Thing 14- Wikis
Wikis really are a very common thing these days, wikipedia being the most popular. I certainly can see the use a library could have with one...pathfinders, subject guides, local resources, etc. The MULibrary Subject Guides Wiki is really useful and practical. One must err on the side of caution when using a wiki, however, because it is not always a reliable resource. Stephen Colbert makes a good point with his comments on Wikiality and wikipedia in general.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thing 13
Thing 13- Technorati
It was really interesting to learn that blog sites double every 6 months, according to Technorati. The site itself is also pretty interesting in that it is sort of like a google for blogs. When searching for "Learning 2.0" the site rendered only one result and none when looking under blogs or posts. Quite a lot of results were given for the search "health and fitness." However, when I searched for a blog that I follow routinely (Meals and Miles), it was nowhere to be found. Which could mean that it was just never registered or tagged on Technorati. Overall this is a very useful tool in searching for the billions of blogs that are now being published on the WWW and a great way for librarians or information literacy instructors to keep up with the latest trends and hottest topics on the web.
It was really interesting to learn that blog sites double every 6 months, according to Technorati. The site itself is also pretty interesting in that it is sort of like a google for blogs. When searching for "Learning 2.0" the site rendered only one result and none when looking under blogs or posts. Quite a lot of results were given for the search "health and fitness." However, when I searched for a blog that I follow routinely (Meals and Miles), it was nowhere to be found. Which could mean that it was just never registered or tagged on Technorati. Overall this is a very useful tool in searching for the billions of blogs that are now being published on the WWW and a great way for librarians or information literacy instructors to keep up with the latest trends and hottest topics on the web.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thing 12
Thing 12- Del.icio.us
This site, although mentioned in other LIS classes, has not made its way onto my commonly used websites list- probably because of my great unfamiliarity with it. I certainly see the potential in a site like this and it can be useful in many areas and aspects of discovering new sites bookmarked by people with similar interests. I personally found the whole site a bit confusing, however. The 8 minute Del.icio.us tutorial would have been a huge help if the link worked. Also, I found that a few of the bookmarks on the PLCMCL2 website did not work either. The idea is really interesting and I could locate other people's bookmarks to a certain topic or established bookmark. With a little more research on how to navigate through I am sure I'd be able to figure it out. This tool is helpful in that it is a place other than google that someone can look to direct questions to a different resource. Info lit and library professionals have an option of where to research.
This site, although mentioned in other LIS classes, has not made its way onto my commonly used websites list- probably because of my great unfamiliarity with it. I certainly see the potential in a site like this and it can be useful in many areas and aspects of discovering new sites bookmarked by people with similar interests. I personally found the whole site a bit confusing, however. The 8 minute Del.icio.us tutorial would have been a huge help if the link worked. Also, I found that a few of the bookmarks on the PLCMCL2 website did not work either. The idea is really interesting and I could locate other people's bookmarks to a certain topic or established bookmark. With a little more research on how to navigate through I am sure I'd be able to figure it out. This tool is helpful in that it is a place other than google that someone can look to direct questions to a different resource. Info lit and library professionals have an option of where to research.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thing 11
LibraryThing-
I had heard of LibraryThing from graduate school as well as from a few of my coworkers. I have even often suggested the site to patrons who wish to keep track of what they had read. The public library does not keep records of what patrons read due to privacy laws (not to mention hard drive space!), and they are disappointed when they discover that once they return a book it doesn't stay "connected" to their library card/record. I have been meaning to create my own profile but have not done so until today. It really is a great way to keep track of what you read, find out what others are reading that have read similar books and awesome for suggestions on what to read. Here is the shortcut to my "library": http://www.librarything.com/catalog/sheenala
I had heard of LibraryThing from graduate school as well as from a few of my coworkers. I have even often suggested the site to patrons who wish to keep track of what they had read. The public library does not keep records of what patrons read due to privacy laws (not to mention hard drive space!), and they are disappointed when they discover that once they return a book it doesn't stay "connected" to their library card/record. I have been meaning to create my own profile but have not done so until today. It really is a great way to keep track of what you read, find out what others are reading that have read similar books and awesome for suggestions on what to read. Here is the shortcut to my "library": http://www.librarything.com/catalog/sheenala
Thing 10
Thing 10- Image/Text Generator
This "thing" talks of online generators to create logos, images or practically anything else with graphics, photos or text. After searching for online generator, text generator, image generator, I came upon the website http://www.flamingtext.com/ which is a free online logo desgin site. I created the above image simply by typing what I wanted to say and then choosing the font and cool glittery motion graphic.
Pretty neat, huh? Technology these days :)
This would be really useful in the creation of websites or even on running marquis on computers in libraries or other info lit capacities. Taking something that is familiar and recreating it into a mosaic or logo not only personalizes it but it also sparks interest and gets people talking.
This "thing" talks of online generators to create logos, images or practically anything else with graphics, photos or text. After searching for online generator, text generator, image generator, I came upon the website http://www.flamingtext.com/ which is a free online logo desgin site. I created the above image simply by typing what I wanted to say and then choosing the font and cool glittery motion graphic.
With the Image Mosaic Generator from the site with the same name, I was able to upload a picture and it became "mosaic-ed". I think this one is particularly interesting. It would be even cooler if the mosaic were made from all of my pictures instead of randoms, but still cool, nonetheless.
Before:
After mosaic:
Pretty neat, huh? Technology these days :)
This would be really useful in the creation of websites or even on running marquis on computers in libraries or other info lit capacities. Taking something that is familiar and recreating it into a mosaic or logo not only personalizes it but it also sparks interest and gets people talking.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Things 8 & 9
RSS and Newsreaders-These "things" seemed simple enough but alas something screwy had to happen. The tutorials on the 2.0 site were not working properly so I was on my own. I set up an account but the only share options were through Twitter (which I do not have nor do I want to set up) and Facebook (want to keep school and social life separate) or Myspace (who's space?). I couldn't figure out how to sync up my blog to the bloglines feeds. An honest effort and nearly an hour of trying to figure it out only led to frustrations. Better luck with Thing 10!
I can, however, see the potential it has for library and other professional blog sites and the linking of information. It can serve as a one stop shop of info for many people who follow a certain blog...allowing them to be accessible to other information of similar interest that is occuring in the news.
I can, however, see the potential it has for library and other professional blog sites and the linking of information. It can serve as a one stop shop of info for many people who follow a certain blog...allowing them to be accessible to other information of similar interest that is occuring in the news.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thing 7
Technology blog- This blog is about anything technological, which is good, considering I got a video camera from my husband for Christmas and still am trying to figure it out! Without technology there are so many things that could not be accomplished today in the ways in which we are accostomed. The technology used at libraries has escorted the old ways of card catalogs and ink stamped due dates out the door. There are so many technological tools and devices out there that are making our lives convenient. The nook, kindle and other e-readers are proving that technology never ceases. It truly is amazing how young adults/teenagers are so technologically savvy. I am still considered a young adult, for the most part and it is amazing how much I don't know! Trying to connect my blog with my newly created Flickr account (Thing 5) was a definite challenge for me that resulted in some temporary frustration. Which brings me back to the video camera. The whole point of getting me one, he says, is so we can document our baby's life, when she makes her debut in April. Since that is only 9 (too short) weeks away, I am definitely going to have to play with it to figure it out, a method that worked best in my previous blogging exercise. Overall, technology has a great way of expanding knowledge, opening thought processes and making our lives easier (or more frustrating for a time) as it constantly evolves to fulfill our changing needs.
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