The ebook ... it is supposed to do for the publishing industry what mp3s and youtube have done for the music and television. Yet it hasn't happened. Not yet, anyway. They are certainly growing in popularity, and, according to Wikipedia, are apparently very popular in Japan.
I love websites like Project Gutenburg. Sometimes you just want to look up a particular scene in a classic novel, or confirm a particular quote. Archives of classic ebooks like this make this task as simple as doing an internet search.
Ebook readers are already starting to address the common concerns that prevent people from embracing ebooks - the number one drawback being that reading off a screen isn't as easy as reading off the printed page. But a library of ebooks has the potential to hold millions and millions of books in the space of a single library shelf. Perhaps the benefits outweight any potential drawbacks.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Week 9: Podcasts
The podcast I choose is Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for better writing. This is a great podcast if you're interested in learning more about grammar, whether for fun or professional purposes.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
The RSS feed is http://www.qdnow.com/grammar.xml, which I've added to my bloglines account.
Podcasts are like a magazine, except you listen to them rather than read them. Another way to think of them is as an audio blog. This means you can catch up on them while you're driving or doing the housework. MP3 players can be synced with a PC to automatically download new podcasts when they become available, meaning you don't even have to take the time to download new podcast episodes onto your mp3 player or pc. For libraries, they can be used to deploy information to staff in an interesting format, much like blogging.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
The RSS feed is http://www.qdnow.com/grammar.xml, which I've added to my bloglines account.
Podcasts are like a magazine, except you listen to them rather than read them. Another way to think of them is as an audio blog. This means you can catch up on them while you're driving or doing the housework. MP3 players can be synced with a PC to automatically download new podcasts when they become available, meaning you don't even have to take the time to download new podcast episodes onto your mp3 player or pc. For libraries, they can be used to deploy information to staff in an interesting format, much like blogging.
Week 9: YouTube
I present the Barack Roll:
This alone is why YouTube is one of the best things on the web.
I've seen YouTube improve a lot over the years. It used to be hard to find the videos you were looking for, but they've improved their search engine (possibly after being bought by Google).
In a library context, YouTube can be used to deliver information and content in a way that's accessible and interesting. Imagine a tour of the library video on YouTube? A guide to the Learn.net? Librarians making videos to introduce themselves to the customers? The possibilities are endless.
This alone is why YouTube is one of the best things on the web.
I've seen YouTube improve a lot over the years. It used to be hard to find the videos you were looking for, but they've improved their search engine (possibly after being bought by Google).
In a library context, YouTube can be used to deliver information and content in a way that's accessible and interesting. Imagine a tour of the library video on YouTube? A guide to the Learn.net? Librarians making videos to introduce themselves to the customers? The possibilities are endless.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Week 8: Discovering Web 2.0 tools
I chose colorblender.com for my tool:
http://colorblender.com/
I was thinking about using backpack - http://www.backpackit.com/ - but I changed my mind after I saw this on their front page.
Quote:
"No "computer guy" required. It's easy. Sign up in 30 seconds!"
Computer guy. Uh huh. What about computer girls? Yes, there are women who work in IT. Women also have the vote now. Get with it, backpack.
Anyway, enough feminism. Back to colorblender. Very fun. I loved the random blend feature. I think this would be great whenever people are designing documents/brochures/websites for the library and need help choosing matching colors.
http://colorblender.com/
I was thinking about using backpack - http://www.backpackit.com/ - but I changed my mind after I saw this on their front page.
Quote:
"No "computer guy" required. It's easy. Sign up in 30 seconds!"
Computer guy. Uh huh. What about computer girls? Yes, there are women who work in IT. Women also have the vote now. Get with it, backpack.
Anyway, enough feminism. Back to colorblender. Very fun. I loved the random blend feature. I think this would be great whenever people are designing documents/brochures/websites for the library and need help choosing matching colors.
Week 8: Online Productivity
There is a lot of speculation that desktop based software will soon vanish in favour of online apps like zoho writer. Before that happens, I think internet connections need to be more reliable and more portable. There's always that worry that if you have a document stored online, there will be a time when you need to access it but don't have an internet connection.
I enjoyed using zoho writer, although it does need a fast internet connection and would probably have worked quicker in firefox than IE 6. It has a surprising amount of features. I liked the fact that you can back up your online docs on your harddrive easily.
I enjoyed using zoho writer, although it does need a fast internet connection and would probably have worked quicker in firefox than IE 6. It has a surprising amount of features. I liked the fact that you can back up your online docs on your harddrive easily.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Week 7: Social Networking
I had a look around at the examples this week, but I didn't explore in too much detail because social networking is already very familiar to me. Although my generation is the one before the Bebo generation, I think most of the people I know have either a Bebo or a Facebook page. There are some people who refuse to get one, much like how there are always people who refused to get a telephone or a television.
I guess they are probably the ultimate examples of websites that collect in depth marketing information on their users, but the service they provide in exchange is very valuable. Imagine if you actually received a bill each month for your social networking site ... like receiving a bill for listing in the white pages or having a landline.
Having a library on a social networking site is a great idea. You can advertise events, have an instant database of interested community members, and receive direct comments about the service being provided. You can run polls on any subject you want (not just on clothing or hairstyle choices, like you normally see on Bebo).
As for my favourite social networking site, I think Bebo has the edge over Facebook for me. Only because Facebook has all those annoying apps that people constantly want you to sign up for.
I really liked the way the Hennepin County Library facebook page had a widget to search their catalogue. Very cool. Perhaps the best thing about libraries on social networking sites is it shows that they are making an effort to engage with the new generation. Social Networking is pretty significant in people's lives when they start calling an entire generation 'the Bebo generation'.
I guess they are probably the ultimate examples of websites that collect in depth marketing information on their users, but the service they provide in exchange is very valuable. Imagine if you actually received a bill each month for your social networking site ... like receiving a bill for listing in the white pages or having a landline.
Having a library on a social networking site is a great idea. You can advertise events, have an instant database of interested community members, and receive direct comments about the service being provided. You can run polls on any subject you want (not just on clothing or hairstyle choices, like you normally see on Bebo).
As for my favourite social networking site, I think Bebo has the edge over Facebook for me. Only because Facebook has all those annoying apps that people constantly want you to sign up for.
I really liked the way the Hennepin County Library facebook page had a widget to search their catalogue. Very cool. Perhaps the best thing about libraries on social networking sites is it shows that they are making an effort to engage with the new generation. Social Networking is pretty significant in people's lives when they start calling an entire generation 'the Bebo generation'.
Week 6: Library 2.0
I really enjoyed the video that related to this week's topic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
At the end, it talks about the age of digitisation meaning that we'll have to rethink a few things, like copyright, authorship and commerce. The idea of Library 2.0 is that the concept of the library itself will need to be rethought.
There's a big conflict in the music and movie industry right now over copyright and the internet. The problem is that our whole economy only works when an object is limited in supply. No one makes money off air or sunlight, but they do from water. Once upon a time, a particular music recording was limited in supply. But digitisation, the internet, and the web 2.0 concept of file sharing has meant that a music track can be reproduced millions of times every second. Attempts by the industry to shut down this copyright infringement is largely futile.
The same thing could very easily happen with books. The only reason it hasn't already is because no one has found a digital replacement for the printed paper book that has gained widespread appeal. The new e-book readers may one day do this. When they do, it is easy to see a world where any book you wish to read can be downloaded free and illegally from the internet in seconds.
The only thing stopping this change is the economy, so perhaps it is the economy which needs to change. A world where all books are available free and immediately to anyone who has a computer and internet connection isn't a bad thing. But what motivation would authors have to write books in a world where there is no paycheque? Personal satisfaction? How would people find the time when they have to work another fulltime job to support themselves financially?
If all those problems were solved, I can see the library becoming a virtual place ... perhaps the building will be replaced with a website gateway. Shelving, issuing, dealing with returns ... all these tasks will be a thing of the past, but people will still be needed to perform new jobs that haven't been invented yet. Or perhaps the old jobs, but just in different forms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
At the end, it talks about the age of digitisation meaning that we'll have to rethink a few things, like copyright, authorship and commerce. The idea of Library 2.0 is that the concept of the library itself will need to be rethought.
There's a big conflict in the music and movie industry right now over copyright and the internet. The problem is that our whole economy only works when an object is limited in supply. No one makes money off air or sunlight, but they do from water. Once upon a time, a particular music recording was limited in supply. But digitisation, the internet, and the web 2.0 concept of file sharing has meant that a music track can be reproduced millions of times every second. Attempts by the industry to shut down this copyright infringement is largely futile.
The same thing could very easily happen with books. The only reason it hasn't already is because no one has found a digital replacement for the printed paper book that has gained widespread appeal. The new e-book readers may one day do this. When they do, it is easy to see a world where any book you wish to read can be downloaded free and illegally from the internet in seconds.
The only thing stopping this change is the economy, so perhaps it is the economy which needs to change. A world where all books are available free and immediately to anyone who has a computer and internet connection isn't a bad thing. But what motivation would authors have to write books in a world where there is no paycheque? Personal satisfaction? How would people find the time when they have to work another fulltime job to support themselves financially?
If all those problems were solved, I can see the library becoming a virtual place ... perhaps the building will be replaced with a website gateway. Shelving, issuing, dealing with returns ... all these tasks will be a thing of the past, but people will still be needed to perform new jobs that haven't been invented yet. Or perhaps the old jobs, but just in different forms.
Week 6: Technorati
I found the front page of technorati a bit full on at first glance. There was stuff to read everywhere. I gradually found my way around. I tried a few searches for things, but I found that google's blog search tool
Google Blog Search
seemed to give better results. I think whether to search by tags, blogs or posts depends on how obscure the information you're looking for is. Like if you're searching for something very specific, searching by posts is best. Only use blogs if you want to read an entire blog on a particular subject.
The popular part was fun. I found a really funny Obama video which I know Kelly will appreciate.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=65I0HNvTDH4
Google Blog Search
seemed to give better results. I think whether to search by tags, blogs or posts depends on how obscure the information you're looking for is. Like if you're searching for something very specific, searching by posts is best. Only use blogs if you want to read an entire blog on a particular subject.
The popular part was fun. I found a really funny Obama video which I know Kelly will appreciate.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=65I0HNvTDH4
Monday, August 11, 2008
Week 6: Del.icio.us
The cool thing about Del.icio.us is it means you don't need to bother backing up your bookmarks when you buy a new computer. I've lost my browser bookmarks several times due to changing computers/formatting harddrives and forgetting to back them up.
It's also quite good as a directory of popular websites. You can find the most popular websites on any particular subject.
The main drawback of it that I can see, is that you're giving a lot of information about your interests to a corporation who will be using it to construct marketing information. Although, in return, you do get a free bookmarking service.
It's also quite good as a directory of popular websites. You can find the most popular websites on any particular subject.
The main drawback of it that I can see, is that you're giving a lot of information about your interests to a corporation who will be using it to construct marketing information. Although, in return, you do get a free bookmarking service.
Week 5: Playing around with PBWiki
PB Wiki was easy to use. Like the video said, as long as you remember the edit and save buttons, you're set. I added some of my favourite movies, books, tv shows and added in my blog. I wondered what happens if two people edit the wiki at exactly the same time. Does the universe implode?
Week 5: Wikis
Wikis are pretty darn cool. Imagine if every piece of information that anyone knew in the entire world was written down on a single website? That's Wikipedia's goal, to be the sum total of all human knowledge. Awesome.
I can see so many uses for Wikis in the workplace. Anything which requires a procedure manual should be done as a Wiki. No one wants to leaf through a giant brick sized manual trying to find which button to push on Millennium. Imagine if all you had to do was type a single search word into the Millennium Wiki? Users could share their tips and tricks.
I can also see it working well as a staff directory. Everyone could update their own page, and add as much or as little information as they choose.
I can see so many uses for Wikis in the workplace. Anything which requires a procedure manual should be done as a Wiki. No one wants to leaf through a giant brick sized manual trying to find which button to push on Millennium. Imagine if all you had to do was type a single search word into the Millennium Wiki? Users could share their tips and tricks.
I can also see it working well as a staff directory. Everyone could update their own page, and add as much or as little information as they choose.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Week 4: Technology Post
For my technology post, I'm going to run through what I think are the top five most pointless pieces of technology, and the top five most useful. These are in no particular order.
Pointless:
1. Heated towel rails. Pointless because of the power they waste. Considering most people are only using a towel for about two minutes a day, I don't think having a warm towel is really worth it. Towels can be dried out in the sun during the day.
2. Digital photo frames. Again, power wasters. The best way to view and store digital photos is on a photo sharing website. That way friends and family around the world can view them, and they aren't wasting power when no one is staring at them.
3. MP3 players powered via AAA batteries. Actually, just about anything powered via an AAA battery. Those things aren't cheap.
4. Escalators and travelators. If you require disabled access, these things can be dangerous, so most people stick to the elevator. If you don't, there's no reason why people can't walk up a ramp or stairs. A non-moving ramp is also much easier for someone with a walking stick.
5. Electronic typewriters. People who were that resistant to computers continued using classic typewriters. Those who weren't, used a computer. So the electronic typewriter came and went.
Useful:
1. The wheel. Showing no signs of becoming unpopular.
2. The electric light. Better than using candles.
3. Computers. They're slowly taking over the world.
4. The telephone. Although annoying at times, it's hard to imagine life without it.
5. The book. Enough said.
Pointless:
1. Heated towel rails. Pointless because of the power they waste. Considering most people are only using a towel for about two minutes a day, I don't think having a warm towel is really worth it. Towels can be dried out in the sun during the day.
2. Digital photo frames. Again, power wasters. The best way to view and store digital photos is on a photo sharing website. That way friends and family around the world can view them, and they aren't wasting power when no one is staring at them.
3. MP3 players powered via AAA batteries. Actually, just about anything powered via an AAA battery. Those things aren't cheap.
4. Escalators and travelators. If you require disabled access, these things can be dangerous, so most people stick to the elevator. If you don't, there's no reason why people can't walk up a ramp or stairs. A non-moving ramp is also much easier for someone with a walking stick.
5. Electronic typewriters. People who were that resistant to computers continued using classic typewriters. Those who weren't, used a computer. So the electronic typewriter came and went.
Useful:
1. The wheel. Showing no signs of becoming unpopular.
2. The electric light. Better than using candles.
3. Computers. They're slowly taking over the world.
4. The telephone. Although annoying at times, it's hard to imagine life without it.
5. The book. Enough said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
