Is this really the end?

I've finally made it to the end of the 23 Things! I've learnt a lot more about the various Web 2.0 technologies and had some fun along the way, especially Thing 10 Online Image Generator. It was difficult for me to find the time at work to do this program as this has been a very busy time of year. There are some Things I'll go back and explore further in my own time. One thing I found was some of the links didn't work - a problem with lots of web sites. I couldn't get a lot of the podcasts to work. One suggestion I'd have is to run it over a slightly longer time so you had 1-2 things to do each week and have a bit more time exploring those things. I'd also have quick informal regular get- togthers for the staff participating so you had a chance to talk about what you'd found or had problems with, not everyone is located within the one close area. I'd encourage everyone to be a follower of each person's blog, make sure each person's blog is available on the participant's page. I don't know if I will continue blogging but it is a great tool to find out what people are thinking about and finding and I enjoyed creating it. What this program has shown me is that there is so much out there to explore and it keeps changing. I like the use of Wiki for staff information area and sites like Flickr can really highlight and promote some great visual collections the library has access to, Google Talk is also a handy tool.

MashUps

I looked at WeatherBonk, FlickrVision, Chicago Crime (don't think I'll go back to that one!). I liked both WeatherBonk - uses Google Maps and web cams (Paris looks a little cold at the moment) and FlickrVision which had some really interesting versions of maps. I did a google search and found this page http://mashupaustralia.org/ - Mashup Australia Awards - a contest held in 2009 to award the best Mashup sites

Podcasts, Smodcasts

I used the Podcast directory Podcast Alley and located one on book reviews called ABC Book Review Podcast which is one of the podcasts produced by Twinsburg Public Library. The directory was easy to use and I could see it being helpful locating podcasts. I use ITunes which is also easy to subscribe to your favourite podcasts.

YouTube

I looked around YouTube, I haven't really been a big fan. I searched on the topic of libraries and came across the Sesame Street Clip 'No cookies in the library' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJlkplvYdgA
Gives you a laugh at the end of a long day!

Web 2.0 Awards

I checked out the category for the winners for Fun Stuff. Cocktail builder would be great to use to invent new combinations of flavours. I was intrigued by the website named HairMixer - definitely one to avoid or not! - Brad Pitt looks so different with the flowing locks of blonde hair. The 3rd winner Comiqs - unfortunately its web page didn't load. I don't think any of these are much use in the library - although may be useful for stress relief...

Online Productivity Applications

I used Google Docs and it was really easy to create a document which I did called Top Ten Holiday Destinations. I was able to import a picture into the document but it did reject one because of the size of the image. It's a great tool if you were away from home etc and needed to create a document to send to someone quickly!

Wikis - take 2 UoN

I've just tried to edit one of the favourite pages - followed the instructions re logging in but it would accept either my email address or the password so I'm not sure about this - perhaps I missed something in the instructions... anyway moving on and may come back to try again

Wikis

I had a look around Library Success a best practice wiki and in particular had a look at the areas on materials selection and maintenance - had links to quite a few library sites which were doing book reviews/holiday reading by staff. I think Wikis can have some good uses in libraries but like anything needs to be regularly updated and the content checked.

Library 2.0 - It's many things to many people. What does it mean to you?

Reading Away from Icebergs raised some interesting points about the collection of print resources, and I think patrons do want access to everything but they also want it straight away - influenced by the web and the vast information they can find out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. One of the problems is that not all publishers move at the same pace as the patron wants or needs and this puts us in the middle!

Into a new world of librarianship made me question a couple of the points raised about the traits of Librarian 2.0. I think that alot of these traits aren't newly required -you could argue that librarians (admittedly not all)  have always looked forward, understood content and planned for the future with patrons in mind - these are traits that haven't just come about because of Web 2.0.

I think Library 2.0 is about exploring and implementing the best changes and technology developments to connect more with the patron and provide quality resources not quantity

Technorati

I explored this site and found some references to Learning 2.0 but I don't know if I would use this site as a way to locate other blogs. The Blog directory might be a good starting point  for people who had an area that they wanted to explore. Technorati Top 100 was interesting. The ads around the site got a little annoying though!

Del.icio.us

Well I created a Yahoo account which I wasn't keen on as it seemed to need too many personal details like birth date and your location. Once I worked out how to get this not to display, I went on to use Del.icio.us. It was easy to add the web pages and I can see how useful it would be for researchers to share their research, make connections and develop opportunities for collaboration. It is also useful for students to keep track of popular website and to share this information amongst a group of people. I can see how it would help you to see what sites other people are finding.

Web 2.0 Technology

I think that areas such as Cultural Collections are really making good use of Web 2.0 technologies like Flickr. I like the Library's blog and its use of RSS feeds. It would be great to use some of these technologies to highlight our new resources for our students and staff. Google Talk is another technology that has some great benefits and is starting to be used among several teams of staff as another communication tool.

LibraryThing

I've created my account and added 5 books. I have a connection with each of the 5 books I've added to my LibraryThing, I grew up in the world of A.A Milne and Beatrix Potter, I became a fan of Jane Austen, and I'm working towards Paris! I like the concept of this website and can see great benefits for book lovers and libraries, perhaps as a new way to showcase new titles. What was interesting was when you searched on a title like Pride and Prejudice and then saw the thousands of books, DVDs and the like which have a connection. You can check out my LibraryThing profile at http://www.librarything.com/profile/bronwen99

fd's Flickr Toys

Here is the photo I did, jigsaw style!  I really liked this exercise. If you want to try here is the link http://bighugelabs.com/. It was really simple, just add a photo and then you can do all sorts of things to the image. I particularly like the jigsaw effect.

RSS Feeds

I've set up my Google Reader account and added quite a few RSS feeds. It was relatively easy to add them to the reader and I think they could be quite useful for helping you stay aware of current developments in a chosen area, subject or interest.

Learning Web 22.0 so far

So far I've created a blog, posted some messages, added a couple of images of my own and checked out the great photos on Flickr for the Snowball Collection. I don't know if I would become a regular blogger but I do really like what the Library has been doing on Flickr - what a great way to get those pictures exposed and get some information on them to help fill in the gaps. Flickr is a great avenue for Cultural Collections to highlight those rare collections of photos which might otherwise only be seen by being on campus in the Library. I wonder if Ralph Snowball would have ever imagined that his photos can now be seen by so many in so many countries......

Flickr

Today I've been exploring Flickr and the great photographs from the Snowball Collection. One of my favourites can be found at this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/3270598777/in/set-72157608912691810/ Some of my favourite photos are the ones from days gone by where you imagine what their lives were like, how they lived and the times they must have had.

Lifelong Learning for Cats

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning for me is all about having a willingness to learn new skills, to try different tasks and to explore new technology. It is also about encouraging others around to try new things and learn alongside with you. From the 7 1/2 habits of highly successful lifelong learners taking responsibility for your learning stands out. I'm looking forward to learning all about Web 2.0 and having fun experimenting and trying out new things.