Blahg #4
I'm kind of at a loss to choose something to write about this week. This is why my blogs tend to die if I'm not forced to keep them up.
I have been bogged down with assignments for my 3 other classes, but nothing exciting enough to mention. Yeah, I did my case study diagram. I used PowerPoint then copied it into Word. Nothing crazy happened at the library on Sunday, either, other than standing up for myself when a teenage boy gave me attitude when I asked him to turn down the volume on his computer.
I was sick on Monday and left work after about 2 hours, so Tuesday was like Monday, Wednesday felt like Tuesday, etc. Yuk. Please let this week end. Cold weather really gets me down too.
Oh, I guess I do have something technology-related to talk about this week: every so often, I get alumni update emails from my alma mater. I got one last week or maybe earlier this week. I clicked the link to an article that interested me and was redirected to my school's website. I skimmed the article, and at the bottom of the page, saw this:
The text I circled says "Share This on Facebook." (edit: wow, that's a crappy screenshot)
Oh, come on, Facebook? You can call me a snob, but I'm disappointed that my school has jumped on the Facebook apps bandwagon.
Oh, come on, Facebook? You can call me a snob, but I'm disappointed that my school has jumped on the Facebook apps bandwagon.
I became aware of Facebook during my senior year of college, so even though I have "studied" Facebook in a few of my SLIS classes, I probably won't change my opinion that it is for entertainment only. Personally, I think the debate over libraries using Facebook to reach out to students is a nonissue.
When I do use Facebook (and my use has become more infrequent lately) it's to kill time or see what people are up to. I don't think "oh, since I'm already logged into Facebook, maybe I'll see if I can get to IUCAT through this or maybe even get into Oncourse so I can do my homework!" I prefer to keep different parts of my life segmented: my IUPUI email account is strictly for school stuff; my work email (is monitored anyway since I work for a drug company) is strictly for work stuff--I didn't even give that address to my mom, who was slightly offended, but she can use my personal email address.
It seems that the people who roll out new technology have a motto that reminds me of "one-stop shopping," while I want exactly the opposite. Keep Facebook off my university's website!!!
The facebook thing looks like there is a lot of personal information out there, and quite a bit of it on some kids. As a teacher, that concerns me.
As for the information, I can imagine a time that a Facebook archive would be important. In one hundred years, it would be an interesting comment on our culture. It is a comment I'm not sure I understand, but it would be interesting.
Thinking of what Keith said, have you ever checked out Brewster Kahle's Wayback Machine? Every once in a while I use it to find a website from a few years ago.