Feline

Coda

2007-12-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

It was challenging and exciting to learn to drive on the internet expressway with Queens Library learning 2.0. At the very least, Library Thing, Bloglines, You Tube, and Pandora will stay with me for a while. I would definitely participate again although I do agree with many of my colleagues that more time was needed. Perhaps more work time could be allotted next time.
Serendipity caused this article by Jane Brody to appear in yesterday's NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/health/11brod.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin After reading that, I'm ready to sign up for the next 23 things today!
Thanks for the ride, QLThing!

It's about time for ebooks

2007-12-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

I knew it was there but I tried not to think about it, QL's electronic collection. But now I not only looked at it, I installed Adobe Digital Editions and downloaded one of my old favorites, Essential Beeton. The collection has room to grow, something to look forward to, especially now that I am no longer afraid.

Learning 2.0 on a podcast

2007-12-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

Another undiscovered world. But to look at one example: SirsiDynix Institute's 25 Technologies in 50 Minutes on Podcast.net really helped tie things together for me. The speaker briefly discussed many of the technologies we learned about in QL Learning and suggested library applications for them. RSS, wikis, blogs, Flickr, de.li.cious, tagging, YouTube, MP3's, virtual reference using IM aggregators, to name a few, and their importance to libraries and librarians were addressed. This is one resource I recommend highly to all library staff interested in Learning 2.0.
http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=69

You tube

2007-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

You Tube does have buried gems of historical, cultural and artistic value. I like the Related videos feature because it helps the user find things that are less obvious.
This one made me happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7EuUoJAnoQ&feature=related

Web 2.0 Radio

2007-12-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

Just as I thought, it's the tip of the iceberg! Browsing around the top sites at firstI thought I'd look at organization but it appeared that the apps really duplicate what is already available on Outlook. So, I figured it's time for a little fun and went to music. Pandora won 1st prize so I opened the box, They want my favorite artist-- OK-- Horowitz ... but who is Steven Horowitz? Apparently Vladimir hasn't hit the web 2.0 charts yet (sigh!). I settled for James Taylor, who was mercifully recognized and tuned in to a little soft folk- rock, just fine for my web jangled nerves. It's nice to check who and what I'm hearing, what album it's on, and be able to bookmark it immediately. The possibilites are endless.

Testing the waters on Google Docs

2007-12-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is just a test, It feels like Word, but that's surely because I'm only writing, not quite sharing.

Published the above on Google Docs. The advantages seem obvious-- collaborative work minus the attachments, ping-pong emails, etc. I'm beginning to feel dwarfed by how much I don't know. Most of these things are new to me and I haven't even had a chance to digest them. In addition, I feel certain they are spinning and developing while I am absorbing ever so slowly. And I have a sneaking suspicion this is the tip of the iceberg. But like just about everything Google, at least Google Docs is delightfully clear and straightforward.

Many young people come to the library to do their homework assignments using QL PC's. With Google Docs they could save their work easily and implement the sharing app when working in groups.

Facebook

2007-12-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

Clearly Facebook is more than a virtual social network. One can use the top 10 apps , not to mention the other 1990, to integrate his information needs and just live in Faceworld. Quick information, book clubs, bookmarks, reference, research-- the user never has to leave the site (except maybe to sleep). Personally, I'm not about to put my face forward, but I can see how those who are already in the Facebook groove would enjoy using these apps and save time normally "wasted" aka "logged out".

I'm wikier now

2007-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

I tried without succes to join Library Succes. They succeeded in blocking me. However the LIS Wiki is truly open and I was able to add a bibliographic reference to the article on Library of Congress subject headings. And it felt good, too! http://liswiki.org/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Subject_Headings

Picky about Wikis

2007-12-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

In principle, wikis are an exciting new venue for information sharing, with Wikipedia as the archetype, but quality control is the determining variable in the value of each particular wiki.In libraries, as in any organization, wikis are a potentially useful information sharing resourcefor staff, administration, and consumers. The Book Lovers Wiki from Princeton was nice to visit, but I don't see myself going back to it again and again. Perhaps it is simply meant to appeal to the local (Princeton) user. LibraryThing is more interesting for the book lover, visually and in content, and even though it is not technically a wiki, it operates much like one. The St. Joseph County Public Library's Subject Guides was somwhat confusing to navigate. Library Success, my favorite, looks like a potentially great resource. There is alot of wide open space for development on it and I plan to watch and see where it goes from here.

Library 2.0 is here

2007-12-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

Like it or not, we are in it. And chances are, everyone participating in Queens Library Learning 2.0 likes it (at least a little). In his intelligent article, 11 reasons why Library 2.0 exists and matters, John Blyberg clarifies the essence of Library 2.0 and the reasons for the inevitability of change. I agree with his theory of emotional attachment to old ways as a reason for resistance, being somewhat of a reactionary myself. However, apart from being careful not to throw out the baby (eg. old print materials of value) with the bathwater, we are in the 21st century and that clock just keeps on ticking (see my post from Monday, November 26, Image generators are fun), so it's time to embrace change rather than let it drown us. In the article The future of libraries http://www.degreetutor.com/library/librarians-online/future-librarians several of the librarians interviewed expressed frustration with the old guard's resistance to change. I'm glad to be part of Queens Library where we are well into the new frontier thanks to the forward-looking people in the administration. There is no no way to stay in the same place--it's either forward or backward. So .. we're movin'.

Technorati

2007-12-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

At first glance, searching tags with "learning 2.0" in quotes gave gave the best results; 272 hits, and they appeared to be fairly on target. Searching blogs gave 12,631(!) hits on various subjects and who would want to start sifting through such a large blogpile anyway? Searching the directory gave 829 results that appeared to be about random things unrelated to Queens Library Learning 2.0. I guess you have to love blogs to love technorati and I understand there are some folks out there who do love the blogosphere.

Del.icio.us appetizer

2007-12-01T17:11:00.000-08:00

This may help with internet research I am doing for Worldlinq. Using tags, I can build a library of bookmarks and then add websites selectively. As for searching other people' accounts, I'm not so sure the results are better than Google's, only smaller. I'm reserving judgment on this one. But enough about me. what about the QL customers who throng to the Cybercenter every day to use the PC's and access the internet? With a bit of instruction, they could save precious online time and increase efiiciency, by creating free accounts and bookmarking their websites on Del.icio.us.

Rollyo

2007-12-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

Rollyo and RSS both give the Internet user a modicum of control, acting as filters. And we can sure use those! Too bad Rollyo allows ads to come up un the searchrolls. I did like the results otherwise and plan to keep checking in to see if I should mak it part of my internet routine. For healthy recipes go to http://rollyo.com/felinething/healthy_cooking/

LibraryThing

2007-11-28T09:37:00.000-08:00

LibraryThing is definitely one of My favorite things. An avid (aka greedy) reader, I often can't recall titles or authors. In fact, I have almost wished the library would not delete user records. This tool enables me to easily record what I've read and, by simply using tags, what I plan to read. I imagine other library customers would find it helpful as well and I definitely intend to keep this one going after the 23 1/2 things are done.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/felinething

Image generators are fun

2007-11-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is me.
Courtesy of http://www.jellymuffin.com/generators

Myspace Picture Generator<

More Feeds are less

2007-11-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today I found a fascinating feed using Bloglines' search feature. It should send me an article once a week on a subject of interest to me. Feedster appears to be under construction at the moment and the other search tools seemed rather daunting. I don't want to drown myself, so right now I feel comfortable with 12 feeds.

Not so interesting

2007-11-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

The idea of the web app http://worldinpictures.org/ is good but the execution comes up short. I plugged in some geographic points of interest but the pictures that came up were low in interestingness. Now, how about limiting the search to interestingness items? Results would drop dramatically in numbers but quality would soar. I'd rather see one great picture than 1000 duds.

Interestingness on Flickr

2007-11-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

This is a fine feature on Flickr. It limits the flood of mediocre images coming at the viewer, and does some selecting that saves time. Just click EXPLORE and then INTERESTINGNESS. I think the editors do a good job. Very interesting!

RSS

2007-11-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

This one I like! The idea of controlling my relationship to what's "out there" rather than letting it control me is appealing. I remember feeling the same way when I got my first VCR. I'm actually looking forward to signing in tomorrow and feeding.
Thanks QL Thing! If I understand this correctly, it may be theoretically possible for the QBPL staff website to provide a newsfeed. That way we can be made aware of QL news along with our other feeds.

Technophobia

2007-11-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

The first step to a cure is admitting you have the problem. Well, I have the problem, even though my workday at my PC goes quickly. Still, technology is isn't going away-- in fact it's a tidal wave and I don't wish to live in a shell. So, although I did not love Flickr (sorry), I will give the other toys a chance and see if they intrigue me.

Fickr

2007-10-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm still a technophobe, but I felt better when I found this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94642185@N00/349671393/

Ready set go!

2007-09-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

OK.
Ready to start learning.