I love finding stuff that makes my online experience easier, especially when I find websites that do things well and are free. In this case I'm referring to web-based word processors. Find a computer with Internet access, write your paper/recipe/hunting accident, and save it online. Come back to it and edit, rinse, repeat. It's that easy. I'm writing this brief post on one of those freebies right now called Writely (bought by Google not too long ago). Others include:

• Rallypoint
• Zoho Writer
• Writeboard

And we are not talking about limited word processing tools here but well integrated services that rival and surpass paid-for software, such as extensive text formatting, the ability to collaborate online with other users, save your work in a variety of formats, or publish your writing to your blog of choice, wherever you have an Internet connection. How cool is that?

There are a lot of great information sources that explore the concept of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 (L2.0). Both terms have been through some serious verbal washings and duly sanforized to reveal complex terminology and user-centered design.

Plainly put, it’s the rise of the personalized web, populated, maintained, and influenced by you. Maybe that’s too plain? If you want to get a better handle on these two terms and what they mean I would recommend reading the following sites:

What Is Web 2.0 - Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. By Tim O’Reilly

Community 2.0. By Ellyssa Kroski

Do Libraries Matter? The Rise of Library 2.0 (PDF). By Ken Chad & Paul Miller

Update: check out this article from the June 2006 online issue of Webology titled, "Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries."

Quite informative!

Happy reading!

Memo