What a great range of Web 2.0 award nominees there were. In line with my blog theme of "On the Road", I chose "Travel" from the list of winners and selected the very impressive http://realtravel.com
This site is very well presented, easy to use and very comprehensive. Some of the features are browsing destinations by map, top 10 seasonal escapes, popular destinations, hotels and restaurants, deals, flights, hire cars, things to do, attractions and photos.
One of the best features is a forum to ask questions and discuss travel issues. There is also a trip planner and a travel blog, which allows you to keep a record of your adventures, for the benefit of others. The blogs I saw looked very professional, and along with the forum, contained a wealth of useful information and interesting photos.
Our Library Service could certainly include a link to RealTravel on its travel web page.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
#18 Web-based Apps
I typed a story on Zoho Writer, then tried to save it, but the save link didn't work. Then I tried to publish it on my blog, but that link didn't work either, so now my story is lost in cyberspace.
Although Zoho appears to have many functions, the layout of the main screen is untidy and I don't like the way that you type in a narrow column. Also, the right click functions look cheap and don't work as positively as MS Word. In fact, Zoho looks like a cheap version of Word.
The Google applications look more professional.
Although Zoho appears to have many functions, the layout of the main screen is untidy and I don't like the way that you type in a narrow column. Also, the right click functions look cheap and don't work as positively as MS Word. In fact, Zoho looks like a cheap version of Word.
The Google applications look more professional.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
#17 PBWiki
The PBWiki video tips were useful, but very quick. I added a link to my blog on the Favourite Blogs Wiki, but the instructions for doing so were contradictory. The L 2.0 page said add your blog name and URL in square brackets, with spaces next to the brackets.
However, the PLMC Learning instructions showed round brackets with no spaces (and no name was requested), while most of the completed entries had no brackets and still worked fine! Wiki instructions for adding bullet points didn't work either.
In the Sandbox, it was easy to add my favourite movie, but the standard finished text of all the entries was a poor quality light grey. Also, because people could customise their entries, there was no standard format and the very long page looked messy and hard to read.
However, the PLMC Learning instructions showed round brackets with no spaces (and no name was requested), while most of the completed entries had no brackets and still worked fine! Wiki instructions for adding bullet points didn't work either.
In the Sandbox, it was easy to add my favourite movie, but the standard finished text of all the entries was a poor quality light grey. Also, because people could customise their entries, there was no standard format and the very long page looked messy and hard to read.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
#16 Wiki, Wiki
The SJCPL Subject Guide was very clearly set out, like a Subject Directory. It was also very comprehensive and easy to use. There were many useful links, including links to catalogue records for recommended books. Our library service and its patrons could certainly benefit from having a simiilar Wiki, which contains so much information in a small space.
The Book Lovers Wiki had many useful book reviews, posted by a select group of people, as well as staff reviews and links to professional reviews and author information. I wasn't so keen on the anonymous reviews, but I suppose the book group could either edit or delete unsuitable ones. There was also space for feedback about the reviews. This type of Wiki would be a great focus for a library-based book club or discussion group.
The Library Success Wiki is a good way to establish a global forum to share ideas. Each section can be edited and of course, new topics can be added. Many useful topics were already included, such as RFID and self-checkout. These could save library services, such as our own, considerable research time, when introducing new technology and procedures.
Other library Wikis included a handy Library Outreach one, and a very interesting blog-type one by Meredith Farkas, who established the Library Success Wiki and wrote Social Software in Libraries. The possibilities appear to be almost endless.
The Book Lovers Wiki had many useful book reviews, posted by a select group of people, as well as staff reviews and links to professional reviews and author information. I wasn't so keen on the anonymous reviews, but I suppose the book group could either edit or delete unsuitable ones. There was also space for feedback about the reviews. This type of Wiki would be a great focus for a library-based book club or discussion group.
The Library Success Wiki is a good way to establish a global forum to share ideas. Each section can be edited and of course, new topics can be added. Many useful topics were already included, such as RFID and self-checkout. These could save library services, such as our own, considerable research time, when introducing new technology and procedures.
Other library Wikis included a handy Library Outreach one, and a very interesting blog-type one by Meredith Farkas, who established the Library Success Wiki and wrote Social Software in Libraries. The possibilities appear to be almost endless.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
# 15 W 2.0 / L 2.0
The L 2.0 program has shown us that there is a vast range of shared, multifunctional and interactive web-based technology. I think that the challenge for libraries will be to identify the most useful and appropriate features to incorporate into their web sites. We wouldn't want to invest considerable time, effort and money into passing fads, dead-end technology or user-unfriendly or unpopular features. Privacy is another consideration.
While moving with the times, staying up-to-date with technology and remaining relevant to our communities is very imporatnt, we also need to consider patrons who aren't interested in web-based technology, don't understand it or aren't prepared to try. We can offer user education and on-the-spot help, but some folk, particulary older people and those with language difficulties, will find it all too hard, and will avoid it. We still have to cater for these people.
The internet has already led to lower usage of non-fiction and reference collections and therefore downsizing of those collections, but I think that a signiificant number of patrons just want a good (fiction) read. Library budgets should still provide for this.
The interactive, 24 hour nature of the technology could be very useful for getting patron feedback, especially when conducting surveys. However, experience has shown us that on-line opportunities to provide general feedback tend to encourage some young, computer-savvy people to send barely intelligible, very trivial or chatter-type responses.
Our challenge will be to reach a wider audience with specific, relevant questions or proposals, through user-friendly technology. As for the introduction of shared networking spaces, such as social networking sites, I think we need to carefully consider whether these sites are appropriate for the majority of our users, whether people's privacy is protected, and overall, what benefits we hope to achieve.
While moving with the times, staying up-to-date with technology and remaining relevant to our communities is very imporatnt, we also need to consider patrons who aren't interested in web-based technology, don't understand it or aren't prepared to try. We can offer user education and on-the-spot help, but some folk, particulary older people and those with language difficulties, will find it all too hard, and will avoid it. We still have to cater for these people.
The internet has already led to lower usage of non-fiction and reference collections and therefore downsizing of those collections, but I think that a signiificant number of patrons just want a good (fiction) read. Library budgets should still provide for this.
The interactive, 24 hour nature of the technology could be very useful for getting patron feedback, especially when conducting surveys. However, experience has shown us that on-line opportunities to provide general feedback tend to encourage some young, computer-savvy people to send barely intelligible, very trivial or chatter-type responses.
Our challenge will be to reach a wider audience with specific, relevant questions or proposals, through user-friendly technology. As for the introduction of shared networking spaces, such as social networking sites, I think we need to carefully consider whether these sites are appropriate for the majority of our users, whether people's privacy is protected, and overall, what benefits we hope to achieve.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
#14 Technorati
After searching high and low for a place to do a search of Blog posts, tags and the Blog Directory, I found the Advanced Search link! Subsequent searches revealed that there were 1214 posts about Learning 2.0, 274 tags and 374 Directory listings. Obviously, the posts are the most popular by far, but it's surpriisng that more people don't use the L 2 tag or register it.
Popular blogs showed an emphasis on technology, business/money, and entertainment/lifestyle, while searches concentrated on music, sport, technology and social matters. Tags were similar, but also included video and blogging.
Technorati is a good place to search the different aspects of blogs
Popular blogs showed an emphasis on technology, business/money, and entertainment/lifestyle, while searches concentrated on music, sport, technology and social matters. Tags were similar, but also included video and blogging.
Technorati is a good place to search the different aspects of blogs
Monday, December 3, 2007
#13 Del.icio.us Tags
I like the idea of assigning your own tags to your favourite web sites and then having these tags grouped under subject headings. It makes access to the web sites quick and easy, and there may also be related tags to explore.
It's good to see which sites other people have selected and how popular they are. This allows you to expand your own list of sites and tags and therefore increases your search options.
Putting the tags in order of frequency is a useful feature. However, I found that the comments people made, were not descriptive enough to be very helpful.
Here is my Del.icio.us account http://del.icio.us/longroad
Over 4000 people tagged my Lonely planet listing in a few minutes!
The network feature could be handy for sharing bookmarked sites in a work setting.
It's good to see which sites other people have selected and how popular they are. This allows you to expand your own list of sites and tags and therefore increases your search options.
Putting the tags in order of frequency is a useful feature. However, I found that the comments people made, were not descriptive enough to be very helpful.
Here is my Del.icio.us account http://del.icio.us/longroad
Over 4000 people tagged my Lonely planet listing in a few minutes!
The network feature could be handy for sharing bookmarked sites in a work setting.
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