Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Online applications and tools

These were very usefule tools that I had no idea existed.

I particularly liked Zanar, no more trying to open a document in the wrong software program or asking the IT expert how to convert a file. This is such a handy website will definitely use in future.

I thought the google docs would be useful in a work situation when multiple people are editing or adding to a document. Not sure about security protocol with this though, especially with coporate documents.

One week to go yippee!!!!!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mashups


Mashups seem fun, they would be good for craft and promotions.
Bee

Friday, May 2, 2008

Slam the Boards

Slam the boards! It sounds so energetic and proactive.

I really like the idea of this, not only do you get to practice your reference skills with some tricky questions but you can promote Librarians and your Library at the same time.

A collegue of mine pointed out that we would not be promoting to our own area and patrons because the interenet is global we could be answering a qestion from anywhere in the world; and my guess would be they would have no idea where Chester Hill is and are quite likely never to visit.
However we would be promoting Libraries in general as well as Librarians so still a great promotion. It lets the public know that we Librarians keep up with technology and provide for societies changing needs.

On a quiet day in reference, say summer holiday period it would be a great way to pass the time.

That Library thing

Well I'm sure that as Library workers we are all familar with Library catalogues which is what Library thing is in a simplified way.

I do like it however, particulary how it pulls information about the book you are adding from different sources including a cover picture. Really good for those with lots of books who want to put their books on a database so they know what they have. I think I may send it to my brother and his wife, between them they have at least 200 books.

Myself why buy books when I can access so many for free from work.

The link to my library thing account is http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Sethenon

Monday, April 28, 2008

Delicious

Well not only does it sound great but it has endless possiblities for use in Libraries or any information industry. Actually any workplace could benefit from Delicious, it's a great way to share resources without the need to email everyone.

I often have lots of websites saved in my favourites that other people have passed on as a great source of information for certain requests. If we all had access to a tool like Delicious we could put all the usefull websites in once place and use the websites when needed.

I like the idea of having the descriptions for the links as well, very useful.

Here is the link to my Delicious account http://del.icio.us/Sethenon. I was tempted to put some food recipe websites on their but instead I put my favourite website the BOM website because yep I am a weather geek.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Wikkis

Finally something I actually have not only heard of but already used. But then I suppose most of us will have used the famous Wikipedia website at one time.

The article on Wikipedia was interesting, I had heard myself that information found there can be innacurate due to anyone been able to make changes or additions. However according to the article a high percentage of information on the website is accurate.

Apart from Wikipedia I have already used wikkis through my distance education course at University. The Library at Charles Sturt Uni has wikkis on their website and it's a great use of wikkis because they have the lates news, links, updates and new items available. I think all Libraries could make similar use for Wikkis, we could advertise upcoming events, new books etc.

There were some interesting Wikkis online, I got slightly sidetracked by a Buffy one, found that one by accident, an hour later I remembered I was supposed to be doing LIbrary Learning 2.0

RSS Feeds

I'm going to admit that I found RSS feeds a tad confusing. However I have persevered and got the hang of it.

I didn't actively search for any new RSS feeds I just chose out ofthe options when I joined up. There were so many to choose from, I don't know when I would have time to look at all those feeds.

I can see a use for RSS feeds in the library, I do think it would be time consuming to manage though and it would need the users to be computer literate.

Well phew that's over with, on to the next hurdle.