Some more on Delicous....

Seems I'm not the only one unhappy about the new Delicious. Now that's a bit of a turn around for someone who was wary and not overly keen to use it to begin with. But no I gave it a go. Hope I can retrieve what I was saving - it was all for an upcoming presentation I have to do soon! No way of  finding them otherwise....

These came through by RSS feeds not long after I made my discovery early this morn.

Hey Jude  gives a really detailed view. I note she mentions she was given a choice whether or not she wanted to swap over. My account took it upon itself to change without consulting me.That's a bit rude...favouritism?

A couple of others you might like to check out for different opinions are What’s Delicious Doing Now? Making Stacks, Delicious team unveils new version of the social bookmarking site and Oh God, what is this mess branded as Delicious?

Delicious MK?

Oh my 'Giddy Aunt'!

Delicious has changed again! Bugger...unless of course you like PORN FOR MEN.  The main page keeps flashing these photo's and sites at me on their new page. Not that I'm a snob but this is NOT what I want a bookmarking tool to do. I saved a new bookmark and now have no way of getting back to my page unless I hit the back button without spending time having a discovery tour. Why should I have to do that  if I never navigated away from it in the first place??? Where are my tag bundles gone? Contacts and the like? oh CRAP. Time to start again with 'Stacks'. ggrrrrrrr.....

Obviously I've not had time to get to know the new format being this time of night and 
I have more important things to do. Homework SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP 

Please...can someone do my homework? No, I'm serious...

One thing I did notice, not many of the old standard features. My Delicious link for followers of this blog has even disappeared...oh I don't know....why, why, why, why?

Maybe I'll have time for a discovery tour some time soon....

RSS Could there be a more positive side to this application?

I came across a Library in the ACT, the New Gungahlin Library, using a 'Gadget' on their home page that led me to believe it allowed you to specifically target what you want in your feed. Or at least narrow it down to a Blog or eNewsletter. I've been complaining about there not been anything like this for ages. Maybe Australia is setting the pace? It is the first website Ive seen using anything like it! But alas no...just a gadget lookalike. In fact when you click on either one of them it is a link to 'Libraries ACT Blog' and their eNewsletter subscription page. Got my hopes up for nothing!

You never know, one day in the near future you may even be able to narrow it further by subject category. To begin with maybe not too specific...

Web 2.0, Digital Conservation, Book Binding, Book Restoration. 

Or if you really wanted to dream... 
Digital Conservation of 1912 photographs, Book Binding in the 19th Century or repairing torn pages.

Having my curiosity peaked I did some research on Blogger and they don't have anything new that is remotely like it.  Although they are experimenting with some new features, that we are able to take part in. 

Seems Blogger is having one of it's 'glitches' on me! Rotten thing is putting line spacing in where ever it feels like today as well showing Confessions of a Curator having her last post three years ago! Where in fact it was only two days ago. Nothing I do will change either problem - I've tried for hours!

YouTube

The question posed is... How can Libraries use this extremely popular piece of the 21st Century? I imagine there are many ways possible and all relevant in their own unique way.

For me, when I think YouTube I think...MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

...ooo... do I feel a song coming on?

On a more serious note, I came across these videos from a blog I follow. I just loved them. This is how Confessions of a Curator is using YouTube as a teaching tool for Web 2.0. It comes from the Folger Shakespeare Library who have their own YouTube Channel. How invaluable is this for information sharing amongst Conservationists, Book binders, for all manner of  restoration and the like across the world? I feel it could be utilised by a great deal more, if only there was time, money and inclination.

This video on Social Media Revolution in 2011 is great. The figures and information it presents is rather confronting if your not up with the latest. A useful tool for it's 'shock' value, that could be used in Libraries to promote the use of these new and rapidly emerging technologies; that are here to stay.

It is not the world as we know it. And all generations are embracing technology in one way or another. Whether they like it, will admit it or realise it or not.

From a popular Australian (yes I have finally found one) University Lecturer and avid blogger Hey Jude we can see her many examples of YouTube video's in her blog; which both enhance and complement the subject she is writing about.

In all I found 'YouTube', this weeks adventure into Web 2.0 well worth it. It's like Google to my mind. Anything and everything can be found here. Used as a teaching tool for Library staff, everyone including the 'readers' would benefit in so many ways. Think outside the square - there are so many different types of Library and employment skills needed in ALL aspects of this industry. It's not just about lending a book or knowing your way around a computer.

In the more financial lending libraries and especially if you have a clever arty type to make some videos, it would be a good way of enticing the 'Digital Natives' to physically come in, visit you and grab a book.    Did I just say that? Am I dreaming? It is a nice thought though.

Now when I think YouTube, I think...

INFORMATION SHARING, INFORMATION SHARING, INFORMATION SHARING...  No, no song there.

Here's a bit of a ggle for you  

When there is more time and energy in my days I'll get around to editing it on YouTube. It looks like a fun thing to do.

Facebook

David Lee King has an informative blog on using Facebook to promote your library. It has lot's of links including one to the magazine American Libraries for which he wrote this particular piece titled 'Facebook for Libraries'.

After reading these and looking at the statistics he uses, as well as seeing how some mainland  Libraries are using Facebook. I'm even keener to see it used at my local. It just makes sense really. 

Personally I am a 'Friend' of a couple of them and find it very unobtrusive when they pop up on my news feed or event invitations are in their compartmentalised section. It's not like some people who I am 'Friends' with and they post hundreds! Now that I find irritating, but I don't want to miss the things that I'm interested in...damned if I keep it, damned if I don't... I digress...

Yes I really like this idea it could be really fun. Would love to see more Australian Libraries embrace it.

I have even started my version. Mother Moonshine's Life Long Learning Library Likes. Come visit.

'Like' me and keep up to date with some of the quirky and sometimes daggy things I include.

Directories, Databases & Indexes

DEFINITIONS... WEB STYLE...

To begin this exercise I decided to try a ‘free online dictionary’, something I had not done previously. 

I chose The Free Dictionary.  The home page is very ‘social media’ like, interesting information, well set out, easy to read and easy to use with a good array of search options. Before doing anything I assessed it for authority. Not as much as I would have liked being that it’s a Wiki, but thought I’d give it ago anyway.

I headed straight to the Dictionary/Thesaurus. At first glance of this page I was suitably impressed and the blurb was not shy in letting you know where they source their information from. As ‘Collins’ is one of them I felt confident in proceeding.

My first searches for Bibliographic Database  and Bibliographic hit the nail on the head for me. The explanations written in a way that is readily grasped and includes links to more definitions related to my search. PERFECT for my assignment exercise.

Then the downfall…..ADS! I was so absorbed with what I was interested in how could I not see them! Oh…and then they stick out like a sore thumb grrrr…. No I just have to pretend they are not there.

Seemingly on a winner I continue with gusto on my quest to finish this assignment.

Index (database) and then ‘Periodical Index (database)’ – no luck with this one but a link to try Technorati is suggested (again no luck) or try each word separately. Happy with my index search I go for Periodical so between the two I can piece together the meaning. Possibly had this Wiki been also contributed to by Australians it would have come up? Maybe, maybe not maybe I’m just being cynical as I never seem to find much Australian content on the Web. Not completely from one country this Wiki does source information from both the U.S.A and Britain for the English language offering a ‘predictive choice’.

At a whim whilst using ‘Word’ I give the research engine a burl. No ‘Periodical Index’ here either. The Encarta Dictionary used does also give a reasonable and easily understandable description of ‘Index’ which I can also use.

One more … ‘Directory’ and as I’m particularly interested in Web 2.0  Directory (database) is my choice of search.

Satisfied with my foray into the unknown and the definitions for the task needed, I can now put this baby to bed and get on with the exercise at hand.

PS    No I haven’t been convinced on Wikis but this goes a good way towards it! he he he he

PPS I would also have liked to have seen a 'Synonyms' tab

Rollyo

 NUP don't like it. Felt I kept hitting brick walls with a few 'standard' things I wanted to do. Couldn't update or use a photograph as all of the other 'advertised' users had or even an 'add to my rollyo' tool. Admittedly I tried some time after I had signed up, but surely I could have had the choice to do so at a later date. Or is it because it's ANOTHER American application and we Aussies don't have the option of doing so??? It wouldn't even let me save changes to the Searchroll I had created, althoough I was logged in it didn't recognise me. Eventually after several attempts over a period of days (not changing the way I was doing anything) it worked. Another application with glitches.

If any one is interested I am Mother Moonshine.  My Searchroll is Life Long Learning. Some URL's I have added to my roll are National Archives of Australia, National Library of Australia and their Blog 'Behind the Scenes', Hey Jude, Delicious, David Lee King, Confessions of a Curator and Librarian in Black. Thought these would be a good cross section to try as they incorporate Web 2.0 and all things 'old'. I'm sure I could add a lot more than this to my list.

Another good idea and again, not really for me on a personal level. It attempts to offer ease of use, clearly set out and uncluttered. I would like to see an Australian version and then I could visualise it being used within the library industry 'inhouse' as part of the intranet. Even as a guide on a Libraries Home page for visitors to use as a reference to interesting sites. The information could be supplied by a 'Celebrity', 'Head Librarian' of Collections , 'Researcher', 'Children's Librarian', 'Historian', 'Book Head of the Month' etc, etc... promoted in a non 'geeky' and upbeat way. Each catagorised with their own 'Searchroll'. I can also see the benefits for University students.
A more comprehensive bookmarking tool such as Delicious or the like, I feel would be better for sharing between colleagues within departments.

Wiki Update

Soo...

Came across this blog from the States which I am following...it's really quite educational and you can glean for what your interested in. Came across a load of information on using Wiki's in a Library. Easy to read and take it in. Mind you as with lot's of the Wikis I found previously this dated 2006. Must have been about the time Wikis  were the new emerging Web 2.0 tool.

At work this week I 'overheard' a conversation that suggested a Wiki could be used to gather information from a particular group of people and also follow on with clear instructions on how to partake in an upcoming event. Maybe if it goes ahead a video could also be done for instruction and imbedded here?

Just thinking out load. Not saying I have changed my mind or have been sold on them, but I now have my eye's opened here and may just come around...

Wikis

Wikis Wikis Wikis Wikis......

Well to be brutally honest the jury is still out here. Apart from 'Wikipedia' I never knew there were personal or professional applications available. Yup; another learning curve today.

However the imagination and logic needed to apply this within the 'Library or Information' industry is on holiday. I 'spose there is some good arguments in the 'for' side but in my case unless I'm out there using it day by day it just doesn't grab me. Think that would be the only way I could be bought around. A full day Personal Development session by a service hooked on it, done the studies and with a viable network to other users would be well worth my while. Not that I want someone to SELL it to me, I just don't, well I just don't...Someone to open my eye's is possibly what I'm getting at. Then I could objectively give an opinion.

Many many hours have been spent searching for these little lovelies. Not easily found. Maybe I should say not a lot up to date, very interesting - to my mind or within my criteria. I certainly didn't start with the 'criteria', very broad searching is what I began with.Some of the methods I used were Wikipedia, Google, Google Blog, Technorati ( I know stabs in the dark) and recommended class links (which I really didn't want to utilise finding my own was far more important to me), as well as looking at home pages to some blogs I follow.

Nothing catching me for inspiration to write about here. A couple of Wikis that looked like a good idea, had a lot of work on them and then not utilised to their fullest are Library Goddess and Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki both dated 2006. Giving me the impression Wikis have been a flash in the pan. A large amount of time and effort sadly wasted.

At the National Library of Australia my Wiki search came up with the definition of one and the State Library of New South Wales takes me to a blog but still nothing within my criteria...and more and more I find are all done in the last decade! I heard UTAS uses them but all I could find was how to cite them.

I even tried searching for Rare Books. Now that was interesting, all of my hits came up with blogs relating to GAMES with the words rare and books and how to play the game.

Can you feel me getting rather 'frustrated'??? Time to have a break and check out what fellow class mates have come up with. Am I soo glad I did this! I found something that piqued my curiosity.

  

ULCAT Wiki published by the University of Limerick contained a good variety of 'Useful Websites for Cataloguers'. This includes information such as: 'about' the University, Tools, LC Authorities to Miscellaneous and Library Wikis. 

Up to date and still keeping me interested I decide to check out the Dictionary section. The German one to be precise, have a daughter who has just come back from an exchange and wondered if it would help. It wasn’t quite what I expected – more like a magazine on line and then into the Miscellaneous section at….yes you guessed it ‘Bookbinding and the conservation of books’.

SMILING  SMILING  SMILING  SMILING  
 Do you see me smiling?

Finally something within my criteria! YAY!!!

I had to suffer pop up window of ads first on my way to a new place called Etherington and Roberts  tried it twice but not too sure if it is a website, blog or wiki – not loading correctly- grrr…computers. So I hit a link ‘color plates’ and get a wonderful page of photographs!                                                            Oh just yumm      Just beautiful.                   

There is also 'A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'  Still not sure what I’ve linked into – looks the same – not loaded correctly or just baaaad web design????   Obviously ‘baaaad web design’ is what it is; as I have come from something called ‘Useful websites for cataloguers’.  Not sure if this is too useful for them as I couldn’t find anything ‘catalogue’ related on the surface. On further study skimming through the Preface. I find it could be worthwhile for them. ‘Cool’ are the people responsible and I quote…                         

“…an online resource operated by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation is a full text library of conservation information, covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest to those involved with the conservation of library, archives and museum materials. It is a growing online resource for conservators, collection care specialists, and other conservation professionals…”   

  

Not a ‘Wiki’ but it came from a 'Wiki' and again we come across something non Australian….but it fits my ‘criteria topic!’

In the end I came to the conclusion 'networking' in industry was the only way I was going to come up with anything worthwhile.

Glucksman Library, University of Limerick, Ireland. (2011). UL Cataloguer's Desktop. Available: http://ulcat.wikia.com/wiki/ULCat . Last accessed 24 Jul 2011

Etherington & Roberts. (2011). Bookbinding and conservation of books. Available: http://cool.conservation-us.org/. Last accessed 24 Jul 2011

Thanks also to Danielle's Library Blog

Delicious

THE NEW AGE NEW BEAUT INVISIBLE CLOUD BOOKMARKING TOOL.

...so the rumour goes... 

  

If it's a cloud in the sky what's it doin to the atmosphere??                Global warming and all that...you know...mmm bit scarey...not sayin that's what it's contributing to but seriously; between you and me;       I'm WARY.

You know...turn the page on the corner (ooo perish the thought ! use a book mark!) 
 Used it vaguely a long time ago. As far as bookmarking goes I'm glad I put the URL's on it I did, but realistically it's not really for me. Not at this point of time anyway. Personally I'd rather read books and RSS keeps me up to date with whatever I'm interested in. HOWEVER... if I had a 'desk' job as a researcher, or into conservation orrrr was a 'much younger' student, I think it would be invaluable. Akin to a 'Favorites List'.  I wish there was one for movies to go and see!

Today's version of Delicious does have very good help pages for the tools it supplies giving you the choice of a 'quick' tour or 'full' tour. You can have bookmarking buttons and add-ons for your browser or website. It is certainly worth having a look at. If you don't want to use it like this the original version of saving your bookmarks is still available. I like the way you have the choice.

It can also be used as a research tool to see what others are accessing. Although this could be fraught with rubbish unless you have a good network of knowledgeable peers that are trustworthy - academically and socially.

It has changed a wee bit since last I visited but nothing drastic and very easy still to use. There are no folders for categories as such, they are called tag bundles. Either way you look at it you still get 'visual' browsing. The tags use cross referencing and if I used it all the time I would definitely subscribe to other users and share information that way.

I understand the uses for this application and can see it behind the scenes in a library but not sure at this stage how for patrons. On a large scale it would get a bit time consuming for links to 'good reads, Author official websites, Blogs, RSS and the like. I can see it used for 'Book Group' and other groups run by a Library for those members who are so inclined.

Have a play with this one. Get the feel by starting with FAQ'S

Can anyone point me in the direction of  of any other similar applications? 

I'd like to compare.

 sumthingdifferent. (2007). Blue Sky and Clouds. Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13105039@N04/2220459219/in/set-72157603819711344. Last accessed 31st Jul 2011.

Flickr

                 Today's job...Flickr

 

 
 And no, as you can see I'm not looking for 'Flicker' the horse from movie and television fame.

I thought I would give old historical library architecture a go this time round. I have used this application in the past for 'light entertainment'. Watching slideshows of flowers.

Excitedly I began, stumped again - I failed...Lesson learnt...research your topic first 'before' doing this type of subject search.

As the seemingly inevitable pattern continues; in the need to get things moving along, I decide to change tact but will definately go back forewarned and forearmed on the search for stunning architecture.

 My searching strategy now involves Bookbinding, National Library of Australia, State Library of New South Wales and Conservation of books. Rijksmuseum ResearchLibrary uses Flickr like a diary for their Book Restoration Studio. With my favourite photographs today, that I share with you,coming from Northeast Document Conservation Center's photostream.

All totally different in what they show and have to say. From photographic instructions on how to bind a book, the Flickr effect and Picture Australia, digitising archival photographs which several libraries around the globe tend to use. Personally I prefer the State Library of Tasmania's photographic digitisation layout

I even stumbled upon one Universities photographs on how they moved some of their collection.

Having fiddled with Flickr in the past I added another piccie, a Library photo of my own from Polytechnic. 

I have been loving the fact that some Libraries including my own (oops! in my case LINC and that's a whole other subject...) have been using and promoting the use of 'mash ups' - an amazing world to explore. Check out the winners of this years competition.

I particularly love this one by Soul Solution - Mosaic of QLD – 50 000 images mashed up.

Flickr has an amazing amount of applications for the user to explore and use. It would take ever so long to learn and experiment with them all, I can see it becoming a 'hobby' in it's own right and could become rather addictive!

Julie Martin NEDCC. (2011). Historic document. 

Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedcc/with/5375557602/. Last accessed 24 Jul 2011. 

Julie Martin NEDCC. (2011). Maps. Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedcc/with/5375557602/. Last accessed 24 Jul 2011.

Julie Martin NEDCC. (2011). Finishing tool. 

Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedcc/with/5375557602/. Last accessed 24 Jul 2011.