Sitting smack bang in the middle of a massive library change at this very moment - I find the discussion about Library 2.0 very pertinent. This week we closed our library doors - for nine months of renovations. A huge adjustment for staff, the organisation, our patrons and the community. Our planned renovation/re-structure is a perfect opportunity for us to plan for the future - to embrace technological change and be very brave and bold. Only time will tell if we have made the right choices - but given the endless possibilities, I hope we have.
This also ties in with a recurring theme throughout the recommended reading for this exercise.
All commentators seem to be very pro embracing and running with technology in our libraries.
Yes, we all agree wholeheartedly. Bring it on!
There is a tendency to advocate the minimisation of hard copies of collections in favour of on-line versions. But to do this, we must ensure we have the resources/knowledge/space/know-how/time to adopt this stance.
It's all very well to advocate on-line databases, downloads/podcasts/etc.. but the library needs state of the art technological tools, savvy tutors,time and MOST IMPORTANTLY - receptive patrons to access and fully appreciate these changes.
One commentator infers we should lose the "just in case" collections - because just about everything is online now. Although good in theory, I envisage problems with this approach. Before any bold sweeping changes are made, we must ensure that we have the technological tools in place to replace the collections we have removed. I guess it's all about balance - but the one thing I don't want to see happen is that the socially disadvantaged, the less fortunate, the less educated or those in a minority will be left behind in the bubble of excitement over Libraries 2.0.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
#14 Technorati
50 million blogs on Technorati. Get your head around that.
Years ago - the only blogs we knew of was that bloke "Joe Blogs" - now every man and his dog (including Joe Blogs) has something to say out there.
I did as requested and searched on Technorati (again, who thought of that name??? It sounds like someone racing in the Grand Prix ) - for "Learning 2.0” in the different search headings.
Under Blog Posts, there were 422 listings. And they were all very different and all appeared terribly technical. Couldn't see many/any at first glance that pertained to our area of interest.(Though I must fess up, I didnt check the entire 422 - no lollies for me).
Under Blog directory, there were just three listings - and all seemed to be talking about a biker in Chicago.
Under tags - interestingly, 3 references only - and all seemed to be referring directly to our particular online course and our weekly modules.
So, it obviously makes a huge difference to blog searching - a) under what heading you search and b) whether your blogs are tagged.
It was interesting to have a looksee as to the most popular blogs on on Technorati - Boing Boing was the standout favourite and won a big award. I had a scout around it. Boing Boing did nothing for me. I can understand enthusiasts really being hooked on the most popular blogs, such as moneymaking ideas and celeb gossip - but Lifehacker and other irrelevant ramblings were not for me.
After deliberating and reading the HTML instructions - I decided not to tag my blogs. Not because it seemed difficult - but purely because I feel they are so boring, no-one else could possibly want to read them - or find them in a search.
Years ago - the only blogs we knew of was that bloke "Joe Blogs" - now every man and his dog (including Joe Blogs) has something to say out there.
I did as requested and searched on Technorati (again, who thought of that name??? It sounds like someone racing in the Grand Prix ) - for "Learning 2.0” in the different search headings.
Under Blog Posts, there were 422 listings. And they were all very different and all appeared terribly technical. Couldn't see many/any at first glance that pertained to our area of interest.(Though I must fess up, I didnt check the entire 422 - no lollies for me).
Under Blog directory, there were just three listings - and all seemed to be talking about a biker in Chicago.
Under tags - interestingly, 3 references only - and all seemed to be referring directly to our particular online course and our weekly modules.
So, it obviously makes a huge difference to blog searching - a) under what heading you search and b) whether your blogs are tagged.
It was interesting to have a looksee as to the most popular blogs on on Technorati - Boing Boing was the standout favourite and won a big award. I had a scout around it. Boing Boing did nothing for me. I can understand enthusiasts really being hooked on the most popular blogs, such as moneymaking ideas and celeb gossip - but Lifehacker and other irrelevant ramblings were not for me.
After deliberating and reading the HTML instructions - I decided not to tag my blogs. Not because it seemed difficult - but purely because I feel they are so boring, no-one else could possibly want to read them - or find them in a search.
Friday, October 12, 2007
#13 Tagging etc...
I think I am repeating myself - but I truly had no concept prior to starting this online learning - of the scope and depth of the technology, tools and sheer enormity of what is available to avid web devotees. It is staggering.
"De-Li*&cious" - or whatever the name of it was - you know what I'm talking about - is an example of the tools that avid, serious web users can access to revolutionise their bookmarking/searching sessions.
The fact that you can compress and centralise all your bookmarks and access them from any computer is a huge bonus to committed internet users. I was amused with one user's advice to "stalk" other users and make use of their bookmarks!
The PLCMC account set up for us was also very interesting. I was very impressed to see all our special sites that we have accessed, all grouped together under the tag "options". I will refer back to this page.
For my usage - I would not benefit from creating a Delicious account at this stage. However, I can see it's huge benefits and potential (particularly since it was taken over by Yahoo) and will definitely recommend it to researchers, students and serious web users.
"De-Li*&cious" - or whatever the name of it was - you know what I'm talking about - is an example of the tools that avid, serious web users can access to revolutionise their bookmarking/searching sessions.
The fact that you can compress and centralise all your bookmarks and access them from any computer is a huge bonus to committed internet users. I was amused with one user's advice to "stalk" other users and make use of their bookmarks!
The PLCMC account set up for us was also very interesting. I was very impressed to see all our special sites that we have accessed, all grouped together under the tag "options". I will refer back to this page.
For my usage - I would not benefit from creating a Delicious account at this stage. However, I can see it's huge benefits and potential (particularly since it was taken over by Yahoo) and will definitely recommend it to researchers, students and serious web users.
#12 Rollyo
I missed something here.
Grandma poss created her Rollyo account and went around and around the site (which incidentally I found clunky and not user friendly) - looking for the possum magic??
It's basically just a fancy search engine to me.
Boring.
Grandma poss created her Rollyo account and went around and around the site (which incidentally I found clunky and not user friendly) - looking for the possum magic??
It's basically just a fancy search engine to me.
Boring.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
#11 LibraryThing
Cyber cataloguing! LibraryThing is an interesting thing.
I enjoyed having to think about my favourite books - why they were my favourites and the memories they evoke. What time of my life was itwhen I first read them?
Like many of the new areas we have ventured into during this journey, I feel that LibraryThing would be a very obsessive and time consuming pastime, if I let it be.
I liked the tab that took me to "things you can do". Again - where do these people get the time for all of this???
... and sorry, make a photomosaic of my favourite books for my phone???
What - advertise the fact even more that I am a book nerd? I don't think so.
But overall, another pleasant surprise, as to what's on offer out there and I will add to my list and explore more, when I have time.
I enjoyed having to think about my favourite books - why they were my favourites and the memories they evoke. What time of my life was itwhen I first read them?
Like many of the new areas we have ventured into during this journey, I feel that LibraryThing would be a very obsessive and time consuming pastime, if I let it be.
I liked the tab that took me to "things you can do". Again - where do these people get the time for all of this???
... and sorry, make a photomosaic of my favourite books for my phone???
What - advertise the fact even more that I am a book nerd? I don't think so.
But overall, another pleasant surprise, as to what's on offer out there and I will add to my list and explore more, when I have time.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
#10 Image generators
Now this is just too much fun.
The first thing that comes to mind is - how much spare time do people have?
Who thinks these things up? Find a movie with your name quoted in it, apology note generator and my favourite - "Magic Makeover Generator"! They dress you for the prom and give you a total makeover. I sat on that site for ages waiting for my photo to be made over - I guess some jobs are too hard, even in cyberspace. I aint going to the prom.
But I did have a lot of fun in http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/ -I finally managed to create my work badge. Orders being taken.
The first thing that comes to mind is - how much spare time do people have?
Who thinks these things up? Find a movie with your name quoted in it, apology note generator and my favourite - "Magic Makeover Generator"! They dress you for the prom and give you a total makeover. I sat on that site for ages waiting for my photo to be made over - I guess some jobs are too hard, even in cyberspace. I aint going to the prom.
But I did have a lot of fun in http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/ -I finally managed to create my work badge. Orders being taken.
#9 Finding Feeds
It's obvious given my "hearty stature" that I have never had trouble finding feeds.
.... but these feeds are food for thought of a completely different nature.
I actually found navigating them all a tad overwhelming. Perhaps because I approached them with no real definite goal in sight. For example, I was just playing, had I been carrying out proper research, my searching may have been less haphazard. Having said all that, I must say I did find Feester and the widgets user friendly. Topix net was a bit much to take in - folks talking to me from Serbia, Malaysia and all funnily enough, with odd hair dos? But I like the way it also focused on my local area - topical news stories and events. Very smart. Google blog search was easy, quick and user friendly - maybe that was because I am very "at home" with the Google set up and found it more comfortable. Technorati - who thought of that name? That was enough to put Grandma Poss off before she even went there.
In a nutshell - this area is a whole new world to me - which of course is one of the aims of this online journey. Personally? At present, I probably would not have the time or use for all the wonderful avenues of information - but it will DEFINITELY be an area I will be promoting to those I feel may benefit from this astounding array of information. And won't I look smart when I bring it up at the next party. Smart or even more nerdy.
.... but these feeds are food for thought of a completely different nature.
I actually found navigating them all a tad overwhelming. Perhaps because I approached them with no real definite goal in sight. For example, I was just playing, had I been carrying out proper research, my searching may have been less haphazard. Having said all that, I must say I did find Feester and the widgets user friendly. Topix net was a bit much to take in - folks talking to me from Serbia, Malaysia and all funnily enough, with odd hair dos? But I like the way it also focused on my local area - topical news stories and events. Very smart. Google blog search was easy, quick and user friendly - maybe that was because I am very "at home" with the Google set up and found it more comfortable. Technorati - who thought of that name? That was enough to put Grandma Poss off before she even went there.
In a nutshell - this area is a whole new world to me - which of course is one of the aims of this online journey. Personally? At present, I probably would not have the time or use for all the wonderful avenues of information - but it will DEFINITELY be an area I will be promoting to those I feel may benefit from this astounding array of information. And won't I look smart when I bring it up at the next party. Smart or even more nerdy.
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