Well it has definitely been a journey. I had a slow start as I was dealing with pregnancy related fatigue (poor me, lol). Of the activities, I found RSS feeds the most difficult to get my head around. But through the whole thing, I actually found blogging about my discoveries hardest of all. I think this got easier once I started to enjoy the activities.
I think most participants would agree that whether or not they would use all of these tools again, they are valuable for us to know, so that we can pass the knowledge to our patrons. I think it is becoming increasingly important for library staff to keep abreast of internet resources.
Many, many thanks to Lynette and Leslie for giving us this opportunity.
Friday, November 2, 2007
#22 Audiobooks
Ummm, okay, have I missed something? There are not many titles here, and I am not really interested in what they have. I also tried to search for ebooks through the World eBook fair site, and I don't like the search function - it searches through the whole text, not by title or author. Of course, you can go into their collections one by one and look there... maybe if I was a librarian I would be able to search this site more effectively.
On the other hand, the subscription services mentioned (Netlibrary and Overdrive) would be very useful for our library to have. We have several patrons who are avid book lovers, but whose eyesight limits them to talking books. Our collection simply isn't big enough. Giving them access to books on the web would greatly improve our service to them.
On the other hand, the subscription services mentioned (Netlibrary and Overdrive) would be very useful for our library to have. We have several patrons who are avid book lovers, but whose eyesight limits them to talking books. Our collection simply isn't big enough. Giving them access to books on the web would greatly improve our service to them.
#21 Podcasts, smodcasts
I have added a podcast from podcast.net called The Book Show, broadcast by the ABC. I found this by doing a search for the word 'Australia'. I found searching for 'library' brought up too many US library sites, though I know that there is a lot to be gained by looking at other libraries innovations, this program included.
I also added some podcasts of personal interest to me, including celtic folk music, and learning Greek. I was going to delete my Bloglines account after this program had finished, but now I can't!!
I found podcast.net to be the best of the three sites listed (though I did have to install itunes to make it work). When you do a search a lot of info about that podcast comes up in the first screen, rather than having to go and investigate each and every result of your search. Yahoo was the worst for this.
Like YouTube, podcasts would be a great learning tool for use in the library - now if only we can convince patrons to use headphones!
I also added some podcasts of personal interest to me, including celtic folk music, and learning Greek. I was going to delete my Bloglines account after this program had finished, but now I can't!!
I found podcast.net to be the best of the three sites listed (though I did have to install itunes to make it work). When you do a search a lot of info about that podcast comes up in the first screen, rather than having to go and investigate each and every result of your search. Yahoo was the worst for this.
Like YouTube, podcasts would be a great learning tool for use in the library - now if only we can convince patrons to use headphones!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
#20 YouTube
Woohoo! A web tool that I already use! I love YouTube. It's easy to search, and in case you haven't got your search tag right, it shows you related videos, and others by the same user. Not all of my colleagues will yet know that I am pregnant, so I've been using YouTube to look at pregnancy related videos. The one above I found while comparing reviews on prams. This is the pram we want, with the seat taken off. Very cute!
I have also really enjoyed the Commoncraft videos that have been discovery tools in previous Learning 2.0 activities. A few times I have understood the webtool, but really not understood why you would bother using it. These videos have made all the difference, and as a learning tool within the library would be very useful.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools
The site I looked at was www.yelp.com, under the heading City Guides and Reviews. I wasn't going to go for a winning site, but I was interested in the idea. Basically it is a site where people can review the services, businesses, events, etc. in their area. Unfortunately, it is only within the United States at the moment.
What a good idea though! It would be great if there was something like this for our locality. Any sites that I have seen about the area are either from a council view, for prospective residents, or from the local tourism folk.
To have something that residents can add to would be great. I still can't say definitively what the best restaurants in my area are, because we don't eat out very often, so when we do, it's hit and miss. To the best of my knowledge there are no local restaurant reviews.
Same with trades and services. Last year when we needed a new fence, we just picked a few people out of the phone book to give us quotes, based purely on...intuition? randomness? Same with mechanics - we tried a few local ones which we weren't happy with, and ended up going back to the one we knew outside of our area. It would be so handy if there was a site we could go to with people's recommendations (or not, as the case may be).
This would also be something I would regularly point people to in the library. We get a lot of people asking for local business information, and as I don't live where I work, I am generally clueless. I think I have already illustrated how much I know about the area where I do live.
What a good idea though! It would be great if there was something like this for our locality. Any sites that I have seen about the area are either from a council view, for prospective residents, or from the local tourism folk.
To have something that residents can add to would be great. I still can't say definitively what the best restaurants in my area are, because we don't eat out very often, so when we do, it's hit and miss. To the best of my knowledge there are no local restaurant reviews.
Same with trades and services. Last year when we needed a new fence, we just picked a few people out of the phone book to give us quotes, based purely on...intuition? randomness? Same with mechanics - we tried a few local ones which we weren't happy with, and ended up going back to the one we knew outside of our area. It would be so handy if there was a site we could go to with people's recommendations (or not, as the case may be).
This would also be something I would regularly point people to in the library. We get a lot of people asking for local business information, and as I don't live where I work, I am generally clueless. I think I have already illustrated how much I know about the area where I do live.
#18 Web-based Apps
Created my account with Zoho, made a few documents. As I am already familiar with Word, it was pretty easy to figure out, having a similar format. It's not something I would use regularly, as most documents I create are personal (as opposed to business) ones.
However, occasionally I do make some of my documents available for the perusal of others, and it's really good to know that Zoho is available.
However, occasionally I do make some of my documents available for the perusal of others, and it's really good to know that Zoho is available.
Monday, October 29, 2007
#17 Playing around with PBWiki
Good to put the last activity into action. I had a hard time adding my blog because of the erroneous bracket thing. Reading my email put me on the right track, lol.
#16 So what's in a wiki?
Well I looked through the given library wikis, but the thing that most inspired me came from the discovery resources, once again, namely Using Wikis to Create Online Communities.
Allowing our patrons to annotate the catalogue! What a fantastic idea. It facilitates a dialogue between staff and patrons, and encourages people to actively use technology who might not otherwise do so. Not to mention making our library website more dynamic and fun, and improving our resource to the community. I love it.
Allowing our patrons to annotate the catalogue! What a fantastic idea. It facilitates a dialogue between staff and patrons, and encourages people to actively use technology who might not otherwise do so. Not to mention making our library website more dynamic and fun, and improving our resource to the community. I love it.
#15 On Library 2.0 and Web 2.0
Icebergs...
I was interested to read about the 'just in case' collection. I must admit I was slightly horrified when I first began working at the library at how regularly books are deleted. What? No! You can't get that book anymore! It's an unusual topic!
Of course, I have now seen that it is necessary and right to cull the collection for various reasons. Yet some emotional part of me hates to see the old books go. You would see this in evidence at my house, where the bookshelves are overflowing. I use the library (duh) but I can't seem to stop buying books, either.
Yes, the internet means that anyone can access just about any information, but not everything. Sometimes it's just the inspiration to hit the library. For example, some time ago, while researching British folklore on the internet, I found a reference to an essay on the very topic I was researching. Was the essay online? No! It was in an English journal from the 1960's. So when I finally got to the UK, I went straight to the library and copied the article.
The other thing about the internet is that a lot of sites don't quote their sources - again, frustrating when researching history. You can't beat the old books for that. There has to be a middle ground between print and technology, IMHO.
I was interested to read about the 'just in case' collection. I must admit I was slightly horrified when I first began working at the library at how regularly books are deleted. What? No! You can't get that book anymore! It's an unusual topic!
Of course, I have now seen that it is necessary and right to cull the collection for various reasons. Yet some emotional part of me hates to see the old books go. You would see this in evidence at my house, where the bookshelves are overflowing. I use the library (duh) but I can't seem to stop buying books, either.
Yes, the internet means that anyone can access just about any information, but not everything. Sometimes it's just the inspiration to hit the library. For example, some time ago, while researching British folklore on the internet, I found a reference to an essay on the very topic I was researching. Was the essay online? No! It was in an English journal from the 1960's. So when I finally got to the UK, I went straight to the library and copied the article.
The other thing about the internet is that a lot of sites don't quote their sources - again, frustrating when researching history. You can't beat the old books for that. There has to be a middle ground between print and technology, IMHO.
#14 Technorati
A fair few results come up for "Learning 2.0", don't they? We really are part of a global community. It's pretty obvious what the differences are between searching blogs, posts and tags. Searching for blogs gets you whole blogs about it, tags gets you posts about it, and posts get you posts which mention it (the most results this way).
I am amazed to learn how seriously peoples' blogs are being taken. Major news websites linking to blogs - wow. One of the posts I found was about the five reasons why C.E.O.'s should blog (communication skills, company image, relations with staff and customers - to paraphrase). It seems blogging is becoming a major social tool.
Another one I found while looking for popular blogs is called Boing Boing. This is apparently the world's most popular blog (but not the one most looked at). Surprisingly to me, it's only mildly interesting. I'm guessing this is one of those things that spread by word of mouth (or hand), and has snowballed because of the hype, not through any innate merit.
I am amazed to learn how seriously peoples' blogs are being taken. Major news websites linking to blogs - wow. One of the posts I found was about the five reasons why C.E.O.'s should blog (communication skills, company image, relations with staff and customers - to paraphrase). It seems blogging is becoming a major social tool.
Another one I found while looking for popular blogs is called Boing Boing. This is apparently the world's most popular blog (but not the one most looked at). Surprisingly to me, it's only mildly interesting. I'm guessing this is one of those things that spread by word of mouth (or hand), and has snowballed because of the hype, not through any innate merit.
#13 del.icio.us
I wasn't initially impressed with del.icio.us - I am definitely not impressed with typing the word, lol. I didn't really understand why you wouldn't just use your bookmarks. Enter the discovery resources! The Commoncraft Youtube video explained things to me. Having your bookmarks online rather than confined to one computer terminal would definitely be useful - I will have to start transferring my bookmarks on to del.icio.us.
The main things that I personally would use this for would be when travelling, and if there is a website I want to show a friend while at their place. I probably wouldn't spend much time searching through other people's bookmarks though. Maybe I am not a very social person, at least not on the web.
The main things that I personally would use this for would be when travelling, and if there is a website I want to show a friend while at their place. I probably wouldn't spend much time searching through other people's bookmarks though. Maybe I am not a very social person, at least not on the web.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
#12 Rollyo
I had a play with Rollyo (again, the link is at the bottom). I have made my searchroll on French holiday houses. Complete wishful thinking on my part for the French holiday I hope to take some day, more particularly the southern regions once known as Occitan, that little hotbed of heresy, lol.
Again, this is something I would use for particular purposes. Obviously to create your own you have to do an internet search the normal way first, to find those sites that you like. Being able to search through other peoples' lists of favourites is useful though.
Thought my blog was looking pretty dull, so here's a photo of Montsegur, where the Cathars took their last stand. I downloaded the photo from Flickr, which I have just found out is way better than the Google image search!
#11 Library Thing
Okay, this is something I will actually use! I have never attempted to chat to people I don't know on the net before, but looking through Library Thing I am actually inspired to say hello to people who have catalogued the same books as me, especially the more obscure ones.
I've only added nine books so far, but my list will be partly my favourites, partly a wish list for myself. I am hesitant to add the link, because I am about to be caught out for my abiding love of fantasy, and my lasting attachment to the books I loved growing up, which are the first which spring to mind when I think of my favourites. So I added a few grownup ones to balance it out. I bit the bullet though, and you can find the link at the bottom of the page with the others.
I've only added nine books so far, but my list will be partly my favourites, partly a wish list for myself. I am hesitant to add the link, because I am about to be caught out for my abiding love of fantasy, and my lasting attachment to the books I loved growing up, which are the first which spring to mind when I think of my favourites. So I added a few grownup ones to balance it out. I bit the bullet though, and you can find the link at the bottom of the page with the others.
#10 image generators
Had a bit of a play, and found lots of fun things. The next homemade birthday card I make will be a lot more quirky I imagine! I think that people who are into scrapbooking would find a lot of creative material using image generators as well.
The generator I particularly want to mention is DoppelMe. You can find it at, surprise, surprise, www.doppelme.com. This site is responsible for my little librarian which you can see in the top left corner. You can make lots of these little avatars, you can modify every aspect of their appearance, and dress them in a selection of costumes. Very cute!
The generator I particularly want to mention is DoppelMe. You can find it at, surprise, surprise, www.doppelme.com. This site is responsible for my little librarian which you can see in the top left corner. You can make lots of these little avatars, you can modify every aspect of their appearance, and dress them in a selection of costumes. Very cute!
Monday, October 15, 2007
RSS feeds
Well I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who is not personally very excited about RSS feeds. I did this exercise a few weeks ago, but procrastinated over writing the blog. I, like a lot of people here apparently, am pleased to learn about RSS feeds, so that we can inform our customers (especially when people are fighting over the library newspapers!). I also think that it is important for library staff to keep abreast of what is out there on the net, which is the whole point, isn't it?
I will not be getting into RSS feeds myself, however. I guess I am still pretty attached to curling up with the paper, and that's enough news for me. However, I have already made a convert. I actually showed my husband the computer geek, something he didn't know about computers! He, unlike myself, does look at a lot of news online, and has subscribed to several feeds, as well as some comic strip feeds (sigh).
I will not be getting into RSS feeds myself, however. I guess I am still pretty attached to curling up with the paper, and that's enough news for me. However, I have already made a convert. I actually showed my husband the computer geek, something he didn't know about computers! He, unlike myself, does look at a lot of news online, and has subscribed to several feeds, as well as some comic strip feeds (sigh).
Monday, September 24, 2007
at least we're not this bad!
True story from a Novell NetWire SysOp: Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"
Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?" Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?" Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a "cup holder"?" Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer." Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped; it's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotion, like at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?" Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."
At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he couldn't stand it. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive!
Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?" Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?" Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a "cup holder"?" Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer." Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped; it's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotion, like at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?" Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."
At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he couldn't stand it. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive!
#7 technology
Well, erm, yes, we have come a long way with technology. I am constantly reminded of this by my nieces and nephews. We pulled out a box of old toys for them, and there were two things that puzzled them - a typewriter, and a toy dial phone (the kind that has the actual dial that you run your finger around). They had no clue what either of these things were!
I remember when my mum's Commodore 64 was cutting edge, and oh what fun my brother and I had playing games from cassettes and cartridges! I don't think the games these days compare. Fancy graphics and surround sound don't compensate for sheer addictive gameplay. My husband would disagree - he loves high tech games, and we just bought a new computer to keep up with the new games being released, no other reason. It's the gamers that push computer technology further and further along now. Computers have been able to cope with the needs of your average business for a long time. It's the gamers that want them always faster, brighter, higher res, etc.
I guess I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love surfing the net, getting any questions I have answered immediately. I love ebay. I love email, since I have a lot of loved ones interstate and overseas. I guess what I don't like is that sometimes computers overcomplicate things. They can do lots of fancy stuff that I personally have no use for, but can never seem to perform simple word processing tasks the way I want them to, for example.
Should I be whingeing about computers during this exercise? Probably not. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them, I use them every day, but I don't think my life would fall apart without them. Well, in the library it probably would, (love those offline days!). That's the downside of relying on computers - when they break down, so do a lot of people. I used to be an AV technician for corporate events. Some days that involved editing a LOT of powerpoint presentations. It never failed to amaze me that if someone's powerpoint was not working (for whatever reason) - they could not present. They were so reliant on their computer slides, that without them they could not speak, even if they were an expert on the subject. That is just plain wrong, to my way of thinking. Most of these people would also talk to the screen, rather than the audience.
I could also totally live without my mobile phone. I only got one at my husband's behest, And it's mainly a way for people to keep tabs on me. I can (and do) live without a fancy home theatre system - I would be happy with an old Rank Arena, as long as I could still watch House.
I remember when my mum's Commodore 64 was cutting edge, and oh what fun my brother and I had playing games from cassettes and cartridges! I don't think the games these days compare. Fancy graphics and surround sound don't compensate for sheer addictive gameplay. My husband would disagree - he loves high tech games, and we just bought a new computer to keep up with the new games being released, no other reason. It's the gamers that push computer technology further and further along now. Computers have been able to cope with the needs of your average business for a long time. It's the gamers that want them always faster, brighter, higher res, etc.
I guess I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love surfing the net, getting any questions I have answered immediately. I love ebay. I love email, since I have a lot of loved ones interstate and overseas. I guess what I don't like is that sometimes computers overcomplicate things. They can do lots of fancy stuff that I personally have no use for, but can never seem to perform simple word processing tasks the way I want them to, for example.
Should I be whingeing about computers during this exercise? Probably not. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them, I use them every day, but I don't think my life would fall apart without them. Well, in the library it probably would, (love those offline days!). That's the downside of relying on computers - when they break down, so do a lot of people. I used to be an AV technician for corporate events. Some days that involved editing a LOT of powerpoint presentations. It never failed to amaze me that if someone's powerpoint was not working (for whatever reason) - they could not present. They were so reliant on their computer slides, that without them they could not speak, even if they were an expert on the subject. That is just plain wrong, to my way of thinking. Most of these people would also talk to the screen, rather than the audience.
I could also totally live without my mobile phone. I only got one at my husband's behest, And it's mainly a way for people to keep tabs on me. I can (and do) live without a fancy home theatre system - I would be happy with an old Rank Arena, as long as I could still watch House.
#5 flickr, #6 mashups
Had a play with flickr yesterday - see http://www.flickr.com/photos/14027247@N06/
I put some photos from my British trip last year up that I thought people might find interesting. Innerpeffray library is Scotland's oldest free lending library. It has a ledger of borrowers names and occupations dating from 1700? I think, and thus is of continuing interest to social anthropologists. Plus lots of gorgeous antique books!
Also had a play with mashups - again, see my flickr site. My fave is the Warholiser - turning photos into art. That is, art that I would actually consider displaying in my home. Putting your own wedding photo up in the house seems a bit embarrassing, but the Warholiser makes me unrecognisable - yay!
Speaking of which, is anyone else but me slightly uncomfortable with the idea of posting their personal details on the web? I know it's the done thing by many folks these days, and I don't mind my library colleagues knowing it's me talking, but it gives me pause.
I put some photos from my British trip last year up that I thought people might find interesting. Innerpeffray library is Scotland's oldest free lending library. It has a ledger of borrowers names and occupations dating from 1700? I think, and thus is of continuing interest to social anthropologists. Plus lots of gorgeous antique books!
Also had a play with mashups - again, see my flickr site. My fave is the Warholiser - turning photos into art. That is, art that I would actually consider displaying in my home. Putting your own wedding photo up in the house seems a bit embarrassing, but the Warholiser makes me unrecognisable - yay!
Speaking of which, is anyone else but me slightly uncomfortable with the idea of posting their personal details on the web? I know it's the done thing by many folks these days, and I don't mind my library colleagues knowing it's me talking, but it gives me pause.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
computer time
I have chosen to work on my blog at home, mainly because I would find it hard to concentrate while in full view of the general public. So here I am on my one day off this week, still focused on work, hehe.
I have extra motivation to sit still and blog because I have mysteriously hurt my achilles tendon IN MY SLEEP. Normally the upside of an injury is an interesting accompanying tale, but no, I am limping due to an extraordinary sleeping incident (sigh).
I have extra motivation to sit still and blog because I have mysteriously hurt my achilles tendon IN MY SLEEP. Normally the upside of an injury is an interesting accompanying tale, but no, I am limping due to an extraordinary sleeping incident (sigh).
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Good Habits
Fortunately (I guess), it was harder to narrow down which habit came the easiest. I have chosen Habit #2, Accept responsibility for your own learning. If I find a gap in my knowledge that I'm keen to fill, I won't hesitate to fill it.
Bad Habits
The habit I will find the hardest to develop is definitely number 3, View problems as challenges. While not causing me to completely abandon my enterprises, I do have a tendency to let problems become bigger setbacks than they need to be.
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