Thursday, November 29, 2007
23 things....
23 didn't seem like many at all before we started this learning challenge, but now I feel that I've learnt 23,000 things because of all the exploring along the way. It took me so long to reach the end of the trail because of all the side-tracks and distractions. It has been challenging at times but interesting and fun and it's great to say I made it to the end... or is it the beginning?
eBooks
are an alternative format and a little more portable than a talking book on CD. People with impaired vision and/or with few computer skills would generally find buying and downloading the files considerably more difficult than borrowing a talking book from their local public library. However I see greater opportunities for ebooks in educational settings.
Thanks the heavens for podcasts...
because I missed the last ever airing of my favorite radio show - TripleM Melbourne's The Cage - so I've downloaded the audio podcast for my iPod.
I also try to catch the ABC TV's monthly book group but usually miss it, but I can download the video podcast for my laptop. Cool.
I also try to catch the ABC TV's monthly book group but usually miss it, but I can download the video podcast for my laptop. Cool.
YouTube
YouTube can waste a few hours with a huge range of videos from entertaining to informative to humourous to just plain bad.
I like this one because you can find most things at your library - most ... and apologies to blondes everywhere. Chuckle.
I like this one because you can find most things at your library - most ... and apologies to blondes everywhere. Chuckle.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Move over Microsoft!
To all those folks who fear or criticise globalisation, just take a look at what is happening online: there is a global community evolving online that is giving power to individuals and agencies through free and accessible ICTs that are not reliant on payments to huge (or even small) corporate enterprises. This is not new, but it's a growing phenomenon with more and more free apps available online. It seems that globalisation is revolving around to find the power shifting - we're are more globalised in everything that we do, but as individuals we have more choices, more power to choose. That's my theory anyway.
Consumers now how real choices between quality products produced by a globalised companies, or quality globalised products produced by ... who knows - the nerd nextdoor? Bless his heart.
I don't understand how the companies and individuals behind these no-charge and low-ad products make enough money to even live on, but good on them! They make competitive products available to anyone with broadband (although that raises a different topic that I won't discuss here) and anything that gives individuals choice can only be good.
Cost factors aside, I found that products such as Zoho may not have all the features, customisable options or speed that I am used to with Microsoft products. However they are usually simpler and easier to use because they are not overloaded with options. They are also more able to integrate with other open-source products. I had trouble uploading some pics from my MS-driven laptop into the Zoho Presentation app, but apart from that issue, I found Zoho very easy to use - unlike MS Powerpoint!
Consumers now how real choices between quality products produced by a globalised companies, or quality globalised products produced by ... who knows - the nerd nextdoor? Bless his heart.
I don't understand how the companies and individuals behind these no-charge and low-ad products make enough money to even live on, but good on them! They make competitive products available to anyone with broadband (although that raises a different topic that I won't discuss here) and anything that gives individuals choice can only be good.
Cost factors aside, I found that products such as Zoho may not have all the features, customisable options or speed that I am used to with Microsoft products. However they are usually simpler and easier to use because they are not overloaded with options. They are also more able to integrate with other open-source products. I had trouble uploading some pics from my MS-driven laptop into the Zoho Presentation app, but apart from that issue, I found Zoho very easy to use - unlike MS Powerpoint!
Whi Wiki?
OMG!
Various people in my council department (which includes the library service) have been trying to get our heads around how to best set up an online learning community for two or three years. The key problem was how to do it, when it seemed that the technology was not user-friendly, not inviting, not easy to manage, was constantly changing and was not cool!
Welcome Wikis!
This is a great way to set up - for example - a youth - council/community interface aimed at engaging teens and young adults in life-long learning opportunites in the local area and with their input. It would include discussions about what's happening, what they want, what's out there that they may not know about, pages on school stuff, local bands, retailer specials, drug awareness and support, council leisure centre timetables, local transport, the spots where its OK to graffitti, and - dare I say it - library things such as new DVDs and graphic novels, mag and book reviews, upcoming events, etc.
BUT it means writing up a proposal for a new budgeting initiative ..... has anyone done that before so I can copy/plagiarise? Does anyone want to set up a Wiki to collaborate on the preparation of project plans for applications for funding from our councils for this type of Wiki project? (PS I work in Victoria, Australia.)
Another new iniative would be a similar Wiki hoping to capture the interest of older residents and their carers, with links to health, entertainment, gardening and ICT help topics that might interest them, forums and chats where they can communicate with neighbours from their homes, access to online learning opportunities such as the library and U3A, etc.
BUT (again) it would require significant staff resources despite the technology being available online with no charge, and staff time is expensive. Does anyone know a multi-millionaire individual or company who would like to sponsor us (all of us)?
Various people in my council department (which includes the library service) have been trying to get our heads around how to best set up an online learning community for two or three years. The key problem was how to do it, when it seemed that the technology was not user-friendly, not inviting, not easy to manage, was constantly changing and was not cool!
Welcome Wikis!
This is a great way to set up - for example - a youth - council/community interface aimed at engaging teens and young adults in life-long learning opportunites in the local area and with their input. It would include discussions about what's happening, what they want, what's out there that they may not know about, pages on school stuff, local bands, retailer specials, drug awareness and support, council leisure centre timetables, local transport, the spots where its OK to graffitti, and - dare I say it - library things such as new DVDs and graphic novels, mag and book reviews, upcoming events, etc.
BUT it means writing up a proposal for a new budgeting initiative ..... has anyone done that before so I can copy/plagiarise? Does anyone want to set up a Wiki to collaborate on the preparation of project plans for applications for funding from our councils for this type of Wiki project? (PS I work in Victoria, Australia.)
Another new iniative would be a similar Wiki hoping to capture the interest of older residents and their carers, with links to health, entertainment, gardening and ICT help topics that might interest them, forums and chats where they can communicate with neighbours from their homes, access to online learning opportunities such as the library and U3A, etc.
BUT (again) it would require significant staff resources despite the technology being available online with no charge, and staff time is expensive. Does anyone know a multi-millionaire individual or company who would like to sponsor us (all of us)?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Technology
In my previous post it may appear that I'm reluctant to embrace new technologies, but, on the contrary, I love change, technology and the internet. I admit to struggling to keep up with it all so my approach is to keep informed in those areas that interest me and don't worry so much about the rest. Shameful, I know, but there only so many hours in a day and I feel guilty when I spend the best part of a day online.... aarhh, like today.
I am of an age (not saying) where I didn't grow up with computers - television and basic calculators were technological marvels and my entire primary school watched the first man walk on the moon on a small black & white TV in the school hall. My uni had one computer that took up a whole room and was too precious for students to be allowed to even look at it. But it was the start of an era of fantastic, exciting change.
I'm now banking, buying and blogging while lounging in my backyard. I observe the universe from my laptop, literally and figuratively, and I know more about my daughter from her facebook than from talking to her (joking - it just seems that way).
In about 50 years I expect people to see media headlines (through their personalised library feed to their implanted ICT device) that the last Australian alive to have witnessed those grainy, amazing images of man on the moon has eventually died. It will be the end of an era - and I hope it's me!
I am of an age (not saying) where I didn't grow up with computers - television and basic calculators were technological marvels and my entire primary school watched the first man walk on the moon on a small black & white TV in the school hall. My uni had one computer that took up a whole room and was too precious for students to be allowed to even look at it. But it was the start of an era of fantastic, exciting change.
I'm now banking, buying and blogging while lounging in my backyard. I observe the universe from my laptop, literally and figuratively, and I know more about my daughter from her facebook than from talking to her (joking - it just seems that way).
In about 50 years I expect people to see media headlines (through their personalised library feed to their implanted ICT device) that the last Australian alive to have witnessed those grainy, amazing images of man on the moon has eventually died. It will be the end of an era - and I hope it's me!
Some observations about Library 2.0
Library 2.0 promises endless exciting new ways to serve (some) customers' every need and want, when and how they want it. Humans are interacting in ways that are rewriting text books on communication - oops, I mean online information resources and learning tools.
We wow over the possibilities, and create to do lists for when we have the spare time to try those great ideas. Is it really as promising and as likely as we envisage?
Sure, libraries are changing; for example we are adapting the way we spend our budgets to collect less print-based materials and more electronic resources. We're training our library staff to keep up with the online world. Some libraries are doing great things with an active online presence to help (online) customers locate whatever information they want.
BUT it is a serious position that library decision-makers are in. Innovators and leaders show us what wonderful things we can offer our stakeholders, but the bottom line is funding (nothing new in that). It all costs money, whether it is to update our hardware or software, to provide sufficient staff time to coordinate projects, commit to ongoing programs, find the time to apply for grants, keep staff trained up, educate users about the innovations, etc etc. Carving up the library budget cake can be very tricky indeed.
At what point do we say that some customers (the ICT-savvy ones that is) are more important than others and deserve a significant chunk of our funds? The other potential customers may be those struggling with basic literacy skills who desperately need trained library staff to reach them to help them access appropriate materials and opportunities. They may be people of any age isolated for any reason and without the means or confidence to access information and life-long learning. They may be youth at risk and in need of the engagement that a library can offer if done well. And so on.
Not so sexy, but surely of greater need and with likely more profound outcomes for individuals, families and the community. I'm afraid that we may get too excited about ICT possibilities and begin to lose track of what really makes a difference to people and society.
Not everyone has easy access to the internet and knows how to use it effectively to meet their needs; not yet anyway. Already, all the computers already scare some library users and they feel alienated. If libraries change too fast we risk losing non-ICT-capable customers, or never engaging them to start. We need to balance our image to something like "Hi-tech if you like it that way, low-tech if you don't."
Can we really do it all? We certainly can't do it alone, we must certainly continue to adapt to and create change, and we must certainly look forward. But the challenge is not really about discovering everything that is possible, but finding smart, low-cost ways to actually do a few great things really well and at the same time. And we must not forget that it's all about making a difference for people.
(Please note: This opinion does not refer to any particular library service.)
We wow over the possibilities, and create to do lists for when we have the spare time to try those great ideas. Is it really as promising and as likely as we envisage?
Sure, libraries are changing; for example we are adapting the way we spend our budgets to collect less print-based materials and more electronic resources. We're training our library staff to keep up with the online world. Some libraries are doing great things with an active online presence to help (online) customers locate whatever information they want.
BUT it is a serious position that library decision-makers are in. Innovators and leaders show us what wonderful things we can offer our stakeholders, but the bottom line is funding (nothing new in that). It all costs money, whether it is to update our hardware or software, to provide sufficient staff time to coordinate projects, commit to ongoing programs, find the time to apply for grants, keep staff trained up, educate users about the innovations, etc etc. Carving up the library budget cake can be very tricky indeed.
At what point do we say that some customers (the ICT-savvy ones that is) are more important than others and deserve a significant chunk of our funds? The other potential customers may be those struggling with basic literacy skills who desperately need trained library staff to reach them to help them access appropriate materials and opportunities. They may be people of any age isolated for any reason and without the means or confidence to access information and life-long learning. They may be youth at risk and in need of the engagement that a library can offer if done well. And so on.
Not so sexy, but surely of greater need and with likely more profound outcomes for individuals, families and the community. I'm afraid that we may get too excited about ICT possibilities and begin to lose track of what really makes a difference to people and society.
Not everyone has easy access to the internet and knows how to use it effectively to meet their needs; not yet anyway. Already, all the computers already scare some library users and they feel alienated. If libraries change too fast we risk losing non-ICT-capable customers, or never engaging them to start. We need to balance our image to something like "Hi-tech if you like it that way, low-tech if you don't."
Can we really do it all? We certainly can't do it alone, we must certainly continue to adapt to and create change, and we must certainly look forward. But the challenge is not really about discovering everything that is possible, but finding smart, low-cost ways to actually do a few great things really well and at the same time. And we must not forget that it's all about making a difference for people.
(Please note: This opinion does not refer to any particular library service.)
Technorati
Mmmm... you know, this one just doesn't do anything for me. If I was into exploring and reading blogs it would be useful, but not today (or tomorrow).
Del.icio.us
Love this! We could use it very effectively on the library information desks and for staff professional development. Setting up a library del.icio.us account is definately on the TO DO list!
I've started going thru my personal IE favourites to tag them into my del.icio.us account, but there are so many it is very time-consuming to go to each site and tag it. Does anyone know of an alternative way to do this?
I've started going thru my personal IE favourites to tag them into my del.icio.us account, but there are so many it is very time-consuming to go to each site and tag it. Does anyone know of an alternative way to do this?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Rollyo
I've created my own search engine for a topic of interest using ROLLYO - see right - but be very, very patient: I found it to be too slow. One might as well just google a search and wade thru the results. Impatience is a virtue.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
RSS feeds
Do I really want to know so much breaking news and new articles and latest postings? It is tempting to RSS any website that is remotely interesting (where RSS is available) so as not to miss out on some gem of new information, but I have found that, even with only a few feeds set up, the amount of information to wade through is becoming daunting. I need to cull!
Give Flickr the flick?
No, I don't think so.
OK, Flickr and other photo and mashup sites are terrible time-wasters, but I had a fun two hours exploring some of them.
I particularly like the Maps tool, where you can upload your holiday photos using the Organizr and drag-and-drop them onto a Google map to show where you took them, or browse a world map to see where other people have been.
We could use Flickr on our library website to show the facades and locations of our library branches ... add that to the to-do list!
OK, Flickr and other photo and mashup sites are terrible time-wasters, but I had a fun two hours exploring some of them.
I particularly like the Maps tool, where you can upload your holiday photos using the Organizr and drag-and-drop them onto a Google map to show where you took them, or browse a world map to see where other people have been.
We could use Flickr on our library website to show the facades and locations of our library branches ... add that to the to-do list!
At last - a first blog!
I finally did it - I'm no longer a virgin! I finally have my own blog..... OK, I know, if you are reading this you are probably familiar enough with blogging to navigate blogworld and have seen this sort of wildly enthusiastic post 1000 times , but just humour me while I congratulate myself on catching up a bit with THE technology.
Are we going somewhere with this Library 2.0 program, which aims to update librarians on how to use the internet in ways that many of our customers already are? I sure hope so because I found that the instructions weren't very clear, so navigation has been hit-or-miss with considerable use of the browser back button - now that's something I can do well!
I've also got a lot of catching up to do because I am many weeks behind in the program due to work and personal commitments, and being on holiday. Poor me?
Looking at what other participants have achieved in just a few weeks gives me faith that this program will definately be an exciting and worthwhile learning experience (despite - or because of - the challenges), so here goes...
Are we going somewhere with this Library 2.0 program, which aims to update librarians on how to use the internet in ways that many of our customers already are? I sure hope so because I found that the instructions weren't very clear, so navigation has been hit-or-miss with considerable use of the browser back button - now that's something I can do well!
I've also got a lot of catching up to do because I am many weeks behind in the program due to work and personal commitments, and being on holiday. Poor me?
Looking at what other participants have achieved in just a few weeks gives me faith that this program will definately be an exciting and worthwhile learning experience (despite - or because of - the challenges), so here goes...
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