Saturday, February 23, 2008

Thing 5: More Flickr Fun

Very intriguing and could become addictive quite quickly. The mashups, particularly the ones with video/audio capabilities were worth the look, but, once again, looked like a full time job if you wanted to start using them in your library (at least at first). Tried one of the simpler features and I hope to be able to figure out how to get it on my blog somewhere.
[Try Medieval GPS]

Apologies to Albrecht

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Thing 4: Photosharing with Flickr

Sort of fun to play around with on a dreary afternoon. Did like the Clemens/Alcuin presentation but imagine it must be a bear to maintain/update considering the touchiness I encountered in trying to put the picture up. Might be a nice way to supplement the travel collection, but the hind end view of the rousing Twister game was a bit much.





Anyway, it's 1 and a beautiful sunny day - I'm out of here

Monday, February 11, 2008

Thing 3: Set Up an RSS Account & Add Feeds

This was a fairly straight forward one as long as we did not have to use the specified aggregator software. I had been using a freeware RSS aggregator called SharpReader for some time. It has been handy in that you are not getting constantly deluged with information until you click your "Refresh" button and get all the new posts/files/etc. It was very helpful in doing in 1,000's of writers and performing artists (don't worry, this was just part of LC's new policy to add death dates to Name Authority records).

A downside is that while it is nice to control the flow of incoming information to a degree, it is a bit disconcerting to see dozens, or more, new posts coming in all at once. Also, it is often duplicate information already received from other sources.

However, the delete button if readily available.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Thing 2: What Is Library 2.0?

Well, after trying the links listed, and coming up blank as often as not, I'm still not real sure what Library 2.0 is. I'll assume it is essentially an up-to-date version of the post card, conference call and newspaper advertisement (among other things). I think the impact of technology is fairly obvious and will, no doubt, be expanding in the near, and far, future. While libraries may be wise to try to ride this wave, assuming they can get the resources and have the time, I keep thinking the road we have been going along is littered with discarded great ideas.

A quick question(s) is:
Do we know what brings someone to a blog? What keeps them coming back?

Another thought:
Does anyone remember the sinking feeling in the stomach when the slide projector emerged from the closet?

Thing 1: Set Up Your Blog

Despite an underwhelming enthusiam for thing 1, I think it is started. The blog itself was not too difficult, after getting quite frustrated with Google (almost enough to switch to Firefox [or is it Foxfire?]. The avatar, on the other hand, was a real pain. Ignoring the advice to read the instructions, I made numerous attempts to use a picture I had scanned - not a good idea. Thanks to a fellow department worker, I did find the instructions. Following these proved to work but also be close to as high-blood pressure creation as my first attempt. Yahoo Avatars website was extremely slow and sporatic as far as displaying the extremely numerous options. I eventually gave up and tried at home on my antiquated dial-up. Success at last!

[Only problem was there was not an option for a cigar]

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Opening remarks

I really have no idea what is likely to happen at this point. Generally, having Luddite proclivities with regard to Web2, I am not real sure where to go with this. However, the fates have made my decision so:
Let the journey begin!