At least this year.... :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Librarian 2.0 Step 3: Cloud Computing
My thoughts on Cloud Computing:
The idea of cloud computing is both fantastic and concerning for me. I think it is fascinating that so many people are so trusting that their information is going to be kept private and secure. I think this concept goes hand in hand with the idea of anonymity on the Web. Some people feel they can say anything (and they do!) because they believe they are posting anonymously.
For me cloud computing is so exciting because its all about access. Knowing that I can access the information I want and need from any computer or smartphone is a very important invention. This means I don't have to try to carry a laptop with me, or pay for Wi-Fi. It means I don't have to carry papers back and forth from home to work, or clog up my email with partially completed documents. It means if I don't finish something at work, I can pick up where I left off at home, without having to configure my home PC. It also means the home PC is not cluttered with work documents that I then might forget to email back to work.
For me cloud computing means increased mobility, greater independence, ease of use, and a more efficient use of my time, all of which are extremely valuable to me. Knowing that I could possibly get into Google Docs from my smartphone, add information, then upload it to my blog, all while I'm sitting at the doctor's office, or waiting for a ride, or enduring a ride, is like a dream come true, and I'm not exaggerating. I am constantly searching for affordable and accessible options to make better use of the time wasted in transit.
Do I worry about privacy and security? Yes. Do I worry about lost information? Yes, and losing the information is actually more worrisome to me than the privacy and security issue, which isn't smart, I know. But the emphasis that I place on ease of access would overrule my security concerns the majority of the time. For me, the information I would place in cyberspace is not highly sensitive. I'm talking about general work information and journal/personal opinion type of posting. No government secrets or the recipe for Coca-Cola or anything. Yes, I worry about identity theft, but that can happen to anyone. A friend had their identity stolen when someone took mail out of their mailbox. And when it comes to losing information, that can also happen in or out of cyberspace. Papers can get thrown in the trash. Water leaks, flooding, or other kinds of damage can occur. So information isn't 100% safe anywhere, really.
Many aspects of life carry some amount of risk. I have a friend who uses a wheelchair. She now has an automatic lock in her and her husband's lift-equipped van that eliminates the need for her husband to physically tie down her wheelchair. She just rolls right in, and the device locks her wheelchair in place. For her it means greater independence. For her husband it means relief for his knees and back. For both of them it means saving some time. The downside is that in the event of an accident, the lock would disengage more readily than the conventional tie-downs would. For my friends, the ease and access of the locking device outweighs the risk that might occur in the event of an accident.
Life is about constant judgement decisions.
Something extra:
This link is actually not part of the 12 Steps of Web and Library 2.0, but I thought it was germane to the conversation about societal divisions in social networking:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/13/social.networking.class/index.html
The idea of cloud computing is both fantastic and concerning for me. I think it is fascinating that so many people are so trusting that their information is going to be kept private and secure. I think this concept goes hand in hand with the idea of anonymity on the Web. Some people feel they can say anything (and they do!) because they believe they are posting anonymously.
For me cloud computing is so exciting because its all about access. Knowing that I can access the information I want and need from any computer or smartphone is a very important invention. This means I don't have to try to carry a laptop with me, or pay for Wi-Fi. It means I don't have to carry papers back and forth from home to work, or clog up my email with partially completed documents. It means if I don't finish something at work, I can pick up where I left off at home, without having to configure my home PC. It also means the home PC is not cluttered with work documents that I then might forget to email back to work.
For me cloud computing means increased mobility, greater independence, ease of use, and a more efficient use of my time, all of which are extremely valuable to me. Knowing that I could possibly get into Google Docs from my smartphone, add information, then upload it to my blog, all while I'm sitting at the doctor's office, or waiting for a ride, or enduring a ride, is like a dream come true, and I'm not exaggerating. I am constantly searching for affordable and accessible options to make better use of the time wasted in transit.
Do I worry about privacy and security? Yes. Do I worry about lost information? Yes, and losing the information is actually more worrisome to me than the privacy and security issue, which isn't smart, I know. But the emphasis that I place on ease of access would overrule my security concerns the majority of the time. For me, the information I would place in cyberspace is not highly sensitive. I'm talking about general work information and journal/personal opinion type of posting. No government secrets or the recipe for Coca-Cola or anything. Yes, I worry about identity theft, but that can happen to anyone. A friend had their identity stolen when someone took mail out of their mailbox. And when it comes to losing information, that can also happen in or out of cyberspace. Papers can get thrown in the trash. Water leaks, flooding, or other kinds of damage can occur. So information isn't 100% safe anywhere, really.
Many aspects of life carry some amount of risk. I have a friend who uses a wheelchair. She now has an automatic lock in her and her husband's lift-equipped van that eliminates the need for her husband to physically tie down her wheelchair. She just rolls right in, and the device locks her wheelchair in place. For her it means greater independence. For her husband it means relief for his knees and back. For both of them it means saving some time. The downside is that in the event of an accident, the lock would disengage more readily than the conventional tie-downs would. For my friends, the ease and access of the locking device outweighs the risk that might occur in the event of an accident.
Life is about constant judgement decisions.
Something extra:
This link is actually not part of the 12 Steps of Web and Library 2.0, but I thought it was germane to the conversation about societal divisions in social networking:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/13/social.networking.class/index.html
Librarian 2.0 Step 2: Blogs: My Thoughts
A co-worker and I are working on something called "A Dozen Ways to Two Step" from the Texas State Library. Here's the link about it:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/12things/
We're learning about all kinds of emerging computer technologies, and getting hands-practice with tools such as Google docs and readers, facebook, youtube, podcasts, etc. I am really enjoying this training. I have a lot of thoughts, which I will now be transferring from my google doc account to here.
Here are my thoughts from Step 2:
Change for me has always been scary. I am learning to view change as more exciting and sometimes just a little scary.
The landscape is changing so fast; keeping up with the dynamic environment is a challenge. I've never been very interested in being a leader and I still don't consider myself leader material. But I find the prospect of librarians being at or at least near the forefront of this technological revolution fascinating and thrilling. I have always been worried in everything that I do that I won't be able to "keep up with" everyone else. i still worry about that. But I'm also excited to try. I don't have a scientific mind; I don't understand how things work in a mechanical sense. But I don't think I have to know that kind of information. I just need to know what's out there and the basics of how to use it. The challenge is and will continue to be the ability to stay abreast and informed of constantly evolving technology, updated versions, and new systems. In a way it feels a little disappointing, because when I find something new I like to use it and enjoy it for awhile. But in this environment, I think many items and systems will become outdated, out of fashion, or possibly even obsolete in a short amount of time.
Take "MySpace" for example. It was "the big thing" not too long ago, and now most people have moved on to Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Its not really "cool" to be on MySpace anymore.
Another example could be the cell phone industry. The more you can do with a cell phone these days, the more attractive it is in today's mobile, impatient, active society. We need information, we need it fast, and we want it all in one gadget if possible. For some, one type of phone fulfills those needs. For others, another type fits the bill. I would use brand names, but that would prove my point. A few months after I mention them, people who read this might say, "Oh, those aren't the most popular phones anymore." In today's society, people desire the "it" product, the item that everyone is talking about. If you have the best cell phone, the computer with the biggest hard drive, the newest car, the awesome new "toy," then you have status; people are interested in you.
This also plays into the problem of the digital divide; the "haves" vs the "have nots." I think this problem could potentially deepen over time. Even though efforts are being made to ensure that children have access to computers and technology in schools, they will not be provided items as adults. Luckily the prices for computers are much lower than they used to be, and many applications are available for free. But popular gadgets aren't usually low in price. Those who cannot afford technology usually, thought not always, are the least likely to be informed about technology. So the divide widens if you can't afford what's out there, you don't even know it exists, you don't know how it works, and you won't know when it gets upgraded or is replaced by something else. This is a much bigger problem than simply a question of social status and mobility, although those ideals are important too. I'm also thinking about access to information, which can be critical. More and more in my work, I'm noticing that organizations don't provide phone numbers for the public. If you need to contact a company or a non-profit, you have to send an email, or fill out a form on their website. Which is difficult to do if you don't have a computer. Yes, you could go to a public library and use the computer there. But you probably don't have an email address for them to contact you. Or a cell phone. Or the time or transportation to get to a public library, if you work two jobs and take the bus. For many in our society, the digital divide has potentially serious consequences.
As librarians, I think there is at least some work we can do to bridge the digital divide. Look at what we've done in our library. Seniors and people with disabilities are learning to download books from the Internet, sync the books to mobile devices, and burn them to disks. They are learning to use digital audiobook players, many of which are portable and offer additional features such as notetaking, file storage, and access to music. They are also becoming informed about assistive technology and sources for funding. All of which is making this segment of the population knowledgeable, employable, empowered, and in many cases more independent and mobile than they otherwise would be.
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/12things/
We're learning about all kinds of emerging computer technologies, and getting hands-practice with tools such as Google docs and readers, facebook, youtube, podcasts, etc. I am really enjoying this training. I have a lot of thoughts, which I will now be transferring from my google doc account to here.
Here are my thoughts from Step 2:
Change for me has always been scary. I am learning to view change as more exciting and sometimes just a little scary.
The landscape is changing so fast; keeping up with the dynamic environment is a challenge. I've never been very interested in being a leader and I still don't consider myself leader material. But I find the prospect of librarians being at or at least near the forefront of this technological revolution fascinating and thrilling. I have always been worried in everything that I do that I won't be able to "keep up with" everyone else. i still worry about that. But I'm also excited to try. I don't have a scientific mind; I don't understand how things work in a mechanical sense. But I don't think I have to know that kind of information. I just need to know what's out there and the basics of how to use it. The challenge is and will continue to be the ability to stay abreast and informed of constantly evolving technology, updated versions, and new systems. In a way it feels a little disappointing, because when I find something new I like to use it and enjoy it for awhile. But in this environment, I think many items and systems will become outdated, out of fashion, or possibly even obsolete in a short amount of time.
Take "MySpace" for example. It was "the big thing" not too long ago, and now most people have moved on to Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Its not really "cool" to be on MySpace anymore.
Another example could be the cell phone industry. The more you can do with a cell phone these days, the more attractive it is in today's mobile, impatient, active society. We need information, we need it fast, and we want it all in one gadget if possible. For some, one type of phone fulfills those needs. For others, another type fits the bill. I would use brand names, but that would prove my point. A few months after I mention them, people who read this might say, "Oh, those aren't the most popular phones anymore." In today's society, people desire the "it" product, the item that everyone is talking about. If you have the best cell phone, the computer with the biggest hard drive, the newest car, the awesome new "toy," then you have status; people are interested in you.
This also plays into the problem of the digital divide; the "haves" vs the "have nots." I think this problem could potentially deepen over time. Even though efforts are being made to ensure that children have access to computers and technology in schools, they will not be provided items as adults. Luckily the prices for computers are much lower than they used to be, and many applications are available for free. But popular gadgets aren't usually low in price. Those who cannot afford technology usually, thought not always, are the least likely to be informed about technology. So the divide widens if you can't afford what's out there, you don't even know it exists, you don't know how it works, and you won't know when it gets upgraded or is replaced by something else. This is a much bigger problem than simply a question of social status and mobility, although those ideals are important too. I'm also thinking about access to information, which can be critical. More and more in my work, I'm noticing that organizations don't provide phone numbers for the public. If you need to contact a company or a non-profit, you have to send an email, or fill out a form on their website. Which is difficult to do if you don't have a computer. Yes, you could go to a public library and use the computer there. But you probably don't have an email address for them to contact you. Or a cell phone. Or the time or transportation to get to a public library, if you work two jobs and take the bus. For many in our society, the digital divide has potentially serious consequences.
As librarians, I think there is at least some work we can do to bridge the digital divide. Look at what we've done in our library. Seniors and people with disabilities are learning to download books from the Internet, sync the books to mobile devices, and burn them to disks. They are learning to use digital audiobook players, many of which are portable and offer additional features such as notetaking, file storage, and access to music. They are also becoming informed about assistive technology and sources for funding. All of which is making this segment of the population knowledgeable, employable, empowered, and in many cases more independent and mobile than they otherwise would be.
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