Introducing Web 2.0: weblogs and podcasting for health librarians

Abstract

Discussion is rampant amongst libraries and information industries about what is Web 2.0. One thing, I believe, is clear now – Web 2.0 isn't still a standard in almost any sense of the word. Most concepts behind this term are constructive, building on today's best and improving for the future. Stephen Abram suggested in his recent Information Outlook article 1 that Web 2.0 is about the more human aspects of interactivity on the Web. " It is about conversations, interpersonal networking, personalization and individualism " . Frequently, our users want to experience the Web, they want to learn and succeed; and we have to provide them the tools and context to do just that. As technology infrastructure of Web 2.0 is still complex and constantly evolving, Web 2.0 is ultimately a social phenomenon of users' experience of the Web, and is characterized by open communication, decentralization of authority, and freedom to share and re-use Web content. Many new technologies are emerging under Web 2.0 umbrella: RSS, Wikis, Weblogs, comments functionality, Web personalization, photos sharing (Flickr, Zooomr), social networking software, AJAX and API programming (Google maps), streaming media, podcasting and mp3 files, social bookmarking, open source software, user driven ratings, and open access content. My intent is to cover some of these technologies and to see how we, as health sciences and medical librarians, could integrate them in our daily practice. I started this series of articles with covering some RSS (really simple syndication) use in medicine (see the previous issue), and am discussing webloging and podcasting in this issue. If you are interested, please see my coverage of social networking and social bookmarking and tagging in the next issue.