Tumblr is sort of a cross between Twitter and blogging. It allows you to do quick and easy posts about what you're doing. The dashboard gives you 7 types of posts to get you started. It gives you a fast, simple way to share, links, quotes, videos, pictures and more. In just a few minutes you'll have your tumblelog up and running. If you feel more adventurous you can do more customization with it, tie it in to your Twitter account
For this lesson take a look at some of the favorite on the main page to get an idea of how it looks and works. How do you think libraries could use this? How do you think you could use it personally or professionally? How is this different from a regular blog?
You don't have to create an account for the lesson, but you're more than welcome it's a lot of fun!
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27 comments:
So far, I'm enjoying this one. The tools are intuitive, and I actually like a few of the templates. I'll play around with some of the add-ons soon.
This looks like a great tool, that could be lots of fun. Unfortunately, most of my non-work friends and family aren't on the web except for email and just have basic cell phone service (if that). I've been trying since last year to get them interested in flickr and even set-up accounts for a few of them, but no luck. Sigh!
Echoing what Marion said, this tool presupposes a social or job network of people who are already online more or less constantly, especially w/ their phones. While this day is certainly coming, it's not here yet--at least not for me.
Still, a fascinating new way to communicate.
Tumblr makes a great starting out point for blogging It gives you a several suggestions for content such as quotes or video.
It could be used as a way to keep track of "cool" things you come across on the web, (sort of like del.icio.us for one) for yourself. Much better than bookmarking them on an individual computer.
Yes not everyone has internet access, but that doesn't stop the library or countless people for hapving a blog or website. This could be a fast easy tool for libraries to share information with patrons who are intersted.
How do you attract patrons to these application and who trains them? I see savy library patrons using many of these applications that are social in nature and it would be cool to communicate with patrons using such tools.
I would have to use Tumblr more to see how I would like for my own uses. I can see how a patron who has favorite sites could use Tumblr to save them and then have easy access while at the library.
I definetely like tumblr more than blogspot or just blogging. I always always feel like I don't have enough to say or talk about. I think tumblr would be nice to get into if you're just starting to blog or get around in the blogging world.
That's a great question, sexybeast! How do we attract patrons to these tools? I've put a bunch of the tools we use (twitter, flickr, the blog...) on our home page - that will get people to notice that they are there and hopefully will get them curious about what the tools do and how they can use them. As for who trains them? Bobbi! She (as well as Nikki) will be doing classes this year on Facebook, MySpace and blogging - as well as other social tools. If the patrons have questions, we should definitely be telling them about these classes!
Is there a schedule for the classes yet?
I am definitely liking Tumblr. I love that my twits can be fed into it! Has anyone created a Tumblr account so that we can connect?
http://mstabbycat.tumblr.com/
I never have had an interest in blogging, but for people who are interested in starting their own blog, this site has lots of hints and guides. My issue with blogging is that if no one is reading, is it still a blog? One of those if a tree falls in the forest things...
@sexybeast - Well for sites like these that library has, we put them out there, through links, discussion, flyers, keyword searches etc. For patrons, their use is up to them, you never know when you're chatting with someone when you might realize one of these tools is the one they're looking for.
@marion - Yes the schedule is set, Robin has it. I believe it will be the Programming guides when they come out. I don't see it on the Calender of Events yet but I'm sure they will be soon.
@Age is Only a # - The flat answer is yes. By definition it's a blog. Is it a successful one? That depends on what your goals are. Is the blog for you? for others? For the one person who comes across it and finds exactly what they are looking for? How do you know that "no one" is reading it? Comments are usualy not a good indicator of who is and isnt' reading, blog stats are definitely better.
@tab - I got one to play with to do this lesson. http://librarianbyday.tumblr.com/
H'mm, Tumblr looks like it might be especially useful for folks maintaining a regular blogsite, who find they need to cut down on the amount of time they spend blogging; I guess Tumblr allows you to post things more quickly.
@Age is Only a # - I think blogging might give one similar results to journaling. In which case, you wouldn't care if no one read it (might actually be better if No one read it).
The speed and ease of Tumblr is a big plus. I would be very interested to know if patrons show interest in this service.
@tab - Here's my page:
http://eyeoh.tumblr.com/
Please disregard earlier schedule question as the classes are listed in the new Program Guide starting in April. Hurray!
I have never heard of Tumblr before....the name is neat. I'm not sure it represents what it does, but it's catchy. I love to read other's blogs, but I am forever saying that I don't feel like I have enough to blog about myself. I imagine a bunch of others have said the same thing. This definitely looks less daunting to me.
I have had my tumblr account for over a week now but I've just now messed around with it except for making 2 posts when I created it. I think tumblr would be good for the Library to use to update patrons or potential patrons about activities going on at the Library. Posting pictures would allow a library to *show* what is going on as well.
This is the most user-friendly blogging tool I've seen - fast and easy. How can librarians use it? I think Croa has a good idea about posting photos, which say a 1000 words. Maybe posting questions, sharing ideas with other librarians, and getting information out to people about our library are some other uses.
This is great for people with not a lot to blog about or just starting out. I will have to try it out a little longer.
Tumblr – User friendly and useful for those with not a lot to say or a great tool to post updates. Great for someone with a busy schedule. You can update via email and cell phone which makes it practical.
Though I'm not a blogger I enjoyed this lesson and the Tumblr site and will go back to this at a later date.
I am not into blogging right now but this looks easy enough for me to use! I have posted this under my favorites for a later time!
There are ways to use this but how many tools do we need? What makes this one better? It is user-friendly in how to set up and the fact that it's easy to design is a plus for anyone that would rather use than build. It's more fun for me to see some of what other people post and comment than to create myself. Having it posted on our website will create interest in our patrons, whether they participate in it is another question. I know there are not enough hours in the week for me to do all of the online stuff I need to do without adding to what I do. But it is interesting.
I haven't even heard of this one, but it looks pretty cool. It might be better for someone like me who potentially lacks the brevity required for Twitter. Very few of my friends blog (or bother reading blogs), so I doubt it would be a very effective means of communication for me. As for libraries, it sounds like it could be fun, but it would require patrons understanding how it works and how to get to it.
Seems to be pretty quick and easy, not sure how much I'll use this one but I do know some people who would enjoy it
The creativity of others never ceases to amaze me. I haven't decided if I am going to set up an account on this site yet. It does seem very straight forward but I don't know if I even have that much to say.
I read political blogs but doubt that I'd ever do regular postings on my own blog, so Tumblr probably isn't for me. However, I do like the "look" of the dashboard. Nice simple design.
I liked Tumblr, though I have not played with it much, it's easy to use and that's what I need.
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