Exercise 8.2: The avalanche of applications self-interview

1. How relevant are Web 2.0 tools and applications to me in the workplace?

Tools spawned by the internet are vital in enabling me to keep up to date in the world of information. Twitter, blogs, Facebook and RSS are ideal for professional development in the university librarian's environment. They help me identify themes and developments which I need to know about in order to perform my job adequately. It would be very difficult to keep one step ahead of clients without them.


2. How do I feel about the avalanche of Web 2.0 tools?

I almost resent the necessity to keep up to date with new applications. I have enough to keep up to date with already. I dislike the rapid change and instability associated with technology, the internet and with Web 2.0 applications in particular. While I appreciate the advantages of Web 2.0 tools for professional development (see above) they also great time consumers and wasters - time management skills are more necessary than ever.

3. Would I use Web 2.0 tools and applications if I stopped working at UTS or quit work altogether?

Friends who don't work in an academic area don't use many Web 2.0 tools or even know what the term 'Web 2.0' means so I suppose I would be the same. I would probably use Facebook to keep in touch with a few people but, without the need for professional development, I would return to the most constant of internet-based social tools - email - and forget the rest.