Well here I am at the end of another Web 2.0 tutorial and pondering the great mysteries that are still out there in the wonderful world of cyberspace!!!
This time I have to say I really did enjoy most of the activities that we had to do. All except the RSS week which took me a bit longer to complete. Otherwise I have to say I liked this tutorial. I don't think I could pinpoint a favourite but I did like Tastespotting a bit more than the others!! As always the matter of time spent on this and the time at hand had to carefully weighed out and balanced.
I must say I felt more relaxed with the activities and sites we had to explore this time because we had already looked at similar things before. I really did enjoy learning new things and sharing what I learned with my colleagues.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week 6 - EnCompassCulture - the global bookclub
Two weeks later i finally managed to get some time to have a look at the rest of my WEb 2.0. EnCompassCulture seems to be quite interesting and exciting!! I went and did the search for the Humourous Travel books and found some pretty cool stuff there. Then I went and did some more searches of my own. The children's section was quite enlightening and so was the teenagers section. This seems to be one of those sites that have people like me in mind, book lovers!!
I think this maybe very useful to those customers who come and ask us, "Please do you have a book for my 8-year old who only likes adventure books?". This would be the ideal site to guide them to. Library staff who want to help customers find alternate titles or genres for customers would also benefit hugely from this. Not only would staff be able to point out good reads but recommend if they want to join the site and submit reviews, take part in online reading groups and chat amongst like minded literary enthusiasts. I would definitely try to promote this to those who are as excited about books and reading like me!!
I think this maybe very useful to those customers who come and ask us, "Please do you have a book for my 8-year old who only likes adventure books?". This would be the ideal site to guide them to. Library staff who want to help customers find alternate titles or genres for customers would also benefit hugely from this. Not only would staff be able to point out good reads but recommend if they want to join the site and submit reviews, take part in online reading groups and chat amongst like minded literary enthusiasts. I would definitely try to promote this to those who are as excited about books and reading like me!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Week 5 - SlideShare
Another week gone by. So I sat down and had a look at SlideShare, not a thorough look but just went in and searched for a few things. It was interesting the amount of online presentations that are out there. It makes me think that this world is getting smaller and people are finding new ways to sharing ideas and products online!
SlideShare should be relatively easy for staff to use if they have access to the right computer. We would find all sorts of stuff to up skill ourselves and keep informed of what is out there. the customer, I'm not exactly sure how it would benefit them. I suppose a professional who is after something specific and requires an online presentation as a resource might find this helpful. Maybe it's because I didn't get an in depth look at the site that I think this way!! I would definitely have another look, preferably on a computer which is a bit faster!!
I'm not sure I will promote this to customers because I'm not exactly sure who would gain from it. However, if someone does ask questions about it I would be only too happy to help. Me, I'll be having a better look later and posting about that experience later.
SlideShare should be relatively easy for staff to use if they have access to the right computer. We would find all sorts of stuff to up skill ourselves and keep informed of what is out there. the customer, I'm not exactly sure how it would benefit them. I suppose a professional who is after something specific and requires an online presentation as a resource might find this helpful. Maybe it's because I didn't get an in depth look at the site that I think this way!! I would definitely have another look, preferably on a computer which is a bit faster!!
I'm not sure I will promote this to customers because I'm not exactly sure who would gain from it. However, if someone does ask questions about it I would be only too happy to help. Me, I'll be having a better look later and posting about that experience later.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Week 4 - TasteSpotting
So I went in and joined with TasteSpotting and what an amazing feast of recipes greeted me!!! It was like I'd died and gone to food heaven!!
This site looks so cool and fun, it made my mouth water at all the lovely pictures and I felt very hungry!!!
After trawling through the site for a whole 5 minutes without running off for my lunch, I found a great looking rice dish. It was Nasi Goreng Indonesian Fried Rice with Chicken Satay. I chose this particular one because I had actually eaten this a very long time ago at my Indonesian friend's house for lunch and I wanted to check out the recipe!!
This site is by far the easiest to navigate and mouth-watering to look at. I would keep on using it to get ideas for recipes and amaze my family and friends. This task is the most exciting one to date, no offense!! All those awesome recipes at my fingertips just blew me away. I don't think all the web 2.0 activities should be related to libraries. It's good that we have a variety of sites to check out because every one's interests differ, especially the customers!!
I personally enjoyed the selection of recipes and looking at all the awesome photos of gorgeous looking dishes!!
This site looks so cool and fun, it made my mouth water at all the lovely pictures and I felt very hungry!!!
After trawling through the site for a whole 5 minutes without running off for my lunch, I found a great looking rice dish. It was Nasi Goreng Indonesian Fried Rice with Chicken Satay. I chose this particular one because I had actually eaten this a very long time ago at my Indonesian friend's house for lunch and I wanted to check out the recipe!!
This site is by far the easiest to navigate and mouth-watering to look at. I would keep on using it to get ideas for recipes and amaze my family and friends. This task is the most exciting one to date, no offense!! All those awesome recipes at my fingertips just blew me away. I don't think all the web 2.0 activities should be related to libraries. It's good that we have a variety of sites to check out because every one's interests differ, especially the customers!!
I personally enjoyed the selection of recipes and looking at all the awesome photos of gorgeous looking dishes!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Week 3 - FeedMyInbox
Another week's worth of Web 2.0 completed, hopefully on time!!
FeedMyInbox seems to be an interesting site. I was unable to watch the short video on how to actually navigate my way round the site so I had to ask my colleagues for some help, but I soon got the hang of it.
It's not that bad and I would rate it reasonable easy. If customers were interested in such a service they could find it somewhat simple to use. I guess it's up to the individual person to want to use it so I can't see how useful it would be in the workroom. I mean, not everyone wants updates on things all the time.
I personally do intend to use this again. I hope I can find that long forgotten webiste I was on last month on a random search so I can add it.
As for promoting it to customers, well, if someone came up to me and asked for such a service I would definitely recommend it to them and promote it to those younger customers.
FeedMyInbox seems to be an interesting site. I was unable to watch the short video on how to actually navigate my way round the site so I had to ask my colleagues for some help, but I soon got the hang of it.
It's not that bad and I would rate it reasonable easy. If customers were interested in such a service they could find it somewhat simple to use. I guess it's up to the individual person to want to use it so I can't see how useful it would be in the workroom. I mean, not everyone wants updates on things all the time.
I personally do intend to use this again. I hope I can find that long forgotten webiste I was on last month on a random search so I can add it.
As for promoting it to customers, well, if someone came up to me and asked for such a service I would definitely recommend it to them and promote it to those younger customers.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Week 2 - Picapp
This is my chosen image from Picapp. I thought it looked so serene and peaceful which is so unlike my mind at the moment!!
Picapp looks like an interesting site and is quite straightforward to use. I'm not exactly sure if it would be useful to a library website but I can see how it might be useful to customers who are looking for images to enhance an assignment or presentation. I might go back and do a bit more in depth searching on this site when time is more easy to find!
I would promote this to customers if they ask for help in finding images like the ones we find here.
Round 2 - Here we are again - Box.net
Here I am again, Round 2!! Well, I finally managed to get on to it and complete the Box.net tasks. All I can say is, wow, why I have I not heard about this before! It seems like an ingenious site.
I can see the possibilities of using this in the workplace and sharing information that would be useful to everyone. Personally, I do see the advantages of using this site with people I want to share files and such with. It was reasonably easy to use and navigate around. Uploading files to Box.net wasn't that hard. I didn't try sharing anything with anyone because, to be honest, the files I uploaded weren't stuff I wanted to share. I might share some files later on.
I believe that customers would find this quite easy and useful to store their files if they didn't have anything like a USB with them. I think I would promote this to customers because I think they would gain a lot from it.
I can see the possibilities of using this in the workplace and sharing information that would be useful to everyone. Personally, I do see the advantages of using this site with people I want to share files and such with. It was reasonably easy to use and navigate around. Uploading files to Box.net wasn't that hard. I didn't try sharing anything with anyone because, to be honest, the files I uploaded weren't stuff I wanted to share. I might share some files later on.
I believe that customers would find this quite easy and useful to store their files if they didn't have anything like a USB with them. I think I would promote this to customers because I think they would gain a lot from it.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Last Blog!
And finally, the last blog for this term. I must say I found the tasks not too daunting. Goodreads, Facebook, Zamzar (the mighty!) and the cool music sites were interesting to explore and be a part of. It must be my age or something but I wasn't that impressed with Twitter even though I know how cool it is for others. The experience I had learning all these new tools and sites was immensely joyful and informative. I really can't find anything bad to say about anything though. I must comment on the fact that some of these sites I was unable to access from work so I had to rely on my home computer. Time to actually sit down at work to do some was a bit hard to find and I think it might be an issue for others.
All in all, I had a fun time and enjoyed doing most of the tasks. It was also interesting to see the other blogs and see how they found the whole thing.
I hope there's some more interesting things like this for us in the near future!
All in all, I had a fun time and enjoyed doing most of the tasks. It was also interesting to see the other blogs and see how they found the whole thing.
I hope there's some more interesting things like this for us in the near future!
Week 6 - Facebook
Finally made it to the last week! It's been fun trawling through the Manukau Libraries facebook page. I really found it very interesting and colourful.
Well, to answer all the questions, I really have to start and say thanks to Facebook I managed to get in touch with friends I had lost track of and keep a friendship going with them to this day. To me personally Facebook allowed me to keep in contact with those dearest to me and hear all their news.
As a public library I think Facebook will help us get news and events posted out there. It could also help bring in more of the youth to the library and keep them interested with posts and updates of events that are happening throughout the Manukau libraries.
Facebook is not that hard to use once you've logged on and made your own profile. It's great to find your friends and send them fun things like hugs and cool links. Ever since I joined up I managed to track down some old friends and even found some of my work mates. I would most definitely continue using Facebook, when I eventually find the time!!
In my experience at work I've had a few people inquire but most of them already know about it and how it works. I think our customers would benefit from looking at Manukau libraries through Facebook and see what a lively bunch of people they have for librarians. They would also be able to keep up with the events happening throughout the system and basically enjoy the libraries even more!
I would promote our libraries page and tell our customers to go and have a look. To me it seemed really interesting and fun. I particularly liked the discussion boards and I think customers would also greatly enjoy them.
I went and had a quick look at other libraries and found the page of the New York public library. They had a very cool looking page with options to chat with a librarian and links to different branches. I thought it was interesting and cool that one can have a look at how other libraries in the world differ from us and see how they work!!
Well, to answer all the questions, I really have to start and say thanks to Facebook I managed to get in touch with friends I had lost track of and keep a friendship going with them to this day. To me personally Facebook allowed me to keep in contact with those dearest to me and hear all their news.
As a public library I think Facebook will help us get news and events posted out there. It could also help bring in more of the youth to the library and keep them interested with posts and updates of events that are happening throughout the Manukau libraries.
Facebook is not that hard to use once you've logged on and made your own profile. It's great to find your friends and send them fun things like hugs and cool links. Ever since I joined up I managed to track down some old friends and even found some of my work mates. I would most definitely continue using Facebook, when I eventually find the time!!
In my experience at work I've had a few people inquire but most of them already know about it and how it works. I think our customers would benefit from looking at Manukau libraries through Facebook and see what a lively bunch of people they have for librarians. They would also be able to keep up with the events happening throughout the system and basically enjoy the libraries even more!
I would promote our libraries page and tell our customers to go and have a look. To me it seemed really interesting and fun. I particularly liked the discussion boards and I think customers would also greatly enjoy them.
I went and had a quick look at other libraries and found the page of the New York public library. They had a very cool looking page with options to chat with a librarian and links to different branches. I thought it was interesting and cool that one can have a look at how other libraries in the world differ from us and see how they work!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Week 5 - Music files and MP3s
And another week has gone by in the land of Web 2.0!! Music and MP3's was one task I took a little longer to finish because I'm not that clued up about all the latest trends in this area!! I know, it's a bit pathetic!!
Anyway, I did manage to have a look at a few sites from the list of sites provided. I found that basically they must all provide music from all genres of music and links to what's popular these days and new releases. I had no idea music had so many genres! It was interesting to listen to Blues and Hip Hop from the same site! The website I used was Amie St, and I found it quite easy to navigate. I think others would also find it not that difficult. I suppose allowing customers to use such sites will always pose all kinds of questions. If I had all the trust in the world I would obviously allow them to use it but in this day and age it's hard to suss out people so I think we should be wary of promoting such sites to customers. I've had a quick look at some of the other sites on the list and I think the Amazon site is also another good site. I wouldn't mind promoting that to customers though!
Anyway, I did manage to have a look at a few sites from the list of sites provided. I found that basically they must all provide music from all genres of music and links to what's popular these days and new releases. I had no idea music had so many genres! It was interesting to listen to Blues and Hip Hop from the same site! The website I used was Amie St, and I found it quite easy to navigate. I think others would also find it not that difficult. I suppose allowing customers to use such sites will always pose all kinds of questions. If I had all the trust in the world I would obviously allow them to use it but in this day and age it's hard to suss out people so I think we should be wary of promoting such sites to customers. I've had a quick look at some of the other sites on the list and I think the Amazon site is also another good site. I wouldn't mind promoting that to customers though!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Week 4 - Goodreads
Wow! Goodreads is by far to me an amazing Reader's Advisory tool!! I mean it has everything from book lists, new titles, to even online book clubs. We can even read about what new authors review!! I thought that was really awesome. I'm pretty sure even most customers would think Goodreads is an amazing find with all these useful lists of new titles and book clubs literally at their fingertips!!
I don't know why library staff who already know of this aren't promoting it already. It's such an amazing tool. I mean once you've taken the tour and maybe signed up and made your own bookshelves etc, then showing it to customers would be the next obvious step. Not only would it give them access to all that Goodreads ha to offer but it would help them keep posted with all the latest literary happenings so to speak.
I would most definitely promote Goodreads to customers who I think will benefit from it. It is such a great readers advisory tool and an amazing website. What's not to like!!!
I don't know why library staff who already know of this aren't promoting it already. It's such an amazing tool. I mean once you've taken the tour and maybe signed up and made your own bookshelves etc, then showing it to customers would be the next obvious step. Not only would it give them access to all that Goodreads ha to offer but it would help them keep posted with all the latest literary happenings so to speak.
I would most definitely promote Goodreads to customers who I think will benefit from it. It is such a great readers advisory tool and an amazing website. What's not to like!!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Week 3 - Twitter
Week 3 is almost gone and I finally managed to get on twitter and send a 'tweet'! I must say it was a bit confusing for me and I had to watch that video at least twice but I got there in the end.
However, I'm inclined to be honest and say that I don't think all the customers would find Twitter a handy tool. It looks like any other social networking site and I can see the potential it has, particularly with the younger patrons, but I'm not sure of the whole concept of it will be too much for the other older patrons.
I'm not sure if using Twitter in the workroom is a good idea but there's no harm for it to be available for the customers to use and tweet to their friends on the Learn.net.
Using Twitter for library promotions and events is a good idea as we'll be able to catch those younger kids and teenagers.
I'm not sure if I personally will be using Twitter that frequently as we all have busy lives and even busier jobs, but if and when I do get a moment I might just check it out once in a while to see what good ol' Manukau Libraries have got up their sleeve!!
All in all I'm sure it won't hurt to promote Twitter to customers and it's up to them if they want to join or not, isn't it? Twitter is just another way of meeting and keeping in touch with friends!!
However, I'm inclined to be honest and say that I don't think all the customers would find Twitter a handy tool. It looks like any other social networking site and I can see the potential it has, particularly with the younger patrons, but I'm not sure of the whole concept of it will be too much for the other older patrons.
I'm not sure if using Twitter in the workroom is a good idea but there's no harm for it to be available for the customers to use and tweet to their friends on the Learn.net.
Using Twitter for library promotions and events is a good idea as we'll be able to catch those younger kids and teenagers.
I'm not sure if I personally will be using Twitter that frequently as we all have busy lives and even busier jobs, but if and when I do get a moment I might just check it out once in a while to see what good ol' Manukau Libraries have got up their sleeve!!
All in all I'm sure it won't hurt to promote Twitter to customers and it's up to them if they want to join or not, isn't it? Twitter is just another way of meeting and keeping in touch with friends!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Week 2 - Zamzar
And week 2 has rolled on by already.
Using Zamzar to convert files is a new step for me. I was a bit apprehensive and thought I'd done it wrong but it seems I'd done multiple file conversions without thinking. It was reasonably easy for me to use and I'm pretty sure other staff would find it easy too.
This would be a great tool for the workroom and especially for the Learn.net's as people are always moaning and groaning on how our computers can't read their files and documents.
Now that I've had my eyes opened to the wonder of Zamzar (kind of sounds like a superhero!) I would most definitely be using it for my documents.
It wouldn't be a bad idea if we promoted it to the customers as I'm pretty sure they would benefit from it mostly.
I also had a nosy around the site and you can convert videos and music files as well. I think this is so cool and useful!
Using Zamzar to convert files is a new step for me. I was a bit apprehensive and thought I'd done it wrong but it seems I'd done multiple file conversions without thinking. It was reasonably easy for me to use and I'm pretty sure other staff would find it easy too.
This would be a great tool for the workroom and especially for the Learn.net's as people are always moaning and groaning on how our computers can't read their files and documents.
Now that I've had my eyes opened to the wonder of Zamzar (kind of sounds like a superhero!) I would most definitely be using it for my documents.
It wouldn't be a bad idea if we promoted it to the customers as I'm pretty sure they would benefit from it mostly.
I also had a nosy around the site and you can convert videos and music files as well. I think this is so cool and useful!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Week 1 Blogger
Well, it turned out I did remember my password, so here I am, for the second time!
I must say, the course set up this time doesn't look that daunting. I'm expecting to be mildly surprised instead of being gobsmacked like last time. I'm looking forward to learning new things, as expected and maybe even facing new challenges.
As for the library having a blog, I would say it's not the best thing, but maybe an essential asset considering the generation of today.
My view is that a library can keep in touch with them through a witty and funny blog of daily occurrences in the library and give them a positive image of what a library can mean to them. In my experience, most people are daunted by all the new technology we have and I think it's our job to gently ease them into it. Show them first through the website and then take them to the library blog!! If I were such a customer, I would like to see, instead of jargon, some funny anecdotes or witty remarks of our daily battles with irate and impossible customers!! It would show that your friendly librarian is also a human being!!
I must say, the course set up this time doesn't look that daunting. I'm expecting to be mildly surprised instead of being gobsmacked like last time. I'm looking forward to learning new things, as expected and maybe even facing new challenges.
As for the library having a blog, I would say it's not the best thing, but maybe an essential asset considering the generation of today.
My view is that a library can keep in touch with them through a witty and funny blog of daily occurrences in the library and give them a positive image of what a library can mean to them. In my experience, most people are daunted by all the new technology we have and I think it's our job to gently ease them into it. Show them first through the website and then take them to the library blog!! If I were such a customer, I would like to see, instead of jargon, some funny anecdotes or witty remarks of our daily battles with irate and impossible customers!! It would show that your friendly librarian is also a human being!!
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