group that you invite to your party for status. With a widget, you can take information from one site (like your Twitter account, Facebook account, chat, or something else random), and place it in a different site. We actually already did this when we looked at Meebo, and I embedded the MeeboMe widget on the blog. [--->]
I've also got a counter on here, and a link to follow me on Twitter @Archivisitation.
From Twitter, you can install a widget that will display your most recent Tweets. This can be added to a site or to Facebook. It's a great way to get more of your repository's networking directly accessible from a single location (your site, Facebook page, etc.). Also from Twitter, you can add a widget that will search Tweets, one that will display your favorite Tweets, or one that will display your favorite followers. Any of these would be helpful for engaging folks into the online community of the repository. From Facebook, you can add a Profile Badge or a Page Badge to your site, and this will let people know that you have a presence on Facebook. It's definitely more noticeable than a link. If your repository is on LibraryThing, or your repository is part of a library that is, you can add a LibraryThing account widget that will display your favorite books, or a particular collection, or books with reviews. This widget would be a great way to get those staff recommendations out of the stacks and into your online community. The LibraryThing widget is also customizable. This 3jam widget allows users to send a message to a mobile account, without exposing the phone number. It could be helpful if your repository does text/SMS reference. This widget from del.icio.us allows you to display your new links-- which could connect users with related collections, other repositories, information about your or other archives, etc. Google has all sorts of widgets/"web elements" that can be tacked onto a site. The Maps widget could be helpful for pointing out the origination of a collection or document. ...And there are many more widget suggestions on Stan Shroeder's article, recommended by 23 Things.
These are another way to engage users and to make the archives visible. An invisible archives falls quickly by the wayside, and this technology is usually free, except for the cost of labor and upkeep. If your repository has the time and means (or, okay, realistically, can make the time or means), then networking can reap real, tangible benefits for your repository, staff, and patrons.
Showing posts with label Social Networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Networking. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Thing 14: Facebook Apps
Facebook: unpredictable, explosive, unavoidable? These can be positives and negatives. For a repository with an active Facebook page, Facebook apps can be a way to connect with users, or to create more interest in your archives/collections. The blog prompts from 23 Things for Archivists encouraged a discussion on the pluses and minuses of Facebooks apps, and there are many of each.
The advantages of installing apps on Facebook include increased visibility, low- or no-cost marketing (aside from the required time, of course), and creation of an involved community though social networking. Disadvantages come in that most apps require that you forfeit some control over personal information. Facebook may be given access to your Friends list (something you may seriously want to weigh as a repository respecting the privacy of its patrons). Some sneaky apps even require an acceptance of terms that can grant them access to your Friends' (or Fans', if you're a page) information as well. The best advice when app searching is to carefully read and weigh the permissions required to install that app. For an app to access the "personal information" of a repository's web page may not seem to create many negative consequences. Tracking may not seem ultra-threatening to a public institution account that is being responsibly used, either. However, an app that "requests" to access information about patrons ("Friends"/"Fans"/"Followers"), even their "Likes" or locations, could be potentially hazardous (or, at the very least, offensive) to those who trust your repository with information.
Facebook uses "personal" information and activity tracking, when allowed, to entice advertisers to give money in exchange for marketing information. The tracking, geolocating, etc., is used to create targeted advertising for a particular account. Again, for a repository, this might not seem very threatening. Some with personal accounts, however, might not want to subject their account information to analysis, whether the intent of that analysis be benign or malignant. ...It's still kind of creepy, even if it's just for advertising. What does this mean for your repository on Facebook? It means that when you "invite" a Friend/Follower/Fan to install an app, you may be inadvertently asking them to expose their information to third-party applications and sites. Many may be unwilling to do so, understandably, so don't be offended. Many, though, may be unaware of the consequences and particulars of installing apps (especially third-party apps) onto their Facebook accounts. If you'll be doing this regularly, make sure you know what's at stake, and make sure you are able to communicate the pros and cons to your patrons and "Friends".
One feature that can be really helpful to amalgamation and consolidation is importing a blog to a Facebook account. This can only be done for one other site (i.e. only a single blog can be imported). This feature allows you to import blog entries as Notes, automatically. To configure, click on "Notes" on your repository's profile, then scroll down to "Subscribe" (you may have to go into a particular note to access "Subscribe"). Click on "Edit Import Settings", and type in your blog's URL. Easy! Now your Friends can read what you post on the blog right on Facebook. One less step.
We talked about putting Meebo on Facebook in Thing 2... I blogged about it here. But, as Blogger user Norton enlightened me in the comment to that post, a single account can be on either Facebook Chat or Meebo (through Facebook), but not both simultaneously. But, Meebo or Twitter accounts can be linked on Facebook through apps listed in the "Utilities"section. Either or both of these, or a combination of other apps, could be very useful in consolidating different social media accounts. Under "Business" (perhaps one of the most relevant sections for a repository to explore), SlideShare or LinkedIn accounts can be added. Using these tools, an archives can make presentations about its collections and share them via Facebook, or connect with users who might solely use LinkedIn for professional networking. Definitely helpful. The Family Tree app (Utilities) might be a wonderful way to map out a collection created by a family, so that users can see all the players involved. Many interesting possibilities lend themselves to these apps.
Just be aware of the pros and cons of Facebook (I wrote some of my own perspective on this in Thing 6: Social Networking. Also, be aware that many of your users (or possibly even most, depending on your constituency) will not be on Facebook. This is also true of any or all of the other social networking avenues you may be traveling down with your repository. While consolidating on Facebook can be beneficial, be sure to not "put all your eggs in one basket" as it were. And PRIVACY SETTINGS, PRIVACY SETTINGS, PRIVACY SETTINGS! Note especially, as you bop around, that there is an "Info available through your Friends" section under "Apps, Games, and Websites". Make sure you watch out for inadvertently exposing the information of your followers.
But, other than that, happy apping. It can be a lot of fun and a great tool set.
The advantages of installing apps on Facebook include increased visibility, low- or no-cost marketing (aside from the required time, of course), and creation of an involved community though social networking. Disadvantages come in that most apps require that you forfeit some control over personal information. Facebook may be given access to your Friends list (something you may seriously want to weigh as a repository respecting the privacy of its patrons). Some sneaky apps even require an acceptance of terms that can grant them access to your Friends' (or Fans', if you're a page) information as well. The best advice when app searching is to carefully read and weigh the permissions required to install that app. For an app to access the "personal information" of a repository's web page may not seem to create many negative consequences. Tracking may not seem ultra-threatening to a public institution account that is being responsibly used, either. However, an app that "requests" to access information about patrons ("Friends"/"Fans"/"Followers"), even their "Likes" or locations, could be potentially hazardous (or, at the very least, offensive) to those who trust your repository with information.
Facebook uses "personal" information and activity tracking, when allowed, to entice advertisers to give money in exchange for marketing information. The tracking, geolocating, etc., is used to create targeted advertising for a particular account. Again, for a repository, this might not seem very threatening. Some with personal accounts, however, might not want to subject their account information to analysis, whether the intent of that analysis be benign or malignant. ...It's still kind of creepy, even if it's just for advertising. What does this mean for your repository on Facebook? It means that when you "invite" a Friend/Follower/Fan to install an app, you may be inadvertently asking them to expose their information to third-party applications and sites. Many may be unwilling to do so, understandably, so don't be offended. Many, though, may be unaware of the consequences and particulars of installing apps (especially third-party apps) onto their Facebook accounts. If you'll be doing this regularly, make sure you know what's at stake, and make sure you are able to communicate the pros and cons to your patrons and "Friends".
One feature that can be really helpful to amalgamation and consolidation is importing a blog to a Facebook account. This can only be done for one other site (i.e. only a single blog can be imported). This feature allows you to import blog entries as Notes, automatically. To configure, click on "Notes" on your repository's profile, then scroll down to "Subscribe" (you may have to go into a particular note to access "Subscribe"). Click on "Edit Import Settings", and type in your blog's URL. Easy! Now your Friends can read what you post on the blog right on Facebook. One less step.
We talked about putting Meebo on Facebook in Thing 2... I blogged about it here. But, as Blogger user Norton enlightened me in the comment to that post, a single account can be on either Facebook Chat or Meebo (through Facebook), but not both simultaneously. But, Meebo or Twitter accounts can be linked on Facebook through apps listed in the "Utilities"section. Either or both of these, or a combination of other apps, could be very useful in consolidating different social media accounts. Under "Business" (perhaps one of the most relevant sections for a repository to explore), SlideShare or LinkedIn accounts can be added. Using these tools, an archives can make presentations about its collections and share them via Facebook, or connect with users who might solely use LinkedIn for professional networking. Definitely helpful. The Family Tree app (Utilities) might be a wonderful way to map out a collection created by a family, so that users can see all the players involved. Many interesting possibilities lend themselves to these apps.
Just be aware of the pros and cons of Facebook (I wrote some of my own perspective on this in Thing 6: Social Networking. Also, be aware that many of your users (or possibly even most, depending on your constituency) will not be on Facebook. This is also true of any or all of the other social networking avenues you may be traveling down with your repository. While consolidating on Facebook can be beneficial, be sure to not "put all your eggs in one basket" as it were. And PRIVACY SETTINGS, PRIVACY SETTINGS, PRIVACY SETTINGS! Note especially, as you bop around, that there is an "Info available through your Friends" section under "Apps, Games, and Websites". Make sure you watch out for inadvertently exposing the information of your followers.
But, other than that, happy apping. It can be a lot of fun and a great tool set.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thing 6: Social Networking
Social Networking: the explosive communication forum.
I made some comments in the Thing 2 entry about Facebook still having a strong tendency toward the personal. I came from a small, prominent, Massachusetts undergraduate program that was not one of the earliest connective nodes on the Facebook network, but was right behind on Wave Two. I have been on Facebook for over seven years (eeek... normally, here, I would tell myself to get a life, except for that that is the purpose of social networking, is it not?), and know the site pretty well. Although, since its change from the .edu connection to the international juggernaut of social networking, much has changed. Information that once seemed unlikely to leak out now much be carefully weighed, guarded, and tagged for public, private, or semi-private viewing.
For me, Facebook still has those collegiate undertones, and I intend to keep my Facebok account personal. In light of this, I have been working on establishing a profile on LinkedIn, which, if you are unfamiliar, is a popular professional networking site. Also in light of my wanting to keep my Facebook account for personal connections, I investigated some of the other social networking options presented by Kathryn Otto in Thing 6. I took a hop over to Gather, which advertises itself as "Social Networking with Substance". Despite its claims, however, I was greeted at the homepage by a news article entitled "US Airways Lets Man in Women's Underwear Fly". Yes...very substantive, Gather. I thought three things: 1) Oh, the irony--this coming from the "Substantive" Social Network, 2) Would not this be more of a story if US Airways prohibited this gentleman from flying? 3) I must get out of here before I get sucked into actually reading this. So, friends, my startling experience on the Gather homepage frightened me away enough to consider sticking with LinkedIn for professional development.
I am but a person, however. What of a library or archives? It makes sense to have a Facebook page for visibility, but, also, to not expect a lot from it. Personally, I am hesitant to "Like" things on Facebook, because sometimes it can end up exposing your interests and making you an advertising target. Identifiable personal information is usually kept private, but I can see how the thought tracking bots might make some uncomfortable. But, then again, bots are tracking Google searches, and visited sites, and cookies, downloads, and everything else. So, there that is. If I were marketing a facility or institution, I might opt to make a personal profile for the institution, as opposed to a page (or at least in addition to a page). There is likely to be much more interaction this way. Friends > Likes, I say.
I bopped around Big Tent for a bit. It seems like a worthwhile service, for sure. However, on the connectivity scale, there is likely to be little advantage gained from opting for BigTent at this time, due to its comparitive size. In a couple of years, it could explode. Who knows. You can connect Big Tent to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, though, which definitely gives this site some real growth and usability potential. It seems like a useful tool for connecting people within a group (forums, calendars, file sharing, alert/notification options). I wonder what potential it has for pulling in (new) outside users or connecting users across different groups.
I am interested in creating a Facebook presence for the small historical society at which I work part-time, but I need some approval before this occurs. I may seek it next week. Until then, I'm a one-woman show on Facebook and one of two administrators behind a rugby team's social networking presence.
The question of the line between personal and professional in social networking is a challenging one. In fact, there is a discussion currently occurring within the ALA group on LinkedIn about keeping these genres separated. It seems to be the general consensus that an account should be used for professional or personal use, not both. This can be tricky when your professional organization goes up on Facebook, for example. Then-- refer back to my hesitation about "Liking" things on Facebook--you might find folks that like your organization in real life, and don't like it ("Like" it) on Facebook because they want their Facebook accounts kept personal.
One last point: whatever the medium for your social networking escapades, be sure to check the privacy policies, and adjust the settings to suit your preferences. Facebook, notoriously, changed the defaults on privacy settings without notifying users a couple of years ago. It created an angry mob of folks, sitting quietly in their respective computer chairs. That was a joke. But seriously, you can end up with a Google search-able profile, openly available, with all of your content exposed, if you don't pay attention. There are even settings for programs that your "Friends" use accessing your information, unless you reset them! No one with a Facebook account for personal use wants that. So just be careful! After we create new accounts, let's make sure to check the privacy settings. Facebook's explanation of theirs is here .
Happy networking!
Bee
I made some comments in the Thing 2 entry about Facebook still having a strong tendency toward the personal. I came from a small, prominent, Massachusetts undergraduate program that was not one of the earliest connective nodes on the Facebook network, but was right behind on Wave Two. I have been on Facebook for over seven years (eeek... normally, here, I would tell myself to get a life, except for that that is the purpose of social networking, is it not?), and know the site pretty well. Although, since its change from the .edu connection to the international juggernaut of social networking, much has changed. Information that once seemed unlikely to leak out now much be carefully weighed, guarded, and tagged for public, private, or semi-private viewing.
For me, Facebook still has those collegiate undertones, and I intend to keep my Facebok account personal. In light of this, I have been working on establishing a profile on LinkedIn, which, if you are unfamiliar, is a popular professional networking site. Also in light of my wanting to keep my Facebook account for personal connections, I investigated some of the other social networking options presented by Kathryn Otto in Thing 6. I took a hop over to Gather, which advertises itself as "Social Networking with Substance". Despite its claims, however, I was greeted at the homepage by a news article entitled "US Airways Lets Man in Women's Underwear Fly". Yes...very substantive, Gather. I thought three things: 1) Oh, the irony--this coming from the "Substantive" Social Network, 2) Would not this be more of a story if US Airways prohibited this gentleman from flying? 3) I must get out of here before I get sucked into actually reading this. So, friends, my startling experience on the Gather homepage frightened me away enough to consider sticking with LinkedIn for professional development.
I am but a person, however. What of a library or archives? It makes sense to have a Facebook page for visibility, but, also, to not expect a lot from it. Personally, I am hesitant to "Like" things on Facebook, because sometimes it can end up exposing your interests and making you an advertising target. Identifiable personal information is usually kept private, but I can see how the thought tracking bots might make some uncomfortable. But, then again, bots are tracking Google searches, and visited sites, and cookies, downloads, and everything else. So, there that is. If I were marketing a facility or institution, I might opt to make a personal profile for the institution, as opposed to a page (or at least in addition to a page). There is likely to be much more interaction this way. Friends > Likes, I say.
I bopped around Big Tent for a bit. It seems like a worthwhile service, for sure. However, on the connectivity scale, there is likely to be little advantage gained from opting for BigTent at this time, due to its comparitive size. In a couple of years, it could explode. Who knows. You can connect Big Tent to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, though, which definitely gives this site some real growth and usability potential. It seems like a useful tool for connecting people within a group (forums, calendars, file sharing, alert/notification options). I wonder what potential it has for pulling in (new) outside users or connecting users across different groups.
I am interested in creating a Facebook presence for the small historical society at which I work part-time, but I need some approval before this occurs. I may seek it next week. Until then, I'm a one-woman show on Facebook and one of two administrators behind a rugby team's social networking presence.
The question of the line between personal and professional in social networking is a challenging one. In fact, there is a discussion currently occurring within the ALA group on LinkedIn about keeping these genres separated. It seems to be the general consensus that an account should be used for professional or personal use, not both. This can be tricky when your professional organization goes up on Facebook, for example. Then-- refer back to my hesitation about "Liking" things on Facebook--you might find folks that like your organization in real life, and don't like it ("Like" it) on Facebook because they want their Facebook accounts kept personal.
One last point: whatever the medium for your social networking escapades, be sure to check the privacy policies, and adjust the settings to suit your preferences. Facebook, notoriously, changed the defaults on privacy settings without notifying users a couple of years ago. It created an angry mob of folks, sitting quietly in their respective computer chairs. That was a joke. But seriously, you can end up with a Google search-able profile, openly available, with all of your content exposed, if you don't pay attention. There are even settings for programs that your "Friends" use accessing your information, unless you reset them! No one with a Facebook account for personal use wants that. So just be careful! After we create new accounts, let's make sure to check the privacy settings. Facebook's explanation of theirs is here .
Happy networking!
Bee
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