Alternate Search Engines

In trying the alternate search engines, I found that the results weren't that significantly different than a Yahoo or Google search. At the heart of the results of any search or information gathering will be credibility. And who is the ultimate definer of what that means? For instance, if we take the current situation in Iran, most of the "credible" or established journalists were being arrested, detained, or forced to leave the country. What the world is left with then is the twitter, fb and youtube postings from otherwise unconfirmed and perceived unreliable sources. But, the end user can read the posts, look at the pictures, watch the videos, listen to the chants, and ultimately make a decision. They don't need CNN or NBC to explain it to them. It's all right there.

Similalry, on a lighter note, TMZ broke Michael Jackson's passing. TMZ, which would be considered by most as tabloid at best.....but the lines get blurred when the information proves true.

A book I read recently, The Numerati by Stephen Baker, is a fascinating book about how our searches, tweets, and updates are being used to gather information about us as much as providing information. It is the storing and processing of this megadata that companies are hoping to better understand how we vote, how healthy we live, why we buy, or who we love.

Facebook/Twitter/Social Networking

The most interesting aspect of this technology is not the influence it has on people that have a social calendar filled up weeks or months in advance.  The updates and twittering that an organization can do about events happening in a week, the same day, or in a few hours to those patrons who have signed up as friends or followers has enormous potential for those looking for something to do versus spending an evening in front of the TV, surfing the Web, or just hanging out at the house.  Putting in some measurement survey at the end of every program (email sent, survey sent through an update for people to respond to, or something) would again provide that organization with some way to determine the effectiveness of using MySpace or Facebook or Twitter or the website to announce events.  So, much like our current Computer Class Survey....how did you hear about this program:  Newsletter, Staff, FB update, Twittter, etc, etc.   FB updates and Twitter are  really the virtual equivalent of word of mouth.  While I am not a part of many Orlando networks, I do receive many invitations from friends all over the country for book signings, art openings, and fund raising for various causes or non profits.  And...were I in those cities, because we tend to be a family that decides in any given day what we would like to do, I would take advantage of these last minute updates and opportunities.  Would we still choose to sometimes just hang out, go to the beach, play video games, or whatever?  Sure we would.  But, the idea that the library might bring in one more family or group of connected friends to one more program per week as a function of doing a simple update would mean at least 52 more people per year coming to programs, being more aware of our offerings, checking out materials, developing relationships with our staff, and ultimately, beoming supporters of and voters for the library.