Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lunge 10: Blog guides and catchers
For this exercise I tried seacrhing both Technorati and Google blog seacrh and from my experience I found Google blog search much simpler and easier to use. I found the search boxes of Technorati a bit hard to use, perhaps I am more used to the layout of Google? However, when seacrhing I used similar search terms in both and I found that I had more success in Google blog search.
I don't think I would use either sites much for either professional or personal use as I can find most searched items when simply using Google where you can also type in blog to only get blog sites.
I don't think I would use either sites much for either professional or personal use as I can find most searched items when simply using Google where you can also type in blog to only get blog sites.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lunge 9: Social Bookmarking and Tagging
Homework: Well today I began my very own del.icio.us account with much excitement as I do have a very long Favourites list (mostly of personal interest) however, I did not find it as easy as I had hoped to sign-in....all my usernames came back with an "already used" status and then finally just when I thought I've done it, I'm in I couldn't read the authorised letters component. But that is all possibly my bad and not the sites, no on second thoughts it's the sites problem!
Having said all of that I do find del.icio.us a very useful site and its potential for students, academics and librarians is huge. I think the best aspect of this site is its transportability (a new word as made up by me) I think in this day and age having one computer is not feasible so to have a site that is accessible wherever you go is great. And hey no more having to save favourites with PC upgrades.
Sharing links and sites publicly is another great community aspect as not only can you share your favourite sites but you can get new sites as shared by the "net community" who have similar interests to you, and then so on...in fact one has to be careful not to sit at the computer all day and explore other sites.
I have chosen Amazon for my 21 Lunges tag as I find Amazon useful for numerous searching both on a personal level and a professional level. Being able to search, in particular, for book titles and authors, get ratings, see pictures of its cover, reviews and costings of new and used editions is very helpful.
This is my Del.icio.us link: http://delicious.com/sarahem74
Having said all of that I do find del.icio.us a very useful site and its potential for students, academics and librarians is huge. I think the best aspect of this site is its transportability (a new word as made up by me) I think in this day and age having one computer is not feasible so to have a site that is accessible wherever you go is great. And hey no more having to save favourites with PC upgrades.
Sharing links and sites publicly is another great community aspect as not only can you share your favourite sites but you can get new sites as shared by the "net community" who have similar interests to you, and then so on...in fact one has to be careful not to sit at the computer all day and explore other sites.
I have chosen Amazon for my 21 Lunges tag as I find Amazon useful for numerous searching both on a personal level and a professional level. Being able to search, in particular, for book titles and authors, get ratings, see pictures of its cover, reviews and costings of new and used editions is very helpful.
This is my Del.icio.us link: http://delicious.com/sarahem74
Lunge 8: Social News
Digg:
For the homework component of this Lunge I have chosen to comment on Digg as I found the site to be quite user-friendly in that there is a comprehensive "About Us" page that explains to the lay person what Digg It is all about. The explanation of what the site is, who designed and ran the site, largely the user, and how to participate within the community I found to be informative and a site of interest for the future. It seems that most Web 2.0 sites and applications are about user interaction and making the sites as accessible to individuals as possible and I found this to be the case with Digg.
For the homework component of this Lunge I have chosen to comment on Digg as I found the site to be quite user-friendly in that there is a comprehensive "About Us" page that explains to the lay person what Digg It is all about. The explanation of what the site is, who designed and ran the site, largely the user, and how to participate within the community I found to be informative and a site of interest for the future. It seems that most Web 2.0 sites and applications are about user interaction and making the sites as accessible to individuals as possible and I found this to be the case with Digg.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Lunges Homework 7: Article on the Virtual Generation
For Lunge 7 we have been asked to read and discuss an article based on virtual communities, Web 2.0 etc and for this exercise I have chosen an article that was published in The Age 14th August 2007 by Jo Chandler titled "The Virtual Generation."
The main themes of this article include identifying who are the Virtual generation and what impact the virtual world is having on them now and in the future. Commentators label 15 year olds as this new generation of "digital natives" born around 1992 and "..who absorb the language of technology effortlessly with their fingertips" The age of 15 is a pivotal moment in human development and is considered one of the eight stages critical to this development and whereas this stage used to involve personality and identity changes to a person it is now more of a vertual change perfomed online. This also included emotional maturity and the evolving of ones feelings and being able to express them.
The article also discusses the dangers of virtual worlds and the harm this might be doing to children and teenagers. Are online users too trusting? In many cases the parents of online users are not aware of what their children are looking at and perhaps do not care. This has led to an increase in sexual attacks performed on and by children who do not know any better. They see these activities performed online and believe this is what you do. This can include what is called "happy slapping" where boys "basically punch out a total stranger film it and put it on the internet" to show what they can do. The internet is becoming a spectator sport where violence and sexual abuse are becoming more common.
The article does however, point out that not all the internet is bad and that many teenagers use it for recreation and communicationand enable shy teens to find friends and interact with others. The internet can also not be blamed for all the ills in teenagers worlds with Ptsa Binnion, assistant Principal at McKinnon Secondary College pointing out that "the breakdown of families has had a much more catastrophic impact on children than technology"
I agree with much of this article in that virtaul contact is not the same as and should not be used instead of communication in the "real" world. However, we are becoming a much more insular world where although we can contact a wider realm of peoples through online communication we are becoming smaller and perhaps less able to deal with emotions on a personal level whilst becoming imune to excessive violence and sexual contact.
The main themes of this article include identifying who are the Virtual generation and what impact the virtual world is having on them now and in the future. Commentators label 15 year olds as this new generation of "digital natives" born around 1992 and "..who absorb the language of technology effortlessly with their fingertips" The age of 15 is a pivotal moment in human development and is considered one of the eight stages critical to this development and whereas this stage used to involve personality and identity changes to a person it is now more of a vertual change perfomed online. This also included emotional maturity and the evolving of ones feelings and being able to express them.
The article also discusses the dangers of virtual worlds and the harm this might be doing to children and teenagers. Are online users too trusting? In many cases the parents of online users are not aware of what their children are looking at and perhaps do not care. This has led to an increase in sexual attacks performed on and by children who do not know any better. They see these activities performed online and believe this is what you do. This can include what is called "happy slapping" where boys "basically punch out a total stranger film it and put it on the internet" to show what they can do. The internet is becoming a spectator sport where violence and sexual abuse are becoming more common.
The article does however, point out that not all the internet is bad and that many teenagers use it for recreation and communicationand enable shy teens to find friends and interact with others. The internet can also not be blamed for all the ills in teenagers worlds with Ptsa Binnion, assistant Principal at McKinnon Secondary College pointing out that "the breakdown of families has had a much more catastrophic impact on children than technology"
I agree with much of this article in that virtaul contact is not the same as and should not be used instead of communication in the "real" world. However, we are becoming a much more insular world where although we can contact a wider realm of peoples through online communication we are becoming smaller and perhaps less able to deal with emotions on a personal level whilst becoming imune to excessive violence and sexual contact.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Lunges Homework 6: Social Networking
Facebook....a new phenomenon, well sort of. I have been a "member" of Facebook for part of this year and so this section is one that I am familiar with. I am not altogether that obsessed with Facebook though I do find it fun at times especially the status section, but I must say my "love affair" if there ever was one is waning a bit. I can understand the functions of both Facebook and MySpace in the keeping in touch with people especially those that don't live near to you and also finding new friends or groups with similar interests.
I have created a couple of groups in the past, in particular "Your Librarian has Shushed You" and this has a mixture of people I know and people I don't as part of it.
For this exercise I have joined the RMIT Swanston Library group. I found this through other Facebook Friends and also when I was searching for other Library Groups. I have yet to join any other group as I have yet to find one that I would like to join but I will keep on looking.
Searching Facebook is fairly simple as you use keyword searches and can choose to look under "groups" as well as searching "all" results also Facebook gives you a recommended groups section when looking at group sites.
I have created a couple of groups in the past, in particular "Your Librarian has Shushed You" and this has a mixture of people I know and people I don't as part of it.
For this exercise I have joined the RMIT Swanston Library group. I found this through other Facebook Friends and also when I was searching for other Library Groups. I have yet to join any other group as I have yet to find one that I would like to join but I will keep on looking.
Searching Facebook is fairly simple as you use keyword searches and can choose to look under "groups" as well as searching "all" results also Facebook gives you a recommended groups section when looking at group sites.
Lunges Homework Number 5: Wikis
Well I have added onto a wiki already begun under the "21 Lunges Wiki" page, you can find my paragraph on the "Building Team Spirit Through Wiki Use" section. I could have gone on, in fact I did on paper, inventing a new "team building" game that could be played but I am afraid I may have gone a bit overboard so I have not included it here. Stay tuned it may very well be the new "Survivor" franchise!
The use of wikis I think can be a great asset to sharing between sites, friends, organisations etc and Wikipedia is a great example of what can be created. Communication in one spot would help with communication breakdowns and can be easily bookmarked on favourites. Bring it on!
The use of wikis I think can be a great asset to sharing between sites, friends, organisations etc and Wikipedia is a great example of what can be created. Communication in one spot would help with communication breakdowns and can be easily bookmarked on favourites. Bring it on!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Homework: Lunge 4 - Podcasts
Podcasting...this is the topic of Lunge Number 4 and I have subscribed to two podcasts on my Blog as well as on Google Reader. the Science Show and Radio National Breakfast Show (maybe I will learn about world affairs, arts and science?)
I have actually been a part of a podcast, lending my voice to one that the Library did a couple of years ago. I am however, still waiting for my Oscar.
Okay back to being serious, as part of the homework we have been asked to discuss the possibilities of using Podcasting to promote the library and I think this is actually a very good way of alerting library users to what the library can offer them at a time appropriate to the listener. The potential user can be sitting at their computer at home and whilst surfing the web can also be listening to a podcast about the library. Perhaps they missed the Library tour, no problems, they can have an audio session which will then enhance their next trip into the library. The library can also use podcasts to alert users to new databases, opening hours, new titles etc, in fact we could go on all day, but I won't.
I have actually been a part of a podcast, lending my voice to one that the Library did a couple of years ago. I am however, still waiting for my Oscar.
Okay back to being serious, as part of the homework we have been asked to discuss the possibilities of using Podcasting to promote the library and I think this is actually a very good way of alerting library users to what the library can offer them at a time appropriate to the listener. The potential user can be sitting at their computer at home and whilst surfing the web can also be listening to a podcast about the library. Perhaps they missed the Library tour, no problems, they can have an audio session which will then enhance their next trip into the library. The library can also use podcasts to alert users to new databases, opening hours, new titles etc, in fact we could go on all day, but I won't.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Homework: RSS and News Feeds
Well here is my second piece of "homework" for 21 Lunges. I have joined Google Reader to keep an eye on some of my favourite librarians blogs (and will soon add non-library feeds to it too). I have concluded that the Reader will be quite useful in my life as I do like to keep up-to-date on my favourite sites and I can see that it will be handy for my learning curve on new technologies. I believe my next "challenge" will be to subscribe to some podcasts and discuss its virtues for the library. So until then I bid ye adieu!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The beginning.....
Well howdy there folks and so begins a blog about stuff which may or may not consist of posts about shelves (a few pics may find there way in here too)......I do have a bit of a thing for nicely made shelves, but not the metallicy ones that you sometimes see....and old style library buildings (aahhhh) and on the odd occasion the new architecture that we see with bits and pieces sticking out here, there and everywhere.....
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