I have really enjoyed this hands-on online course. My confidence with things digital has increased, and I would love to be able to implement/integrate some of the Web 2.0 technologies into the services provided by by local public library (if and when I eventually get a job). Thanks heaps Mylee and Ellen and whoever else was involved. I will keep a look out for updates on your site.
Cheers
Jo
Monday 29 August 2011
Activity 24: The Dark side of the Web
Unfortunately I learned the hard way about just how 'dark' the Web can be. About 10 years ago (not long after I started using online banking) I had a key-stroke-capture virus attach itself to my computer via a trojan. About thirty thousand dollars was taken out of my account before I noticed the discrepency. Luckily, the bank reimbursed it all. I'm still not sure why it happened, except that despite having antivirus software installed and running, a window used pop up saying I had a trojan virus. My teenage children at the time said "don't worry Mum, the antivirus software is working etc..". It certainly was worrying at the time, and has made me very aware of scams and viruses etc. I was asked to go to court to testify, but didn't have to in the end. I was notified of the findings of the court case eventually. They prosecuted the 'donkey' who is the person who went to the ATM's and withdrew the funds, but he was working....wait for it...the Russian Mafia! Yes, it was like on the tv, only real. Apparently the banks very rarely get their money back in such cases. I believe the banks have more secure systems now. I haven't returned to online banking though. At the time, I talked in depth to someone in the bank's frauds department who assured me he would never do online banking on a home computer.
My mother-in-law was also targeted in a scam recently. She received a phone call and believed the caller to be a representative of microsoft, so proceded to allow him remote access into her computer. I really feel for the elderly when they are targeted like this. I guess being aware yourself, and promoting awarenesss amongst anyone you think might require assistance can only be beneficial. The internet certainly is wonderful, and with a little care, the pitfalls can be minimised.
My mother-in-law was also targeted in a scam recently. She received a phone call and believed the caller to be a representative of microsoft, so proceded to allow him remote access into her computer. I really feel for the elderly when they are targeted like this. I guess being aware yourself, and promoting awarenesss amongst anyone you think might require assistance can only be beneficial. The internet certainly is wonderful, and with a little care, the pitfalls can be minimised.
Activity 23: Mashups revisited
Mashups are so varied and applied in so many different ways. I googled and explored mashups via youtube. I looked at some actual youtube mashups (of classical music mixed with contempory artist's vocals), but decided this isn't really my thing...obviously someone does appreciate it though. I also looked a youtube videos explaining what mashups are, so my understanding has deepened. APIs are provided by the likes of Yahoo, Google, Amazon, and Ebay. Developers can merge these APIs to make new applications.
Here is my Bubblr mashup....
Bubblr uses a Flickr Api that lets you add cartoon bubbles to photos, which are then available publically online. This application could be used as a promotion tool on the library website if someone was creative enough.
The mashups of US data weren't so interesting to look at.
'Interestingness' uses a Flickr API to display a daily photo wall which is composed using the 'interestingness' algorithm. This algorithm is based on users comments, time of comment, whether the image is added as a favourite, tags and more. This is a great way to browse a a wide variety of images.
Another fun mashup using a Flickr API is 'Bookr', with which you can create and share a book containing flickr photos (creative commons content), adding your own title, text etc. The book can be emailed or embedded into a blog. This would be a fun activity to explore during library computer classes.
Here is my Bubblr mashup....
Bubblr uses a Flickr Api that lets you add cartoon bubbles to photos, which are then available publically online. This application could be used as a promotion tool on the library website if someone was creative enough.
The mashups of US data weren't so interesting to look at.
'Interestingness' uses a Flickr API to display a daily photo wall which is composed using the 'interestingness' algorithm. This algorithm is based on users comments, time of comment, whether the image is added as a favourite, tags and more. This is a great way to browse a a wide variety of images.
Another fun mashup using a Flickr API is 'Bookr', with which you can create and share a book containing flickr photos (creative commons content), adding your own title, text etc. The book can be emailed or embedded into a blog. This would be a fun activity to explore during library computer classes.
Activity 22: Instant Communication
This activity has helped me become aware of the multitude of 'instant communication' options available. Although I am familiar with, and use skype, and have made use of the online chat facility available via the CSU library, I wasn't familiar with MSN messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM or google talk, google video and voice etc. I use skype to communicate with family in Victoria, but our internet connection isn't always great and personally I prefer to chat on the phone, rather than via glitchy video and voice. I have really appreciated CSU's online chat facility and think this is a great way for libraries to provide a service to their clients. I now understand that an instant messenger service for the library can occur via the library webpage, or via these other chat options, provided the screen name of the chat service provider is known (eg. davisrefdesk is the screen name for the UNL Unuversity Libraries IM librarian service). My teenage son has just recently purchased a headset with microphone, and he now chats to his friends as they play online games against each other. I'm not a great fan of these online games but I do concede that being able to chat and socialise whilst playing, is better than sitting quietly and only ineracting via the game.
Friday 26 August 2011
Activity 21: More with Google Docs
As i'm not yet working in a library and am self employed, I haven't had the need to create a working Google Docs document yet. I've had a good play around with it though, and looked at the tips, and I can definitely see the benefits of being able to share a document, spreadsheet, presentation or drawing online, and share the creating and editing too. This application would be really helpful for branch libraries that are geographically dispersed, but similarly in large libraries where co-workers are in different departments or on different levels.
The tip I found most interesting is that collaboration is possible via a chat session in real time. This means if you are creating or editing a document/presentation/spreadsheet/drawing and someone is working at the same time as you, a chat box will show, to allow collaboration in real time. This feature is quite remarkable and I imagine it would be most useful, efficient and effective. I also envisage that specific times could be scheduled (perhaps with the help of google calendar and Doodle) so that co-workers could log on, chat, and work on a project at a designated time.
Also the fact that Google Docs are 'rendered' in HTML, making it easy to add content to a web page is of great benefit. I completed a subject in Web design last semester, so I can envisage that being able to use Google Docs to create content collaboratively for a library webpage, and then upload it easily to the website is real boon.
The tip I found most interesting is that collaboration is possible via a chat session in real time. This means if you are creating or editing a document/presentation/spreadsheet/drawing and someone is working at the same time as you, a chat box will show, to allow collaboration in real time. This feature is quite remarkable and I imagine it would be most useful, efficient and effective. I also envisage that specific times could be scheduled (perhaps with the help of google calendar and Doodle) so that co-workers could log on, chat, and work on a project at a designated time.
Also the fact that Google Docs are 'rendered' in HTML, making it easy to add content to a web page is of great benefit. I completed a subject in Web design last semester, so I can envisage that being able to use Google Docs to create content collaboratively for a library webpage, and then upload it easily to the website is real boon.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Activity 20: Event Management
I'm not yet working in a library, and am self employed, so personally I don't have much need for events management tools. However I can certainly see the benefits of being able to schedule events/meetings concerning lots of people with a tool like Doodle. I did set up a Doodle account, and emailed an invitation to nswpln@gmail.com. to invite you all to my dinner party in October (let me know which Saturday suits you), to celebrate my completion of a Bachelor of Applied Science in Library and Information Management! Hope you can all make it.
Here is my Google Calendar. I'm definitely getting more confident. I changed the size of the calendar so it fitted into the blog better. A Google Calendar can be shared with co-workers or within a company (or library of course). It is a great little application that optimizes attendance at events in such a simple but clever way.
I wonder who will reply to my Doodle invitation???
Who thought up that name anyway....Doodle???
Here is my Google Calendar. I'm definitely getting more confident. I changed the size of the calendar so it fitted into the blog better. A Google Calendar can be shared with co-workers or within a company (or library of course). It is a great little application that optimizes attendance at events in such a simple but clever way.
I wonder who will reply to my Doodle invitation???
Who thought up that name anyway....Doodle???
Activity 19: Productivity: more ways with RSS
This activity wasn't quite as useful as some of the others. RSS in itself is a filtering tool, and to have to filter further would only be useful to someone who had a specific need. So I can see the benefits of its use for serious researchers who might want to further filter sites they are already subscribing to via RSS. Hence, RSS filtering (eg. by FeedRinse, FilterMyRss or FeedSifter) would be be applicable in a tertiary library, government department library or medical library for example, but not so much in a public library setting. Perhaps librarians researching a specific topic relevant to their work might also use an RSS filter.
I did set up an alert for my Regional Council website 'vacancies' page, as I am constantly monitoring it incase there is a library job advertised I can apply for! Hopefully I will now receive an alert via email.
I haven't organised my feeds in any way. I simply scroll through them and scan to see what I might like to delve further into. I quite like doing this.
I did set up an alert for my Regional Council website 'vacancies' page, as I am constantly monitoring it incase there is a library job advertised I can apply for! Hopefully I will now receive an alert via email.
I haven't organised my feeds in any way. I simply scroll through them and scan to see what I might like to delve further into. I quite like doing this.
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