Whew... done!
I liked the whole experience a lot, I learned a ton. My favorites were the spelling things with flickr app, learning to embed youtube videos and Google labs. I like zotero and need to work more on figure out how to use it so it doesn't take me half an hour to get a citation. I definitely valued the tutorials. I think that's one of the most valuable things I got from this. If I'm curious about new technology, I can look at awards and then check for short tutorials to figure out how to use them. Since I like to watch people as they do something on screen rather than reading through instructions, this was a big benefit for me overall, a definite transferable skill. I did a quick search for something I'm interested in (like making an iphone app) and found tons of good videos.
The exposure to everything was great, and I plan to keep exploring and finding out about web 2.0 library integration.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
#22 Discovering Web 2.0 tools
For this exploration, I picked the winner for professional networking, LinkedIn. I've seen this and heard about this before abstractly, I wasn't exactly sure what it was. I created a profile and looked around. I felt like the layout was not exactly pretty, but a ton of people have this so I'm sure it has a ton of benefits. There weren't very many library jobs listed, I saw 2. Hopefully, this is a growing site and with more time, it'll be more useful to me.
#21 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 ...
I read the top 3 articles listed on the site. The gist I guess is that users want things more access. Like things need to be available all the time on the web. And that we need to be cutting edge, but for the benefit of our patrons, not "techno-lust[ing]." I agree with this... I know that if I'm just casually searching for articles, and don't truly NEED one, I'll only look for those available online... I never wait for the annex scans or go to the library stacks.
As for the term web 2.0, when Tom and I interviewed Ken Fujiuchi, he said that term was outdated. When I asked why, he said that everything basically nowdays is interactive. Even informational, non-editable websites have comment abilities (e.g. most major newspaper websites). I think it's less outdated when it's library 2.0 because not that much type of stuff has been integrated to libraries in my opinion.
As for the term web 2.0, when Tom and I interviewed Ken Fujiuchi, he said that term was outdated. When I asked why, he said that everything basically nowdays is interactive. Even informational, non-editable websites have comment abilities (e.g. most major newspaper websites). I think it's less outdated when it's library 2.0 because not that much type of stuff has been integrated to libraries in my opinion.
#20 Create a Zotero resource library
Wow! Zotero has a bunch of cool stuff it offers. I feel a little overwhelmed. Maybe I need to find tutorials that are one by one and do them separately. I was able to save my stuff, no problem. When it comes to the citations though, pulling them into a document = not having the info I need. I pulled one into this blog and it was missing stuff... like the author. Then I figured I should change it to APA, and then it wouldn't drag stuff at all. I don't know. I guess I need more time to troubleshoot this. If I can master it like the guy in the video, it will be all good.
My zotero Library
My zotero Library
#19 Roll your own search engine
The public domain books one was cool, found a copy of my favorite book online, with illustrations.
The second one didn't really work, not that I know any rare books. I was just typing in random words that I thought were common and not getting any results. The quotes one was better, but it seems like the searches are super basic. Understandable, but not that useful. I guess it's a better idea as a personal tool, or very specific community.
Free photos was a dead link.
Then, I made a little search roll for Rochester. Hope this will work:
The second one didn't really work, not that I know any rare books. I was just typing in random words that I thought were common and not getting any results. The quotes one was better, but it seems like the searches are super basic. Understandable, but not that useful. I guess it's a better idea as a personal tool, or very specific community.
Free photos was a dead link.
Then, I made a little search roll for Rochester. Hope this will work:
#18 A thing about LibraryThing
I already have an account on Goodreads, so I didn't create one on LibraryThing since I have already added hundreds of books to my Goodreads account.
I was surprised to see that you can only catalog 200 books on LibraryThing. Maybe because it is an originator, or older, they feel they are popular enough to charge. It basically has all the same features as Goodreads, with the cataloging and social aspects. I like some of the display options better on LT, I guess. I like the blog, maybe GR has one, but I haven't looked.
So... maybe it's because I'm so familiar with it, but I like Goodreads better. One thing I can think of that I didn't see on LT that I like about GR is BookSwap. See a book you want that someone else has, you pay shipping and get it for free, and there's a Book Karma stats display so people don't get all the books but don't give any.
I was surprised to see that you can only catalog 200 books on LibraryThing. Maybe because it is an originator, or older, they feel they are popular enough to charge. It basically has all the same features as Goodreads, with the cataloging and social aspects. I like some of the display options better on LT, I guess. I like the blog, maybe GR has one, but I haven't looked.
So... maybe it's because I'm so familiar with it, but I like Goodreads better. One thing I can think of that I didn't see on LT that I like about GR is BookSwap. See a book you want that someone else has, you pay shipping and get it for free, and there's a Book Karma stats display so people don't get all the books but don't give any.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
#17 Google's not just for searching anymore
I wanted to look at something experimental, so I went to Google labs and checked out the Image Swirl. It very much reminds me of Etsy's connections function, except it has that nice classification thing on top. The first search I tried was a suggested one, "Eiffel Tower." The images all kind of looked alike and the swirls led to dead ends sometimes. Then, the thingy at the top reminded me of bio classifications, so I tried "fish" and got to see a whole bunch of different kinds, and have them listed under the classification thing. I think this tool does have uses besides fun, mainly in scientific areas. Students who are assigned certain papers, like writing about a certain mammal species or amphibians can browse for their topic. I can also see it helpful to gardeners/bird-watcher/ nature aficionado types. If someone took a picture of a bird and wanted to find out what kind, or saw a certain herb growing, they could compare pictures quickly and easily. Some problems are the same as with any Google search, questionable accuracy of the website/labels and irrelevant results popping up.
Then I looked around at Google Maps a bunch, even though I've used it before. I think the street view is really cool and very interesting in terms of virtual tourism. I've used it to show my friends where I lived in Amsterdam and take them on a tour down my street, the prinsengracht. I think it has good implications for researching a move or hotel, too. You can see the shape and the neighborhood, kind of check out safety via Google Maps. Another cool Google tool.
Then I looked around at Google Maps a bunch, even though I've used it before. I think the street view is really cool and very interesting in terms of virtual tourism. I've used it to show my friends where I lived in Amsterdam and take them on a tour down my street, the prinsengracht. I think it has good implications for researching a move or hotel, too. You can see the shape and the neighborhood, kind of check out safety via Google Maps. Another cool Google tool.
#16 Web-based Apps: They're not just for desktops
I just discovered Google docs this semester and I can't even tell you how much I love it. I want to write Google docs a sonnet and stand outside its window with a boombox.
I use them constantly now, mainly for collaboration. Before, I had kind of just uploaded my resume so I could bring it up anywhere, which it a good feature, very convenient. Allowing others access to documents has made projects so much easier. Just this summer while I was taking classes, my group and I constantly emailed our powerpoint back and forth. Powerpoint takes eons to load on a mac and our presentations didn't even make use of fancy, uniquely PPT-y features. I like the instantaneous updates to the docs and ability to edit online. I like that the sharing feature lets you have someone edit, or just view, so I can ask a friend to read over one of my papers and tell me what they think.
Bottom line, I love Google docs.
I use them constantly now, mainly for collaboration. Before, I had kind of just uploaded my resume so I could bring it up anywhere, which it a good feature, very convenient. Allowing others access to documents has made projects so much easier. Just this summer while I was taking classes, my group and I constantly emailed our powerpoint back and forth. Powerpoint takes eons to load on a mac and our presentations didn't even make use of fancy, uniquely PPT-y features. I like the instantaneous updates to the docs and ability to edit online. I like that the sharing feature lets you have someone edit, or just view, so I can ask a friend to read over one of my papers and tell me what they think.
Bottom line, I love Google docs.
#15 So what’s in a wiki?
I usually don't like wikis because I feel like the layout sucks. That's why I liked the Bull Run Library's wiki, with it's pictures, color, and unique layout. However, I didn't like the fact that you can't edit it without permission. Wikis with permissions are good for collaborating with staff, but crappy for patron input and collaboration.
As far as purposes of the wikis go, I thought the Bull Run one was just the same as an information website, so I didn't like that. I think the lib best practices one was great for professional collaboration and I really liked the idea of the Book Lover's wiki, but clearly something went wrong with that because no one's posted in 2 years. If I were at a public library, I'd definitely try out something like that for patrons to post book reviews. Also, it'd be cool academic wise for students to post helpful books and resources under a particular class' wiki page.
As far as purposes of the wikis go, I thought the Bull Run one was just the same as an information website, so I didn't like that. I think the lib best practices one was great for professional collaboration and I really liked the idea of the Book Lover's wiki, but clearly something went wrong with that because no one's posted in 2 years. If I were at a public library, I'd definitely try out something like that for patrons to post book reviews. Also, it'd be cool academic wise for students to post helpful books and resources under a particular class' wiki page.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
#14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati
First of all, technorati is a cute name.
I like the top 100 blogs thing, you can see what goes up and down, billboard style. I also like the integration with twitter. I'm seeing more integration between web 2.0 technologies then I ever did before.
The different searches between Learning 2.0 blogs and posts are big. Only 1 blog out of over a million. Not many more for posts, 10, but I get the point that there would be more tagged entries than blogs for a subject, right?
I found some cool library blogs, too. Definitely a great site for blog cataloging, so to speak.
I like the top 100 blogs thing, you can see what goes up and down, billboard style. I also like the integration with twitter. I'm seeing more integration between web 2.0 technologies then I ever did before.
The different searches between Learning 2.0 blogs and posts are big. Only 1 blog out of over a million. Not many more for posts, 10, but I get the point that there would be more tagged entries than blogs for a subject, right?
I found some cool library blogs, too. Definitely a great site for blog cataloging, so to speak.
#13 Tagging, folksonomies & social bookmarking in Del.icio.us
I already have a delicious account and I really like it. Following other people's links, I found some good resources for YA stuff, like BookNut and 4YA. And I found them by other tags and the wonder of folksonomy! I like looking under recent or popular bookmarks, or finding a user who thinks like me and following their links. I think it would be really cool to have tagging like this in the library catalog. Research uses include what we're doing with Diigo... or general groups that can get shared with people with similar interests. Also, it's easy to lose track in these groups when so many people post, so using the RSS feeds to follow them are really cool. A library could make it's own delicious to share cool links with patrons, just like a pathfinder since you can make comments and patrons can participate too.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
#12 Finding Feeds
I personally like going to websites I'm interested in and subscribing to feeds that way. Now that I have Google Reader, I can just add the RSS feeds from sites that I check a lot to it. For searching, I liked the Topix.net and the search tool located right in the Google reader. I thought they were the easiest to use/ look at.The searching was a little iffy though... like I said in my other post, it's been a few days since since I signed up for this. When I signed up, I did a lot of searching so I signed up for tons of info, stuff I wouldn't usually visit but was casually interested in, and that is the stuff I least want to read. Maybe if I learn more about Google Reader, I can prioritize my feeds into categories and then I'll know what to read first!
#11 Make life "really simple" with RSS & a newsreader
I went a little overboard on the RSS subscriptions, actually. At first, I really liked them. Now, it's been a few days since signing up and feeds have kind of piled up in Google Reader. Getting the news this way helps me stay updated, however, there are so many of them and they update so frequently, if you don't check them regularly it's a little overwhelming.
It's useful for libraries in updating their patrons on new things in the library. Also, a librarian can stay abreast of new books coming out and what to order for the library, as well as technology and ALA news.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
#10 Audiobooks
Okay, so I checked out LibriVox. I think the whole concept of it is really great, and I'm glad that people volunteer. I'm a little wary after watching the video, how interesting would listening be if someone read in monotone or bad cadence (which I'm sure happens as they aren't professionals)? I did see several books that I've been meaning to read listed there. However, I hate audiobooks in general. Like, a lot. So I didn't download any. If I was going to go the e-route for getting them, it'd probably be at Project Gutenberg. I think both sources are valuable for libraries.
#9 Podcasts, Smodcasts!
After checking out websites, I thought that iTunes was much more user-friendly, well-organized and easier to negotiate. I was surprised to learn that there are video, as well as audio, podcasts... I guess the difference between video and a webisode is that the video podcast automatically shows up on your RSS every week when you subscribe.
For audio podcast, I liked This American Life. I watched the tv show when it was on... Showtime, I think it was, and liked it a lot. The radio show/podcast isn't as fun to me as the show, but still great! It interviews people/tells different, unique stories of a few people every week. I was also looking for a podcast that could show me some new music. I usually look at blogs but hey, listening to the review via podcasts lets me hear snippests of music at the same time. I liked Paste Culture Club from Paste magazine, too bad there's been no new podcasts for a year. Second best was WFUV, I guess.
As far as video, I kind of liked Baeble music, which records a song live from a different band in concerts and puts that up for their podcast. The quality and sound was really good for these.
I don't know if I'll keep up with these, my computer kind of lags while waiting for them to load, but it's nice to finally be clear on what a podcast is.
For audio podcast, I liked This American Life. I watched the tv show when it was on... Showtime, I think it was, and liked it a lot. The radio show/podcast isn't as fun to me as the show, but still great! It interviews people/tells different, unique stories of a few people every week. I was also looking for a podcast that could show me some new music. I usually look at blogs but hey, listening to the review via podcasts lets me hear snippests of music at the same time. I liked Paste Culture Club from Paste magazine, too bad there's been no new podcasts for a year. Second best was WFUV, I guess.
As far as video, I kind of liked Baeble music, which records a song live from a different band in concerts and puts that up for their podcast. The quality and sound was really good for these.
I don't know if I'll keep up with these, my computer kind of lags while waiting for them to load, but it's nice to finally be clear on what a podcast is.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
#8 You too can YouTube
So, I actually like youtube a lot, it is diverse, versatile and fun. You can find great live performances of songs people uploaded or find new things like auto-tuning the news or good use for libraries, book trailers. It might be cool to have like smart phone type codes on a book jacket that when you scanned them, info about the book, author, genre and maybe a book trailer pop up...
Anyway, embedding youtube videos. Here's my favorite song, performed live:
Now, here's that song covered by my favorite singer:
And then, I actually made a youtube account and posted video. I have a group project for my 517 class where we have to observe a cultural event and my group picked the Ukrainian festival. We went at separate times and I needed to share the videos I took with them (though my camera takes film very poorly).
Here's some Ukrainian dancing:
Anyway, embedding youtube videos. Here's my favorite song, performed live:
Now, here's that song covered by my favorite singer:
And then, I actually made a youtube account and posted video. I have a group project for my 517 class where we have to observe a cultural event and my group picked the Ukrainian festival. We went at separate times and I needed to share the videos I took with them (though my camera takes film very poorly).
Here's some Ukrainian dancing:
#7 More Flickr Fun
Flickr Montager: Okay, maybe it's just me, but I didn't like this one. I finally figured out how to make it montage a specific photo, but I had to think about it. Didn't we just read about how that's a Krug no-no? Where's the info/instruction page? And are you not allowed to save a montage after you create it? I didn't think the ones it did make were too great either.
on the other hand was easy and cool.
I also kind of liked the trading cards. Here's one I liked....
on the other hand was easy and cool. I also kind of liked the trading cards. Here's one I liked....
Sunday, September 5, 2010
#6 Discovering Flickr
Wow, so there is a lot of stuff flickr offers. There were so many things on the intro tour that I hardly remember them. Something cool I saw was the library 365 project. The goal being to take 365 pictures of your library, something I wish my public library had. There's a group that lists what to include in your tag so all the photos from this project can be together. Informational and artistic!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityteamdr/1762330325/
^ This is a photo from Hurricane Katrina. After seeing the tag "hurricaneearl" being used so often in the past week, I decided to look at some "huricanekatrina" tags. I liked the photo because it's aesthetically pleasing and also made me think about how much hurricanes can destroy infrastructure. There were probably an unimaginable number of water bottles there. I wonder if there were recycled into new bottles or used in some other creative/rebuilding way.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityteamdr/1762330325/
^ This is a photo from Hurricane Katrina. After seeing the tag "hurricaneearl" being used so often in the past week, I decided to look at some "huricanekatrina" tags. I liked the photo because it's aesthetically pleasing and also made me think about how much hurricanes can destroy infrastructure. There were probably an unimaginable number of water bottles there. I wonder if there were recycled into new bottles or used in some other creative/rebuilding way.
(#4) test post on 7 1/2 habits
I would say my biggest strength listed in the 7 1/2 habits presentation is #2: accept responsibility for learning. When I am taking a class, I always read the syllabus and readings thoroughly and don't blame life/other people/the professor if I don't learn something or complete it on time.
My weakness is probably #7: teaching or mentoring others. In a small group setting, I may be okay but I have trouble with speaking in front of large groups. My nervousness sometimes makes me lose track of thought or muddle words so the people I am presenting something to don't quite get it.
My weakness is probably #7: teaching or mentoring others. In a small group setting, I may be okay but I have trouble with speaking in front of large groups. My nervousness sometimes makes me lose track of thought or muddle words so the people I am presenting something to don't quite get it.
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