I'm grateful for the time and effort you put into these lessons. At least I have a working knowledge of what the terms mean. Before this they were mostly gibberish.
I definitely relearned that a lot of popular culture trends and much of technology is not to my taste. Some of it I have been forced to learn, some I will never bother to try to learn, and a very small percentage of it I will actually use willingly. I'd still rather curl up with a good book than stare at a computer screen!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
NO. Sorry. I'm a very private individual. I've done all the rest of these exercises, including the ones I'll never look at again. I've also done this blogging thing even though I hate it. This one I refuse to do.
Podcasts
Rats! My computer blocked all the images! The audio wasn't enough to figure out what was going on.
I did check the titles of a few of the podcasts under keywords "library" and "storytelling." It appears that this method could be used very successfully for lessons or tours.
I did check the titles of a few of the podcasts under keywords "library" and "storytelling." It appears that this method could be used very successfully for lessons or tours.
YouTube
I found a few videos of people I actually knew. One video I knew was there, 2 others I just typed in names and hoped to find something. I also looked at several of the categories and wondered what criteria the editors used for their featured picks. That's not a criticism - I'm just curious.
I like the idea of being able to share videos that have an appeal to a wider audience, but I was disappointed by the poor sound quality of most of what I viewed. Some of the photography was reasonably good, some was awful.
In a library, YouTube could be used to promote ongoing programs, feature displays, or advertise a new service. If we try this at NSU, I would hope that care would be taken to make a product that reflects the quality of professionalism to be found here.
I like the idea of being able to share videos that have an appeal to a wider audience, but I was disappointed by the poor sound quality of most of what I viewed. Some of the photography was reasonably good, some was awful.
In a library, YouTube could be used to promote ongoing programs, feature displays, or advertise a new service. If we try this at NSU, I would hope that care would be taken to make a product that reflects the quality of professionalism to be found here.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Web 2.0 Tools
I looked at several sites.
Biblio reminded me very much of Barnes and Noble's used book web sites. Since I did not intend to purchase anything I did not go through the checkout process, but the organization of the search area and the results was so similar to B&N that I was very comfortable using the site.
I also compared the organization sites. Google & Zoho were obviously aimed at large organizations. I thought the Backpack site had more to offer for the individual user. In fact, I am going to explore using it instead of Outlook for myself.
Biblio reminded me very much of Barnes and Noble's used book web sites. Since I did not intend to purchase anything I did not go through the checkout process, but the organization of the search area and the results was so similar to B&N that I was very comfortable using the site.
I also compared the organization sites. Google & Zoho were obviously aimed at large organizations. I thought the Backpack site had more to offer for the individual user. In fact, I am going to explore using it instead of Outlook for myself.
Zoho writer
The Zoho writer had most of the features I am familiar with in MS Word. I noticed that the options for types and size of fonts were short and there did not seem to be a way to change or increase these. For someone who does not need a lot of flexibility this would be an excellent alternative to buying software and constantly having to upgrade.
I did wonder who developed the site, whether it will be changed in the future and what remuneration they get for maintenance?
I did wonder who developed the site, whether it will be changed in the future and what remuneration they get for maintenance?
NSULibs Wiki
Once again I am missing some essential info because the PB Wiki tour would not play on my home computer. I had to play with adding a title to Favorite Books because I didn't understand that I was supposed to link it to another page. The first time I just typed in the title, then wondered why it didn't look like all the rest.. I also took a long time to figure out how to add my blog to the Favorite Blogs section. I feel very proud that I managed to fumble my way through both exercises.
Wikis
The Book Lovers Wiki was the most visually appealing of the samples listed. Someone went to a lot of effort to make the site unique. The New Orleans wiki was certainly a wonderful idea for a large event. No one person, or even a committee, could possibly have put all that information together.
I realized early in the description that there are times at that our department could use a wiki for internal information, instead of trying to keep track of all the details of a big project through e-mails. I can also understand that there may be applications for using a wiki that the library patrons could edit. Is such an idea viable at NSU? Does the concept have to go through a zillion administration levels for approval? Would the powers that be insist that one person must take ultimate responsibility for reviewing content? Hmmmm.
I realized early in the description that there are times at that our department could use a wiki for internal information, instead of trying to keep track of all the details of a big project through e-mails. I can also understand that there may be applications for using a wiki that the library patrons could edit. Is such an idea viable at NSU? Does the concept have to go through a zillion administration levels for approval? Would the powers that be insist that one person must take ultimate responsibility for reviewing content? Hmmmm.
Library 2.0
I read several of these articles and skimmed the rest. As a confirmed bookworm, I cringed at the implication in Rick Anderson's "Away from the icebergs" article that we should dump all of our print resources because EVERYBODY wants instant on-line access. Yes, for the academic community I have seen that on-line sources are often much more cost-effective than print materials, especially at NSU , with its large off-campus student population. Yes, at a recent gathering of BCL librarians it was pointed out that the new construction of library buildings in this county followed the old models - majority of space allocated to print holdings, small sections for media and not enough terminals.
However, as a librarian who works daily with the public patrons, I believe that print materials in the areas of picture books and general fiction will be with us for at least another generation or two. We do not yet have the technology to make it easy for a two year old to look at "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" on-line without adult assistance. Nor is it comfortable or easy for an elderly person with poor eyesight and arthritis to read a best seller sitting in front of a computer.
I suppose that one day print materials will be relatively rare. I hope I'm not around to see it happen!
However, as a librarian who works daily with the public patrons, I believe that print materials in the areas of picture books and general fiction will be with us for at least another generation or two. We do not yet have the technology to make it easy for a two year old to look at "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" on-line without adult assistance. Nor is it comfortable or easy for an elderly person with poor eyesight and arthritis to read a best seller sitting in front of a computer.
I suppose that one day print materials will be relatively rare. I hope I'm not around to see it happen!
technorati
OK I looked at the Technorati site. I guess I'm not a social creature. I have absolutely NO interest in reading the blogs of strangers. In addition, since I'm not tuned into the popular culture (I haven't watched TV since the last Olympics) I didn't recognize most of the titles of the blogs.
I was curious about who chooses the search terms and tags in the lists provided. Are these the most popular ones in the last day or week? Of course, I probably missed a lot because my home computer refused to play the Technorati tour. It just froze halfway through loading.
I won't be visiting this web site on purpose! It holds no interest for me.
I was curious about who chooses the search terms and tags in the lists provided. Are these the most popular ones in the last day or week? Of course, I probably missed a lot because my home computer refused to play the Technorati tour. It just froze halfway through loading.
I won't be visiting this web site on purpose! It holds no interest for me.
Del.icio.us
Well, that was interesting. Yes, I can see a variety of applications for this at work or at home. By exploring the NSU account I found several articles on completely unrelated subjects that I would never have come across on my own.
It would certainly be useful to be able to access my favorite sites from other computers.
I also noticed that several of the tags were redundant - "tutorial" and "tutorials", "podcast" and "Podcasting." The hint to clean up the tags periodically was apparently learned by experience!
It would certainly be useful to be able to access my favorite sites from other computers.
I also noticed that several of the tags were redundant - "tutorial" and "tutorials", "podcast" and "Podcasting." The hint to clean up the tags periodically was apparently learned by experience!
Rollyo
I guess I need lots and lots of training on creating links. I created a Rollyo called Cross stitch heaven, but I have no idea how to access it or link it to this blog.
I can see a variety of uses for this in reference settings. It could be used to help in homework searches. It would be useful to link the NSU & Broward catalogs together.
It could also be used in a business setting, in addition to personal use. Lots to think about and explore.
I can see a variety of uses for this in reference settings. It could be used to help in homework searches. It would be useful to link the NSU & Broward catalogs together.
It could also be used in a business setting, in addition to personal use. Lots to think about and explore.
Librarything
I really like the librarything concept, especially since I own about 2000 books and constantly have to make sure that I am not buying a duplicate when the publisher comes out with a new cover for a back title. I will be working on this in my spare time to enter my entire library. Obviously, I'm going to help make these guys richer!
As for putting in a link, that is beyond me. Their website says paste this into your HTML. HUH??????
As for putting in a link, that is beyond me. Their website says paste this into your HTML. HUH??????
I played with a couple sites on the Generator Blog. I even managed to link the results I saved. The Dummiez looks interesting, but I'm tired and my brain refused to come up with anything creative to put there. I'll save it for another day.
http://www.glassgiant.com/chocolate_bar/RSS feeds
I worked on this for several hours. Several of the sites I really wanted to add did not have an RSS connection. Rats!
I'm still not clear why this is supposed to be easier than checking the seven websites in my "Favorites" folder on a daily basis. It seems to me to be a variation on the theme. Of course, I don't have a cell phone or PDA that I check constantly. I'm just not the type of person who has to have the latest information RIGHT NOW. I'll keep looking at my new Bloglines account and see if this is truely easier and faster.
I thought my public bloglines account was:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/ejoytaylor but when I tried to go there it said I don't exist. However, I can go to the Bloglines site and sign in. I don't get it! I also don't see why anyone should care that I look at the Sun Sentinel and New York Times Book Reviews. What is the purpose of public access to sites that I'm interested in?
I'm still not clear why this is supposed to be easier than checking the seven websites in my "Favorites" folder on a daily basis. It seems to me to be a variation on the theme. Of course, I don't have a cell phone or PDA that I check constantly. I'm just not the type of person who has to have the latest information RIGHT NOW. I'll keep looking at my new Bloglines account and see if this is truely easier and faster.
I thought my public bloglines account was:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/ejoytaylor but when I tried to go there it said I don't exist. However, I can go to the Bloglines site and sign in. I don't get it! I also don't see why anyone should care that I look at the Sun Sentinel and New York Times Book Reviews. What is the purpose of public access to sites that I'm interested in?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
More Flickr
I looked over the Flickr website. I'm supposed to talk about the stuff that intrigues me. The closest that I came to was the trip site. I checked out some countries that I'd like to visit one day. Some of the information was interesting, some was repetitious.
I wasn't much interested in the rest. I guess I don't have much of an artistic gene. Other family members got that. I can't see bothering to take the time to do all that stuff.
I wasn't much interested in the rest. I guess I don't have much of an artistic gene. Other family members got that. I can't see bothering to take the time to do all that stuff.
Technology
I don't consider myself afraid of new technology. I do find much of it frustrating. For instance, I had a cell phone. The opperative word is HAD! The phone came with a manual. The type was so small that I had to take it to a copy center and enlarge every page before I could read it. The first half of the manual gave all sorts of instructions on customizing the options. The information on how to turn it on was on page 53!!! What good is that? The manuals all seem to be written by schizos who put their own favorite parts first without any understanding of logical progression. I like the idea of a cell phone. I like the idea of digital cameras and putting my photos on my hard drive. I like lots of the concepts of newer technology. I just have trouble with the documentation, or lack there-of.
Second post, second attempt
The last time I tried to post I got an error message. The site says I have 2 postings, but only one shows up. So, here goes again.
I looked at Flickr and did a search on standing stones in Scotland. I've been interested in them since I started reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The pictures on Flickr were not what I expected. I had assumed that the stones were hidden in wooded areas, but all the pictures I saw (I confess I didn't look at the entire list) were in open fields.
Anyway, here's the link to the photo I liked best:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikdom/150652913/
I looked at Flickr and did a search on standing stones in Scotland. I've been interested in them since I started reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The pictures on Flickr were not what I expected. I had assumed that the stones were hidden in wooded areas, but all the pictures I saw (I confess I didn't look at the entire list) were in open fields.
Anyway, here's the link to the photo I liked best:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikdom/150652913/
First Post
I don't know what the bleep I'm doing or why anyone should care. My boss says I have to learn this, so I'm trying. It still doesn't make sense. Maybe later I'll understand why the picture on my screen doesn't look at all like the sample.
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