Yes, it is! One of the best things about the Playground is the immense feeling of relief after completing all the steps before the deadline, albeit the extended deadline!
I have to thank those who initiated and managed the program for lighting the fire to get me started on many excursions I've thought of in past but never gotten around to.
#1 I finally got a gmail account! Friends and relatives have been telling me for years that this is the best, with the most storage. Guess I'll have to ditch Shaw and Hotmail now!
#2 I finally played with the e-audio.
#3 I've attempted to keep track of my reading before. Will LibraryThing succeed where pretty journals have not?
#4 I finally did create my own wiki to share with friends for planning holidays together and they have leapt on the bandwagon!
#5 I have some conception of Flickr, but this is something for the future. I thought this was the hardest section of the Playground.
I do have to get my own digital camera and play around for my web presence to be somewhat interesting.
For future programs:
Yes, good to work at one's own pace with guidance from our colleagues.
I also would like group sessions in our own lab as we follow along step-by-step.
I would like to do some more basic learning in Word, Outlook and Excel.
Instead of sharing calendars, I'd like to spend time finding out how to make my own calendar better. I'd like more practice in creating documents so that the setup of a page comes automatically (or without continually questioning the help function).
Eventually, some practice in Powerpoint. Also, learning how to text on a cell phone!
and practicing its shorthand.
I really appreciate the extended deadline! and not just because I don't have an MP3 player yet! I feel I can almost hold my own when discussing these topics! Thank you!
I also like the idea of sharing restaurant and movie reviews with colleagues. Great to have the more informal sandbox wiki for personal ads etc. I think we should talk this up and ask for a link from the Intranet below the Playground link.
Heather G or hgo@2.0 signing off on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 4:32 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
#23 Audiobooks and ebooks
Easier to use than I expected. I wish they had said right up front what WMA meant, it drove me to using an online dictionary!
In our Library to Go e-audio, I can't figure out what is searched in the Basic keyword search, if it's just author and title or if it searches content. Don't seem to be specific subject headings, just broad topics like Biography.
I really liked LibriVox's heading or motto, "Accoustical liberation of books in the public domain", which also explained the type of books likely available. while the website was a lot less sophisticated than Overdrive, it is set up clearly.
Doesn't look like there's any subject index at all, I guess a librarian could volunteer to do that!
I see Elizabeth George's new title is offered in Overdrive. Will have to check into that at home! Pleased to see some very popular authors included. The "most popular" index is fun to look at too!
In our Library to Go e-audio, I can't figure out what is searched in the Basic keyword search, if it's just author and title or if it searches content. Don't seem to be specific subject headings, just broad topics like Biography.
I really liked LibriVox's heading or motto, "Accoustical liberation of books in the public domain", which also explained the type of books likely available. while the website was a lot less sophisticated than Overdrive, it is set up clearly.
Doesn't look like there's any subject index at all, I guess a librarian could volunteer to do that!
I see Elizabeth George's new title is offered in Overdrive. Will have to check into that at home! Pleased to see some very popular authors included. The "most popular" index is fun to look at too!
#22 Podcasts
Another useful exercise. I have friends who download their podcasts for their walks
daily. Podcast.net link wasn't working so I looked at Podcastalley.com. Most of the featured articles looked appealing to a young audience, also alternative news. Same is true of the Podcastpickle.
I liked the index in podcast alley and the podcasts by genre so you can browse, although very broad genres, no subgenres I could find. Also the description of each podcast is good because the title isn't always enlightening, eg. This ain't Iowa.. is really about all things Las Vegas.
I downloaded the Beer snobs show, very easy to subscribe. It's very long, but the description tells you what beer are reviewed in each show. Will have to check out the Wine Guy too! Sound is not too great though. You have to enjoy listening to people talk. I didn't listen long enough to find out why there was a language warning...oh yes,now I know, lots of fn as an adjective and body and sexual allusions.
Not easy to find library topics in pickle or alley indexes or using keywords.
Will try podcast.net later. Found the radio book lounge though which discusses Canadian books, not mainstream.
The How to Podcast tutorial looked thorough and amusing. I was a little worried though when he said to use the same commonsense when you're creating a podcast in your car as you do with using your cell phone! I am going to check out his gothamcast.com about NYC.
daily. Podcast.net link wasn't working so I looked at Podcastalley.com. Most of the featured articles looked appealing to a young audience, also alternative news. Same is true of the Podcastpickle.
I liked the index in podcast alley and the podcasts by genre so you can browse, although very broad genres, no subgenres I could find. Also the description of each podcast is good because the title isn't always enlightening, eg. This ain't Iowa.. is really about all things Las Vegas.
I downloaded the Beer snobs show, very easy to subscribe. It's very long, but the description tells you what beer are reviewed in each show. Will have to check out the Wine Guy too! Sound is not too great though. You have to enjoy listening to people talk. I didn't listen long enough to find out why there was a language warning...oh yes,now I know, lots of fn as an adjective and body and sexual allusions.
Not easy to find library topics in pickle or alley indexes or using keywords.
Will try podcast.net later. Found the radio book lounge though which discusses Canadian books, not mainstream.
The How to Podcast tutorial looked thorough and amusing. I was a little worried though when he said to use the same commonsense when you're creating a podcast in your car as you do with using your cell phone! I am going to check out his gothamcast.com about NYC.
Friday, March 20, 2009
#21 YouTube
What a great thing for a Friday morning, listening to music videos on Youtube!
Leonard Cohen in concert (Hallelujah should be even more popular after its inclusion in a pivotal scene in Watchmen!), Paul Simon in Africa...
I've seen young people laugh over the best moments in Hell's Kitchen, admire snowboarding and skateboarding tricks on local mountains... for me it can be a way to catch up on televised news I've missed. I've also used it to try to find out how to turn a sheet into a toga at 10:00 at night when the costume was needed the next day.
For the library, author interviews, videos relating to upcoming programming...
a visual tour of our library branches...contests about our local tourist attractions like our photo contests...
Hallelujah, I'm almost finished my Playground!!!
Leonard Cohen in concert (Hallelujah should be even more popular after its inclusion in a pivotal scene in Watchmen!), Paul Simon in Africa...
I've seen young people laugh over the best moments in Hell's Kitchen, admire snowboarding and skateboarding tricks on local mountains... for me it can be a way to catch up on televised news I've missed. I've also used it to try to find out how to turn a sheet into a toga at 10:00 at night when the costume was needed the next day.
For the library, author interviews, videos relating to upcoming programming...
a visual tour of our library branches...contests about our local tourist attractions like our photo contests...
Hallelujah, I'm almost finished my Playground!!!
#20 Askaway
It's been a couple of years since I participated as a librarian answering Askaway questions. At that time I found many of the questions could have been answered faster if the chatter had just phoned their local public library. Many questions were related to their own library's policies.
I think the anonymity of it is valuable for people asking questions on sensitive topics. On the other hand, the reference interview is more cumbersome and when there are technological problems, as in cobrowsing, it's frustrating for both parties.
I'll be curious to see where the link is on our new website. Currently Ask a Librarian options are ranked in order from most technological to in person at the bottom, which I guess makes sense when the user is approaching the library over the Internet. As always though, the quality of the answer often depends on who is answering the question. I was relieved when doing Askaway to pass on difficult math concepts (for me!) to another librarian staffing the Askaway Desk with more expertise. And I also appreciated the stock phrases and referrals one could call upon.
I really liked the collaborative aspect of being on Askaway with other librarians from around the province. As a user, I can see that if I were having trouble finding a website or information on the internet I would consider asking Askaway for assistance.
I think the anonymity of it is valuable for people asking questions on sensitive topics. On the other hand, the reference interview is more cumbersome and when there are technological problems, as in cobrowsing, it's frustrating for both parties.
I'll be curious to see where the link is on our new website. Currently Ask a Librarian options are ranked in order from most technological to in person at the bottom, which I guess makes sense when the user is approaching the library over the Internet. As always though, the quality of the answer often depends on who is answering the question. I was relieved when doing Askaway to pass on difficult math concepts (for me!) to another librarian staffing the Askaway Desk with more expertise. And I also appreciated the stock phrases and referrals one could call upon.
I really liked the collaborative aspect of being on Askaway with other librarians from around the province. As a user, I can see that if I were having trouble finding a website or information on the internet I would consider asking Askaway for assistance.
#19 Databases
Good exercise as I hadn't looked at all the new databases yet.
I looked at the Alternative Energy one under Solar Energy. The first article I found was easy to read and had explanations of scientific words a the end. When I looked back at the search results, I found there was another article with the same title that was much longer. The first article (3 pages) was from something called Climate Change In Context, seemingly a different 2 volume set included with the one described.. The second article was much longer, more than 50 pages, from the Alternative Energy 3 volume set. Now I see there's an article from an Encylopedia of Modern Europe too.
So I see that if you don't check the box "Within this publication" you are really searching the whole Gale Virtual Reference Library?
The articles I read were written for the layperson, much easier to understand than the Access Science ones.
Next I tried the new Medical Enclyclopedia Ebooks. I liked being able to choose whether the search term was in the article title, a keyword, or just part of the text right from the basic search screen. Although references to other articles are in bold in an article, though, they are not hyperlinked. One has to copy and paste the words into the search box before the related articles will come up. This is really just two medical encyclopedias in ebook form.
Articles are quite clear, though, with definitions of terms at the end of an article. I'm sure they'll be appreciated by people using this from home when they have a topic of concern. It would have been nice to have some links from incorrectly spelled words, though. It took me 4 tries to get atherosclerosis and the 4th try was listed as another way to label this disease, not really a mistake.
I looked at the Alternative Energy one under Solar Energy. The first article I found was easy to read and had explanations of scientific words a the end. When I looked back at the search results, I found there was another article with the same title that was much longer. The first article (3 pages) was from something called Climate Change In Context, seemingly a different 2 volume set included with the one described.. The second article was much longer, more than 50 pages, from the Alternative Energy 3 volume set. Now I see there's an article from an Encylopedia of Modern Europe too.
So I see that if you don't check the box "Within this publication" you are really searching the whole Gale Virtual Reference Library?
The articles I read were written for the layperson, much easier to understand than the Access Science ones.
Next I tried the new Medical Enclyclopedia Ebooks. I liked being able to choose whether the search term was in the article title, a keyword, or just part of the text right from the basic search screen. Although references to other articles are in bold in an article, though, they are not hyperlinked. One has to copy and paste the words into the search box before the related articles will come up. This is really just two medical encyclopedias in ebook form.
Articles are quite clear, though, with definitions of terms at the end of an article. I'm sure they'll be appreciated by people using this from home when they have a topic of concern. It would have been nice to have some links from incorrectly spelled words, though. It took me 4 tries to get atherosclerosis and the 4th try was listed as another way to label this disease, not really a mistake.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
#18 Office 2007
I could learn a lot in Word to make more attractive documents. The section on Headers and Footers is enormous!!!
Generally I rely on the help button for double-spacing problems, etc., to cover what I haven't picked up through necessity.
Perhaps I could learn to love the 2007 program instead of cursing it?
The tutorials start at a very basic level, yeah!
Generally I rely on the help button for double-spacing problems, etc., to cover what I haven't picked up through necessity.
Perhaps I could learn to love the 2007 program instead of cursing it?
The tutorials start at a very basic level, yeah!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
#17 Shared Calendars in Microsoft Outlook
Looking at the Library LV Board Room bookings was easy. The rest of the exercise was more complicated, esp trying to open up the practice sessions.
I think I need to learn about the basics of calendar making first. I use it every month for the Dept. calendar, but I haven't taken the time to finetune it or customize headings.
I think many of us probably should have started with Outlook Calendars 1.0 before proceeding to 2.0. I can't recall ever getting a session on this, just learn as one goes.
I think I need to learn about the basics of calendar making first. I use it every month for the Dept. calendar, but I haven't taken the time to finetune it or customize headings.
I think many of us probably should have started with Outlook Calendars 1.0 before proceeding to 2.0. I can't recall ever getting a session on this, just learn as one goes.
Monday, March 16, 2009
#16 Email
It was useful to find out how to address someone you don't know, that one should be formal. I will forward this useful info and that on phishing in a link to my children's emails! and see if they open them...
#15 Playing around with PBWiki
This was a good demonstration to see how easy it is to edit wiki pages.
Time to start my own social one!
Time to start my own social one!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
#14 Wikis
Now this is something useful for libraries. I'd thought of having a community information link from our homepage, but a wiki would be better. For info like the closest fax, etc., and it would be great to have the public access it to edit too.
I also tried to start one for a group of friends planning a weekend away a few years ago but it never got off the ground, will try again!
I liked the idea of the SJCPL Subject Guides but layout was not very attractive.
The Bull Run Library one discouraged me from the get-go because you could not see the whole information page and I couldn't easily see how to expand it or remove the marginal info so there would be more room for the information.
The library best practices one looked good, even tho' I can't stand the expression "Best Practices".No entries yet on homebound services, maybe I will add something!
I also tried to start one for a group of friends planning a weekend away a few years ago but it never got off the ground, will try again!
I liked the idea of the SJCPL Subject Guides but layout was not very attractive.
The Bull Run Library one discouraged me from the get-go because you could not see the whole information page and I couldn't easily see how to expand it or remove the marginal info so there would be more room for the information.
The library best practices one looked good, even tho' I can't stand the expression "Best Practices".No entries yet on homebound services, maybe I will add something!
Monday, March 9, 2009
#13 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0
From Web2.0: Where will the next generation of the web it {sic} take libraries?
"In Web 2.0, the Web becomes the center of a new digital lifestyle that changes our culture and touches every aspect of our lives. The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activities—essentially everything people do. You and your mobile and nonmobile devices—PDA, MP3, laptop, cell phone, camera, PC, TV, etc.—are always online, connected to one another and to the Web."
Does no one else find this idea scary? Who wants to be hooked up to a computer or portable device for everything? Who will buy us all these devices? Aren't we alienating many in our society further? Who wants to be this dependent on programmers and technology companies? not to mention hackers and viruses?
I skimmed through all articles and found that the authors are writing for a certain, educated audience. I'll have to look up the meaning of "meme". To me, a lot of these articles did consist of technobabble. Sure, we need to use emerging technologies. Sure, more input from users would help. But which users will get more weight? Sounds like library professionals carry no weight, everything should be dicated by the our users and what they want now.
Sure, we can invite users to add comments, etc., to info we put out there, but allowing non library-trained individuals to contribute to WorldCat?
Yes, I do think tagging adds value, but I think it should be in addition to current cataloguing, it's no substitute. One could draw a parallel with non-health professionals sitting on Regional Health Boards.
I'm wary of sounding elitist, but it seems like the library profession and its ideals, training and learned skills for organizing information have been devalued, highjacked by the computer industry and those embracing the latest fads.
Yes, change is ocurring much faster than before, but should we be basing all we do on technology (especially social networking) that has been around such a short time?
Instant messaging instead of the phone? is it really make a better reference interview?
We need to embrace what works for us, not just to look progressive and appeal to the computer-savvy.
While I do like the idea of a "knowledge spa", and note that the last article writer ends up with a retreat from "technohustle", a traditional library room from a men's club, but that "in public libraries, the luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats." Can't we keep libraries independent? But yes, we should keep on trying to appeal to all our users, some who want the latest access from anywhere and some who want a quiet place to read for information and pleasure. A difficult thing for any free institution to do indeed, but that's what we strive for. Why wouldn't we try to offer up-to-date information and access?
I will reread these articles when I've calmed down!
"In Web 2.0, the Web becomes the center of a new digital lifestyle that changes our culture and touches every aspect of our lives. The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activities—essentially everything people do. You and your mobile and nonmobile devices—PDA, MP3, laptop, cell phone, camera, PC, TV, etc.—are always online, connected to one another and to the Web."
Does no one else find this idea scary? Who wants to be hooked up to a computer or portable device for everything? Who will buy us all these devices? Aren't we alienating many in our society further? Who wants to be this dependent on programmers and technology companies? not to mention hackers and viruses?
I skimmed through all articles and found that the authors are writing for a certain, educated audience. I'll have to look up the meaning of "meme". To me, a lot of these articles did consist of technobabble. Sure, we need to use emerging technologies. Sure, more input from users would help. But which users will get more weight? Sounds like library professionals carry no weight, everything should be dicated by the our users and what they want now.
Sure, we can invite users to add comments, etc., to info we put out there, but allowing non library-trained individuals to contribute to WorldCat?
Yes, I do think tagging adds value, but I think it should be in addition to current cataloguing, it's no substitute. One could draw a parallel with non-health professionals sitting on Regional Health Boards.
I'm wary of sounding elitist, but it seems like the library profession and its ideals, training and learned skills for organizing information have been devalued, highjacked by the computer industry and those embracing the latest fads.
Yes, change is ocurring much faster than before, but should we be basing all we do on technology (especially social networking) that has been around such a short time?
Instant messaging instead of the phone? is it really make a better reference interview?
We need to embrace what works for us, not just to look progressive and appeal to the computer-savvy.
While I do like the idea of a "knowledge spa", and note that the last article writer ends up with a retreat from "technohustle", a traditional library room from a men's club, but that "in public libraries, the luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats." Can't we keep libraries independent? But yes, we should keep on trying to appeal to all our users, some who want the latest access from anywhere and some who want a quiet place to read for information and pleasure. A difficult thing for any free institution to do indeed, but that's what we strive for. Why wouldn't we try to offer up-to-date information and access?
I will reread these articles when I've calmed down!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
#12 myspace
Well, I did enjoy listening to Leonard Cohen! Can see how this will be useful if I
need background music if I'm doing a repetitive task! I'm just worried I'll start singing along...
I resisted sending him a message...Hallelujah!
need background music if I'm doing a repetitive task! I'm just worried I'll start singing along...
I resisted sending him a message...Hallelujah!
#12 Social networking
I have a Facebook account, mostly to see friends' and children's photos. I don't like the lack of privacy feel.
Fortunately today there was an opening in the mentoring at LV and I could ask Austin how to do more advanced things on my facebook account, like deleting messages, editing facebook profile photos, etc. Maybe I'll find a more recent photo to post now!
Fortunately today there was an opening in the mentoring at LV and I could ask Austin how to do more advanced things on my facebook account, like deleting messages, editing facebook profile photos, etc. Maybe I'll find a more recent photo to post now!
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