What is Twitter. Thus begins this weeks blog installment. After following the instructions to take the tour and check out the famous (or infamous) Twitter we are asked to comment on ONE of the following:
• Armed with a bit of knowledge about what Twitter is all about, share your thoughts on this fast growing online phenomenon.
OR
• What kind of information is being posted by the library accounts above? What kind of information should libraries post?
The dilemma is which ONE to comment on? When I see notations like that I wonder if part of the exercise is seeing how well we can follow instructions. I have been a Tweeter for awhile now, but do not subscribe to the "I'm in the bathroom now" arch type of Tweeter. (Not having a mobile device helps in that area ;) ) And, too, I have been following the various CPL tweets for a few months.
I do find that the library tweets are informative and good promotions for various programs and happenings in the branches/departments that tweet. I can see how this would be a useful tool for marketing in this manner. What I'm not sure of is how many people other than employees are following the library tweets. I like the kind of information being tweeted. What else could we tweet? How about comments by staff members? Contests for tweeters? Just a couple of thoughts.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
LibraryThing 2.0
This weeks assignment is to check out LibraryThing and to comment on it.
I have used LibraryThing on several occassions when I was searching for read-alikes or recommended reading both for self-interest and for customers. I must say that the results have been satisfying and useful with rare exception. I have heard comments from some people that they haven't found the searching very easy, but that hasn't been my experience. Perhaps it is what I am looking for that makes the difference. I find that the reviews are only as good as the reviewer and you need to keep that in mind when sifting through them. What I find hard to comprehend is how so many people have found the time to enter their reviews and booklists. They are obviously way more organized than I am or just don't have a life.
I'm sure that I will continue to use LibraryThing as I have in the past. As to keeping track of my library, we'll have to wait and see.
I have used LibraryThing on several occassions when I was searching for read-alikes or recommended reading both for self-interest and for customers. I must say that the results have been satisfying and useful with rare exception. I have heard comments from some people that they haven't found the searching very easy, but that hasn't been my experience. Perhaps it is what I am looking for that makes the difference. I find that the reviews are only as good as the reviewer and you need to keep that in mind when sifting through them. What I find hard to comprehend is how so many people have found the time to enter their reviews and booklists. They are obviously way more organized than I am or just don't have a life.
I'm sure that I will continue to use LibraryThing as I have in the past. As to keeping track of my library, we'll have to wait and see.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Online Productivity Tools and 2.0
The Definition - Online Productivity Tools are applications designed to make your life easier.
The Assignment - 1) Pick one of the sites mentioned in the 2.0 blog and learn more about it through a tour or the “help” function.
2) Create either a calendar or a document online.
3) In your blog, comment on ONE of the following:
• Do you see free online tools like these eventually replacing expensive software like MS Office?
OR
• Do you see yourself using these tools or will you stick to more traditional methods. If you were to use one of these tools regularly, which would it be and why?
Okay, so, in an earlier assignment in which we investigated Google apps, I played with both Google Calendar and Google Docs. Will this give me credit for this week's assignment?
As with most of the previous lessons, several of the tools we have been exploring would be more meaningful if it were something I used a lot. If I knew I were going to be using the applications and tools that give me more mobility and allow me to take information I have stored on my PC with me wherever I am, I would be more inclined to delve into their use and would probably adopt the wholeheartedly. Please don't misunderstand, It's just that in my situation there is little practical application for these tools. When I am at work, I am in an office type atmosphere where the PC is just steps away, if not right in front of me. When I am not at work, I am 95% of the time at home (boring I know) where I have my brand new (purchased within the last few days) space aged PC primed and ready to go. I do have a cell phone, but since I have to shut it off at work, I find that it is rarely on so worrying about which apps I have is not an issue either.
All of this is to say that for now I don't really see myself using one of these tools. If I had to use an online calendar, say for work purposes, I would not have an issue with the Google version as I have used it on a limited basis. As for the online documents, I prefer Office Online to Google as I found it to be easier to make the transition from the traditional.
The Assignment - 1) Pick one of the sites mentioned in the 2.0 blog and learn more about it through a tour or the “help” function.
2) Create either a calendar or a document online.
3) In your blog, comment on ONE of the following:
• Do you see free online tools like these eventually replacing expensive software like MS Office?
OR
• Do you see yourself using these tools or will you stick to more traditional methods. If you were to use one of these tools regularly, which would it be and why?
Okay, so, in an earlier assignment in which we investigated Google apps, I played with both Google Calendar and Google Docs. Will this give me credit for this week's assignment?
As with most of the previous lessons, several of the tools we have been exploring would be more meaningful if it were something I used a lot. If I knew I were going to be using the applications and tools that give me more mobility and allow me to take information I have stored on my PC with me wherever I am, I would be more inclined to delve into their use and would probably adopt the wholeheartedly. Please don't misunderstand, It's just that in my situation there is little practical application for these tools. When I am at work, I am in an office type atmosphere where the PC is just steps away, if not right in front of me. When I am not at work, I am 95% of the time at home (boring I know) where I have my brand new (purchased within the last few days) space aged PC primed and ready to go. I do have a cell phone, but since I have to shut it off at work, I find that it is rarely on so worrying about which apps I have is not an issue either.
All of this is to say that for now I don't really see myself using one of these tools. If I had to use an online calendar, say for work purposes, I would not have an issue with the Google version as I have used it on a limited basis. As for the online documents, I prefer Office Online to Google as I found it to be easier to make the transition from the traditional.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Flickr & You Tube 2.0
Wow! I can't believe that it is May already and we are 2/3's of the way through our 2.0 explorations. This weeks lesson involved an exploration into the world of Flickr and You tube.
Flickr has been around for what seems like forever. I have never used Flickr for my own pictures, but have certainly viewed tons of other peoples. I find it amazing that some people will post such personal information such as pictures of their infants and children and not restrict who has access to them. I wonder if they knew who was looking at their pictures if they would be so open. A caution to all - if you are going to use web-based photo albums, think twice about the privacy and security settings.
You Tube is another site that I have made a lot of use of. I have not posted any videos yet. I simply haven't produced anything worth posting. Perhaps someday. It seems that almost anything goes when it comes to what can be found on You Tube. Whether it's educational or entertainment you can probably find it on You Tube. Even politicians get into the act these days!
Both Flickr and You Tube are very easy to use which has certainly added to their popularity.
Has anyone yet identified an addiction to these social media sights? I think I could name a few candidates. What about you?
http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.flickr.com/
Flickr has been around for what seems like forever. I have never used Flickr for my own pictures, but have certainly viewed tons of other peoples. I find it amazing that some people will post such personal information such as pictures of their infants and children and not restrict who has access to them. I wonder if they knew who was looking at their pictures if they would be so open. A caution to all - if you are going to use web-based photo albums, think twice about the privacy and security settings.
You Tube is another site that I have made a lot of use of. I have not posted any videos yet. I simply haven't produced anything worth posting. Perhaps someday. It seems that almost anything goes when it comes to what can be found on You Tube. Whether it's educational or entertainment you can probably find it on You Tube. Even politicians get into the act these days!
Both Flickr and You Tube are very easy to use which has certainly added to their popularity.
Has anyone yet identified an addiction to these social media sights? I think I could name a few candidates. What about you?
http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.flickr.com/
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