Western Suburbanite

#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

2007-12-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

Create a post about your discovery. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any applications for its use in a library setting?

Oh wow! What a plethora of amazing website tools to be discovered online = who has time to see them all? I think you could allocate an hour to each new online web 2.0 tool and still not see them all in a month.

My favs include www.docoloco.com which is basically getting recommendations from other people on a local level about all sorts of stuff like restaurants, grocery stores, shoes, clothes and more. Could be good in a library setting for local community to discuss facilities in their area, where to do to print, copy, fax, put up posters, students could talk about their best place to find information etc etc.

www.cocktailbuilder.com I don't really need to say much about this one - it's one of the winners in the fun stuff category and it's just that - fun! Great for xmas time when you look at your stocks of alcohol and ponder just how to combine them for a yummy cocktail concoction.

http://mind42.com/ this one is again fairly self explanatory and helps you to create mind maps online - what a fantastic brainstorming tool when you are geographically isolated and can't all sit in the one room to brainstorm. Wonderful project management tool for libraries to use for example could be great for doing a promotions plan for a new service, putting together ideas for teen services etc etc.

#20 You too can YouTube

2007-12-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

You Tube is just fun basically and could be used in libraries for all sorts of applications such as teaching the public how to use the catalogue, a database, a program, book group discussions, guest speakers/authors, cultural performances in the library as a podcast keepsake, digital storytelling.

I picked the Dove evoluation spoof clip just because it is a very clever take on the original which was all about how they touch up, air brush, trim down and otherwise alter images of models in advertisements.

#16 So what’s in a wiki?

2007-12-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

Create a blog post about your findings. What did you find interesting? What types of applications within libraries might work well with a wiki?

FREEDOM and lots of it - freedom to read, contribute, delete, change, suggest, comment, argue a point.

Wikis are a wonderful collaborate environment that allows anybody to publish or change what someone else had published - question it. The internet really is the last place where we can enjoy such freedom and libraries are in a unique position to exploit it and engage with our communities.

Wikis work really well in a readers advisory capacity, online book groups, online teen space to discuss topical issues being covered in school/life, great place for librarians to share knowledge.

#15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 ...

2007-12-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

I have to say libraries even though critised for sometimes being slow to catchup with what is happening in society are definately forward thinking these days. I read a few articles about Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and libraries of the future.

From those there were some stand out statements - the library is a hum because it is a social and emotionally engaging center for learning and experience. I think that is so true - giving people an 'experience' when they come into libraries is so important for us now and into the future - to make people want to come back whether that be to a physical space or to do some research using technology we make user friendly, accessible because we are tour guides to it - we have to be able to show people, train users and lead them towards the resources.

We need to develop participatory relationships with customers. Where we introduce customers to services and experiences, guide them and provide environments in which they thrive - welcoming, friendly and chatty places and spaces to be.

Library 4.0 - gosh how far is that off will extend the library 'experience' to the knowledge spa: meditation, relaxation, immersion in a luxury of ideas and thought. Luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats. A retreat from technohustle, with comfortable chairs, quiet, good light, coffee and single malt.

#14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati

2007-11-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

Had a quick look at Technorati and did a search for Learning 2.0 in blog posts, tags and the blog directory.

I found the tagged search most accurate as people have actually put those tags against their blogs and that means the content subject matter relates to those tags - its not just a cooincidence of them using the word 'learning' or '2.0' somewhere in the blog.

Looking at the popular blogs on Technorati I like it gives you a little summary of the blog and what its about before you get into it. I like the tags as well, love the whole connecting you to similar resources without thinking thing...great stuff for the time-to-think-poor.

#13 Tagging, folksonomies & social bookmarking in Del.icio.us

2007-10-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

So I have had an explore of Del.icio.us and I have to say at first I did not understand why I would want to. But after making my own account and posting some of my fav web sites, I began to see how it could lead me to lots of other related sites, and to people who are into similar things.

I am more than ever astounded by the amazing creations you can uncover on an web adventure. I can't believe how people come up with half of the ideas.

Anyway to relate it back to the library its quite obvious professionally this is a resource that will help you keep up with the library field and whats going on, not only linking you to the sites, but by linking you to other professionals.

I saw heaps of other people who are doing the Learning 2.0 program - what an amazing network or knowledge one has at their fingertips!

#12 Roll your own search engine with Rollyo

2007-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Rollyo is pretty cool. I keep saying this but doing the Learning 2.0 program has been like a re-discovery of all this fantastic technology and gadgets and 'things' to make work life easier - with some recreation thrown in.

Rollyo would be good for 'hot topic' questions you keep getting asked on a reference desk eg: climate change'. You could link up a whole lot of different websites that you know have great quality fabulous information - and cut down the search time it takes to answer questions. It's always a challenge to get patrons the info they want in the quickest time you can - because they generally don't have heaps of time to spend waiting. Great little tool to make desk work more efficient.

#11 All about LibraryThing

2007-10-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

I had a look at LibraryThing a few times, also because we recently integrated it with our catalogue - so when people do a search on our catalogue they are now linked to so many other possibly related titles - expanding people's reading horizons and enabling us to get more books borrowed even!

It is kind of fun to have this organised list of books - just seeing how eclectic my collection is made me a bit proud. It also reminded me I haven't bought a book in ages!

I had fun checking out the profiles of people with similar book interests, and seeing what other books they were into. If I ever have enough time, I would definately read some of those other titles, and try something new.

LibraryThing would be even cooler if it could do music cds, dvds as well.

#10 Play around with Image Generators

2007-10-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

This is probably the most indulgent week of activities as it really is all play!!! Yipee!

I have created my own M&M which is fitting considering my title is Marketing and Media Coordinator - don't you think? You can create your own at http://www.becomeanmm.com/

You have got to check this one from the New York Zoos and Aquariums website - you can build 'Your Wild Self' heaps of fun and if you have kids - or a kid at heart have a go. I love this one, you can set it as your desktop background or email it to a friend. http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

#8 Make life "really simple" with RSS & a newsreader

2007-10-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

So this week was RSS feeds. hmmmm. Still a bit on the fence about whether I like RSS feeds. I think if I had websites that I regularly visited and wanted to keep up to date constantly, then yes it is a fantastic tool.

But for the ad hoc user not so useful. Great for keeping up to date with professional web sites on library stuff for example - or perhaps the blogs of library futurists such as Stephen Abrams or Helen Blower's blog for latest thoughts.

I have to say my favourite 'thing' so far is Flickr and all the mash-up tools out there - but it ain't over yet so..here goes....

#6 more flickr fun

2007-10-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

Well I've had a go at a 'mash up' I think thats what it's called. Taking one thing and putting it together with another - when neither was originally designed for that purpose.

I went to a couple of places to have play around with it, and you kind of get lost in it all after a while.

I had to do something on my dog Tyson so here it is - his own magazine! And some protest signs - a noble cause off course...

#5 Discover Flickr

2007-09-28T00:11:00.001-07:00

Delhi from a rickshaw
Originally uploaded by wili_hybrid

This picture reminds me of my trip to India in 2004. I got to visit a lot of the country side with my cousins, and met my uncle and aunty for the first time.

I was constantly amazed by the frenzied but somehow strangely organised traffic, the buzz of the place and off course street markets, colours, clothes and hot food!

What an experience it was to visit the city my mum grew up in and get to know my family. What a culture shock to meet cousins who had been strictly brought up in a religious house, and expectations of parents so different from what I know here in Australia.

A vibrant and colourful memory in my mind.

It's been lots of fun cruising around on Flickr this week but it has so many features I don't think I have done it justics at all.

Flickr

2007-09-28T00:04:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Starting Learning 2.0

2007-09-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today I have just created my very own and very first blog. My sister has had one for ages, and it's probably one of the only ways I keep up to date what she is doing. Strange ha?

So now I have one too! After some fiddling about with passwords and trying to remember what my user name was - here I am, making a post.

I am pretty excited about what's to come, and happy to be updating my tech skills after much time away doing other things.

Now I just need the battery for my home laptop...where did I leave it again????

This is probably the only photo I have to post at the moment - our exuberant German Shepherd cross dog - Tyson. He's got heaps of paint on his face this morning because he found a bucket with some brushes and stuck his head into it!