Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
THING #8 : Library Thing
For this exercise, I chose to use "Shelfari", as I liked the look of the bookshelves- they actually looked real!
I added some books to my shelf, which was easy, though books that weren't in the database, came up with black covers-- which to be honest, didn't look nice on a new set of shelves. Not really a good look!
Shelfari does have an option to upload your own covers, but this option wasn't working properly. I contacted Shelfari Technical Support, who fixed my problem.
I added some books to my shelf, which was easy, though books that weren't in the database, came up with black covers-- which to be honest, didn't look nice on a new set of shelves. Not really a good look!
Shelfari does have an option to upload your own covers, but this option wasn't working properly. I contacted Shelfari Technical Support, who fixed my problem.
THING #21 : Podcasting
Being able to listen to, or watch what you want, when you want is a phenomenal concept- and both podcasting and vodcasting offer this.
I love the idea of being able to "time shift" my favourite programs, listening to, or watching them at convenient time that suits. And, if you're like me, and forget to set the video to tape the shows you really don't want to miss, then both podcasting and vodcasting are a real lifesaver!
Until I started browsing, I had no idea as to the type and amount of programs available in the above mentioned formats.
Using my Google Reader (and some help from one of the 23 Things Support Staff), I have subscribed, listen to or watched:
I love the idea of being able to "time shift" my favourite programs, listening to, or watching them at convenient time that suits. And, if you're like me, and forget to set the video to tape the shows you really don't want to miss, then both podcasting and vodcasting are a real lifesaver!
Until I started browsing, I had no idea as to the type and amount of programs available in the above mentioned formats.
Using my Google Reader (and some help from one of the 23 Things Support Staff), I have subscribed, listen to or watched:
- 3AW Breakfast- because you can't listen to 2 breakfast radio shows at once!
- Gardening Australia- to inspire me to do gardening at home
- The Collectors- as I love to know what bizaare things people are collecting and
- LateLine (ABC)- to keep up to date on the "big stories" that made news that day, or news that will be making headlines tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
THING #20 : You Tube
Exploring You Tube is just like delving into Pandora's Box- you just don't know what you're going find! This online video sharing website contains "oodles and oodles" of commercials, episodes of television shows, music videos and songs- new and old, making nostalgia buff's like me more excited than Imelda Marcos shopping for shoes. There is a myriad of armature documentaries and videos on any topic you can think of too.
Searching You Tube for videos about libraries, librarians and new web technologies, I came across "Libraries in 2010".
Although humorous in parts, the presenter reinforces the importance of libraries, or rather, "we" as library staff, keeping up to date with new information trends and emerging technologies (like pod casting, blogs, social networking tools)- or face becoming redundant!
By keeping ourselves informed and educated we can remain leaders of the information community and encourage library users to embrace these new emerging technologies too. This can be done by incorporating the above mentioned technologies into our information literacy programs.
This video also reiterates how participating in professional development activities, like the "23 Things" program will help us to develop our skills to become competent in the use of Web 2.0 Technologies, so we can share our skills and knowledge with our clients.
Performing searches on You Tube for library themed material was actually quite fun! I came across a few instructional videos on how to use libraries (user ed. stuff), but these were American based- though still quite informative. Episodes of "The Librarian" from the ABC had been posted, as well as sketches from Mr. Bean, The Mary Hartman Show, and even Sesame Street- with Cookie Monster finding out the hard way that cookies aren't allowed in the library!
It was at this point, I decided to search for my favourite Sesame Street alphabet segment of all time.
How familiar are you with the letter "N"?
Searching You Tube for videos about libraries, librarians and new web technologies, I came across "Libraries in 2010".
Although humorous in parts, the presenter reinforces the importance of libraries, or rather, "we" as library staff, keeping up to date with new information trends and emerging technologies (like pod casting, blogs, social networking tools)- or face becoming redundant!
By keeping ourselves informed and educated we can remain leaders of the information community and encourage library users to embrace these new emerging technologies too. This can be done by incorporating the above mentioned technologies into our information literacy programs.
This video also reiterates how participating in professional development activities, like the "23 Things" program will help us to develop our skills to become competent in the use of Web 2.0 Technologies, so we can share our skills and knowledge with our clients.
Performing searches on You Tube for library themed material was actually quite fun! I came across a few instructional videos on how to use libraries (user ed. stuff), but these were American based- though still quite informative. Episodes of "The Librarian" from the ABC had been posted, as well as sketches from Mr. Bean, The Mary Hartman Show, and even Sesame Street- with Cookie Monster finding out the hard way that cookies aren't allowed in the library!
It was at this point, I decided to search for my favourite Sesame Street alphabet segment of all time.
How familiar are you with the letter "N"?
THING #19 : WIKI
Meet Chloe! She stars on the VU Wiki Library Pet Page.
Chloe is 14 years old (her birthday is today), and is a pure bred Maltese Terrier, who is almost human like. Chloe has mothered every pet we have ever had, and even uses her mothering instincts on us humans, keeping vigil by your beside when you are unwell.
Chloe likes sitting in her bed to either rest, or to watch what's happening around her. Don't think about moving her though. In the event you do, she will say: "No, no, no"... which is the only human word she can say.
Monday, October 6, 2008
THING #13 : Google Maps
The concept of Google Maps is a great idea- especially if you have a Melways that is way out of date! Having never used this application before, I found it amazing to think that my journey from Point A to B could be mapped out for me, with clear, simple instructions and travel times too.
I tried a few examples of travelling from my home to work, shopping centres and friends’ houses to see how Google Maps 'thought' I should get to each place. While results were quite pleasing, the shortest route there wasn't always suggested.
The Google Maps street view function was fascinating, providing a real 'close-up' view of many of Melbourne's suburban streets. This feature is really useful, especially if you are house hunting or wanted to see what a particular street or area looked like.
I searched for my own street, but it is not included at present, although the main street which shows the entry to my housing estate is.
Looking for the City King Street campus of the university was a little annoying, as Google Maps didn't like searching for the 225 King Street address... and instead, kept showing me the alley behind our building! I found our campus eventually by scrolling down Lonsdale Street, and 'virtually' turning left into King Street. I tried finding the Melton campus, and that was easy. I even recognised my car in the car park, meaning the photo would have been taken in the last 3 months of 2007 when I was working out there.
I also found photos of a couple of friends’ houses too.
Google Maps may be seen as a privacy issue by some, as their house and /or street is viewable, but I don't have any problems with this, as there is no difference in someone driving past your place to see where you live.
I tried a few examples of travelling from my home to work, shopping centres and friends’ houses to see how Google Maps 'thought' I should get to each place. While results were quite pleasing, the shortest route there wasn't always suggested.
The Google Maps street view function was fascinating, providing a real 'close-up' view of many of Melbourne's suburban streets. This feature is really useful, especially if you are house hunting or wanted to see what a particular street or area looked like.
I searched for my own street, but it is not included at present, although the main street which shows the entry to my housing estate is.
Looking for the City King Street campus of the university was a little annoying, as Google Maps didn't like searching for the 225 King Street address... and instead, kept showing me the alley behind our building! I found our campus eventually by scrolling down Lonsdale Street, and 'virtually' turning left into King Street. I tried finding the Melton campus, and that was easy. I even recognised my car in the car park, meaning the photo would have been taken in the last 3 months of 2007 when I was working out there.
I also found photos of a couple of friends’ houses too.
Google Maps may be seen as a privacy issue by some, as their house and /or street is viewable, but I don't have any problems with this, as there is no difference in someone driving past your place to see where you live.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
THING #12 : MySpace Vs. Facebook
View my Facebook page here.
Feel free to add me as your friend!
I have been using Facebook since November 2007, and although I had reservations about setting up such an account, I have never looked back! While some members use this site to send their "friends" messages, post videos and play games (amongst a multitude of other applications available), my primary use has been searching for and reconnecting with old friends from primary and high school, and old work colleagues... as well as keeping up-to-date with the happenings of my "everyday friends", work mates at both VU and Safeway, and some of the students at the university, who have either requested me to be their friend, or who have allowed me to be theirs.
Once you start searching, it's amazing who you can find, demonstrating how small the world really is!
As mentioned, I did have a concern about joining Facebook, and that was to do with privacy- who can see me, or rather- my page. So far I have had no issues, though it does depend on how you set up your account- ie. making it searchable for anyone worldwide to see vs. private, and whom you allow to be your friend.
I did check out MySpace to compare the two- but still prefer Facebook. To me, MySpace looks like one giant photo album... as well as appearing to attract, and cater for a younger demographic.
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