Digital Resources Reviews

Websites

http//www.bebo.com
Bebo.com is a social networking site geared towards users thirteen and up. For younger teens, this may be a more attractive option since the popularity of MySpace is dwindling into an old fad, and Facebook is viewed as a site for older age groups (although this perspective is changing very quickly). Bebo is a site that is clean and sleek with silver, black, and white frame, which can all be customizable by changing the skin and modules on one’s profile. The defaulted profile is already provided with tabs and frames that allow one to add games, favorite bands, photos, and homemade videos. Other ‘teen appealing’ features are that one can publish stories and share details about how they know specific friends, and easily spot friends’ of friends. Similar to Facebook, the social aspect of the site is heavily emphasized, but is projected on a more user friendly scale where one can join groups not only by interests, but also by ranking of how many members and friends have recently joined. Applications are strictly designed to appeal to teens with names like "wholikesu", "mindjoltgames", and quizzes such as, "Do you know all the Justin Bieber lyrics?" One also has the ability to self-publish and read other member’s books, and poetry by genre, as well as write reviews on published books. Aside from the ability to rate content and keep up with recent happenings of friends, the most distinctive aspect of Bebo is the language it uses. Phrases like "I catch your drift", "tell your friends what you're up to!", and checking out one’s “lifestream” (the feature which allows one to keep up with myspace, facebook, delicious, flickr, etc. all at once) may just be what keeps Bebo a strictly teen social site, while older Internet users stray elsewhere. Sign out and you can’t help but return to a site that is “Missing you already…”.

http://www.teenreads.com/
Teen reads is a reader's advisory website, which is successful at keeping up to date with new young adult titles. The site has been updated monthly since 2001, and contains an extensive archive of reviewed titles. The archives even include the "Best of..." for each year. Other features are the easy to follow tabs of categories that show titles that are "Cool & New", books that have become movies, streaming videos of anything book related, how to start a book club and what to read, and a "Coming Soon" tab that features the new releases for upcoming months.
Even though the site is outstanding in terms of content, has a searchable author's index, and showcases lists of award winning books, it is extremely unappealing to a teen audience. With too much text, distracting advertisements, and tacky colors and font, it appears to be outdated. The books chosen also appear to be overwhelmingly fiction. Even though the site states that it "bring(s) teens info and features about their favorite authors, books, series and characters", and "Teenreads.com is THE place online for teens to talk about their fave books --- and find the hippest new titles!", it presents itself as a reference site for YA librarians and teachers, rather than for teens. The site does have useful information and it would greatly benefit from a searchable index by genre and author read-a-likes, a message board or forum where teens can talk about their books and socialize, and an overall design makeover.

http://www.gocomics.com/
GoComics.com is an account-based site that is free to users of all ages. The site features classic comics, editorial comic strips, as well as "Sherpa", comics, which is a service that “lets aspiring cartoonists (or established cartoonists with new ideas) tap into the huge and loyal GoComics.com readership for feedback and exposure.” The homepage advertises its new content through a meter that shows how many comics and editorials are updated every day. Account users have the option add comics to their "favorites collection" and create collections according to a chosen theme, as well as leave comments on strips. The site is very teen and user friendly in terms of content and organization. The site has an archive with an index of A-Z listings where each comic that has been updated is marked by an orange dot. Comics are categorized according to popularity, currency, and tagged by frequency, and some are even available in Espanol. Editorial comic strips are categorized by the same, as well as by political slant, internationally by continent, and those awarded by the Pulitzer Prize. The site has an attractive lay out and color scheme with quality content and little advertisements. Once can perform searches by feature, tag or creator. The only downsides that may deter some teens are that it is limited to comic strips, and contains no graphic novels or manga.


Databases

LearningExpressEBooks.com
Learning Express Searchable Ebooks is a simple database that contains test preparation guides and study aides by subject, which can be easily downloaded and read via PDF format. The database provides some test preparation materials, such as the SAT's, to students without forging up the cost and carrying around the bulk. The PDF files are extensive, clear, and sharp in appearance. The database is useful for students who need to attain last minute study guides when bookstores are closed and shipping is not longer an option. Searching for the correct subject is very simple, whether it is locating the link of the guide on the front page below the subject, or conducting a search in the field. Unfortunately, the search terms have to consist of a simple "SAT" or "Biology" or "Algebra" to retrieve the relevant results. Another con is that the study guides do not have a simple indication of date of publication or vendor on its index. So if a student were looking for an SAT guide by Kaplan, they would have to download each e-book on SAT's until one is found. The results for specific tests, such as one for AP English will yield zero to a handful of results that only relate to vocabulary and writing essays. Overall the website is useful for students who are looking for additional guides or last minute test preparation materials at their convenience.

Biography Reference Center via EBSCO
The Biography Reference Center is an attractive database that provides concise bibliographic information and full-text articles of over 450,000 iconic and influential people. Biography and Biography Today source the majority of the content, and each record provides photos, bibliographic information, occupations, achievements, and a short summary of their accomplishments. Additional articles are listed, which can be easily printed, saved, or sent to an email address. The home page is attractive because it provides photos of featured people that can easily be browsed through, as well as an index that categorizes records by subject. One can also easily browse the records by last name or by performing a simple search of a occupation, country, nationality, etc. The people listed are very recent, whether it is a search for J.D. Salinger or Wayne Carter ,also known as "Lil Wayne". Unfortunately authors like Stephanie Meyer or Marcus Zusak are not listed in their records, but the records are diverse and extensive as far as subject, occupations, and nationalities. This is a very user-friendly resource for students who are looking for ideas about their next essay or an analysis of the life of Jack Keroac or discography of Rhianna.

Points of View Reference Center via EBSCO Host
The Points of View Reference Center database is an outstanding point of reference for students seeking information on controversial or high profile topics. The database is student focused, whether one is trying to choose a topic to formulate a hypothesis, looking for advice or a format about how to write up a persuasive essay to express their point, or researching past cases or scholarly opinions about topics that they are passionate about. On the home page, one can browse by category or topic, sort through research guides for writing composition, or read what is "In the Spotlight" for current topics. Featured topics, such as Bullying and Suicide, Animal Welfare, Gender Equality, Gangs and even Facebook attract students because they are relevant and concern significant issues. Search terms retrieve a number of relevant articles, as well as periodicals, newspapers, and transcripts from radio and TV news transcripts. Like many database articles, subject terms within the records link directly to other searches on the topic, as well as provide subject terms to use and combine, for example "RAP (Music)" and "Censorship", as well as the option to add articles to a "Folder" to view reference for later.

Video Games

PetVille by Zynga on Facebook
PetVille is one of the most popular game applications on Facebook where one can create a pet to their liking and personality. Similar to many simulation games, one has to maintain their pet by washing him, feeding, him and socializing him with other animals. Using the features of Facebook, one can also see which of their friends are playing the game and become neighbors for more points. The game is attractively made and simple to learn. The more that one plays, the more neighbors and new items one can attain, as well as move up to higher levels. Not much mental power is needed in this game, but it is an entertaining way to pass time, and indirectly connect and interact with other friends on Facebook. The appeal is that is free, easy to access, and has all the perks of "pet" with accessories without the clean up and fussy chores delegated by parents.

Dragonica by IAH Games - downloadable software
Dragonica is a fantasy MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) that is free of charge and can be easily accessed through signing up for an account and downloading the software. Users play in real-time, can customize their characters and move in levels by fulfilling their assigned quests and objectives. One has the option of going through different modes, such as one that encompasses a storyline where one can only progress through it by clearing objectives. There is also the defense mode, which allows one the battle mobs of monsters at a quick, sporadic rate. Like other RPG games, users can attain cash for extra accessories and powers. They can also be a part of different classes and guilds, which each have its own skill tree and alliances. The appeal of a fantasy game for teens is not new or original, but Dragonica's charming graphics, ‘cute’ pet side kicks, highly customizable features, and multiplayer online mode make it an entertaining way to pass time and manipulate their skills to dive deeper into another world of magic and mysticism.

Wii The Beatles: Rock Band by MTV Games - Nintendo Wii
Rock band is a staple for Wii fanatics, as one doesn't have to know how to learn the notes to perform a tune. The instruments of a guitar, bass, and drums are designed where the feel and look simulate the real thing. Teens can play in a 'band' with their friends or compete with other fanatics online. One of the newest titles of the Rock band series features the Beatles, where one to four players can be John Lennon or all of the legendary Beatles in their pursuit to make music history, create landmark records, and do what the Beatles did best, which was become one of the most idolized bands in history. With three point harmonies, 45 classic songs, and the visual dreamscape of performing at their most famous concert venues, the game is true to their sound and is successful at not sabotaging the hits. For young adults this is a stimulating challenge. The game offers a chance to play songs of a band that has transcended generations, flexibility to play individually and in groups at various difficulty levels, and test one’s eye-hand coordination, vocal chords, and rhythm.

Internet use of Teens

In each of the libraries where I work and volunteer, teens are typically the most technical savvy and most frequent computer users in the library. I have observed that the computers are used for mostly schoolwork and entertainment. In the two libraries, each have computers that are reserved and separated from the main computer areas for privacy. I observed that this separation doesn't keep young adults from using the main computers more frequently then in their own areas. A direct observation of their use is difficult because many do keep their monitors directed away from a normal view, but the teens that I have observed and helped during my tech helper shifts usually jump back and forth across social sites, streaming video sites, and gaming sites. Most usually borrow headphones from the paging desk or are equipped with their own, and especially at the Berkeley Public Library are seen viewing the latest Rap or R&B videos on Youtube. The majority is also always seen checking back to their Facebook pages and looking at other profiles or messaging friends. This is the most significant trend that I have seen and it is not at all surprising! In a third of the instances, especially after school, teens are coupled with their friends or significant others viewing the same videos or working on reports, which show that Internet usage is a social experience. There is even a rule at the BPL that only two people at the most can sit at computers and the noise level has to be low. The most common complaints from other computer users are that the groups of young people are causing too much of a commotion or are simultaneously talking on their cell phones, while bumping the music in their headphones too loudly. At the Alameda Free Library, the teen patrons are usually seen playing games, such as PetVille, checking their Facebook, and writing reports.