'Browser browser on the screen, who's the fairest you have seen?'

The Librarian In Black has included a useful link to an article exploring the role of web browsers in libraries. Seeing as the internet has become such an integral part of the modern library, the way web browsers allow us to gather information online will be crucial stuff to know when providing the public with advice.
How to Turn a Browser into a Reader and a Librarian gives an in depth look at the development of browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. It has helped me to understand some of the major differences between them, not only how they were developed but more importantly how they function in a practical sense.
One interesting aspect of Firefox that makes it so user friendly, is that it is what they call "open source" software. That is anyone can contribute to its development. This has the huge advantage in that the people who are out there using this software (if they have the coding skills) can simply create new add ons for Firefox to suit their needs. Making software available as open source widens the knowledge base considerably and embraces the user much more than a typical commercial release, mainly focussing on profits.

Where did all the books go?

Firstly, I must admit that I am not experienced with the realm of blogs - but don't get me wrong , I do know that blogs exist, that they are hovering around out there in cyberspace, however until now there hasn't been any obvious reason to investigate this phenomenon.
I like to think I don't have an aversion to the blog, I just seem to have an aversion to becoming a blogger ... but maybe that could change if it agrees with me.
One thing that is completely new to me is the fact that there are many people out there cataloging and reviewing books plus other media through online social cataloging networks. This shouldn't surprise me as much as it did, since the net is a big place and there's alot of people out there.
iLibrarian has made it easy to see the tip of this online ice berg with its list of Ten Websites For Book Lovers. It assumes that the reader is already familiar with LibraryThing and other popular social sites, going for some of the lesser knowns. Many of them share similar features such as cataloging, writing book reviews, creating book clubs and having meetings.
Funnily enough it was number 10 on the list that really jumped out at me. PaperBack Swap is all about swapping real books. Actually sending them by post ... no not an attachment in an email, the real thing - snail mail. Anyone feeling nostalgic right now?
To signup there is an annual fee of $20, but I imagine it would be well worth it if you happen to be situated in the US. I'm guessing that there are similar networks for swapping books in the Southern Hemisphere.

Will keep you posted...