I have found the Learning 2.0 program interesting and at times challenging, there were many sites to visit and get your head around. It has certainly increased my awareness web 2.0 technologies and wile many did not interest me personally professionally I need to be aware.
Not all had library applications but many do eg wikis, online productivity, downloadable audiobooks, RSS feeds and some would be useful for the reader in their personal lives eg. LibraryThing.
I can see the value of many as shared networking spaces but personally prefer face to face interactions rather than in cyberspace. Their popularity obviously shows there is a need out there and it seems that need is well and truly being catered for.
Thankyou Janelle for the time and effort you have put into this program.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
#22 Downloadable audiobooks
Downloadable audiobooks are through a subscription service eg. Netlibrary, where the library purchases audio files and library members can download the files onto their PC / mp3 player. After the loan period expires the audio file is deleted.
I see real advantages in this product for libraries and library users. The library member would have access to the eaudiobooks 24/7, they eliminate the need for the library to deal with the physical item ie. processing, repair, replacement costs.
Automatic checkout and return function.
The authors listed on the World eBook Library site were not very inspiring, some quite obscure authors and very few Australian authors, few contemporary authors. There were also no ratings available for the titles (at least on the ones I looked at).
There is an obvious application for libraries for this product, it would be useful to introduce them to the library service and see how they go.
I see real advantages in this product for libraries and library users. The library member would have access to the eaudiobooks 24/7, they eliminate the need for the library to deal with the physical item ie. processing, repair, replacement costs.
Automatic checkout and return function.
The authors listed on the World eBook Library site were not very inspiring, some quite obscure authors and very few Australian authors, few contemporary authors. There were also no ratings available for the titles (at least on the ones I looked at).
There is an obvious application for libraries for this product, it would be useful to introduce them to the library service and see how they go.
Monday, May 12, 2008
#20 Podcasts
A podcast is a non-musical audio or video broadcast, delivered usually through RSS.
I had a look at 2 podcast directories Podcast Alley and Yahoo search, both seemed very similar and Yahoo Search was not confined to podcasts. Both had a strong US bias, were relatively easy to use but like much of the Web 2.0 technologies there is a hell of a lot of "stuff".
I regularly liten to podcasts at home of interviews I have missed while at work eg. from Radio National The Book Show, or Late Night Live which I find very useful and convenient.
Maybe the Library Service could make available podcasts of the popular author talks held at various venues throughout the year.
I had a look at 2 podcast directories Podcast Alley and Yahoo search, both seemed very similar and Yahoo Search was not confined to podcasts. Both had a strong US bias, were relatively easy to use but like much of the Web 2.0 technologies there is a hell of a lot of "stuff".
I regularly liten to podcasts at home of interviews I have missed while at work eg. from Radio National The Book Show, or Late Night Live which I find very useful and convenient.
Maybe the Library Service could make available podcasts of the popular author talks held at various venues throughout the year.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
YouTube #20
YouTube is a video hosting site, you can upload and share videos on the web.
Anyone watching a video can post a video response or write a comment so it is interactive.
I looked at the "Hilarious commercials of the 70s site", found it mildly interesting with a few laughs. Little recognition as they were US commercials, some of the written comments were interesting as many wanted to identify the actor/actress in the commercials . I chose that site for a nostalgia hit but as I said they were not familiar, although some were bizarre.
What I saw on YouTube didn't interest me particularly eg. video of a girl singing songs in her bedroom. I know YouTube is phenominally popular but it is not something I wish to explore further.
I don't think there is anything on YouTube that could be applied to library websites that isn't widely used on other sites.
Anyone watching a video can post a video response or write a comment so it is interactive.
I looked at the "Hilarious commercials of the 70s site", found it mildly interesting with a few laughs. Little recognition as they were US commercials, some of the written comments were interesting as many wanted to identify the actor/actress in the commercials . I chose that site for a nostalgia hit but as I said they were not familiar, although some were bizarre.
What I saw on YouTube didn't interest me particularly eg. video of a girl singing songs in her bedroom. I know YouTube is phenominally popular but it is not something I wish to explore further.
I don't think there is anything on YouTube that could be applied to library websites that isn't widely used on other sites.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Discover Web 2.0 tools # 19
I picked a site from the winners list in the Travel category - RealTravel.
This is a travel guide and trip planner based on advice from real travellers.
I chose to explore Melbourne form the Top Cities list under Oceania. I didn't find a lot of the site very informative, in many cases it was light on for content and information relying on input from the same few people.
There was a good link to Booking.com for online hotel reservations with very detailed information on the selected hotel.
Under Things to do I looked at Art & Museums and all I got was more hotel informatiion. Every new page was dominated by hotel info with the thibng you actually wanted tacked on the bottom.
I can't really see any application for this site in a library setting.
This is a travel guide and trip planner based on advice from real travellers.
I chose to explore Melbourne form the Top Cities list under Oceania. I didn't find a lot of the site very informative, in many cases it was light on for content and information relying on input from the same few people.
There was a good link to Booking.com for online hotel reservations with very detailed information on the selected hotel.
Under Things to do I looked at Art & Museums and all I got was more hotel informatiion. Every new page was dominated by hotel info with the thibng you actually wanted tacked on the bottom.
I can't really see any application for this site in a library setting.
Online productivity #18
These online productivity tools are a great idea given their user friendliness in that you don't have to worry about different software versions or file types when you email documents.
The Zoho Writer I found very easy to use, with a basic knowledge of MS Office it all seemed very familiar and everything you needed was on the screen. They ware very handy as it means if you have internet access anywhere, any time you can create documents, access your calender / planner etc. Plus the bonus of being able to share documents and work on documents collaboratively.
A great idea and may well be the death of MS Office.
The Zoho Writer I found very easy to use, with a basic knowledge of MS Office it all seemed very familiar and everything you needed was on the screen. They ware very handy as it means if you have internet access anywhere, any time you can create documents, access your calender / planner etc. Plus the bonus of being able to share documents and work on documents collaboratively.
A great idea and may well be the death of MS Office.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki # 17
This exercise gives you practical experience with adding your comment to a wiki - in my case "Favourite restaurants" plus adding the web address for my blog to the plcmc learning wiki.
Again gives you an insight into the masses amount of information available on wikis and the huge variety of topics, common and obscure, you can find information on or contribute information to.
Again gives you an insight into the masses amount of information available on wikis and the huge variety of topics, common and obscure, you can find information on or contribute information to.
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