#23 Learning 2.0 - the journey for moi

Dear Administrators
Learning 2.0 was a big challenge for this library officer. Now at the end of the road, I can truthfully say that I have gained some benefit from the program, but had many more difficulties. I appreciated the opportunity to participate, glad the number of participants was extended, so I could be included.

The difficulties:
Not online @ home.
No time allocated at work & too busy during the day shifts.
A struggle to finish in time.
Many sections of the program have little relevance to work/clients in a public library.
Numerous more hours needed in exploring & completing the exercises.
Too many subs to join during the 9 weeks.

The benefits:
Introduction to many new technologies [for me].
A steep learning curve – but informative and enjoyable.
Enforced time management to complete.
Sense of fulfilment on completion
Each week the theory + exercises were comprehensive and interesting.

The most enjoyable sections were the bookmarks, cards, image generator and Flickr sites – all the visual aspects.

Thanks again – AND continue the good work.

#22 eAudio books

I connected to eAudiobooks and downloaded Shakespeares Sonnets ..

Although the narrator had clear diction, music background was enjoyable, I found the american accent a little off putting .

In the past I have enjoyed alot of talking books borrowed from the library, however the narrator makes or breaks the enjoyment gained from the audio book . I love to hear the written word - when doing house chores or in the car.

This new format is challenging. I have had the chance to view only one ebook which my son had on his computer. It was awkward, as he was hovering beside me to play games and to RECLAIM his toy, his PC.

ebooks are great with the widespread use of ipods ... however I do not have one so that is one of the presents I will be requesting for christmas as I think their usage would be great .

#21 podcasts

Podcasts are an amazing tool for getting a show or message out there .

One show that peaked my interest was a massage related weekly podcast . It is of particular note to me, as I have a home based business in this alternative heath area, so I followed with enthusiasm. I definitely will visit this site again, to read newer posts. Loved it...
http://www.podcast.net/show/80943

A possible library related functionality of podcasts would be to broadcast weekly updates on new releases, member of the month etc..

I found another podcast that was on stress related topics and I added it to my RSS feed account on bloglines.

#20 Youtube!!

Youtube is a fabulous online video sharing resource. This technology is WAY advanced for this poor old lady. I have only just ventured into the area of digital cameras, and am trying to understand uploading and editing...Oh dear - my head hurts. After spending much time with these exercises and getting quite lost, I had to enlist the help of my 21 year old. It's easy -he said - you do this and then this. Oh, and look at this funny one I found. [Yeah, rite!]

You can find a video on just about anything on youtube.. one of the funny videos I came across was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yu60iOIirQ

Poor fellow, would he still be alive? How does one find out?... but it just shows that there is alot of stupidity in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPRAKpT6u6Y
was a rather lengthy video [49mins] on the libraries of the future. Where they are heading and what can be expected. Interesting, but again - one is stuck in fromt of a computer and can't get comfy like you would lounging on a couch or curled up in bed. I wonder....

It stated that libraries are no longer repositories of hard copy books .. . although historically they were of great value to those who discovered used and expanded their intellectual businesses or pasttimes ... however in the future .. one may not even have to leave their front door but find all this information and a world of knowledge from the pc.

#19 Online web 2.0 award sites

I have an alternative health based home business and so I selected from the Health based web 2.0 awards.

One of the sites I found of interest was based on shiatsu massage .
http://www.medstory.com/

This tool linked me to multiple other documents of interest on this topic and was quite useful in this instance.

I enjoyed reading all the pages linked to me and found some of benefit that I can use in my business

I found it extremely interesting and would definately visit these award winning sites again to gain more information as required .

#18 Online tools

Zoho writer is an application that gives you spreadsheet and word processing tools from anywhere you are, all you need is a java enabled web browser and internet connection.

I found this to be a useful tool if you are unable to get access to the standard Office suite ... or if your company does not want to pay for the office suite, this is a free alternative .

however I still prefer the usage of Office. Maybe because I have done schooling in Office for over 300 hours at TAFE, I feel I know office inside out. Familiarity breeds - comfort?? Was interesting to try, BUT - no thanks

#17 PB wiki

I found the wiki extremely easy to update .. .
I have added my blog to the list of favorite blogs .

#16 Wiki's

Wiki's are a fantastic way of having a shared, centralised, resource of knowledge.
They allow for all users to contribute their findings and research on any particular topic.

Additionally, they allow for the easy creation and updating of web pages. The biggest wiki I have found is the first wiki to have been made ... wikipedia ... this is a fantastic encyclopedic resource that allows people who were actually, say, at the fall of the berlin wall, to update the articles and add their experiences.
I constantly use wikipedia for many reference queries and find it invaluable.

Wiki's in libraries could be highly beneficial for both the library staff (for ease of updating the page etc..) and the client (for ease of gaining access to information)

One such application for a wiki in a library environment could be a wiki on most popular items borrowed, along with a standing order author list for clients use

#15 Library 2.0

In my humble opinion the last 10 years have seen a technological ‘revolution’ for libraries not only in the services provided but also in their collection policies, as clients become more technologically ‘savvy’. Keeping pace with client needs and expectations as well as dealing with [in some cases] less staff and longer opening hours has stretched and challenged library resources.

At MPL it is evident that the Shire appreciates and backs up the ‘Award’ winning level of customer service that the 5 branch libraries provide to clients on the Peninsula.

Management continue their forward planning and are in the process of fulfilling a popular ‘ECO’ project – to ensure each branch is addressing and exceeding the technological needs of both staff and clients. To be implemented in due course will be PCs + games + software for all ages from young children to primary to college to Uni to recreation AND including all ages.

I say – "Here’s to access to knowledge to empower EVERYONE".

#14 Technorati

Technorati is a useful resource for discovering new peoples blogs .

Blogs are a fantastic way of communication that allow people to express their opinions and having a handy site like technorati to help sift through the many millions of blogs is great!

I was suprised that the social networking sites, facebook and myspace ... were quite far down the list of "top searches" .. I would have expected them to be nearer to the top.

Also suprising was the low number of members that have bookmarked the "top blogs" .. I would've expected a site like technorati to have a much larger user base.

#13 del.icio.us

This site would be a great tool for people on the move all the time or working on different locations.
It allows you to store bookmarks on the internet so they are accessible from any computer you are using .... very handy indeed!

Additionally it seems that the research benefits from spending time on other users profiles that are researching similar topics could be a great time saver!

#10 Magical Reflection Image Generator

I found a really cool image reflection generator site
http://www.reflectionmaker.com/

All you do - upload your images, or specify an image URL, and download your reflected image, ready to be used on your blog site and import the link and/or pic. Fascinating, and some incredible pics are available to 'reflect'.

#9b Library related blogs

http://infomational.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/ut-does-widgets/
http://libsite.org/node/160
http://spacingmontreal.ca/?p=110

#9 My RSS feed BLOGLINES URL

http://www.bloglines.com/public/marywyte
These are great .. had fun finding the sites of interest. The feeds are a marvelous short-cut way to get the info you need as you need...

About Animals / Wildlife

About Cats

AboutDogs.info - Learn and understand your dogs

birding News feed

DogReader

National Geographic News: Animals & Nature

Victorian Public Libraries Learning 2.0

#12 Rollyo

What a great idea Rollyo is. Instead of single saving pages to your favourites side bar, you can group up to 25 at a single click. Rather like Vivisimo search engine, which I use frequently. Love the concept...
Check out my search role at http://rollyo.com/marywyte/health_search

#11 My Virtual Library Shelf

# 10 New Style Tee

The Incredible, Edible Reference Collection.

Enter a word for your own slogan:

Generated by the Advertising Slogan Generator, for all your slogan needs. Get more reference collection slogans.

My youngest had great fun typing in nice and not-so-nice words and phrases to see what the resultwould say. Love the way the slogans are not set - there are many different ones that come up, and one is never sure of the end product!!! Oh, my...

#5 Pacific

This brings fond memories of my first OS holiday, on a cruise ship last October with 4 friends. Mm.... incredible. Nearly time to think about another.

#7 The Young One

Telstra have recently unshaped their ADSL exchanges which enables access to the Internet at speeds up to 24mbp/s. This is a great improvement for browsing the Internet as, in recent times, general web surfing has become a lot more bandwidth intensive with things like youtube and other video/audio streaming services. Although the speed increase is a great improvement, unfortunately the monthly data quota's are yet to see a reasonable increase, and Internet access in Australia is among some of the poorest in the developed world.

I am fortunate to have a youngster
to ask about this topic....

# 5 The Ultimate Prima Donna

Cruella [I consider] my antithesis emulating character traits I wish to aspire to.

A cunning brain, full of ambition, front 'larger than Myers', and fashion sense to die for.

I have however managed to contact her hair stylist.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/1315013253_ff249fd216.jpg?v=0

#3 A warm Hello

Hello there digi-bloggers.
I think this is where some type of personal info is passed onto the masses...
Well, I am a mother to 4 great kids, 3 extensions, and 2 wonderful grand-sons.
Have been in the library field since '93 - some say following in mother's footsteps [a teacher-librarian for ages covering '50s to '80s].
This was AC [after children], my first career was in pathology as a biomedical techy.
That's it for now...will log on and talk again soon