Yay, made it! Phew...
All in all these 23 Things have been a bit of an eye opener, I must say! Even those Things I had already been using- turns out you can use them for work, and do more with them than I'd ever thought! I've now incorporated iGoogle, Google Docs, flickr and del.icio.us into my daily life whereas I hadn't previously used them; I'm still using facebook, Wikipedia, YouTube and podcasts, but getting greater functionality from them; and even those things I didn't particularly get on with - well at least I now know what they are and how to use them, so thank you 23 Things!
Some of the Things that I haven't really continued using have been those that aren't currently useful to me specifically, but that I can see might be under different circumstances. For example, RSS feeds are obviously great if you are trawling through a lot of info on a daily basis, but for me they kind of fell by the wayside. Too. Much. Information! LinkedIn could well be a fantastic networking opportunity in the future but given my current position it is pretty redundant. I also don't see myself tweeting merrily away any time soon, although if I was a journalist Twitter would be my constant companion! ThinkFree was my only real technological disaster - couldn't get it to work efficiently or consistently at all, not sure what went wrong there, but suffice to say I won't be using it again!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Week 11 - Widgets and Gadgets
As you can see from my newly gadgetted up blog, I've been playing! I added my Flickr Photostream, library-related news, my labels, a search box, and some perpetually hungry fish to my blog (just click the mouse in the fish tank to feed them)! I was impressed by the range of what was on offer, although most of the games I looked came with ads as an unwelcome bonus so I've avoided all those.
Meanwhile, my iGoogle page has evolved a bit. I've changed themes and removed/added gadgets, so it currently looks like this:
I found a couple of interesting Web 2.0 gadgets that may well prove useful for those in the library who want to take the 23 Things program further - The Edublogger and Mashable. Both link to useful information and hints and tips on using Web 2.0 technologies. I've also added BBC Radio, unfortunately no good for work (incompatible with staffing a reading room...) but very handy at home, and my del.icio.us which is currently a bit redundant as I usually have my del.icio.us bookmarks toolbar showing, but still, all in all a fairly Web 2.0 themed iGoogle page methinks!
Meanwhile, my iGoogle page has evolved a bit. I've changed themes and removed/added gadgets, so it currently looks like this:
I found a couple of interesting Web 2.0 gadgets that may well prove useful for those in the library who want to take the 23 Things program further - The Edublogger and Mashable. Both link to useful information and hints and tips on using Web 2.0 technologies. I've also added BBC Radio, unfortunately no good for work (incompatible with staffing a reading room...) but very handy at home, and my del.icio.us which is currently a bit redundant as I usually have my del.icio.us bookmarks toolbar showing, but still, all in all a fairly Web 2.0 themed iGoogle page methinks!
Week 10 - Head in the Clouds
As someone who is constantly using different computers with different (allegedly compatible...) versions of Microsoft Office on, this week's Things have been a bit of a revelation! Firstly, Google Docs. Nice and easy, accessible anywhere with internet, and even easier to access given that iGoogle is my homepage - it's so handy having all the Google options in one place, they're taking over my virtual world!
The word processing option looked so lovely and familiar - no need to learn a new package, this is basically a simplified version of Word. The collaborative options are very exciting; no messing about reformatting when you switch from one machine to another, everyone can work on and see exactly the same document, and involving others is very simple. I would definitely recommend Google Docs for anyone needing a simple (free!) word processing package that they can use anywhere and can collaborate with others with.
Next up, ThinkFree. From what I've manged to see of it, there does seem to be added functionality - I got a quick look at the note templates and was very impressed. However, it kept telling me that I needed to install Java Runtime Environment which I did successfully the first time, then it took ages to load, and when I finally used it was very slow. Still, I figured I'd come back to it later but to no avail! Whenever I try to create a new document it tells me I still need to install JRE, and when I do it won't install (probably because the stupid thing is already there, arghh!!). Anyway, I have now given up in a huff, but this hasn't put me off cloud computing, I'll just be sticking to the simplicity of Google Docs thank you very much!
The word processing option looked so lovely and familiar - no need to learn a new package, this is basically a simplified version of Word. The collaborative options are very exciting; no messing about reformatting when you switch from one machine to another, everyone can work on and see exactly the same document, and involving others is very simple. I would definitely recommend Google Docs for anyone needing a simple (free!) word processing package that they can use anywhere and can collaborate with others with.
Next up, ThinkFree. From what I've manged to see of it, there does seem to be added functionality - I got a quick look at the note templates and was very impressed. However, it kept telling me that I needed to install Java Runtime Environment which I did successfully the first time, then it took ages to load, and when I finally used it was very slow. Still, I figured I'd come back to it later but to no avail! Whenever I try to create a new document it tells me I still need to install JRE, and when I do it won't install (probably because the stupid thing is already there, arghh!!). Anyway, I have now given up in a huff, but this hasn't put me off cloud computing, I'll just be sticking to the simplicity of Google Docs thank you very much!
Monday, 29 March 2010
Week 9 - Wikis
I love Wikipedia! Always my first port of call when needing to look up something up, at the very least it's a great starting point (just don't reference it in essays!), but usually it can solve age old mysteries such as 'what's the difference between an aardvark and an anteater?' all by itself! Most recently a quick Wikipedia pitstop managed to resolve a number of household disputes relating to the finer details of the Harry Potter books that no-one could recall, due to their sheer length and convoluted plotting, so praise be to the Wiki!
In library-related matters I signed up for the Web 2: Oxford Libraries wiki, lots of interesting stuff going on over there. It'll be really handy for us at the RSL once we start creating our own Web 2 resources. I practiced editting some pages, but as I couldn't find anything to change (and cos I was feeling a bit shy!) I didn't save anything. Still, I now know what to do for the future! I also registered for Wikipedia which was rather exciting. At the moment I can't think of anything that I'm expert enough on to make an entry for, but I'll let you know if I do!
In library-related matters I signed up for the Web 2: Oxford Libraries wiki, lots of interesting stuff going on over there. It'll be really handy for us at the RSL once we start creating our own Web 2 resources. I practiced editting some pages, but as I couldn't find anything to change (and cos I was feeling a bit shy!) I didn't save anything. Still, I now know what to do for the future! I also registered for Wikipedia which was rather exciting. At the moment I can't think of anything that I'm expert enough on to make an entry for, but I'll let you know if I do!
Monday, 22 March 2010
Week 8 - Twitter
Here I am on Twitter...
I've always avoided Twitter like the plague, and to be honest, I think in some respects I was justified. I certainly won't be using it to follow celebrities, and I am overloaded with social communication tools as it is! Phone, mobile, text, email, write, Facebook...sometimes I even see my friends too ;-) There just ain't room for Twitter in my virtual social life.
However, I was pleasantly surprised at how useful it seems to be for work related purposes. I was impressed by the way in which tweets can unfold like breaking news, and certainly reading through the #ox23 tweets and those relating to last week's Library Conference has been interesting and a good way to connect with fellow library staff. I like how Nuffield Library and Sainsbury Library are using it to update their followers/readers with information on new acquisitions as well as changes in opening times. All in all, more useful than I was expecting!
I've always avoided Twitter like the plague, and to be honest, I think in some respects I was justified. I certainly won't be using it to follow celebrities, and I am overloaded with social communication tools as it is! Phone, mobile, text, email, write, Facebook...sometimes I even see my friends too ;-) There just ain't room for Twitter in my virtual social life.
However, I was pleasantly surprised at how useful it seems to be for work related purposes. I was impressed by the way in which tweets can unfold like breaking news, and certainly reading through the #ox23 tweets and those relating to last week's Library Conference has been interesting and a good way to connect with fellow library staff. I like how Nuffield Library and Sainsbury Library are using it to update their followers/readers with information on new acquisitions as well as changes in opening times. All in all, more useful than I was expecting!
Week 7 - LinkedIn
Well I've signed up for LinkedIn, but given that I'm not exactly a go-getting professional I'm not sure what good it'll do me! Still, it was nice to connect with my fellow library brethren, let's see if the job opportunities come flooding in!
Monday, 15 March 2010
Week 7 - Facebook
I've been using Facebook socially for a number of years so thought that this Thing would be a bit of a breeze. However, there's a big difference between using it to connect with mates to sort out the next night out and using it to publicise the library and connect with readers. Certainly the Facebook page format lends itself to publicising useful information such as opening hours and location, but that wouldn't really be enough to increase awareness of the library amongst users (or 'Fans'). It is also no more use than (and in fact an awful lot less use) a website. If the point of using Facebook is to publicise a library and its resources it's not enough just to create a page.
As a daily Facebook user the most important aspect of the site for me is what appears in my News Feed - that's what I react to initially. It's all very well having an engaging and exciting page, but if your Fans aren't being prompted towards the page through reminders that it exists, it will be to no avail. Similarly, I will check any messages sent to me, so if the library messages its Fans regularly with new content, I will in all likelihood read it. The more active a library is with connecting with its Fans through messaging and status updates, the more likely those Fans will use the library's page. Of the Oxford libraries using Facebook, I was particularly impressed with Queen's College Library . An extremely active and engaging prescence on Facebook, with a fantastic set of pages including the use of RSS feeds for new acquisitions and a variety of search option on their Boxes page. I can see why they have over 2000 fans!
As a daily Facebook user the most important aspect of the site for me is what appears in my News Feed - that's what I react to initially. It's all very well having an engaging and exciting page, but if your Fans aren't being prompted towards the page through reminders that it exists, it will be to no avail. Similarly, I will check any messages sent to me, so if the library messages its Fans regularly with new content, I will in all likelihood read it. The more active a library is with connecting with its Fans through messaging and status updates, the more likely those Fans will use the library's page. Of the Oxford libraries using Facebook, I was particularly impressed with Queen's College Library . An extremely active and engaging prescence on Facebook, with a fantastic set of pages including the use of RSS feeds for new acquisitions and a variety of search option on their Boxes page. I can see why they have over 2000 fans!
Week 6 - the Audio-Visual Week part 2
Moving swiftly on...YouTube! Doesn't really need any introduction, it's the bastion of drunken late night entertainment round at mine! Great for a nostalgia trip, you can't beat watching old episodes of Knightmare (it's amazing anyone ever won it!) and settling arguments about how the theme tune to Lost Cities of Gold went. Has to be said, it's not often I use YouTube for educational purposes, although I did recently when needing to create a GANTT chart in Excel - so thank you YouTube for saving my bacon on that one! Anyway, back to the task in hand, the YouTube Edu channel was pretty interesting, good to see the Open University's OpenLearn videos so widely watched! I'm on one of their Social Science courses, I hadn't realised how useful their videos were. There's also an interesting project going on at Nottingham University - they are representing Britain in an attempt to build the most efficient and attractive eco house. Check out their brief here. All in all, this exercise served as a good reminder that YouTube isn't all about cats playing piano and skateboarding dogs...
Week 6 - the Audio-Visual Week part 1
As you can see, I am now very behind on the 23 Things challenge - it's been a busy few weeks! Anyhoo, it's now vacation time so life at the RSL will hopefully be a bit more sedate for the next few weeks, therefore I'm going to make a concerted effort to catch up. First port of call, podcasts! I'm a big fan of podcasts, especially those from (sadly soon to be defunct) BBC 6Music. I used to regularly listen to the Adam & Joe show, genius! But in the spirit of the 23 Things menality I have explored further afield. I subscribed to the Huw Stephens podcast (BBC Radio 1) through Google Reader, and then turned my attention to Podcast.com - what an Aladdin's cave of marvels! I signed up to Living Planet: Environment Matters, and then delved into the music podcasts. Listened to a few, and subscribed to Spacemusic, great for underground electronica. All in all, a very productive Thing methinks! I will certainly be using Podcast.com again, thank you 23 Things for bringing it to my attention!
Friday, 26 February 2010
Better Late than Never - Week 5
So, this week has been all about social bookmarking and tagging through the deliciously named medium Delicious. Mmmmmm, tasty! I was quite excited about the potentials of using Delicious as it's one of those things I've heard of but never really understood what it was or how it would help me. I have to say, I'm not convinced I've progressed much further yet...
Don't get me wrong, it's quite a good way to organise your bookmarks, and I like the "bookmarklet" (I found it really useful that it reminds you to think about why you're bookmarking a site and how you want to find it again), but the way I've used it so far is not unlike having different folders in your "Favourites" sidebar, although admittedly a lot quicker! The other big advantage (and one not to be underestimated) is that it means you can access your personal bookmarks on any computer with internet access, and that's definitely worthwhile.
I didn't really find the Delicious site itself particularly intuitive, which irritated me probably more than it should have. I don't like having to go back and read the instructions just because I was at a complete loss as to what it was all meant to do! Still, after some resentful muttering I did get to grips with the site for long enough to import my existing bookmarks into Delicious, add some new ones, and do some tagging. I think I can see the general benefits in theory, but in practice I just really don't want to spend as much time on the Web as would make it worthwhile! In a library-specific context though, I can see that tagging could be very useful for both prescribed reading lists and for suggested reading around topics (which would lend itself to a more "social" approach as individuals added more items of interest under a variety of tags), so maybe I am coming round to understanding the purpose of Delicious!
I then continued bravely into the world of networking. I networked with Nuffield College Library and the Education Library (both very handy given that I'm doing a part time Master's in the social sciences) and I'm beginning to see the wider possibilities of Delicious library use; there's a lot of great resources bookmarked there! I also added some of my colleagues (hello!), my only gripe being that trying to add specific people is pretty tricky if you don't know what their login name is! I guess I'm too used to finding people on facebook and assumed that this would be similar - it's not!
Monday, 15 February 2010
Week 4 - Flickrtastic Part 2
So, guess who's been playing with Picnik?! I rather like this one with its dramatic skyline, even if I do say so myself! I am rather impressed that I can blog my photos straight from Flickr (I connected my blog to my Flickr account, very easy, just follow the steps after choosing the 'Blog This' option above the photo in question). Although I am rather at a loss as to how to reformat the post once I'm here - I can add to the text but haven't worked out how to move the photo itself around, short of actually saving it elsewhere and re-uploading it. Hmmm, I wonder...
Ok, so far have not come up with any more efficient ways to upload directly from Flickr, but here is the original of 'The Hurst' from 'My Pictures' for you to compare and contrast. It looks rather dull in comparison.
Ok, so far have not come up with any more efficient ways to upload directly from Flickr, but here is the original of 'The Hurst' from 'My Pictures' for you to compare and contrast. It looks rather dull in comparison.
Week 4 - Flickrtastic Part 1
Somewhat belatedly I have created my Flickr account, hoorah! Many of my friends use Flickr to display their photographic genius, but as I'm not much of a snapper I've never done more than have a quick look at their work when sent links, so this Thing has been good for me to start getting to grips with Flickr possibilities. You never know, it may lead to me taking more pictures!
So, after being unable to remember my existing Yahoo! ID I managed to finally create a sign-in that was accepted. Apparently I have a very common name, so now I have an ID I'll almost certainly forget (I'm guessing that's what happened with my last one), but until then, I have a lovely Flickr account!
Uploading photos was fairly straightforward, although I did have to save some from my Facebook account onto my computer in order to upload them as I was, sadly, photo-less on this machine. I liked scrolling through my photostream, and was pleased to see there was a slideshow facility if I ever did take reams of holiday pictures!
I only uploaded 10 photos, just to make sure I had got the hang of it, but as the Flickr site seemed pretty intuitive, I also organised them into 'Sets'.
I then managed to find my library brethren over at the Oxford 23 Things group, and have been accepted amongst them, yay!
All in all, a rather successful first toe-dip into the world of Flickr I feel, and I am very much looking forward to playing with the editing tools, fingers crossed for some exciting creations!
Friday, 5 February 2010
Week 3 - Overfed!
So this week I've been playing with RSS feeds, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information there is everywhere! I can see that there's a fine line between tools that are useful and those that are beautful timewasters... Still, I feel that I've acheived a harmonious balance with my current Google Reader set up - voila!
I'm following a handpicked selection of my fellow library bloggers, and props to Liz for spreading the word about New York Public Library's foray into Web 2.0, very interesting indeed, I'll definitely put aside some time to have a good ol' nose around their blogs.
Possibly even more exciting than seeing what everyone else has been up to is being able to subscribe to various feeds and have them stream in one place. I'm hoping that this will save a bit of time, as I've chosen to subscribe to some of my favourite places on the web - The Guardian, the Internet Movie Database (brilliant for those frustrating "I really recognise him, what else has he been in?" moments), news from the RSL, the University, and the local area, as well as, of course, the 23 Things blog itself! I'm loving the Google Reader homepage with it's "What's new" feature - easy to navigate and you can scroll down your new items which are handily broken up into sizzling snippets of juicy info!
I'm following a handpicked selection of my fellow library bloggers, and props to Liz for spreading the word about New York Public Library's foray into Web 2.0, very interesting indeed, I'll definitely put aside some time to have a good ol' nose around their blogs.
Possibly even more exciting than seeing what everyone else has been up to is being able to subscribe to various feeds and have them stream in one place. I'm hoping that this will save a bit of time, as I've chosen to subscribe to some of my favourite places on the web - The Guardian, the Internet Movie Database (brilliant for those frustrating "I really recognise him, what else has he been in?" moments), news from the RSL, the University, and the local area, as well as, of course, the 23 Things blog itself! I'm loving the Google Reader homepage with it's "What's new" feature - easy to navigate and you can scroll down your new items which are handily broken up into sizzling snippets of juicy info!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
A Look Back at Week 1
This is great for our team at work as we are often not physically located on in the same place. This way we can use the group chat for matters that arise throughout the day, and exchange information instantly. It's a real time alternative to email, and obviously a lot quieter than phoning each other, very useful in a reading room environment!
Taking the Plunge
Wow, my first ever blog post! This empty white space is surprisingly nerve wracking, here's hoping it gets easier as the weeks go on as the feeling of frozen wordlessness is not a pleasant one...
The 23 Things programme is exciting for me as I'm both library staff and a part-time postgraduate student. The potential possibilities in the communication and learning tools afforded by Web 2.0 are endless, and this programme looks to be a well structured way to explore them and try them out. It was quite an eye opener to see how little of the tools I use regularly - with the exception of Facebook, and the occasional dabble with YouTube and Flickr I'm pretty much a complete novice!
I've always been a bit put off using some of the Web 2.0 technologies that are on the 23 Things list purely because without a reason to get started with them, they can appear a bit overwhelming, or even pointless, and exploring them without a purpose is rather like being parachuted into a strange town with no map. So thank you, 23 Things, for providing some directions!
The 23 Things programme is exciting for me as I'm both library staff and a part-time postgraduate student. The potential possibilities in the communication and learning tools afforded by Web 2.0 are endless, and this programme looks to be a well structured way to explore them and try them out. It was quite an eye opener to see how little of the tools I use regularly - with the exception of Facebook, and the occasional dabble with YouTube and Flickr I'm pretty much a complete novice!
I've always been a bit put off using some of the Web 2.0 technologies that are on the 23 Things list purely because without a reason to get started with them, they can appear a bit overwhelming, or even pointless, and exploring them without a purpose is rather like being parachuted into a strange town with no map. So thank you, 23 Things, for providing some directions!
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