Glob 7: Wiki wiki woo

I used Google Sites as a wiki with a friend on the east coast when I first moved here. We used it as a virtual studio to share what we were working on and to get feedback from one another. We could have used it to create something together, but neither of us make digital work. Or at least we didn't at the time.

I like the idea of a wiki for group projects in that it ensures consistent, accurate and up-to-date information for every member of the group. It also allows for working on projects with people who are geographically in very different locations.

Glob 6: Plethora of podcasts

I think I could have spent the entire month looking through podcasts. I managed to limit myself to 3 or 4 subscriptions and am hoping that I don't feel as though I haven't done my homework if I don't get a chance to listen for awhile. I think podcasts are great for keeping up with great programs you would otherwise miss and they'll make a nice change from music on long drives in the summer.

In terms of library use, I can imagine that it would be great fun to have a library podcast discussing new books, services, book-related trivia and maybe even library etiquette. I think it would help people feel connected to the library by familiarizing them with it in more a personal (ie person with a voice) way. I think it would warm up the way patrons who haven't used the library much, think about the library. IF we could get them to listen that is;)

Glob 5: YouTube

I heart YouTube! There are a lot of interesting videos out there, though I wish it was easier to search for 'quality' videos. It's great for sharing information quickly - especially 'how-to' videos. I've made origami lilies for Easter, learned how to join a new coloured yarn when knitting, and how to sew a border around a square of fabric, just to name a few. I think this holds a lot of potential for library instruction for searching databases, physically finding resources in the library and navigating our website.

I found this on librarian.net yesterday and thought how fantastic it would be to have this app.



I also thought it would be great to work in a library with a pet.



YouTube can be addictive. I think it will be a while before I venture into the realm of creating my own YouTube video.

Glob 4: Prezi Convert

At first glance I developed a strong aversion to the roller coaster quality of the prezi as it careened from one image to another, off at all angles. In fact, I developed such an aversion that I put off making one for an entire month!!!

It all turned around when I went to the LLDP3 presentations yesterday at Murray. I was impressed by the smooth transitions and simplicity of Circle Team's prezi presentation and decided that I could make one after all!
So here it is. It's simple but heartfelt. I would have loved to have clips of my grandma singing, but her story sung by others will have to do for now. I imagine that I will refine it and add more in the future, but considering I've been putting this off for a month, time is of the essence.

Country Roots on Prezi

In terms of library application, I think that the Prezi could be a useful alternative to PowerPoint because in order to avoid seasickness, you are forced to simplify the amount of information you cram into the presentation. It is so easy in PowerPoint to slip into a Word frame of mind such that your presentation becomes a series of small essays. I admit it, I'm converted.

Glob 3: RSS Feeding Frenzy

It should come as no surprise that someone who gets worked up by word clouds is not a big fan of the RSS Feed. I feel a lot of pressure to read all those headlines! If I could skim through and delete them I think I could cope a little better. While marking them as read does fade them away, their ghosts are still there, haunting me and reminding me that I didn't actually read them. 

I thought I would try to have a little fun with them and chose to organize them 'by magic' !!! I have no idea what that means, but I'm still waiting for some kind of show ;) 

I will keep looking for feeds that are less voluminous and more specifically geared to my interests. In the meantime, I'm always open to suggestions!  

Glob 2: Blogging

I have to admit that I've been using my blog like a facebook page. Writing a little but waiting to see if anyone reads and makes comments. (sheep sheep) Though the blogs I've enjoyed reading the most are ones that make observations about the wider implications of this technology that we are all dabbling in, or those who have chosen to share their interests be they book-related or otherwise. I'm enjoying getting to know coworkers, albeit in a mildly voyeuristic way. Thanks for sharing everyone!

I have decided not to add tags or labels to my blog because, gulp, I am not a fan of word clouds. There, I said it. Publicly! I hope I will not be shunned or ostracized, but they make me anxious. All those random words that my mind continually tries unsuccessfully to string together into a coherent sentence in a frantic attempt at creating some mental calm. It feels like being stuck in the middle of a crowded space where all you catch are random words here or there. Word mob more like. With a few bigger bullies in bold and few meeker ones in humble-sized font. I will not be shouted at on my own blog.

Inaugural Glob: iGoogle

I chose to make my own theme for the header in iGoogle and was wondering if anyone else had done this. I haven't been able to make my image stretch the entire width of the screen and would love to figure out how. Anyone?

I found a great gadget on iGoogle - Saskatoon Links! One gadget - 12 links to things like the airport arrivals and departures, city transit, gas prices, film times, kijiji, etc. As for the rest of the gadgets and their relevance to daily library assistant-ship; it's slim pickings. 

I'm not sure this personal web portal is all that useful at this stage. Perhaps as I acquire more web-based interfaces - blogs, twitter, YouTube, its worth will become more apparent.