Zambia Focuss.Info Workshop Presentation-June 2010

Social Media for Social Media for DevelopmentDevelopment

Lusaka, ZambiaLusaka, Zambia

1212thth June, 2010June, 2010

Presentation by Ms Presentation by Ms ChimikaChimika LunguLungu

DevelopmentDevelopment

What is Focus Info InitiativeWhat is Focus Info Initiative

�� TheThe FocussFocuss..InfoInfo InitiativeInitiative((wwwwww..focussfocuss..infoinfo)) ,coordinated,coordinated byby thetheInternationalInternational InstituteInstitute ofof SocialSocial StudiesStudies ininthethe Netherlands,Netherlands, aimsaims toto promotepromote newnewthethe Netherlands,Netherlands, aimsaims toto promotepromote newnewinformationinformation andand communicationcommunication (ICT)(ICT)skillsskills amongamong peerspeers inin thethe domaindomain ofof globalglobaldevelopmentdevelopment researchresearch andand cooperationcooperation..

Focus Info ObjectiveFocus Info Objective

�� The objective is to improve access to The objective is to improve access to information, a fundamental human right information, a fundamental human right that strengthens democracy, and supports that strengthens democracy, and supports human rights.human rights.human rights.human rights.

Focus Info Overall ObjectiveFocus Info Overall Objective

�� The overall objective of The overall objective of Focuss.InfoFocuss.Infocorrespondents to the work of UNESCO, correspondents to the work of UNESCO, which helps to develop effective which helps to develop effective ''infostructuresinfostructures', including developing ', including developing ''infostructuresinfostructures', including developing ', including developing information standards, management tools information standards, management tools and fostering access at the community and fostering access at the community level.level.

Introduction to web 2.0 Introduction to web 2.0 toolstools

You will probably wonder what Web1.0 is if You will probably wonder what Web1.0 is if we are now talking about Web2.0we are now talking about Web2.0

Is this a new version of the World Wide Web Is this a new version of the World Wide Web (WWW)?(WWW)?

What is the differenceWhat is the difference

Whereas Web 1.0 is largely static Whereas Web 1.0 is largely static and focuses on information and focuses on information

dissemination with the flow of dissemination with the flow of content moving unilaterally from content moving unilaterally from the producer to the consumer, the producer to the consumer, content moving unilaterally from content moving unilaterally from the producer to the consumer, the producer to the consumer, Web 2.0 is based on Web 2.0 is based on user user centeredcentered applications that applications that

promote promote communication, user communication, user empowerment, collaboration empowerment, collaboration

and social networkingand social networking. .

What has changedWhat has changed

��Most of the tools that are referred to as Most of the tools that are referred to as the Web2.0 have been around since the the Web2.0 have been around since the 80s80s80s80s

�� It is the intensity and the popularity that It is the intensity and the popularity that they have gained that is they have gained that is newnew

What has changed What has changed (cont’d)(cont’d)

�� The Web is no longer a huge library for The Web is no longer a huge library for information seekersinformation seekers

�� It is a place where everyone can be a It is a place where everyone can be a publisherpublisher

�� Every one can participate equallyEvery one can participate equally

So what is web 2.0?So what is web 2.0?

��Web 2.0 is a new era of electronic, virtual, Web 2.0 is a new era of electronic, virtual, online tools and applications which move online tools and applications which move beyond static posting, managing and beyond static posting, managing and sharing of knowledge.sharing of knowledge.

��

�� Essentially, the Web is shifting from an Essentially, the Web is shifting from an international library of interlinked pages to international library of interlinked pages to an information ecosystem, where data an information ecosystem, where data circulates like electrons in atom.circulates like electrons in atom.

About web About web 2.0 2.0 toolstools

�� They are easily accessibleThey are easily accessible

�� They are user friendly They are user friendly –– you do not need you do not need to be a Techieto be a Techieto be a Techieto be a Techie

�� They are bandwidth friendlyThey are bandwidth friendly

�� They are affordable and mostly freeThey are affordable and mostly free

But why do we need such But why do we need such tools?tools?

��Well, Web 2.0 introduces new Well, Web 2.0 introduces new opportunities for interaction, collaboration, opportunities for interaction, collaboration, opportunities for interaction, collaboration, opportunities for interaction, collaboration, networking, and multinetworking, and multi--dimensional dimensional sharing, all activities which are key parts sharing, all activities which are key parts of work and outcomes within of work and outcomes within development, research, agriculture and development, research, agriculture and other sectors. other sectors.

Who needs web 2.0 tools?Who needs web 2.0 tools?

�� If you have a geographically dispersed If you have a geographically dispersed team….team….

�� If you want to make your research If you want to make your research process and results more accessible..process and results more accessible..process and results more accessible..process and results more accessible..

�� If you want to raise awarenessIf you want to raise awareness

�� If you want to share knowledge or Speak If you want to share knowledge or Speak outout

�� If you want to collaborate with partners If you want to collaborate with partners and stakeholders…and stakeholders…

What exactly are we What exactly are we talking about?talking about?

�� Blogs Blogs –– text, audio, videotext, audio, video

��WikisWikis��WikisWikis

�� RSS FeedsRSS Feeds

�� TagsTags

�� BookmarksBookmarks

�� Social networkingSocial networking

BlogBlog-- what is it??what is it??

�� A blogA blog-- a short hand term that means a short hand term that means “weblog”“weblog”

�� It is an online chronological collection of It is an online chronological collection of personal commentary and linkspersonal commentary and links

Who’s doing itWho’s doing it

�� A blog can be thought of as an online A blog can be thought of as an online journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as simple as using an online email program.simple as using an online email program.

How are blogs being used ?How are blogs being used ?

�� There are group blogs, family blogs, There are group blogs, family blogs, community blogs, and corporate blogs.community blogs, and corporate blogs.community blogs, and corporate blogs.community blogs, and corporate blogs.

�� LibLogsLibLogs (library blogs), and (library blogs), and EduBlogsEduBlogs(targeting education) are just some of the (targeting education) are just some of the emerging types and uses of blogsemerging types and uses of blogs

How does it work?How does it work?

�� A blog can be thought of as an online A blog can be thought of as an online journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as journal, and maintaining a blog is as simple as using an online email program.simple as using an online email program.

Why is it significant?Why is it significant?

�� Because blogs engage people in Because blogs engage people in knowledge sharing, reflection, and debate, knowledge sharing, reflection, and debate, knowledge sharing, reflection, and debate, knowledge sharing, reflection, and debate, they often attract a large and dedicated they often attract a large and dedicated readershipreadership

What are the What are the dowsidesdowsides??

�� Because blogs are often produced and Because blogs are often produced and maintained by individuals, they can maintained by individuals, they can include biased or inaccurate information. include biased or inaccurate information. include biased or inaccurate information. include biased or inaccurate information.

Where is it going?Where is it going?

�� Blogs are proliferating at an exponential Blogs are proliferating at an exponential rate. Estimates suggest as many as 50 rate. Estimates suggest as many as 50 million people around the world are now million people around the world are now million people around the world are now million people around the world are now bloggingblogging

SubcriptionsSubcriptions, feeds and , feeds and SyndicationSyndication

A look at Rich Site Summary or A look at Rich Site Summary or Real Simple Syndication (RSS)Real Simple Syndication (RSS)

SyndicationSyndication

What is RSS?What is RSS?

�� RSS is Really Simple SyndicationRSS is Really Simple Syndication

�� It is the syndication (or publishing) of It is the syndication (or publishing) of �� It is the syndication (or publishing) of It is the syndication (or publishing) of web content thatweb content that

�� involves 2 things:involves 2 things:

��RSS feedsRSS feeds

��RSS aggregators (or readers)RSS aggregators (or readers)

RSS FeedsRSS Feeds

�� RSS feeds are XML files generated by web RSS feeds are XML files generated by web publishing softwarepublishing software

��(XML is a generic specification for (XML is a generic specification for ��(XML is a generic specification for (XML is a generic specification for data formats)data formats)

�� RSS feeds provide users (or machines) RSS feeds provide users (or machines) with new or updatedwith new or updated

web contentweb content

RSS aggregators or readersRSS aggregators or readers

�� RSS aggregators request and display RSS RSS aggregators request and display RSS feedsfeeds

�� RSS aggregators can be:RSS aggregators can be:�� RSS aggregators can be:RSS aggregators can be:

��Desktop software Desktop software

��(e.g. (e.g. FeedreaderFeedreader --http://feedreader.comhttp://feedreader.com))

RSS aggregators or readers RSS aggregators or readers (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

��WebWeb--based softwarebased software

��(e.g. Google Reader (e.g. Google Reader --��(e.g. Google Reader (e.g. Google Reader --http://google.com/readerhttp://google.com/reader))

��Other websitesOther websites

How does RSS work?How does RSS work?

��Website managers make content updates Website managers make content updates available as feeds on:available as feeds on:

��CMSCMS--driven websitesdriven websites��CMSCMS--driven websitesdriven websites

��BlogsBlogs

��WikisWikis

How does RSS work How does RSS work (Cont’d)?(Cont’d)?

�� End users subscribe to those feeds End users subscribe to those feeds through feed readersthrough feed readersthrough feed readersthrough feed readers

��Other website managers syndicate the Other website managers syndicate the same feeds on their ownsame feeds on their own

�� sitessites

How can we use RSS?How can we use RSS?

�� Do two things:Do two things:

��Choose an aggregator/readerChoose an aggregator/reader��Choose an aggregator/readerChoose an aggregator/reader

��Subscribe to feedsSubscribe to feeds

How can we use RSS How can we use RSS (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

�� You can subscribe to web feeds for:You can subscribe to web feeds for:

��Blogs Blogs

��PodcastsPodcasts

��WikisWikis

��and more!and more!

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

�� RSS makes it easier to read the WebRSS makes it easier to read the Web��

�� We can use it to get information We can use it to get information efficiently efficiently

RSS saves you time RSS saves you time -- you don't go to you don't go to ��RSS saves you time RSS saves you time -- you don't go to you don't go to sites that haven't been updated sites that haven't been updated

�� RSS makes online collaboration easier RSS makes online collaboration easier and cheaperand cheaper

What are the benefits What are the benefits (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

�� You can actually get the information you You can actually get the information you needneedneedneed

�� About the issues you're interested inAbout the issues you're interested in�� About your professionAbout your profession�� About your organisationAbout your organisation

What are the benefits What are the benefits (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

�� You can "search the future"You can "search the future"��You can track mentions of your You can track mentions of your organisationorganisationorganisationorganisation��In the news mediaIn the news media��On blogsOn blogs

�� You can track issues you're interested inYou can track issues you're interested in�� You can create "team tags" on sites like You can create "team tags" on sites like del.icio.us and then have team members del.icio.us and then have team members subscribe to them to share resourcessubscribe to them to share resources

What are the benefits? What are the benefits? (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

�� By making your content available via RSS, By making your content available via RSS, you're allowing other people to discover you're allowing other people to discover you're allowing other people to discover you're allowing other people to discover youyou

��You can find peopleYou can find people��You avoid being a spammerYou avoid being a spammer��You can collaborate more effectively You can collaborate more effectively with wikis!with wikis!

Great ResourcesGreat Resources

�� RSSRSS--related articles and blog posts from related articles and blog posts from Alex SamuelAlex Samuel

��http://www.alexandrasamuel.com/cathttp://www.alexandrasamuel.com/categories/rssegories/rssegories/rssegories/rss

��http://www.alexandrasamuel.com/rsshttp://www.alexandrasamuel.com/rsstocracy/10stepstocracy/10steps

�� Video: RSS in Plain English Video: RSS in Plain English

��http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plhttp://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_englishain_english

Great Resources (Cont’d)Great Resources (Cont’d)

�� Why Why NonprofitNonprofit Managers Must Use RSS ... Managers Must Use RSS ... And How to StartAnd How to Start

��http://www2.democracyinaction.org/http://www2.democracyinaction.org/node/418node/418node/418node/418

�� My siteMy site

��http://importantprojects.co.ukhttp://importantprojects.co.uk

Group productivity and Group productivity and collaborationcollaboration

�� The Internet provides access to resources The Internet provides access to resources and information, but it can also provide a and information, but it can also provide a platform for working in collaboration with platform for working in collaboration with platform for working in collaboration with platform for working in collaboration with other people and organizations.other people and organizations.

��

�� The applications for The applications for collaboration and communication on the web (social media) have evolved from simple e-mail person techniques.

Group productivity and Group productivity and collaboration(Cont’d)collaboration(Cont’d)

� to person transactions, to advanced tools for working in distributed groups using multimedia and complex databases for multimedia and complex databases for advanced project management

About groupware and About groupware and collaborative toolscollaborative tools

� The term Groupware refers broadly to social media software applications that facilitate the interactions of working facilitate the interactions of working groups. The idea behind groupware is to foster collaboration in the group and make processes more efficient and productive.

About groupware and About groupware and collaborative tools collaborative tools

(Cont’d)(Cont’d)�With groupware you can provide group members with more options for obtaining, members with more options for obtaining, changing and sharing knowledge within the group, especially if you need to work with groups that are geographically distributed and cannot meet frequently in person.

About groupware and About groupware and collaborative tools collaborative tools

(Cont’d)(Cont’d)�� There is a wide variety of groupware tools There is a wide variety of groupware tools available on the Internet. Some of the available on the Internet. Some of the most advanced tools require expert most advanced tools require expert most advanced tools require expert most advanced tools require expert technical customization and support, while technical customization and support, while others are simple enough for beginners others are simple enough for beginners and are available for free or for a small and are available for free or for a small fee. fee.

�� Groupware applications can support Groupware applications can support interaction at interaction at three basic levels: three basic levels:

1. Communication1. Communication

�� Allowing group members to stay in touch Allowing group members to stay in touch with each other. For example: with each other. For example:

�� Email, Email lists; Email, Email lists; �� Email, Email lists; Email, Email lists;

�� Voice mail; Voice mail;

�� Phone and Voice Over IP (communication Phone and Voice Over IP (communication via Internet); via Internet);

1. Communication 1. Communication (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

�� Text Chat; Text Chat;

�� Video chat and Videoconferencing; Video chat and Videoconferencing;

�� Group blogs; and Group blogs; and

�� Web forums. Web forums.

2. Conferencing2. Conferencing

�� Allowing members to "meet" at the same Allowing members to "meet" at the same time (synchronously) for active discussion. time (synchronously) for active discussion.

�� For example: For example: �� For example: For example:

�� Online chat and instant messaging; Online chat and instant messaging;

�� Video conference; Video conference;

�� Conference call; and Conference call; and

�� Web meeting. Web meeting.

3. Collaboration3. Collaboration

�� Allowing group members to add, modify Allowing group members to add, modify and reand re--shape each other's work. For shape each other's work. For example: example:

�� Shared calendars; Shared calendars; �� Shared calendars; Shared calendars;

�� Wikis and other shared writing/editing Wikis and other shared writing/editing tools; tools;

�� Project management tools; and Project management tools; and

�� Online documents. Online documents.

What is Social Networking?What is Social Networking?

Social media allows us to capture both the Social media allows us to capture both the power of one person to act and the power power of one person to act and the power of many by helping us connect with one of many by helping us connect with one another. another. another. another.

People have been doing this facePeople have been doing this face--toto--face face forever, in social networks in our forever, in social networks in our communities or families, where individuals communities or families, where individuals are connected through relationships. are connected through relationships.

What is Social What is Social Networking? Cont’dNetworking? Cont’d

But we were limited to the people who were But we were limited to the people who were geographically near us, or we had the geographically near us, or we had the resources to travel.resources to travel.resources to travel.resources to travel.

Now we can connect online. This is called Now we can connect online. This is called online social networking, or simply online social networking, or simply social social networking. networking.

About social networking About social networking sitessites

Social networking sites are websites that Social networking sites are websites that provide the technology for social provide the technology for social networking, including: networking, including: networking, including: networking, including:

�� profiles, profiles,

�� discussions, discussions,

�� email, email,

About social networking About social networking sitessites--Cont’dCont’d

�� social network visualization tools that social network visualization tools that show our connections to other people in a show our connections to other people in a picture; and picture; and picture; and picture; and

�� content sharing tools. content sharing tools.

Some popular examples are Some popular examples are FacebookFacebook, , Hi5Networks, Myspace and LinkedIn.

Connecting via Social Connecting via Social networksnetworks

Social networking for a cause is also Social networking for a cause is also growing, with sites like: growing, with sites like:

� Patientslikeme.com;

� Idealist.org;

� Change.org;

� Networkforgood.org; and

� TakingITGlobal.org.

Social network’s new Social network’s new challengeschallenges

Social networking sites represent Social networking sites represent new challenges in terms of communication and challenges in terms of communication and resources:

possibility of overload and

due to the easy creation of groups and connections on these sites. How many people can

Social networks’ new Social networks’ new challengeschallenges

overload and competition for people’s attention

How many people can we meaningfully connect with? In areas with high internet connectivity, your cause or organization’s message might get lost amongst all the other social networks.

Social networks’ new Social networks’ new challengeschallenges--Cont’dCont’d

challenges to our organizational

because of the difference in resources available in different parts of the world: organizational

and personal processes for knowledge sharing

the well-connected have access to wide sources of people and data; while the unconnected do not.

Social networks’ new Social networks’ new challengeschallenges--Cont’dCont’d

challenge to traditional

because the users are in control of

traditional organizational processes

control of their participation, not the organization.

Social BookmarkingSocial Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is a method for is a method for Internet users to share, organize, search, Internet users to share, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web resources. and manage bookmarks of web resources. and manage bookmarks of web resources. and manage bookmarks of web resources. Unlike file sharing, the Unlike file sharing, the resourcesresourcesthemselves aren't shared, merely themselves aren't shared, merely bookmarks that bookmarks that referencereference them.them.

Social bookmarking Social bookmarking (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Descriptions may be added to these Descriptions may be added to these bookmarks in the form of metadata, so bookmarks in the form of metadata, so that other users may understand the that other users may understand the that other users may understand the that other users may understand the content of the resource without first content of the resource without first needing to download it for themselves. needing to download it for themselves. Such descriptions may be free text Such descriptions may be free text comments, votes in favor of or against its comments, votes in favor of or against its quality, or tags that collectively or quality, or tags that collectively or collaboratively become a collaboratively become a folksonomyfolksonomy. .

Social bookmarking Social bookmarking (Cont’)(Cont’)

FolksonomyFolksonomy is also called is also called social taggingsocial tagging, , "the process by which many users add "the process by which many users add "the process by which many users add "the process by which many users add metadata in the form of keywords to metadata in the form of keywords to shared content".shared content".

Top ten Social Top ten Social Bookmarking sitesBookmarking sites

1. 1. DiggDigg

DiggDigg is the most popular social bookmarking is the most popular social bookmarking site online. Users submit links to content site online. Users submit links to content site online. Users submit links to content site online. Users submit links to content they like, and other users comment on they like, and other users comment on those submissions and add their own those submissions and add their own votes (called Diggs) to those links. votes (called Diggs) to those links.

Top ten Social Top ten Social Bookmarking Bookmarking sitessites--cont’dcont’d

2. 2. TechnoratiTechnorati

TechnoratiTechnorati is typically thought of as a blog is typically thought of as a blog search engine, but users can also save search engine, but users can also save search engine, but users can also save search engine, but users can also save interesting online content as "favorites" interesting online content as "favorites" which other users can access.which other users can access.

Top ten Social Top ten Social Bookmarking sitesBookmarking sites--cont’dcont’d

3. 3. del.icio.usdel.icio.us

Del.icio.us uses Del.icio.us uses tagstags to allow users to to allow users to bookmark and share content they like. bookmark and share content they like. bookmark and share content they like. bookmark and share content they like. Other users can find that content through Other users can find that content through searches on those tags.searches on those tags.


4. 4. StumbleUponStumbleUpon

StumbleUponStumbleUpon is very easy to use if you is very easy to use if you StumbleUponStumbleUpon is very easy to use if you is very easy to use if you download the download the StumbleUponStumbleUpon toolbar when toolbar when you register. When you find a webpage you register. When you find a webpage you like, simply click on the "thumbs up" you like, simply click on the "thumbs up" icon on the icon on the StumbleUponStumbleUpon toolbar to share toolbar to share it with other it with other StumbleUponStumbleUpon users.users.

Top ten Social Top ten Social Bookmarking sitesBookmarking sites--cont’dcont’d5. 5. RedditReddit

RedditReddit is the no frills social bookmarking is the no frills social bookmarking site. Users submit links they like then site. Users submit links they like then site. Users submit links they like then site. Users submit links they like then other users vote for them (positively or other users vote for them (positively or negatively). The most popular posts rise negatively). The most popular posts rise to the front page for everyone to see.to the front page for everyone to see.


6. 6. FarkFark

FarkFark allows users to submit links to content allows users to submit links to content they like and want to share, but those they like and want to share, but those they like and want to share, but those they like and want to share, but those links are evaluated by links are evaluated by FarkFark administrators administrators who determine which links appear on the who determine which links appear on the FarkFark home page.home page.


7. 7. FurlFurl

Furl allows users to save copies of web Furl allows users to save copies of web pages as they appear at the moment pages as they appear at the moment pages as they appear at the moment pages as they appear at the moment they're saved. That means the exact page they're saved. That means the exact page will be available to users to view or share will be available to users to view or share at anytime even if the original page has at anytime even if the original page has since been changed or deleted.since been changed or deleted.


8. 8. SlashdotSlashdot

Slashdot is very popular for links about Slashdot is very popular for links about technology, science or science fiction. If technology, science or science fiction. If technology, science or science fiction. If technology, science or science fiction. If your blog is about one of those topics, your blog is about one of those topics, your submissions should do well at your submissions should do well at Slashdot. Users submit content which is Slashdot. Users submit content which is then evaluated by editors before it is then evaluated by editors before it is shared with other Slashdot users.shared with other Slashdot users.

Top ten Social Top ten Social Bookmarking sitesBookmarking sites--cont’dcont’d9. 9. PropellerPropeller

Propeller is gaining in popularity as an easy Propeller is gaining in popularity as an easy to use social bookmarking site. Users to use social bookmarking site. Users to use social bookmarking site. Users to use social bookmarking site. Users submit links with tags to make content submit links with tags to make content easy to find, and they vote on that easy to find, and they vote on that content driving popular posts to the home content driving popular posts to the home page.page.


10. 10. NewsvineNewsvine

Newsvine'sNewsvine's mission is to bring big and little mission is to bring big and little media together meaning traditional media media together meaning traditional media media together meaning traditional media media together meaning traditional media sources and individuals. However, sources and individuals. However, submissions are rated using several submissions are rated using several factors including reputation, freshness and factors including reputation, freshness and andand popularity, so it's difficult for popularity, so it's difficult for individuals to get a lot of exposure and individuals to get a lot of exposure and traffic from traffic from NewsvineNewsvine..

Thank you all for Thank you all for listening!!listening!!

Lets get online!!Lets get online!!

Technology

Zambia Focuss.Info Workshop Presentation-June 2010