Monday, January 28, 2008
Remember the Milk and Jott
Learning about new tools is always fun, but try as I might, I can't think of a use for Jott. 'Remember the Milk' (cute name) maybe, but I find Outlook to be more useful. I create a lot of 'to do' lists and project plans and if I didn't have access to Outlook I might have a use for 'Remember the Milk'.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Google Docs
I am very excited about Google Docs and how they can be put to use at our library. Here are some of my ideas:
1. We can educate our patrons about using them and not have to pay for the Microsoft equivalents! We currently have Word and Excel on only one of our public access PCs because of the cost of the software. Now we can offer similar programs on all of them and have a Powerpoint type software as well!! Yeah!
2. I frequently design computer courses at the Library and then present them at the grade school. Now, I can use the Google Docs to create them and not have to download/upload the course.
3. I will be free to work on Library docs on my vacation, days off, sick days -all from home - wait--this is not a good use!
Let me know if you have any other ideas. Thanks - JoAnn
1. We can educate our patrons about using them and not have to pay for the Microsoft equivalents! We currently have Word and Excel on only one of our public access PCs because of the cost of the software. Now we can offer similar programs on all of them and have a Powerpoint type software as well!! Yeah!
2. I frequently design computer courses at the Library and then present them at the grade school. Now, I can use the Google Docs to create them and not have to download/upload the course.
3. I will be free to work on Library docs on my vacation, days off, sick days -all from home - wait--this is not a good use!
Let me know if you have any other ideas. Thanks - JoAnn
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
IM - WF
I always want to learn foreign languages and now I have a new one to learn! I will have to introduce the IM shorthand to my non-typing friends and patrons. I wonder if all of the grammar rules apply when using the shorthand - do we still need periods, commas, semi-colons, etc.? Does grammar-check software know the difference between AKY and YMAK. Fun stuff, but I'm not ready to go live with IM at the Library, that might require sitting in front of the screen waiting for a message rather than walking the floor. - JoAnn
Monday, December 3, 2007
My Thoughts on the Class
Wow, I can't believe we are already at the end. It was difficult to find the time to read/listen to all of the information and complete the assignments, but I'm glad I did.
I think Blogs will be the most useful tool for me personally and at the Library. I really want to try an online book club in the very near future and from what I can tell, a blog would be a good way to go (or maybe a Wiki ?!? - I'm still thinking on that one). A big thank you to everyone who helped put Project Play together! TTFN - JoAnn
I think Blogs will be the most useful tool for me personally and at the Library. I really want to try an online book club in the very near future and from what I can tell, a blog would be a good way to go (or maybe a Wiki ?!? - I'm still thinking on that one). A big thank you to everyone who helped put Project Play together! TTFN - JoAnn
Monday, November 12, 2007
Wikis
Vesper, WI did not have an entry on Wikipedia. I did learn that Vesper is also a drink made famous by Ian Fleming in Casino Royal! Perhaps we need a martini bar called the Vesper/Vesper. I added the Village of Vesper to the Wikipedia listing.
I can't think of anything off hand that we would use a Wiki for , but a camping trip sounds like fun. I suppose it would be a good place to easily post new books with the option of having others add to a wish list. I like it better than the blog for getting feedback like that because you wouldn't have to wade through pages of entries. I'll have to think on it some more.
TTFN - JoAnn
I can't think of anything off hand that we would use a Wiki for , but a camping trip sounds like fun. I suppose it would be a good place to easily post new books with the option of having others add to a wish list. I like it better than the blog for getting feedback like that because you wouldn't have to wade through pages of entries. I'll have to think on it some more.
TTFN - JoAnn
Monday, November 5, 2007
Tags
I noticed we didn't get an email reminder this morning to check in on week 8 of Project Play. Its quite interesting how hooked I get on having someone remind me to accomplish tasks. Luckily, I was cleaning out my inbox and saw the message about week 7.
But I digress. I am thinking of starting a Blog for truly small libraries (village/town/city population under 1,000) and having a Delicious account where we could keep useful websites is one way I could use this tool.
The concept of tagging with uncontrolled vocabulary isn't at all unsettling to me. I've always been a bit of a rebel and feel natural vocabulary makes more sense. Since it is a social system, I think you will end up with a much more usable setup than the controlled vocabulary system that is accessible only to those who have the 'key'. I've always felt that the subject heading vocabulary was too formal (Motion Picture vs. Film, Movie, Cinema, etc.) Using social input will likely include all of those tags (eventually).
Now I've set up my own del.icio.us account, but haven't added any websites yet. Check back for the URL.
TTFN - JoAnn
But I digress. I am thinking of starting a Blog for truly small libraries (village/town/city population under 1,000) and having a Delicious account where we could keep useful websites is one way I could use this tool.
The concept of tagging with uncontrolled vocabulary isn't at all unsettling to me. I've always been a bit of a rebel and feel natural vocabulary makes more sense. Since it is a social system, I think you will end up with a much more usable setup than the controlled vocabulary system that is accessible only to those who have the 'key'. I've always felt that the subject heading vocabulary was too formal (Motion Picture vs. Film, Movie, Cinema, etc.) Using social input will likely include all of those tags (eventually).
Now I've set up my own del.icio.us account, but haven't added any websites yet. Check back for the URL.
TTFN - JoAnn
Friday, November 2, 2007
Libray Thing
I had looked into LibraryThing as a possible solution to our automation project, but found out that the limit for paid accounts is 5,000 books (weakness) and while our collection is small, it's not quite that small. I have set up a catalog of my personal favorites at: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/vespl
One of the other weaknesses is a 200 book maximum for the private (free) accounts. That number is too low either for my personal collection or for many individual reading lists. I think it would be a great way for patrons to keep track of their reading lists (at least for the current year) or for use with the summer reading program.
I was surprised to see the Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is only in 2 other accounts, it is one of my all-time favorite books. My own book Americana is 1/12th Scale is in two other accounts also (yeah!).
One of the other weaknesses is a 200 book maximum for the private (free) accounts. That number is too low either for my personal collection or for many individual reading lists. I think it would be a great way for patrons to keep track of their reading lists (at least for the current year) or for use with the summer reading program.
I was surprised to see the Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is only in 2 other accounts, it is one of my all-time favorite books. My own book Americana is 1/12th Scale is in two other accounts also (yeah!).
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