Catch the Movie reference?
Seriously, I logged into Google Reader and subscribed to three different blogs: Dojo Rat (A blog posted by a Martial Artist in Seattle), Next Big Future (A blog about cutting-edge science and new developments in technology) and Instapundit (a general/political blog). All three are pretty interesting and you should check them out.
In examination of the RSS feature, I, personally, don't see what the big deal is. Yes, it is nice to have everything in one spot (Brought to you on one plate as it were), but I really didn't see how the old way was such a travailing experience.
When you go to a blog or newssite, all you have to do is go to Google, type in the name of the site and you are there. It's a process that takes only a few seconds. 99.9% of the time you spend on a blog is taken up with reading content, which you do with a reader anyway.
Secondly, a blog is often more than just the posts. A lot of times, I've found new and interesting blogs because I've followed the links posted in a sidebar and the reader didn't have that.
Admittedly, I've only tried the Google Reader. Others may have that option.
I won't be using a RSS on a regular basis, but this was good to learn so that I'll know enough to talk about it to patrons that ask.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
#3: Cloud Computing
Task #3 is one of those things where you have a moment of recognition and say, "That's what they call it. I've been doing that for years."
To me, the biggest advantage of Cloud Computing is the proliferation of small computers. Notebooks are really starting to take off and a lot of cell-phones are beefed up to include features that you used to only see on desktop computers. Add in the fact that Wi-Fi is constantly becoming cheaper and more accessable.
In order to save memory and computing power, instead of having software installed, you just use the online options whenever possible. This way, instead of having a dozen computers rooted to one spot, you could have two dozen notebooks for the same price that a patron can use anywhere in the library.
To me, the biggest advantage of Cloud Computing is the proliferation of small computers. Notebooks are really starting to take off and a lot of cell-phones are beefed up to include features that you used to only see on desktop computers. Add in the fact that Wi-Fi is constantly becoming cheaper and more accessable.
In order to save memory and computing power, instead of having software installed, you just use the online options whenever possible. This way, instead of having a dozen computers rooted to one spot, you could have two dozen notebooks for the same price that a patron can use anywhere in the library.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Texas Two Step #1
It was interesting to see and hear of all the various interactive possibilities for library patrons af the present and the future.
One particular thing that blew me away was the mention of Second Life within this context. I've been reading articles about how online Avatars are becoming more interactive and even learning to adapt to a user's own needs and wants. But, I've never considered such a thing in connection to a library.
Think about it. An online program that, after years of seeing what you check out at the library, understands your preferences well enough to suggest books and authors that you might like. Some people might think that's cool. Others will consider it to be a little too "Frankenstein' for thier tastes.
Me, I'm in the "cool" category.
One particular thing that blew me away was the mention of Second Life within this context. I've been reading articles about how online Avatars are becoming more interactive and even learning to adapt to a user's own needs and wants. But, I've never considered such a thing in connection to a library.
Think about it. An online program that, after years of seeing what you check out at the library, understands your preferences well enough to suggest books and authors that you might like. Some people might think that's cool. Others will consider it to be a little too "Frankenstein' for thier tastes.
Me, I'm in the "cool" category.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Finish Line
By and large, I liked the 23 Things experience. It was a little overwhelming to sign up for or sample so many web services in a constant stream, but a lot of interesting "Things" were presented.
I liked the image generator and the motivational poster that I made, simply because that's the one that I had the most fun with. I liked Youtube, because I felt that that was the one with the simplest search engine to get the subject that you wanted. Although, admittedly, that might be because that was the one site that I was already most familiar with before it was assigned.
Finally, the one that appeals to me the most in a library setting is LibraryThing. It has the most comprehensive amount of information geared to and for book lovers. And, ultimately, that's the number one patron for a library.
I liked the image generator and the motivational poster that I made, simply because that's the one that I had the most fun with. I liked Youtube, because I felt that that was the one with the simplest search engine to get the subject that you wanted. Although, admittedly, that might be because that was the one site that I was already most familiar with before it was assigned.
Finally, the one that appeals to me the most in a library setting is LibraryThing. It has the most comprehensive amount of information geared to and for book lovers. And, ultimately, that's the number one patron for a library.
Developing Your Own 23 Things
In developing a library's own 23 things, I think the most important issue is customer input.
Kids, for example, are way at the forefront of the learning curve for computers. If some new site or portal or web service becomes popular, odds are that they'll be the first to hear about it.
Second, the next source of input would be from "niche" groups. These are specific groups that use the web technology to flourish. Notable points are groups that use blogs, Facebook, Ning, etc. to facilitate meetings and to get new members. Another adaptation is that food trucks (The kind that sell take-away lunches) are using Twitter to let people know we they are at a moment to moment basis.
Finally, and specifically for library staff, there are online books and databases. This is a way to access huge amounts of info on just about any subject at virtually no price. This is a hugely useful resource.
Kids, for example, are way at the forefront of the learning curve for computers. If some new site or portal or web service becomes popular, odds are that they'll be the first to hear about it.
Second, the next source of input would be from "niche" groups. These are specific groups that use the web technology to flourish. Notable points are groups that use blogs, Facebook, Ning, etc. to facilitate meetings and to get new members. Another adaptation is that food trucks (The kind that sell take-away lunches) are using Twitter to let people know we they are at a moment to moment basis.
Finally, and specifically for library staff, there are online books and databases. This is a way to access huge amounts of info on just about any subject at virtually no price. This is a hugely useful resource.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Podcasting
I have to admit. On this one, I'm far behind the technology curve. For some time, I've been constantly chewing on myself to get an IPod (I'm not even sure about the grammar. Do you capitalize both the I and the P? Just the I? Or, maybe you leave the I as uncapitalized "i". It's a brand name, so it's hard to tell sometimes.)
The strongest use of this would be for subjects and media geared around sound. I.E. Music, Talk Radio and News and Old-Style Radio Programs. Personally, I've always been a fan of the comedies of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties, such as W.C. Fields and Abbott & Costello.
Education would be useful as well, particularily the literature and second language podcasts. I listened for a while to some of the Shakespeare podcasts on the Education Podcast Network. Very Nice. Hearing the words spoken, rather than slogging through the reading(and the numerous footnotes) would be a big help to students.
Other subjects, like math or chemistry are more visual, but the podcasts can be a good suppliment, particularily with the vocabulary or definitions. Stuff like that.
Used in conjunction with Youtube, just about every subjust used for distance education should be covered.
The strongest use of this would be for subjects and media geared around sound. I.E. Music, Talk Radio and News and Old-Style Radio Programs. Personally, I've always been a fan of the comedies of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties, such as W.C. Fields and Abbott & Costello.
Education would be useful as well, particularily the literature and second language podcasts. I listened for a while to some of the Shakespeare podcasts on the Education Podcast Network. Very Nice. Hearing the words spoken, rather than slogging through the reading(and the numerous footnotes) would be a big help to students.
Other subjects, like math or chemistry are more visual, but the podcasts can be a good suppliment, particularily with the vocabulary or definitions. Stuff like that.
Used in conjunction with Youtube, just about every subjust used for distance education should be covered.
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