Social networks

Still find it hard to believe the extent of social networking. Until now I thought (and I hadn't really given it much thought) that Facebook and MySpace were for the younger generation wanting to keep up with friends. Me, well I like to have a coffee or a meal to catch up with friends but then if your friends are far away I expect these networks are a good option. We've read that a website is not enough to attract attention online these days and social networking reaches a wide community,plus participants can contribute so it's no wonder that libraries and museums are using these opportunities. I thought the Rotorua Public Library on Bebo was colourful and interesting...I can't imagine us having enough staff to maintain a site like this but who knows in the future.
After the initial trauma I've enjoyed the experience of Learning 2.0 so thank you for this opportunity.I'm pleased that I have learnt lots and will continue to learn.

This is cute...

Google Docs, Zoho

On the very day I was learning about Google Docs a customer was unable to open his file on his floppy disk (you might ask why are people still using floppies!). At least he confessed that he was the one to damage the disk. I was chuffed to be able to tell him about Google Docs (as if I'd known about it for yonks). I created a document in Google Docs and shared it with nswpln. I won't have use for GD myself at work but it will be great to tell the customers about it. Perhaps I won't see anymore floppies left behind in public pcs. If I'm out and about without my USB then I will certainly use GD. Google Docs is easy to use.
It took forever to set up an account in Zoho on my staff pc, it was just so slow, most likely because it was lunchtime and staff were at it. I also tried Zoho from the public pc and was able to invite Vanessa to a meeting...no signing in to my usual email.

Mashups

I had no idea what a mashup was so was glad to learn that Google maps is one. How easy was it for me to create a map image from Big huge labs but alarmed to know that it is so easy to produce your own photo ID. I've included in the map some of the places I visited on my recent overseas holiday. Local studies and tourism could use Google Maps mashup, and libraries could use Big huge labs for publicity and displays. I've also added another example of a mashup, taken from my own picture of Quincy Markets in Boston (stamp) and a photo that I had on Flickr of our spring display at Lawson Library (poster).

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Podcasts and Audio update

Today I have had more success in accessing podcasts on Library Success wiki on the public pc...
Online Education Database has lots of courses to offer and I hate to admit that downloading to some is a test of one's patience and obviously I don't have enough. Would be different if I intended to do the course. Like lots of technology the quality varies, and with at least 2 I had difficulty with the sound.

Podcasts and Audio

I looked at OCLS Podcasts, LibVibe (depressing with all the library cuts) and Denver Public Library (much more fun with nursery rhymes and Peter Rabbit stories). Currently listening to extracts from the new Evelyn Waugh CD from the British Library. Oops, must get back from lunch and back to my customers...but so far so good.
Checked out ABC and listened to some Wendy Harmer and Angela Catterns, also Richard Glover. This is all new and exciting to me and when we get our home pc (it now has a virus too)back from the computer guys I'll probably be tempted to listen to some of my favourite radio shows. What a great idea podcasts are. Couldn't listen on my staff pc though and that was after 5pm so I expect IT restrictions there. Also no luck on the public pc with most of the podcasts that I tried from Library Success wiki. ABC still my favourite. Oral histories, what's on at the library, and author talks should work on podcasts but with IT restrictions I'd be wary about staff in house use.

Back to Technorati

Thought I'd give Technorati another attempt and try again to claim my blog but Technorati is experiencing "backend issues". I think I can cope without completing this.

Norah Jones to soothe the training...

Answer boards and social searching

The "exemplary answers" section of Answer Board Librarians wiki certainly didn't include any of the average questions that I get asked in my part time branch. Were some of those requests serious? Will I remember to use this site or try the State Library Ask Now. Customers might like to make comments on our "new titles" contents...if we could just get them to participate. I posted a question on Yahoo!7 Answers but don't know that I will even check for an answer. I found Yahoo!7Answers site disappointing.