One of the best things for me in doing the 23 things was that I actually had to sit down and investigate and try using these different tools.
For ages I have heard about blogging, wikis, tagging, podcasts etc but haven't been interested or made the time to look. The Web 2.0 programme has made / encouraged me to give it a go and I think this has empowered me in that at least I have some knowledge now of what these things are.
I must admit I gave myself a time limit for each exercise and only did the minimum of what was required - otherwise one could get caught up for hours!!! I also started to lose some interest near the end - I had a 2 week break from it and it was hard to get motivated again!
Most of the exercises were fine (i'ts hard to think back now!) I now have a more open mind about thing like My space and Blogs on Library web sites and it will be interesting to watch developments there.
Many thanks to the team for their time and encouragement.
What's next?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Social Networking.
Is using My space and other social networks the latest tool on offer from a cool and trendy library? Well probably Yes! BUT it is a way of connecting with the teen market especially.
I looked at the Pawtucket Library website ( don't you just love the name ) and their My Space site really promoted their Homework centre, Ask any questions etc. It provides easy access to what is on offer and announces activities, book reviews and other services in quite funky ways.
The Library Friends space on all these sites I find a bit 'ugggh!' but that is part and parcel of the deal!
If done wisely it could offer a great way of getting feedback on our library services and finding out what students / the public themselves want.
It would be really interesting to see some future statistics as to if these sites do enhance our services.
I looked at the Pawtucket Library website ( don't you just love the name ) and their My Space site really promoted their Homework centre, Ask any questions etc. It provides easy access to what is on offer and announces activities, book reviews and other services in quite funky ways.
The Library Friends space on all these sites I find a bit 'ugggh!' but that is part and parcel of the deal!
If done wisely it could offer a great way of getting feedback on our library services and finding out what students / the public themselves want.
It would be really interesting to see some future statistics as to if these sites do enhance our services.
Bebos, Facebooks and My Spaces!
I was a bit limited in this exercise as I really didn't want to join any of them - consequently Facebook was out of bounds!
The Library Bebo sites were interesting, I liked both the Ak and Rotorua sites, I guess the purpose of them is to attract the younger audience to the Library websites (I wouldn't use them myself!) It would be good to get some statistical information at some stage to see how many hits these sites get and do they affect/improve or not our Library services.
My Space was user friendly with lots of different sites to access - Find friends, music, Top schools etc etc.
What do I think of these online communities??
I have no desire to join them but my daughter uses them and she is often updating me on news from her friends all around the world. I've looked at a nephews site and chuckled at his photos and what he has written.
The amount of personal stuff can be scary............ and the photos too...... !! but if used sensibly then they are just another form of communicating, finding information and learning new experiences.
The Library Bebo sites were interesting, I liked both the Ak and Rotorua sites, I guess the purpose of them is to attract the younger audience to the Library websites (I wouldn't use them myself!) It would be good to get some statistical information at some stage to see how many hits these sites get and do they affect/improve or not our Library services.
My Space was user friendly with lots of different sites to access - Find friends, music, Top schools etc etc.
What do I think of these online communities??
I have no desire to join them but my daughter uses them and she is often updating me on news from her friends all around the world. I've looked at a nephews site and chuckled at his photos and what he has written.
The amount of personal stuff can be scary............ and the photos too...... !! but if used sensibly then they are just another form of communicating, finding information and learning new experiences.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
eBooks.
This exercise was interesting - mainly because although I've heard about ebooks I've never taken the time to look at some of the sites to see what is on offer.
I picked the book 'The adventures of Tom Sawyer' and checked out Project Gutenburg, LibriVox and the Google book search websites.
Tom Sawyer was easy to find on all of them, while I'm typing this I'm listening to the audio version on LibriVox. It is very easy to listen to it - I wonder how many of our patrons use or would use this format??
I found the Google print and layout easier on my eyes to read! than on Project Gutenburg but both sites were user friendly. (I think they only offered the book version.)
What can one say re ebooks versus print! I stuggle to read a long email! so ebooks are not for me at all. I love the feeling of paper in my hands but there is a market out there for them and it may well grow with the resources on offer advancing all the time but to what extent I'm not sure?
I picked the book 'The adventures of Tom Sawyer' and checked out Project Gutenburg, LibriVox and the Google book search websites.
Tom Sawyer was easy to find on all of them, while I'm typing this I'm listening to the audio version on LibriVox. It is very easy to listen to it - I wonder how many of our patrons use or would use this format??
I found the Google print and layout easier on my eyes to read! than on Project Gutenburg but both sites were user friendly. (I think they only offered the book version.)
What can one say re ebooks versus print! I stuggle to read a long email! so ebooks are not for me at all. I love the feeling of paper in my hands but there is a market out there for them and it may well grow with the resources on offer advancing all the time but to what extent I'm not sure?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Podcasts!
Initially I was excited to be learning about podcasts as I often hear radio broadcasters alluding to them and wondered what they were??......sounded rather mysterious etc etc!
However I haven't had a great experience with them so far! I seem to have spent more time on this exercise than the others just trying to work out how they work!
I think I was expecting a YouTube type experience rather than a listening to a radio type format.
Podnova's top 40 seemed more user friendly. I clicked on to to the NPR News site which brought up lots of news items which were all dated in August which seemed old news. I then clicked onto the link at the bottom of 'Michelle Obama: family is focus of Denver speech' which brought me into lots of up to date world news sites and RSS's as well as lots of topic feeds of such things as book and film reviews etc.
I guess reporters and journalists know their way around and find lots of useful titbits but by the end of this exercise I thought there were quicker and more accessible ways of finding what you want elsewhere!
http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=2062054
However I haven't had a great experience with them so far! I seem to have spent more time on this exercise than the others just trying to work out how they work!
I think I was expecting a YouTube type experience rather than a listening to a radio type format.
Podnova's top 40 seemed more user friendly. I clicked on to to the NPR News site which brought up lots of news items which were all dated in August which seemed old news. I then clicked onto the link at the bottom of 'Michelle Obama: family is focus of Denver speech' which brought me into lots of up to date world news sites and RSS's as well as lots of topic feeds of such things as book and film reviews etc.
I guess reporters and journalists know their way around and find lots of useful titbits but by the end of this exercise I thought there were quicker and more accessible ways of finding what you want elsewhere!
http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=2062054
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
YouTube
What fun - well some were and some were a little bit boring!
I spent most of my time in the library videos, the ones that appealed were the warped sense of humour ones!, my favourite being 'Library zombies' - the link is below.
'Now your library is open late night too' is also quite good.
These sorts of videos would appeal to our teens - it could be a great way of advertising teen events on our website.
What I found disheartening was the different library settings, many had narrow rows of high shelving and staff sitting behing desks with their head in a computer! aaaaaha! We're trying to get away from all of that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxp3E3YUdQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxp3E3YUdQ
I spent most of my time in the library videos, the ones that appealed were the warped sense of humour ones!, my favourite being 'Library zombies' - the link is below.
'Now your library is open late night too' is also quite good.
These sorts of videos would appeal to our teens - it could be a great way of advertising teen events on our website.
What I found disheartening was the different library settings, many had narrow rows of high shelving and staff sitting behing desks with their head in a computer! aaaaaha! We're trying to get away from all of that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxp3E3YUdQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxp3E3YUdQ
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Web 2.0 Awards
I went straight to the shortlist to browse and it was interesting to see that quite a few of the sites we have been looking at were on it.
Some sites with catchy names caught my eye:
Under category Niche Social networking Mothersclick was worth looking at, babies, kids, recipes, handy hints, clothes, furniture, fathers click too! They must go online in the middle of the night after the family is in bed!!
How about under Classified and Directories there is Parking Search.com - you too can find a parking space to buy, sell or rent out!
Then there is Twitter in the Social networking category........
But my favourites were Yelp and City search under Guides and Reviews, mainly because I would like to go to New York next year so I wanted to see what they offered in the way of easily accessible information. City search especially was easy to navigate around, the links were clear and visible and there were lots of interesting titbits!
Now all I have to do is get saving.....!
Some sites with catchy names caught my eye:
Under category Niche Social networking Mothersclick was worth looking at, babies, kids, recipes, handy hints, clothes, furniture, fathers click too! They must go online in the middle of the night after the family is in bed!!
How about under Classified and Directories there is Parking Search.com - you too can find a parking space to buy, sell or rent out!
Then there is Twitter in the Social networking category........
But my favourites were Yelp and City search under Guides and Reviews, mainly because I would like to go to New York next year so I wanted to see what they offered in the way of easily accessible information. City search especially was easy to navigate around, the links were clear and visible and there were lots of interesting titbits!
Now all I have to do is get saving.....!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ZOHO
ZOHO ZOHO it's off to work we go! 
This is fun!
Well it was - and then the programme kept freezing and it became very frustrating! but that was the fault of the internet and not the programme I believe!
I like the layout of Zoho writer, it is very user friendly, quite good instructions and colourful. The zoho show for doing an online presentation looked great too.
PS. I wanted to do a lot more eg paste a picture but the system got slower and slower and I ran out of steam! I must come back to this website and play around some more though.
Technorati Tags blog,zoho
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Rollyo
Maybe if I spent another hour on this site I might 'get it' but time is an issue and I 've had a play around. The NSL instructions were easy to follow and I set up 2 search rolls but am not sure what happens next!
I can see the benefits of accessing your own trusted search engines for a specific passion or interest and the search rolls I had a look at were interesting eg. rare book library search and public domain e-book search but.........!
For reference work in the library would it be the equivalent of our Fitch?
Not a particularly user friendly site.
http://www.rollyo.com/savvyblanc/
I can see the benefits of accessing your own trusted search engines for a specific passion or interest and the search rolls I had a look at were interesting eg. rare book library search and public domain e-book search but.........!
For reference work in the library would it be the equivalent of our Fitch?
Not a particularly user friendly site.
http://www.rollyo.com/savvyblanc/
Library Thing.
This site reminds me of an expanded version of my reading history!
Lots of added features and a chance to recommend, review and tag items of interest.
I did some author searches to create my book list and was surprised that some of the titles I was looking for were not displayed?
A Library Thing widget would be a welcome addition to our webpage, once again I love the tagging aspect as an alternative for helping to find what you are looking for.
A fun site.
http://www.librarything.com/profile/savvyblanc
ttp://www.librarything.com/catalog/savvyblanc
Lots of added features and a chance to recommend, review and tag items of interest.
I did some author searches to create my book list and was surprised that some of the titles I was looking for were not displayed?
A Library Thing widget would be a welcome addition to our webpage, once again I love the tagging aspect as an alternative for helping to find what you are looking for.
A fun site.
http://www.librarything.com/profile/savvyblanc
ttp://www.librarything.com/catalog/savvyblanc
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wetpaint Wikis
I'm not sure if I understood the purpose of this site ( is there more in depth stuff that I missed?)- but I guess it's just to have fun and chat!
It is certainly easy to use, not to technical and you could spend hours on it.
I added some of my favourites to holidays, best recipes and TV programmes.
It is certainly easy to use, not to technical and you could spend hours on it.
I added some of my favourites to holidays, best recipes and TV programmes.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Wikis
I love the name! but have never really had a good look or used one!
This was a good opportunity to have a play around, still not sure if I would use the wikipedia as an information source but there are lots of interesting tit bits and for someone who is passionate about a subject it provides an outlet for discussion.
I love the idea of a book lovers wiki on our website - this could be easy to set up????
I also thought that a pathfinder wiki - a subject guide of local information would be popular too - providing information such as the different sports clubs, reading groups, activitities etc etc on the North Shore.
This was a good opportunity to have a play around, still not sure if I would use the wikipedia as an information source but there are lots of interesting tit bits and for someone who is passionate about a subject it provides an outlet for discussion.
I love the idea of a book lovers wiki on our website - this could be easy to set up????
I also thought that a pathfinder wiki - a subject guide of local information would be popular too - providing information such as the different sports clubs, reading groups, activitities etc etc on the North Shore.
Web 2.0, Library 2.0
The suggested links to read were really interesting. When I think of how far we have come in the last 10 years for example with our technology I have no doubt that that is where we are heading in the future.
I think one of the challenges will be staffing, to balance both sides of the coin where we will still have a passion, knowledge and promotion of the written word AND also of the virtual world. Teaching skills will need to become more of a component of Librarianship as well.
NSL's vision for the future: Our aims and objectives revolve around providing access to up to date and relevant information to support learning and recreational needs for life.
I believe we are on the way to meeting some of these new challenges eg 80 staff attempting 23 things!
Slowly but surely we are on our way........
I think one of the challenges will be staffing, to balance both sides of the coin where we will still have a passion, knowledge and promotion of the written word AND also of the virtual world. Teaching skills will need to become more of a component of Librarianship as well.
NSL's vision for the future: Our aims and objectives revolve around providing access to up to date and relevant information to support learning and recreational needs for life.
I believe we are on the way to meeting some of these new challenges eg 80 staff attempting 23 things!
Slowly but surely we are on our way........
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Technorati
Initially I didn't feel that comfortable using Technorati, I think because it looks so busy and has soooo much information! But after playing in it for a wee while it grew on me!
I got confused with searching Learning 2.0 between blog posts, tags and in the blog directory but the blog directory was more specific as you could search under the umbrella of Technology to find Web 2.0 and get more specific info whereas searching under the tag Technology brought up heaps more blogs but they were not as specific!
I enjoyed exploring popular blogs, searches and tags.... did you know Jennifer Anniston and John Meyer have split up?? Who dumped who? is the big question.
I got confused with searching Learning 2.0 between blog posts, tags and in the blog directory but the blog directory was more specific as you could search under the umbrella of Technology to find Web 2.0 and get more specific info whereas searching under the tag Technology brought up heaps more blogs but they were not as specific!
I enjoyed exploring popular blogs, searches and tags.... did you know Jennifer Anniston and John Meyer have split up?? Who dumped who? is the big question.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Del.icio.us
I really like this form of bookmarking, it seems such a logical way of thinking and the tags 'make sense' to the less techno savvy.
Whether it be for your own interest or research this tool could be so useful, espec to see and discover sites that others use as well.
I also thought that having tags on Library websites an excellent idea. This offers yet another resource for patrons to use to find information and this keeps libraries in tune with our customers needs.
Whether it be for your own interest or research this tool could be so useful, espec to see and discover sites that others use as well.
I also thought that having tags on Library websites an excellent idea. This offers yet another resource for patrons to use to find information and this keeps libraries in tune with our customers needs.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
RSS and news readres cont!
I explored Topix net, Syndic8.com and Technorati, wow all very busy busy busy. I guess if you had a specific interest they could be very useful.
I found clicking on to the Top 100 or 200 and picking some newsfeeds from there the easiest for me to use.
I found clicking on to the Top 100 or 200 and picking some newsfeeds from there the easiest for me to use.
RSS and newsreaders.
Read instructions clearly - it then makes the learning process much simpler!
I joined up to bloglines and clicked on to the top 100 feeds, from there I subscribed to shallow topics such as:
Budget Fashionista, The food section and Shefindscom which were all interesting. I then learnt that if you want to save the article you need to click on the button at the bottom of the article 'keep as new' otherwise it is gone as soon as you close out of it.
The BBC newsfeed etc must be so handy for journalists, radio announcers etc to keep up with the latest news - I have heard people talk about newsfeeds but didn't really know what they were.In the Library they could be helpful for example for school projects in the learning centers. Personally I still prefer the NZ Herald hard copy with my morning coffee at 6am and flicking through hard copy magazines for fashion and recipes but you never know.......one day... !
I joined up to bloglines and clicked on to the top 100 feeds, from there I subscribed to shallow topics such as:
Budget Fashionista, The food section and Shefindscom which were all interesting. I then learnt that if you want to save the article you need to click on the button at the bottom of the article 'keep as new' otherwise it is gone as soon as you close out of it.
The BBC newsfeed etc must be so handy for journalists, radio announcers etc to keep up with the latest news - I have heard people talk about newsfeeds but didn't really know what they were.In the Library they could be helpful for example for school projects in the learning centers. Personally I still prefer the NZ Herald hard copy with my morning coffee at 6am and flicking through hard copy magazines for fashion and recipes but you never know.......one day... !
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Technology
I like to know about what's out there technology wise and the very basics of how to use it but am not interested enough to become engrossed!
Knowledge gives confidence and to now know how to do a blog for example is quite empowering.
However I still haven't ventured into digital cameras, ipods, downloading photos and music.......!
My next wee challenge is to buy a new TV and DVD player - LCDs, plasmas.... the choice and cost is huge! My last TV was 15 years old so things have changed! I'm off to check out the latest Consumer mag!
Knowledge gives confidence and to now know how to do a blog for example is quite empowering.
However I still haven't ventured into digital cameras, ipods, downloading photos and music.......!
My next wee challenge is to buy a new TV and DVD player - LCDs, plasmas.... the choice and cost is huge! My last TV was 15 years old so things have changed! I'm off to check out the latest Consumer mag!
Librarian Trading Card
All I can say is that one could spend days creating photos, mashups, making your own magazine covers etc. It is quite overwhelming, so much information and lot's of very busy pages!
Too much information for me!
I did have a chuckle at the Librarian Trading Card - but no I'm not up to the challenge of making my own.
Here is one I like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgs/165101697/
Too much information for me!
I did have a chuckle at the Librarian Trading Card - but no I'm not up to the challenge of making my own.
Here is one I like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgs/165101697/
Monday, July 28, 2008
New York Central Park
Well I can see why people can spend hours on the computer 'Flickring!'
Will I or will I not open a flickr account? - well I haven't got time today but I did 'zoom' around the site for a while.
I tried a key word search (tag) for Central Park and New York which brought up nothing! Then tried central park which brought up thousands - so maybe a tag is a keyword rather than a few keywords?
And New York is all one word.
Here is my link http://www.flickr.com/photos/joiseyshowaa/2142931315/in/datetaken/
Sometime in the next year that is where I would like to visit!
Will I or will I not open a flickr account? - well I haven't got time today but I did 'zoom' around the site for a while.
I tried a key word search (tag) for Central Park and New York which brought up nothing! Then tried central park which brought up thousands - so maybe a tag is a keyword rather than a few keywords?
And New York is all one word.
Here is my link http://www.flickr.com/photos/joiseyshowaa/2142931315/in/datetaken/
Sometime in the next year that is where I would like to visit!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Never say never!
How many times have I said this and then backtracked at a later date! A few weeks ago it was Trade Me (yes I'm a late starter!) but then I was looking for a table and chairs and guess what.......! of course I only use it at home!
I've always admired the "oldies" who have kept up with the changing technologies - from ATM machines to email and internet banking and I love watching them at our computers emailing to relatives overseas etc.
Hence I am taking up the challenge of blogging, flickering etc - to stay abreast of the times and test the brain. I would much rather go for a walk, read, coffee, meet friends and drink a glass of savvy...! but then you never know, I might get hooked in.........
I've always admired the "oldies" who have kept up with the changing technologies - from ATM machines to email and internet banking and I love watching them at our computers emailing to relatives overseas etc.
Hence I am taking up the challenge of blogging, flickering etc - to stay abreast of the times and test the brain. I would much rather go for a walk, read, coffee, meet friends and drink a glass of savvy...! but then you never know, I might get hooked in.........
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