DIY Therapy---Social Networking?

Relationship networks. These are not your usual social networking sites, but self and peer counseling websites set up to help people work through personal relationship issues on their terms and time.

What interests me is how technology is being used to reach a new audience. Which human need is being served by the Internet. Well, if the Internet can help people find a date or a mate why can't it help work out those interpersonal problems that every relationship encounters before the relationship dissolves.

I see Web 2.0 applications moving from a tool used by a society for entertainment to a tool that helps a society fulfill the personal ideology of it's members. That is those ideas that reflect the social needs and aspirations of the individual. In this case it helps individuals work through relationship issues without the traditional counsel.

For those of us who do not feel comfortable "spilling our gut" in a face to face situation these websites may be a way of easing us into a problem solving mindset. Let's face it, people have to want to go into counseling. The desire to meet, talk and listen to an objective point of view is a step that many of us do not want to initiate.

The application of interactive software for social connection continues to provide the means for a society to become more self-sufficient, possible more egalitarian in nature allowing individuals to use their talents and knowledge for the good of their community, the human race.

The original Web 2.0

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester is a fine example of what Web 2.0 is all about, the creation of a community with a common interest or cause. What makes the story of the Oxford English Dictionary so fascinating is that it happened pre-computer and Internet.

The goal of the Philological Society, established in 1842, was to develop a dictionary of the English language in its "totality". Meaning as Winchester explains in his book, "Whatever this was, it had to be a book-an enormous book...that did its level best to include the totality of the language. And by that was meant the discovery and the inclusion of every single word, every sense, every meaning...such that anyone who wanted to look up the meaning of any word must be confident of finding it there, without a scintilla of doubt."

the question in all of our minds as it was in the minds of those present at the first announcement of this colossus task should be how will this be accomplished? Dean Trench's answer was "common action" where by "many besides its own members (Philological Society) would gladly divide with them the toil and honour of such an undertaking. An entire army would join hand in hand till it covered the breadth of the island...this drawing a sweep-net over the whole extent of English literature, is that which we would fain see..."

Think of the Philological Society as the central node with all those individuals around the world "connected" by the reading and sending via the postal service slips of paper containing data about data (words). When these bits of information arrived at the "Scriptorium" as this central node was to be known they were placed in one of 1,029 pigeon-holes built to hold all the meta data until it could be sorted and reviewed.

After 68 years, 3 weeks a total of twelve "tombstone-sized" volumes containing all the English words which were up to that point in time believed to make up the English language was made available to the public. WOW!!!!

It wasn't the first time that people had joined together to gather information just for the sheer enjoyment of adding to the great body of knowledge that is our human history. The Brothers Grimm had some time before the commencement of work on the OED developed a German dictionary with the help of 83 volunteers who read one or more authors combing for words to be included in the dictionary.

It would seem that we are hard wired for participation in Web 2.0 type activity. We can't help but put our own 2-cents into the mix. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Wiki sites and software applications like del.icio.us are popular. Creative common communities have been happening for centuries. To steal a phrase from one of my dear uncles, "It's in the blood..."

The Moral Hazard Effect ?

I was reading an article from a back issue of www.sciencemag.org, The Economics of Information Security and was introduced to the phrase moral hazard effect in which an atmosphere conducive to crime is created because those involved believe that customer complaints would not be taken seriously and they became careless and sloppy at their jobs.

Besides the interesting phrase I was reminded once again that if there is any possibility that money can be made from a new and evolving commodity people will find a way, even if they have to steal from someone else to do it.

This all had to do with the many conundrums involved in Internet security and risk assessment.
The vulnerabilities of software has for a long time been a point of concern for corporations and institutions and since some in the software industry would rather "ship it Tuesday and get it right in the next version" businesses have popped up that specialize in certification services to vouch for the quality of software products or websites.

Unfortunately, there are statistics that show that malicious websites as well as malicious software vendors have obtained a "good certification" subsequently circumventing the system. Someone didn't get the point.

I love this one...

There is actually something called a vulnerability market in which investment firms openly buy vulnerabilities (information about specific software security) and provide this info to their customers and well as the software vendors affected by the bad news.
What a set up. Does this remind you of recent banking issues.

It must take a lot a money, brain power and time to think up these "business models". I would think it would be easier to just invest one's time and money in a legitimate endeavor.

I am sure you have heard that it takes more muscles (work) to frown that it does to smile....
and since I am all for conservation of energy in all forms this article has me smiling.

Lorcan Demsey's on Twitter Flow

Lorcan Demsey comments on how libraries plug into their users "twitter flow" by implementing a WorldCat search through twitter. It was an entry made on July 18, 2010.

The blog would be of interest to librarians as well as archivist.

Popular Technology and the Information Economy

Working more intimately with computer technology these past few months than at times I have wanted or enjoyed I wondered what it all might mean to the "average jane or joe" (whatever that might be). Yochai Benkler's The Wealth of Networks discussion about how the phenomenon of "social production' is reshaping markets also got me wondering exactly whose markets are being reshaped?

Only if you participate are you directly effected by the technological achievements and the "new" information economy. What if you are unable to participate either because you do not possess the knowledge, the talent, the time, the resources, the money does it profit you in any direct way?

What do you do if you find yourself at a disadvantage because of your geographical location or your gender or your religion or "state of mind". How does the new social production found on the Internet give you the promised equality and freedom to follow your bliss?

I think the "average jane and joe" have their plate full just trying to keep an income that they don't have the time to exercise their responsibilities as citizens of any global economy found on the Internet.

Personally, I am grudgingly enjoying learning html and css to put together a portfolio, however I also have an idea of what technology, computers, the Internet may mean to someone who looks on all these techno-miracles as just something else that points to their "differences". Sort of like the Neanderthal vs Homo sapien. Hummm? I guess I better figure this portfolio thing out....

Publisher wars---ebooks the new frontier

It really is all about the money. Well, creativity in itself doesn't pay the bills or put food on the table. And so it goes...Amazon Snags Exclusive Deal for E-books

Internet access in Public Libraries: Who needs it?

I had heard on an NPR radio broadcast a couple of months ago how much American relied on services from their local public libraries. With the economy in such an uncertain state and federal and state governments cutting funding to everything including public libraries I was interested in reading more about the situation. I found this article below

Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries.


The article is based on the first, large-scale study of who uses public computers and Internet access in public libraries, the ways library patrons use this free technology service, why they use it, and how it affects their lives. It was conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.