Web Browsers allow us to surf the net and two of the most common browsers are Internet Explorer (IE) and Mozilla Firefox.
I have nearly always used IE, (otherwise Firefox) but learned after watching Brian Tong from CNET comparing browsers, that Firefox wins over on speed, security and customisation features.
Discover:
When looking at a comparison of Firefox and Google Chrome specifically, Firefox not only wins over in terms of choices of customisation features, but also in the respect that it is Open Source. Users of Firefox have input into its development and in this way are constantly improving Firefox, more thoroughly than Google's developers can. Google Chrome impressed me though with its feature of "Incognito Mode" which ensures pages that you are viewing will not be stored in your brwsing history, which is great for public computer use.
Explore:
"Fashion Your Firefox" recommends Add Ons based on your interests and it is the way to customise your version of Firefox.
I particularly liked the "Read It Later" Add On which allows you to save pages of interest to read later on without bookmarking them. This would be useful as a librarian, because this job involves a lot of web surfing and not every page can be read when you have an impatient client with you.
The "Cooliris" Add On sounds interesting too as it allows extremely fast searching of images. It gives you a 3D wall of images from You Tube, Flickr, Facebook and your own computer and makes searching faster by allowing images to be viewed simultaneously without the need to click from page to page.
Adventure:
The Add Ons from Firefox that would be useful for my library include those discussed above, but also "Categorize". This add on was updated on November 13, 2009. It basically simplifies everyday browsing using groups for regularly visited bookmarks and an enhanced search bar.
I found the "Reference Desk Collection" group of add ons a great idea for Librarians. Having ready reference tools, currency converter, translator and highlighter on your browser, would save time as opposed to looking up these sites on your list of bookmarks.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Test Drive #3 - Podcasts & Audio
A Podcast (Personal On Demand broadCAST) is a non-music audio recording accessible through the internet. The unique benefit of this type of broadcast is its availability anywhere, anytime. Pocasts can be produced by anyone with a microphone and or videocamera, computer and internet connection. Also anyone with an ipod, Mp3 player, internet capable computer and or phone, can listen to a podcast.
When I was studying at Uni through distance education, podcasts of learning topics were common and useful to absorb information easily. It also made a change from gaining knowledge through the reading of words from paper or screen!
Discover:
I listened to Matthew Liebmann, a speaker at the Library of the 21st Century Symposium, through the State Library of Victoria website as a podcast. He spoke about the "Rise of the Lifestyle Media" in terms of the revolution of technology today that allows people to access information anywhere, anyhow. He mentioned that 60% of teens have created their own online content, which would include podcasts. You can access his talk here: http://slv.vic.gov.au/multimedia/audio/slv21_symposium/slv21_sess3_speaker2.mp3
Explore:
I searched for library podcasts to get an idea of how other libraries are using podcasts to reach their customers and/or staff. I found the State Library of NSW podcasts simple to listen to and interesting. The one I liked the best was Tom Keneally speaking about his book "Schindler's List". You can listen to him here: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/events/index.htmlPodcasts of authors speaking about their works is a great idea for libraries to capture a litereary event for all to experience, after the event at a time that suits them. For staff, podcasts could be produced for training, which could be accessed at a time appropriate for them.
When I was studying at Uni through distance education, podcasts of learning topics were common and useful to absorb information easily. It also made a change from gaining knowledge through the reading of words from paper or screen!
Discover:
I listened to Matthew Liebmann, a speaker at the Library of the 21st Century Symposium, through the State Library of Victoria website as a podcast. He spoke about the "Rise of the Lifestyle Media" in terms of the revolution of technology today that allows people to access information anywhere, anyhow. He mentioned that 60% of teens have created their own online content, which would include podcasts. You can access his talk here: http://slv.vic.gov.au/multimedia/audio/slv21_symposium/slv21_sess3_speaker2.mp3
Explore:
I searched for library podcasts to get an idea of how other libraries are using podcasts to reach their customers and/or staff. I found the State Library of NSW podcasts simple to listen to and interesting. The one I liked the best was Tom Keneally speaking about his book "Schindler's List". You can listen to him here: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/events/index.htmlPodcasts of authors speaking about their works is a great idea for libraries to capture a litereary event for all to experience, after the event at a time that suits them. For staff, podcasts could be produced for training, which could be accessed at a time appropriate for them.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Test Drive #2 - Mashups
After watching the video of David Berlind from ZDNet explaining Mashups, I learned that they are the combination of different web applications to create a new one.
A practical example is adding a Google map to a library web site showing the location of the library, as SLQ have done. The idea of using a Google map mashup to show locations of all library branches or cemetaries for local history clients are great ideas and would make it easier for clients to access this information.
Explore: As suggested I searched http://www.suburbview.com/ for my postcode (4702) and found several different properties with links to other real estate sites containing further information about the individual properties.
After browsing the winners of the Mashup Awards found here: http://mashupawards.com/winners/, I discovered that many of the winners' mashups involved combining something with Twitter. The one I enjoyed the most was http://www.twonvert.com.
This practical site facilitates the conversion of your twitter message into SMS abbreviations, so you have more room to say more!
Adventure: I took the plunge and added a Google map to this blog. I chose a map that shows the locations my two local libraries. Enjoy!
A practical example is adding a Google map to a library web site showing the location of the library, as SLQ have done. The idea of using a Google map mashup to show locations of all library branches or cemetaries for local history clients are great ideas and would make it easier for clients to access this information.
Explore: As suggested I searched http://www.suburbview.com/ for my postcode (4702) and found several different properties with links to other real estate sites containing further information about the individual properties.
After browsing the winners of the Mashup Awards found here: http://mashupawards.com/winners/, I discovered that many of the winners' mashups involved combining something with Twitter. The one I enjoyed the most was http://www.twonvert.com.
This practical site facilitates the conversion of your twitter message into SMS abbreviations, so you have more room to say more!
Adventure: I took the plunge and added a Google map to this blog. I chose a map that shows the locations my two local libraries. Enjoy!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Test Drive #1 - Online Applications & Tools
Productivity software enables the simplification of the way collaboration on documents and presentations is achieved. Online in real time, saves time!
Explore: I found the Princeton Public Library's Slideshare Presentation enlightening. I had not realised how many different online applications were available!
Whilst at Uni last year these kind of applications would have been invaluable for group assignment work. We used a Uni-based web chat and wiki to collaborate, but we still needed to create a Powerpoint presentation as a group. The Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/ application would have made the process easier than what happened, which was emailing drafts back and forward to each other.
I searched Slideshare for presentations on Library 2.0 and found "Libraries and Collaboration with Local Government: NSW Public Sphere 2009". The concept of a Librarian as a "lifecoach for the digital age" (Mark Pesce) is interesting. As a Librarian I find this to be true in practice as I often help clients with basic internet instruction such as setting up email accounts and even explaining the difference between an email address and web address.
The Web Conferencing applications sound great! As a library worker in a regional area, conferences are often held a large distance away and visiting one would incur significant cost. With Web Conferencing applications like WebEx - http://webex.com/ or Saba Centra - http://www.saba.com/products/centra/, online conferencing has made conferences cost effective and achievable.
Discover: I had a try at using Google Docs and found the word processor simple to use. Possible applications for this tool at my workplace could include collaborative efforts from staff on new brochures, policies or instructional materials.
Explore: I found the Princeton Public Library's Slideshare Presentation enlightening. I had not realised how many different online applications were available!
Whilst at Uni last year these kind of applications would have been invaluable for group assignment work. We used a Uni-based web chat and wiki to collaborate, but we still needed to create a Powerpoint presentation as a group. The Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/ application would have made the process easier than what happened, which was emailing drafts back and forward to each other.
I searched Slideshare for presentations on Library 2.0 and found "Libraries and Collaboration with Local Government: NSW Public Sphere 2009". The concept of a Librarian as a "lifecoach for the digital age" (Mark Pesce) is interesting. As a Librarian I find this to be true in practice as I often help clients with basic internet instruction such as setting up email accounts and even explaining the difference between an email address and web address.
The Web Conferencing applications sound great! As a library worker in a regional area, conferences are often held a large distance away and visiting one would incur significant cost. With Web Conferencing applications like WebEx - http://webex.com/ or Saba Centra - http://www.saba.com/products/centra/, online conferencing has made conferences cost effective and achievable.
Discover: I had a try at using Google Docs and found the word processor simple to use. Possible applications for this tool at my workplace could include collaborative efforts from staff on new brochures, policies or instructional materials.
Licence 2 Test Drive - PART B
Embarking on another journey in cyberspace, this librarian would like to thank SLQ for the opportunity to test drive again!
I am looking forward to participating and learning about many more of the wonderful new online applications making the world of libraries a better place!
I am looking forward to participating and learning about many more of the wonderful new online applications making the world of libraries a better place!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Test Drive #6 - Folksonomies & Tagging
What an odd word... "Folksonomies". It means "an unstructured categorization scheme". Seen in light of web 2.0 and tags, it becomes a valuable way to make notable websites easier to find when needed again in the future.
After watching the Commoncraft video, it became clear that bookmarking sites like http://delicious.com/ can avoid the hassle of different "Favourites" lists saved across several different computers, by all being accessible from one place on the net, from any computer. This would save a great deal of trouble and avoid such possible problems as individual computer failure causing the loss of precious bookmarks.
Therefore, I saw an immediate benefit for my personal bookmarks and joined Del.icio.us! Here is the link to my page: http://delicious.com/Cyberspace_Librarian.
This kind of bookmarking of sites would be extremely useful for librarians when answering reference enquiries. From my own perspective as a Reference Librarian in a public library, I investigated this example. Take a client enquiry about a particular topic like the "Australian Gold Rush" for a primary school student assignment. The resulting search of Del.icio.us got 36 hits and most were government sites, considered reliable for assessment citation. A comparison search on Google gave 116000 hits of varying relevance. I think the real benefit here for librarians is that the Del.icio.us sites are recommended by others who are non-biased, unlike Google who are profit driven.
Libraries using bookmarking sites would benefit not only the library staff and patrons, but the wider online community with the sharing of the sites kept there.
After watching the Commoncraft video, it became clear that bookmarking sites like http://delicious.com/ can avoid the hassle of different "Favourites" lists saved across several different computers, by all being accessible from one place on the net, from any computer. This would save a great deal of trouble and avoid such possible problems as individual computer failure causing the loss of precious bookmarks.
Therefore, I saw an immediate benefit for my personal bookmarks and joined Del.icio.us! Here is the link to my page: http://delicious.com/Cyberspace_Librarian.
This kind of bookmarking of sites would be extremely useful for librarians when answering reference enquiries. From my own perspective as a Reference Librarian in a public library, I investigated this example. Take a client enquiry about a particular topic like the "Australian Gold Rush" for a primary school student assignment. The resulting search of Del.icio.us got 36 hits and most were government sites, considered reliable for assessment citation. A comparison search on Google gave 116000 hits of varying relevance. I think the real benefit here for librarians is that the Del.icio.us sites are recommended by others who are non-biased, unlike Google who are profit driven.
Libraries using bookmarking sites would benefit not only the library staff and patrons, but the wider online community with the sharing of the sites kept there.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Adventure in RSS Feeds
Well I have just set up an RSS Feed for the ABC Top Stories on my blog. Enjoy!
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