Web 2.0 survivor

Finally completed the learning 2.0 course. What does seomoz stand for anyway. It was good to browse the winners and see that I had visited a few of these sites over the weeks. Learning 2.0 has been fun, some applications I didn't quite get the concepts. Thanks Lesley and Lynette for moderating.

Flowcharts/Mind Maps

Tried Bubbl.us

It's a good idea to use these tools (even before they were created on the internet) to put your ideas into a flow chart can really help the process along. Gliffy has some great feature, I think I'll re-visit the floor plans. Will have to see if they have shelving as I'm trying to map how I'll move the journal collection around to maximize space.

Newsletter

I got a bit frustrated with LetterPop but only because our network was having a coniption. Finally, one week later I have managed to create a newlsetter. Hope you can read my My Staggeringly Creative Newsletter - Nature and wildlife in the Top End. Enjoy.

eBooks

Our library has access to clinical eBooks but we do not manage them they are apart of a network/database. I don't really like using them, I so much prefer the printed book. Flipping back and forwards in a printed textbook is easier for me than an eBook. In the past we trialed eBooks and were frustrated with them. Probably more to do with licencing issues. It's interesting to see the number of formats that eBooks now take and I was quite surprised when exploring LibriVox, World EBook Fair etc. Podcast & audio would be my preference.

Youtube

As with podcasting, I love Youtube. Not as much as my husband though, thought the 19 year marriage might have come to an end when we discovered Youtube. He'd be watching clips loudly all hours of the night. I introduced Dad to it too. He loved searching for all his favourite songs and was fascinated at the technology. With many country elections being held of recent times it certainly has been another medium to reach constituents. Might ask the team who would like to volunteer to do a youtube clip on "how to use the library catalogue". We could add this to our Library on your desktop page.

Podcasting

I love podcasts. My favourites are the ABC & BBC book shows. If people overlook my shoulder on the train when I have my ipod they would see me watching/listening to Ricky Gervaise or Pilates on 5th Avenue podcasts. Don't worry I don't practice my pilates workouts on the train. If only I could listen to the waves at Cable Beach on my ipod. Just one of the pics from my top end trip.

Rollyo

My Rollyo (Click here then click on Top End Travel by jobaby45 in top left side to see my selected sites)
After returning from my three week break travelling the top end of Australia (WA & NT)I have attempted to create this rollyo. These were helpful sites for the trip. The WA Tourism site is very helpful and El Questro is a must.

Select Search Engine...Top End TravelSearch The Web

Powered by Rollyo

Wikis

http://www.wikinorthia.net.au/ is my favourite wiki. I use wikipedia to get a bit of background when I'm seeking information. Recently I used it for information on the Partition of India. The Blogging libraries wiki would be a useful tool for the US. Some blogs had not been updated since 2004 for example. I'm not sure though about the fact anyone can contribute. How does wikinorthia stop someone who has issues with their local council from using it as a platform to agitate. The YPRLS wiki looks good, I like the author information part.

Week 8 Social Bookmarking

I have set up and tagged a few sites. My local library, our learning 2.0 and footy tips sites. It will be handy going to the one place to access all of these sites whilst I'm away. Will just have to remember login details for delicious. Not sure about "social bookmarking" why do I want to share these bookmarks? I noticed that my local library has been bookmarked by others.

iGoogle therfore iAm

I have set my gadgets as time, world clock, book of the day and a to do list. I'm supposed to be able to share the gadgets but I don't think it's working here.

Google Books

Looked for my favourite book and discovered I could search within the book for favourite passages. I could link out to online bookstores to buy the book. If I don’t want to purchase I looked for what libraries in my area had it. Firstly putting in my postcode and discovered other libraries which held it. As much as I’d like to be in London this weekend, I don’t think the British Library would loan it to me.

I Love Google Maps

My journey starts at my in-laws house on the NSW coast and I travel all the way down to the coast. I take myself to my home town and start at the ubiquitous water tower and travel down to the old port and up the coast.
Here is my office tower.

View Larger Map
and the map.

View Larger Map

This is great, I like the ability to be able to have access to documents where ever I am. This could have saved hubbie from a very bad night when he was working from home. Went to email some important notes but the email crashed and all his hard work ..... In Google docs I created a file for him and have uploaded important files

Facebook

When I think of these social networking sites , I think of my nieces and nephew who use them. Usually it appears they are connecting with friends they see at school. What's the point? I ask myself. Coming from a small town though, they are connecting with friends they don't see alot too. They are introducing their friends to each other who live 70 km's away and 300 km's away. So I can see how the site does connect people instantly where previously it was expensive long distance phone calls or snail mail. They are sharing photos of each other, puting faces to names. I worry about privacy and predtors. Pessimistically I remind them of the dangers (I'm not the only one to) they roll their eyes, looking bored, "we KNOW" they respond. 80 million users of Facebook., I think it's here to stay. Optmistically I can see how using this technology in public libraries bring people with special community interests together. Ning is an excellent site. So this technology is of benefit for special interest groups like Ning users.

RSS Feeds

Don't let the image fool you it's a link to nowhere. After reading the Oprah description, I think I like it best, "Ready for Some Stories". I have had discussions with a colleague on using RSS feeds as an alternative to sending out journal table of content alerts. This could be difficult as our alert service we provide goes to thousands. Also our clients/staff would not have the time, library staff need to be the ones delivering the service. I'm not sure if this makes sense. Well I can see that I have shared a few stories from my local newspaper feeds. Not sure why you seem them twice, I'm blaming google. I have also setup feeds for journal table content alerts from our supplier/vendor.

LibraryThing

I could use this tool for the books I am reading in Book Club. Help me remember exact titles and thoughts about the books. The members of the book club could also contribute. There were some discussions, recommendation and reviews for the 5 books I have read/added. Showing the book covers also helps with remembering the books read. I'm struggling with this widget business if you see the books then it's worked. Actually I'm going to use the tags (librarians would call them subject headings). Here are the subject headings, sorry I mean tags.

Online Image generators

This image was generated by ImageChef from the banner section with the help of a photo from flickr. I'm finding I can't be of any help to my colleagues as I seem to complete the tasks by chance.

Greece Sunset

Greece Sunset,
originally uploaded by Erik Helgerson.

Although this isn't an interesting photo I was reminded by my family who have just witnessed a Greek sunset. They are on Santorini and have gone to Oia to witness the famous sunset view. What I was reminded of was not just the spectacular sunset but the spectacle of sunset viewing. As the sunsets the crowds that gather cheer an clap. Both the spectacular and the spectacle are something to behod.

Travel

Exciting news. I have just found out today that two of my colleagues are going on holidays. One to Europe the other to Queensland. Maybe they'll set up a blog for all to read. Also last night I booked for a trip to WA, NT & SA. It's exciting.

View from the top

With a view out to the Exhibition buildings it's a pleasure to come to work. That is when you get time to gaze out the window. Luckily the photocopier is located by the windows, time to copy and to gaze at the view. I use this slide to in library orientations not actually held in the library. It's a good way to get people to come up to us on the 27th Floor.

What to blog on about

I'ts very hard to know what to write. Some people are good about blogging on about anything. For the purpose of this blog I can tell you a little about the DHS Library and Information Service. We are here to service the Department of Human Services information needs, to assist in the Department delivering better services to Victorians. There are lots of strengths about our library service. Our team is wonderful they we all work together to deliver the information. Apart from that we have an extensive book and journal collection, deliver quality alerting services and document delivery service. The staff we service are located here in head office and regional offices, residential units throughout Victoria. Due to a head office relocation in 2006 we had to cut down our collection, particulary the print journals. It was a little hearbreaking but I learnt not to become too attached to the journals when circumstances are against you.

New haircut, new blog

Thoughts on blogging - Like Bad Dog I shouldn't be afraid to get a little dirty and embrace new technology

I can see the absolute benefits of this techonolgy. Especially for friends/family who are travelling. In a few months I'll be taking a 3 week trip and would love to be able to use the blog spot to keep in touch with family and friends. There are a few issues I can see.

1. Is there access to broadband/internet in the outback.

2. Couldn't be bothered taking my laptop with me. (solve that problem by visiting internet cafes)

3. Having a digital camera would help. (could purchase one)

4. Would rather be spending time seeing the sights/sites rather than sitting at a computer