Yes, I am aware of the Famous Three, (My Space, Bebo and Facebook) but so far I have resisted the urge to join. It is an undeniable fact that sites such as these are the Phenonomen of the Web 2.0 and people around the World are flocking to take advantage of them. So just why am I so reluctant ? You tell me, though I think that I know the answer why.
Anyway, to the Exercise and my first port of call was to "Hitwise" and quite frankly I was surprised when I viewed the results. They are analysed on a percentage basis and the highest scoring Social Website was "www.facebook.com" which came in at No:4 with a scant 2.49% of the analysis. Mind you the winner only gained 7.65% and in total the top twenty only accounts for 31.82% of all hits made, so what the dickens is the rest of the World doing with it's time? The mind boggles.....
Went to Bebo, didn't sign in but had a look at "Auckland City Libraries" site and found it bright, attractive and very inviting. Next I checked out "Rotorua Public Library" and think that I preferred it over the previous one. Was impressed that what must be a relatively small Library System could come up with such a good and very inviting offering. I particularly liked their "box" that gave you their ongoing tutorial regarding the how to make sense of the Dewey Classification System. Now if North Shore Libraries wants to take a leaf from their book and do the same then I heartily approve, but the standard has to be high when judged against these two examples. Moved onto "My Space" but didn't tarry there as I had to sign in and I had already decided that if I had to choose one to register with, then it was to be "Facebook" to allow me to view the recommended pages in the Exercise and dip into the LIANZA event page amongst other things. Well, this is where it and I came unstuck. I registered using my "nom de plume" and then the fun began. First of all I checked the response e-mail that "Facebook" sent to my Gmail address. Then found I had to fill in lots of details about old schoolfriends, (difficult when it isn't "me" doing it so ignored that) and then found I had to add a load of RSS feeds. I was starting to lose patience at this point and ended up going into the "My Account" option and deactivating my registration.
So at the end of it all, my own attitude to these sites remains unchanged. They are not for me, but one thing I do know now is that I can help someone if needs be to Register themselves should they so wish. It is probably due to the fact that I am very careful about what I post to the web that I am a bit cautious in regard to this excercise. Once again I know that I am not giving the desired response, but then each to his own as they say.
Showing posts with label North Shore Libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Shore Libraries. Show all posts
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ex #20. Taking a peek at e-books
Once again we have an exercise that we can get our teeth into. I started off of course thinking that I already had a fair idea of what an e-book actually is. It was as well that I started off with "What is an e-book." It was at this point I found out that what I thought I knew was sketchy to say the least. It was fascinating to learn about the pitfalls and advantages of the differing formats and how they can help or hinder your acccess to various sources. It is a pity that various Publishers have made use of this to lock you into one particular file type or hardware reader and in doing so have retarded the spread of e-books.
Next I looked at "Project Gutenberg" seeing as I was aware of that one. Here I tapped in "Gaskell, Elisabeth" and found that her output had been far more prolific than I realised. I have long regarded her as one of the finest of the 19th Century's Authors and "Cranford" has long been one of my favourite reads, I never tire of it as it couples a delightful portrayal of life in a 19th Cent Provincial English town with a quiet humour and English Prose at it's best. In many ways she is far more modern than many of her peers. I will be checking up on many more of her works to read and perhaps I may have to resort to the concept of an e-book to fulfill that wish.
Now it was time for me to be off to Librvox and a source of "free" audiobooks. What a wonderful concept and first of all I clicked on the Box that said "Listen" and entered "Cranford" and there it was, chapter by chapter. I then delved deeper and saw that when I clicked "Read" I could actually volunteer to read a chapter of a book via my own Computer. Ummm! now there is something to consider...... I do think that I would enjoy participating in that.
The next stop for me was Amazon and the amazing Kindle. The cost $359 (presumably US$) will be a bit of a hindrance at first, though like all things the price will come down in time, but I was fascinated by it. I can see myself embracing this Technology at a later date, but then I am never in the vanguard of anything new. Wouldn't it be a wonderful space saver though as opposed to book shelves. Surely a repository for all my favourite reads. A question! Are our new "Playaways" nothing more than a primitive precursor of a "Kindle?"
But now for my summary. At the start of the exercise I thought it was just an interesting subject to explore, but by the time I came to submit my Post I was enthused. This is certainly something that Libraries should make use of if they aren't already. I may not have explored all of the resources recommended, but I certainly spent time in those I did explore . How fast the pace of Progress will make e-books more commonplace I cannot tell you, but one thing is for sure, it will be faster than I can anticipate. Anything that brings the World of Books into the home has my blessing. I am all for it........
Next I looked at "Project Gutenberg" seeing as I was aware of that one. Here I tapped in "Gaskell, Elisabeth" and found that her output had been far more prolific than I realised. I have long regarded her as one of the finest of the 19th Century's Authors and "Cranford" has long been one of my favourite reads, I never tire of it as it couples a delightful portrayal of life in a 19th Cent Provincial English town with a quiet humour and English Prose at it's best. In many ways she is far more modern than many of her peers. I will be checking up on many more of her works to read and perhaps I may have to resort to the concept of an e-book to fulfill that wish.
Now it was time for me to be off to Librvox and a source of "free" audiobooks. What a wonderful concept and first of all I clicked on the Box that said "Listen" and entered "Cranford" and there it was, chapter by chapter. I then delved deeper and saw that when I clicked "Read" I could actually volunteer to read a chapter of a book via my own Computer. Ummm! now there is something to consider...... I do think that I would enjoy participating in that.
The next stop for me was Amazon and the amazing Kindle. The cost $359 (presumably US$) will be a bit of a hindrance at first, though like all things the price will come down in time, but I was fascinated by it. I can see myself embracing this Technology at a later date, but then I am never in the vanguard of anything new. Wouldn't it be a wonderful space saver though as opposed to book shelves. Surely a repository for all my favourite reads. A question! Are our new "Playaways" nothing more than a primitive precursor of a "Kindle?"
But now for my summary. At the start of the exercise I thought it was just an interesting subject to explore, but by the time I came to submit my Post I was enthused. This is certainly something that Libraries should make use of if they aren't already. I may not have explored all of the resources recommended, but I certainly spent time in those I did explore . How fast the pace of Progress will make e-books more commonplace I cannot tell you, but one thing is for sure, it will be faster than I can anticipate. Anything that brings the World of Books into the home has my blessing. I am all for it........
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Ex #19 Podcasts
Well, it's been a while since I Published my last Post to this Blog, though it is not through laziness. I have visited this exercise quite a few times in the intervening period just trying to get my head around it all. I know that the concept of Podcasting is more than just a catchy tune but so far I haven't found many "gems" in trawling through the Resources. Let me give you an example of what I have come across just this evening. I tapped into Podcastalley (again) and happened upon something called "The Litterbox," (it's quite near the top) where they said and I quote, "Your iPod is our litterbox, let us fill it with crap." Well, "Aha!" says I, being a bit of a curmudgeonly old so and so, "no you are not crapping in my Ipod." Not that I have one to pollute, but you get my gist......
Now I know that that the subject of Podcasting is very much the coming thing, but so far, it and I do seem to out of sympathy with each other.
Yes, I do know that the Library system has set it's eyes on utilising the subject of this exercise for use as a tool and I am quite happy about that but can I make a plea? If we are going to make use of it, then surely this is an exercise subject that we should take from here and actually plan a more structured Training Session along the lines of the the current OPAC Refresher Course. I for one think that I would benefit from that far more than I have from this particular online session.
Sorry to be so negative, but after all it's my experience, my offering and I feel that's what counts. I sit back and await a response.
Now I know that that the subject of Podcasting is very much the coming thing, but so far, it and I do seem to out of sympathy with each other.
Yes, I do know that the Library system has set it's eyes on utilising the subject of this exercise for use as a tool and I am quite happy about that but can I make a plea? If we are going to make use of it, then surely this is an exercise subject that we should take from here and actually plan a more structured Training Session along the lines of the the current OPAC Refresher Course. I for one think that I would benefit from that far more than I have from this particular online session.
Sorry to be so negative, but after all it's my experience, my offering and I feel that's what counts. I sit back and await a response.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Web 2.0 Awards. Is this their equivalent of the Oscars?
Ex #17 and I am almost up to date with the programme so far. In this Excersise I started off by clicking on Web 2.0 Awards Nominees. The field of choice was endless and as I checked up on the various Categories I thought I would be there for ever. So after about 40 minutes of exploration I said to myself, "Simple Simon," it's getting late, you'll have to take the short cut. So off to the "short list" went I. First of all I chose "Picasa" under the heading of "Photos and Digital Images." Found that it involved a download so as instructed decided to give that away. Decided that as my second choice I would pick "Yahoo! Answers" which was under the heading "Questions and Advice." Well this was a revelation! The subject matter covers the sublme to the ridiculous. It is little more than a Web based "Agony Aunt" column in some respects. Do remember that this is what I picked on by chance and what you asked me to comment on. Some of the questions were worthwhile, but deary me, a lot were puerile.
Is there is a use for this in the Library? I don't think so. Let us move onto Ex #18, I hope that it may be more worthwhile. Come the end of this Excersise I had decided that # 17 was a more a case of the Oscars meets the Hello! Awards.
Is there is a use for this in the Library? I don't think so. Let us move onto Ex #18, I hope that it may be more worthwhile. Come the end of this Excersise I had decided that # 17 was a more a case of the Oscars meets the Hello! Awards.
Ex #16 Zoho Writer
Am later getting this Excersise off later than I anticipated, but better late than never. I was pleasantly surprised at the clean, crisp appearance of the Site and spent quite a while getting my head around the plethora of tabs to push and play with. Essentially it is a Web based version of Word and I think that while I may not use it yet, it does have a lot of inbuilt advantages.
On the personal plane, you could be on holiday and wish to keep adding to an ongoing diary/report of the trip. With this you can move from place to place, PC to PC and access Zoho and pick up it from where you left off. Easy and it's the same with the Library. Any ongoing Project that is continuous, be it a Research Project or whatever and you have access vis different terminals, then this is a worthwhile Tool to have to hand.
I will confess to not dipping into Google Docs yet, mainly because I slipped behind in my planned schedule, but I promise I will at a later date, "Honest Injun." However, I did attempt to insert an image in Zoho Writer and had succeeded but it hasn't exported to my Blog and I am puzzled! Must have done something wrong I know, but for the life of me can't guess just yet.
On the personal plane, you could be on holiday and wish to keep adding to an ongoing diary/report of the trip. With this you can move from place to place, PC to PC and access Zoho and pick up it from where you left off. Easy and it's the same with the Library. Any ongoing Project that is continuous, be it a Research Project or whatever and you have access vis different terminals, then this is a worthwhile Tool to have to hand.
I will confess to not dipping into Google Docs yet, mainly because I slipped behind in my planned schedule, but I promise I will at a later date, "Honest Injun." However, I did attempt to insert an image in Zoho Writer and had succeeded but it hasn't exported to my Blog and I am puzzled! Must have done something wrong I know, but for the life of me can't guess just yet.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Ex # 12. Sandbox Wiki!
Well, it all seems to easy though I did have to seek guidance. Now I am at home and think that I have made it. Added entries to favourite Books, Places and Quotes and Sayings. But somehow I still don't think that I have got it right. This is one Excersise where I would like direct feedback from the Learning Team... please.
However I did have fun playing with it and now have to tackle Image Generators
However I did have fun playing with it and now have to tackle Image Generators
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Web 2.0, Library 2.0
My Goodness, if we had any doubt that a revolution is upon us then this Excersise lays it to rest. I see that the Prophets have been foreseeing what is afoot as far back as 2005 judging by the Perspectives taken from the OGLC Next Space Newsletter.
But first things first, let me begin with the Web 2.0 phenomenon video clip. It was cerainly very polished, but if it was meant to be an Instruction Tool, then I found it a bit on the "fast & slick" side and more of a Brilliant Advert for the product. Did I miss something here? Then I moved onto the Next Space Newsletters and here are a few quotes that struck me.
Tom Storey pointed out in his article "Where will the next generation Web take libraries?" that "The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activities—essentially everything people do."
Rick Anderson in his "Away form the Icebergs" states that "Libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed for teaching. Ask yourself what your patron-to-librarian ratio is (at the University of Nevada it’s about 680 to 1) and then ask yourself how you’re going to train all those patrons. We need to focus our efforts not on teaching research skills but on eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need, so they can spend as little time as possible wrestling with lousy search interfaces and as much time as possible actually reading and learning. Obviously, we’ll help and educate patrons when we can, and when they want us to, and the more we can integrate our services with local curricula, the better. But if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons." Phew, I bet we never thought we were that bad!
But let me add that there are still people out there that either due to age, circumstance or just simply being scared of the Pace of Development that will still need the good old fashioned TLC on a one to one basis. It is a mistake to take it for granted that everyone has upskilled at the same rate that the Library expects of us I will confess that I have struggled at times to get my head around it all and have surprised myself that I am still here at excersise #10!
But first things first, let me begin with the Web 2.0 phenomenon video clip. It was cerainly very polished, but if it was meant to be an Instruction Tool, then I found it a bit on the "fast & slick" side and more of a Brilliant Advert for the product. Did I miss something here? Then I moved onto the Next Space Newsletters and here are a few quotes that struck me.
Tom Storey pointed out in his article "Where will the next generation Web take libraries?" that "The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activities—essentially everything people do."
Rick Anderson in his "Away form the Icebergs" states that "Libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed for teaching. Ask yourself what your patron-to-librarian ratio is (at the University of Nevada it’s about 680 to 1) and then ask yourself how you’re going to train all those patrons. We need to focus our efforts not on teaching research skills but on eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need, so they can spend as little time as possible wrestling with lousy search interfaces and as much time as possible actually reading and learning. Obviously, we’ll help and educate patrons when we can, and when they want us to, and the more we can integrate our services with local curricula, the better. But if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons." Phew, I bet we never thought we were that bad!
But let me add that there are still people out there that either due to age, circumstance or just simply being scared of the Pace of Development that will still need the good old fashioned TLC on a one to one basis. It is a mistake to take it for granted that everyone has upskilled at the same rate that the Library expects of us I will confess that I have struggled at times to get my head around it all and have surprised myself that I am still here at excersise #10!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Technorati & Ex #9
Well, I had to force myself to keep going with this Site, I was quite out of sympathy with it. It all began when I made use of the Discovery resource "Technorati Tour" and found it lacking. All the time I was comparing it to the "Le Fevre You Tube Sessions" we had made use of earlier. The screen display on this one was small (I couldn't enlarge it,) the camera was diving all over the place, it was quite giddy making and the voice over was enough to put you to sleep!! That was last night, so I gave it another go again this morning. Things hadn't improved at all! Also I think that the "signed out Homepage" they were using in the Session is different from the one we are using which slightly adds to the confusion.
I continued with the training session but it was dogged going. Methinks that my flirtation with Technorati will be but a brief one and I doubt if I will be hurrying back. Haven't been daring I am afraid and signed up 'nor have I claimed my Post which I may have done if I was a bit more "fired up". I did have to smile when I came across the term "Favourited in the TechnoTour! Whatever next?
I continued with the training session but it was dogged going. Methinks that my flirtation with Technorati will be but a brief one and I doubt if I will be hurrying back. Haven't been daring I am afraid and signed up 'nor have I claimed my Post which I may have done if I was a bit more "fired up". I did have to smile when I came across the term "Favourited in the TechnoTour! Whatever next?
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