1) Customized homepage - The igoogle customized homepage is great. In fact one could set up a “customized homepage” for the library using a library e-mail as the username. Then the whole library staff could use this home page and its productivity tools! Pageflake looks like the same thing really – except it errored when I tried to load it. Then it closed down my browser. I do not doubt that it is every bit as good as igoogle. There are so many things that can be done with a lot of these tools from the customized home page. The calendar the Notebook, the ability to keep lists, how about a to do list or a phone book for the library. The nice thing about it too is that it is multi user and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. This would allow for a worker to go over seas or to a branch library and work without interruption. They could also work from home if they were so inclined.
2) Calendar - With this technology one could setup a library calendar – perhaps a work schedule for librarians or library events – since this is all done online it can be viewed by multiple people from multiple locations.
3) Task List - I was not really impressed with the Ta da list. To me a google doc or zoho writer document is much more flexible and robust. After viewing the “Remember the Milk” tool, which is slightly better than the Ta Da list, I would be forced to conclude that people just want to make things – I do not see how this is practical as I feel that it takes more time and energy to set it up the way you want then the benefit you would get from it. Again I feel that a google doc or zoho writer doc is much better way of making online lists.
4) Tools with multiple features (Backpack) – Now this is cool – and once again the fact that it is multi-user makes it that much better. When people collaborate these tools come in very handy. What is especially nice in Backback is the recent activity section that tells you when something has been added or has changed – without this feature this whole concept of the multiple features would not work as it would be an administrative nightmare trying to keep up with all the changes and additions.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #12 – Do you digg?
This is an interesting concept. It is kind of an RSS that you do not even need to setup. Anything and everything is out there all ready – you just need to go out to the page. Although it is nice to be caught up on world news. I really see something like Digg and Reddit as a waste of time – unless you have time to kill then it can be entertaining. Something like this may be used as a tool to help get people into the library – that is if the people do not have computers at home. Newsvine, like Mixx on the other hand serves a purpose – to bring you up to date on actual news items. This is a good source for seeing what is going on in the world today.
Friday, April 4, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #11 – tagging and del.icio.us
Tagging and using del.icio.us are great ways to find information and since others are going to the websites and looking for the same type of information you can usually bet that if it has been tagged by a lot of people it is a good site. This will help sift through lots of useless websites to help you find the best possible sites.
As far as a practical application for libraries I really see none. One other down side to the del.icio.us tagging is that it does not work well with frames. If you tag it, it saves the site of the parent frame and not the actual site itself as I discovered when I used our Electronic card catalogue.
As far as a practical application for libraries I really see none. One other down side to the del.icio.us tagging is that it does not work well with frames. If you tag it, it saves the site of the parent frame and not the actual site itself as I discovered when I used our Electronic card catalogue.
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #9 & 10 – Online Collaboration & wikis
The wiki – This is the greatest thing since sliced bread, especially for people who are researching something. When people work collectively there is more that can be accomplished and you are able to utilize the creativity and knowledge of an entire group. How can this help a library? Simple – let’s say that you are a start up library and do not have the books in a database yet, but want to have a list of all the titles, authors, genre etc…. Using the wiki you could have many people working in unison to do this.
Or let’s say that a library would like to build a “whos’s who” document. They could all write biographies on the authors and link the books to them. There is no counting the number of possibilities for wikis.
Or let’s say that a library would like to build a “whos’s who” document. They could all write biographies on the authors and link the books to them. There is no counting the number of possibilities for wikis.
Monday, March 31, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #8 – Share Your Creations
Thumbstacks – Now why didn’t someone come up with this a long time ago. This is a great tool – and will be even better once they have all the bugs ironed out. This works very well if you do not have access to powerpoint and need to create a presentation. Also, you do not need some kind of storage device to store this presentation which makes it kind of nice, all you need is access to the web. This is perfect for students or business travelers, such as sales reps. This tool rates high in my top 10 useful tools! http://www.thumbstacks.com/edit.html
Zoho Show – Just when I thought Thumbstacks was the end all on-line slide show presentation editor along comes Zoho Show and blows me away. This is definitely head and shoulders above Thumbtacks and also allows users to use an online chat utility, which of course can come in very handy for doing presentations. Imagine you would be able to do a presentation halfway around the world and have a person watching the presentation be able to ask questions and interact with the presenter as well as share their desktop. This is huge!! Fleno’s pick is Zoho Show.
Slideshare.net – Like Zoho Show this is a very good tool with lots of bells and whistles, however, the home page is quite a turnoff. It is WAY too busy. It appears that their developers are trying to put everything under the sun on one webpage. I would say because of this it would probably tie with Thumbstacks for second place!
Sharing Photos – Hmmm. Again I am not a big fan of sharing photos on-line and I think I already commented on the Flickr thing. Although it certainly has it’s place on the web for jazzing up a site I don’t see much of a use for it other than spicing up the webpage.
Databases – Okay this is a very useful online tool. This will allow people to share information and create a good source of information, because you can have many people do this as a collective project. It is however, hard for me to get excited about the database creation tools online as I have been doing things like this professionally for the past 10 years or so. All in all though this is a wonderful concept.
e-Folio – This is a great tool and should actually be required for any and all graduating students from a post secondary institute. It is here where potential employers would look to find their workforce. The setup is very simple and easy and to use. Since e-folio is kept electronically this is a perfect e-resume. Eventually this is where the resume will end up – if not already.
Zoho Show – Just when I thought Thumbstacks was the end all on-line slide show presentation editor along comes Zoho Show and blows me away. This is definitely head and shoulders above Thumbtacks and also allows users to use an online chat utility, which of course can come in very handy for doing presentations. Imagine you would be able to do a presentation halfway around the world and have a person watching the presentation be able to ask questions and interact with the presenter as well as share their desktop. This is huge!! Fleno’s pick is Zoho Show.
Slideshare.net – Like Zoho Show this is a very good tool with lots of bells and whistles, however, the home page is quite a turnoff. It is WAY too busy. It appears that their developers are trying to put everything under the sun on one webpage. I would say because of this it would probably tie with Thumbstacks for second place!
Sharing Photos – Hmmm. Again I am not a big fan of sharing photos on-line and I think I already commented on the Flickr thing. Although it certainly has it’s place on the web for jazzing up a site I don’t see much of a use for it other than spicing up the webpage.
Databases – Okay this is a very useful online tool. This will allow people to share information and create a good source of information, because you can have many people do this as a collective project. It is however, hard for me to get excited about the database creation tools online as I have been doing things like this professionally for the past 10 years or so. All in all though this is a wonderful concept.
e-Folio – This is a great tool and should actually be required for any and all graduating students from a post secondary institute. It is here where potential employers would look to find their workforce. The setup is very simple and easy and to use. Since e-folio is kept electronically this is a perfect e-resume. Eventually this is where the resume will end up – if not already.
New Life
Okay.... Got a visit from "jd" and she pumped new life into me. Thank you "jd" it is nice to see that there are others out there. I see that I am a little behind schedule so I need to put this into overdrive. Luckily there are some things left out there that I have been doing for awhile - so the hands on will not be too involved for me.
As always
Fleno
As always
Fleno
Thursday, March 27, 2008
23 Things on s Stick
Well, it appears I am not being checked up on. I am not even sure if the people from 23 Things on a Stick know that I am registered. I have seen no comments on my blog so I am assuming, I guess I am doing something wrong. This will be my last blog as part of 23 Things on a Stick. I must say the program was extremely good and I learned a ton from it. I just wish that there had been a little bit more "hand holding" along the way.
Although I will no longer be writing blogs I will continue to follow the program and finish the 23 Things on a Stick - I have lots to learn - and look forward to it. :)
Darin (Fleno)
Although I will no longer be writing blogs I will continue to follow the program and finish the 23 Things on a Stick - I have lots to learn - and look forward to it. :)
Darin (Fleno)
Friday, March 21, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #7 – Web 2.0 Communication Tools
Email – Ah yes, email – this tool has been around forever and is probably one of the most useful tools ever created. This Web tool has an unlimited number of potential uses. One thing is for sure. If used correctly this tool can cut down a librarians work substantially. The days of calling people up or typing up letters is over! No need to call people to let them know that their books are over due – or that they just got a new book in from a Inter Library Loan. This can now all be automated. Also, it is easier to file away correspondence as well. Just set up a folder for each patron and you have an instant electronic filing cabinet.
1. Yes, these are good tips, but it is very difficult to Blog on something that is common knowledge and/or common sense.
Instant Messaging – Although this has its place in the library it is a little bit more involved and possibly not as practical, since it needs to be monitored continuously. I think if you used it as a means to communicate with the public you would need to have someone monitor this for the whole time that the library is open – if the library is short staffed then it would be next to impossible. So a dedicated IM person would be needed. This would however help students who are not able to make it into the library or have a simple question that could be asked and answered in the time it would take to make a phone call. A better use might be using it as an internal communication piece between to areas of a larger library – as an example if the Media Center is on one end of the library and the Library circulation desk is on the other side of the library it is very practical to IM someone for a quick question rather then sending an e-mail. I have been using this technology for several years now and it is very useful and easy to use.
2a. This is an interesting concept an IM help desk. I was able to see how one student who was shy was able to get answers quickly from home. The question is would they continuously IM the librarian? And if they spent all the time IMing it may be faster just to drive to the library and look the information up themselves.
2b. Although this article does a good job explaining the benefits of IM, one has to wonder if the patron had used that same amount of time researching the question themselves would the IM have been necessary in the first place. Surely practically anything can be found on the internet from finding a subject to write to writing an outline and research paper.
2c. As I have mentioned before I have been using IM for many years. I practice every day J
Text Messaging – If I am not a fan of instant messaging I am certainly not a fan of text messaging as I feel that text messaging is even less helpful or useful the IMing. One has to wonder if people are so worried about keeping up with technology that they try to find a purpose for something as soon as technology comes available.
3a. The two people in this video appeared to have been sitting in a library that was not that busy. Why did they not just walk up to the circulation desk and ask the librarian, instead of making the poor old lady find her phone and type out the message. OR why didn’t the girl just IM the librarian? Chances are the librarian was sitting in front of the computer anyway.
3b. Sorry I am still not convinced. Also, unless there are several people taking and answering the text messages it could wear someone’s thumbs out.
3c. I do not even own a cell phone.
Web Conferencing – Now here is a good and useful technology. This is something that can be recorded once and then set up so that patrons can view it. Once it is set up there is no more work to be done.
4a. Web conferencing is the way to go. This is an excellent way to broadcast a seminar or show off how the library can be used. Perhaps this could be used to demonstrate how to use the various search screens when looking for information or books in the library.
4b. I was unable to find anything in progress that I could jump into.
Describe how your library uses email. Has it improved productivity?
When a book comes in from the ILL we now just e-mail the patron that there book is in. This saves time and we needn't call them any more. Also when a book is over due we just send out an e-mail. Once this is automated it will be much much easier with no hands on whatsoever.
Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
This is a very useful tool that can show the patrons how to use the library without a librarian having to take the time out of his/her schedule to do this. This frees up time for them to help other patrons. This along with e-mail cuts the work load in half.
Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
I live on the internet mainly using IM and e-mail. It is very helpful when I am explaining things to people overseas.
Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think o this communication tool?
Unfortunately I was not able to attend one as there were not any in progress - although I have seen webinars before. I think they are awesome and a great means of communication!
1. Yes, these are good tips, but it is very difficult to Blog on something that is common knowledge and/or common sense.
Instant Messaging – Although this has its place in the library it is a little bit more involved and possibly not as practical, since it needs to be monitored continuously. I think if you used it as a means to communicate with the public you would need to have someone monitor this for the whole time that the library is open – if the library is short staffed then it would be next to impossible. So a dedicated IM person would be needed. This would however help students who are not able to make it into the library or have a simple question that could be asked and answered in the time it would take to make a phone call. A better use might be using it as an internal communication piece between to areas of a larger library – as an example if the Media Center is on one end of the library and the Library circulation desk is on the other side of the library it is very practical to IM someone for a quick question rather then sending an e-mail. I have been using this technology for several years now and it is very useful and easy to use.
2a. This is an interesting concept an IM help desk. I was able to see how one student who was shy was able to get answers quickly from home. The question is would they continuously IM the librarian? And if they spent all the time IMing it may be faster just to drive to the library and look the information up themselves.
2b. Although this article does a good job explaining the benefits of IM, one has to wonder if the patron had used that same amount of time researching the question themselves would the IM have been necessary in the first place. Surely practically anything can be found on the internet from finding a subject to write to writing an outline and research paper.
2c. As I have mentioned before I have been using IM for many years. I practice every day J
Text Messaging – If I am not a fan of instant messaging I am certainly not a fan of text messaging as I feel that text messaging is even less helpful or useful the IMing. One has to wonder if people are so worried about keeping up with technology that they try to find a purpose for something as soon as technology comes available.
3a. The two people in this video appeared to have been sitting in a library that was not that busy. Why did they not just walk up to the circulation desk and ask the librarian, instead of making the poor old lady find her phone and type out the message. OR why didn’t the girl just IM the librarian? Chances are the librarian was sitting in front of the computer anyway.
3b. Sorry I am still not convinced. Also, unless there are several people taking and answering the text messages it could wear someone’s thumbs out.
3c. I do not even own a cell phone.
Web Conferencing – Now here is a good and useful technology. This is something that can be recorded once and then set up so that patrons can view it. Once it is set up there is no more work to be done.
4a. Web conferencing is the way to go. This is an excellent way to broadcast a seminar or show off how the library can be used. Perhaps this could be used to demonstrate how to use the various search screens when looking for information or books in the library.
4b. I was unable to find anything in progress that I could jump into.
Describe how your library uses email. Has it improved productivity?
When a book comes in from the ILL we now just e-mail the patron that there book is in. This saves time and we needn't call them any more. Also when a book is over due we just send out an e-mail. Once this is automated it will be much much easier with no hands on whatsoever.
Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
This is a very useful tool that can show the patrons how to use the library without a librarian having to take the time out of his/her schedule to do this. This frees up time for them to help other patrons. This along with e-mail cuts the work load in half.
Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
I live on the internet mainly using IM and e-mail. It is very helpful when I am explaining things to people overseas.
Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think o this communication tool?
Unfortunately I was not able to attend one as there were not any in progress - although I have seen webinars before. I think they are awesome and a great means of communication!
23 Things on a Stick - Things #4, 5, 6 - Photosharing and Editing
Thing #4, 5, 6 - Flickr – It is hard for me to get excited about things like Flickr and image editing tools, because I have been around them so much and used so many of them. To me this is as exciting as say a WordProcessor or a spreadsheet. I do recognize the potential for an online photo sharing service such as Flickr. In fact our library has a museum attached to it and this would be the perfect way to view some of the artifacts and photos and I will probably use this technology for this purpose.
As for using this tool to get people into the library I am less than convinced. The image editors may help with things such as creating collages, posters and Flyers, but any good desktop publishing software can do this as well.
I found that the online image editors and flickr extremely easy to use and implement. And I can see they could have a future in helping librarians and librarian staff in the day to day operations of the library.
As for using this tool to get people into the library I am less than convinced. The image editors may help with things such as creating collages, posters and Flyers, but any good desktop publishing software can do this as well.
I found that the online image editors and flickr extremely easy to use and implement. And I can see they could have a future in helping librarians and librarian staff in the day to day operations of the library.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #3 - RSS Feeds
This IS exciting - it is amazing what happens when you are not looking. As an ex-web programmer I see lots of potential for this technology and now that I know what it is I looked on our LibData sight and see that it has this functionality. This will be extremely helpful as new book come in and we get them catalogued.
After seeing the potential I dug into the programming aspect of it and see it is just XML – and the code is not difficult at all. I think I will be kept busy adding this functionality into my programs as well.
This is definitely a must have for Libraries!!
Darin
After seeing the potential I dug into the programming aspect of it and see it is just XML – and the code is not difficult at all. I think I will be kept busy adding this functionality into my programs as well.
This is definitely a must have for Libraries!!
Darin
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #2 - Library 2.0
Well I will probably be tarred and feathered for this one – or at the very least lose brownie points, however, I really do not see what the hype is about with Library 2.0. Let’s take a look at a quote that Mr. Blyberg says he likes and what best describes Library 2.0
“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.”
“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. “
Hmmm. Gaming nights for teens?? Collaborative photo sites? Are you kidding me? The majority of people have computers in their own homes for that. Also, do we really think the teens will come into the library for gaming nights? Most of the teen gamers I know want to order pizza and pop, get rowdy and loud and play “First Person Shooters”. Do we want that in the libraries? I don’t in my library. What happens when little Billy goes over the edge after playing a “First Person Shooters” at the local library? Can we say lawsuit?
“The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.”
Okay, the above quote I like and agree with. The question is how do we go about doing this? I think the library itself does not need to evolve into something other than what it already is. Do we want to increase the patronage and relevance of libraries? Why not concentrate on digitizing the library books that we have and make them easier to obtain? As an example: I have ordered a book through the ILL program – that was almost 2 months ago. If I am a student trying to do a report - forget it – the report is already past due. Why not digitize the book and make them accessible to the patrons? We do this already with white papers, magazines and e-books. I should be able to log on to my library’s website and if they do not have a copy of the e-book they should be able to connect me to a library that does have it and I would have the information at my fingertips instantly.
No, I am sorry I have not heard anything that convinces me that Library 2.0 is the way to go or that it will revolutionize the way we do things. I did not see one example of how they would implement technology in Library 2.0 with regards to the libraries either. What I do see is a lot of rhetoric telling us this is the way to go and that it is unstoppable. - Darin
“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.”
“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. “
Hmmm. Gaming nights for teens?? Collaborative photo sites? Are you kidding me? The majority of people have computers in their own homes for that. Also, do we really think the teens will come into the library for gaming nights? Most of the teen gamers I know want to order pizza and pop, get rowdy and loud and play “First Person Shooters”. Do we want that in the libraries? I don’t in my library. What happens when little Billy goes over the edge after playing a “First Person Shooters” at the local library? Can we say lawsuit?
“The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.”
Okay, the above quote I like and agree with. The question is how do we go about doing this? I think the library itself does not need to evolve into something other than what it already is. Do we want to increase the patronage and relevance of libraries? Why not concentrate on digitizing the library books that we have and make them easier to obtain? As an example: I have ordered a book through the ILL program – that was almost 2 months ago. If I am a student trying to do a report - forget it – the report is already past due. Why not digitize the book and make them accessible to the patrons? We do this already with white papers, magazines and e-books. I should be able to log on to my library’s website and if they do not have a copy of the e-book they should be able to connect me to a library that does have it and I would have the information at my fingertips instantly.
No, I am sorry I have not heard anything that convinces me that Library 2.0 is the way to go or that it will revolutionize the way we do things. I did not see one example of how they would implement technology in Library 2.0 with regards to the libraries either. What I do see is a lot of rhetoric telling us this is the way to go and that it is unstoppable. - Darin
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
23 Things on a Stick - Thing #1 - Getting Started
This was surprisingly easy to set up. I can see that this has great potential for discussion groups and dispersing information to a large group of people. Such a technology could be used for say - debates, planning events, keeping logs or just about anything else that needs to be tracked.
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