Did you read a manual? Did you attend lectures or committee meetings? Okay, this questioning is idiotic because, of course, you got on a bike and tried it until you got the knack. And you did it with enthusiasm and determination because you knew it was going to be hugely rewarding and satisfying and fun!
Why not approach the use of social software that way? I was with a colleague this weekend who was fretting about an upcoming job interview because she felt outclassed by the competition with the slick social networking skills. “My library hasn’t even set up a Flickr account!” she lamented.
I recommended that she go home and spend 30 minutes (max) setting up her own Flickr account and uploading some pics of her kids in order to experience how easy it is. It’s not some big intimidating process; feeling that way about it only induces anxiety, which makes it all that much harder to get into the best learning frame of mind –having fun.
My unsolicited advice to you all is to just do it. Once you’ve ditched the training wheels and your confidence increases, explore a little farther. Create a Flickr badge to display your photos dynamically on your website (there’s one in the right rail of this page). Get some Moo cards printed and pass them around for some cheap and eye-catching guerilla marketing. When you’re feelin’ cocky enough to let go of the handlebars, check out Splashr (thanks to LiB once again for the link).
Now you’re rolling as if you’ve always done this. What are you going to explore next?
What a great way to think about the technology! Sounds like you’ve been hanging out with the kids – who throw away the instruction book and just try things until something works. Thanks for a great post.
You’re most welcome! I’m regretting that I missed my chance at ALA Midwinter to try out the Dance Dance Revolution game –maybe I’ll get another chance at Annual. I’d love to see more of these “just do it!” opportunities provided for library staff.
I just took your advice yesterday…. set up my first blog. I’d been fretting about “doing it right” for several weeks. However, now could use a bit of help. I set it up in blogspot.com, and would like to have it linked to our teen page on the library website, BUT, I’ve been told I need to figure out how to set it up so all posts as well as comments go through me to filter for appropriate content (ie.language, offending subject matter). I’ve followed the “Easy Steps to Creating a Blog” and haven’t quite figured out how to control this.
My permission settings are: anyone can view & I’m the only author. Under comment: only registered users may comment.
So, now what?
Thanks!
What??? I haven’t felt this clueless in a very long time! Thanks to your links I now have an idea of what a moo card is; more or less a modern business card…right?
Thanks for new ideas and directions to explore! How fun to have a Flickr account and be able to show fun things from our programs. Definately something I want to find out more about!
I’m so glad you are a bit more clued in. Yes, moo cards are a kind of business card with a very high hip factor.
WebJunction has a forum for conversations about emerging technologies. I’m thinking I should start a topic on emerging users of technology. I’d love to hear that you started a Flickr account and where you’re exploring next.
In response to Kath Ann:
Congratulations! I’m excited to know that you took the plunge!
I’m not any kind of tech expert, but I do consider myself to be an explorer. When I don’t know which way to turn next, I usually look for a link to the Help menu or to support forums from the new product I’m investigating. In the case of Blogger, click Help (tiny link at the bottom of the page) to get to the nicely organized list of topics. Find Comments about half-way down the page. On the next screen, it looks like your question is #2 in the list: How do I moderate comments on my blog? If that doesn’t have the answer you need, look at the right column and check the Known Issues page. If it’s not there, don’t be shy about emailing Blogger Support (link at the bottom right).
Or, you can always ask questions or share solutions on the WebJunction message boards. There’s a lot of discussion in Emerging Technologies.
Good Luck and keep pedaling.