Are we there yet Ringo?

Almost finished, phew. I'm still trying to chat with colleagues via Google Talk, but thought I'd post initial impressions of the program and my favourites.
IMHO, the program is extremely relevant to Librarians and anyone really working with students. I've even noticed that I can better communicate (in brief monosyllabic speech of course) with no. 1 son who's 12+ He uses a few gadgets I'm now familiar with so that's a bonus! Some applications I don't think I will spend too much time on but the following I really enjoyed and found useful:

Blogs - interesting and a little self-indulgent but fun. Flick - I already used it before the program and think it is great, especially when travelling or if relatives etc are OS. Facebook - not keen but can see the value in interacting socially with colleagues. Google Maps - useful as more and more maps are now online. You Tube - what more need be said - one of the top sites on the Web and can be used for teaching purposes rather than just idiotic "look at me" videos. Google Talk and the other products seem really useful and I'll use them with mates. I get the feeling there are a lot of applications on the Web such as Meebo that are now consolidating or mashing together various applications to make it easier to access 'stuff' All in all a fun activity.

Library Services should utilise some of the social networking applications both to keep us using the tools and developing our skills and become exemplars in the use of the technology.

Google Talk

I quite like the concept of IM and am trying it out with son of-sonofringo. IM could be very useful for instant messages to Library staff or discrete groups instead of the backwards and forwarding of emails. Bring it on!

Podcasts

An interesting and relevant Podcast from the ABC is Career Path. Worth a listen (and they are only up to 10 minutes in duration).

New take on social networking!

I just love this YouTube video as it contains everything that is good about material on YouTube: it's short, funny and smart. I know it's not about libraries or information retrieval but I like it. Nuff said!!

ncludr

The awesomest Social Networking site, ever!

Adventures in WikiWikiLand

I've just posted Dash the Dog onto the VU Wikibrary page (and she looks nice too!). That worked well.
However, trying to edit MM's birdie, I pixellated the crap out of it. Now that didn't work so well. It just goes to show how anyone can stuff up a Wiki post. What's the old saying: a little knowledge is dangerous.
The good thing is MM can re-post her image and all's well.

Digital Natives

According to the lead article from Education Review's Technology Guide (supplement to Campus Review, Tuesday 30 Sept. 2008), "This year's crop of Year 12 students was born at the same time as the first web browser" Hell, I remember starting to use MSWindows in the late eighties and thinking it was 'grouse'. Then again, I started filing into a library card catalogue so I've seen a few changes in my working life. Where to next?

Library 2.0

Let's start by looking at the principles of Library 2.0 (from Wikipedia) :

1. Browser + Web 2.0 Applications + Connectivity = Full-featured OPAC (It's a real pity we haven't rolled out Encore as the users, I suspect, would find it fresh and easy to use - I've left all of our Thin Clients on the Encore page to see what the students do. Interestingly, the few that have tried it find it very useful once they realise they are searching the VU catalogue).

2. Harness the library user in both design and implementation of services (Have we really attempted this yet?).

3. Library users should be able to craft and modify library provided services (Now this is interesting - the question is what services? PC bookings for example?).

4. Harvest and integrate ideas and products from peripheral fields into library service models (This sounds spot on but what)

5. Continue to examine and improve services and be willing to replace them at any time with newer and better services (It seems to me VU is very good at doing this - we are a New School of Thought!!).

Delicious things!

I've just played around with Delicious (www.delicious.com). I really like it and found I can easily add bookmarks. Not so hot - I'm not sure I can use phrases as Tags. Instead, I've created a larger Tag (eg: digitialcameras) - must be the German in me - for www.dpreview.com.

IMGP5857

IMGP5857
Originally uploaded by Photography by Frank R. Reardon

Great photo Frank. I also have a Pentax K10D with the standard 18-50 Sigma lens. I've put a few photos on Flickr - search for sonofringo.
Cheers
Ringo

Roll up, roll up to the slideshow

As you can see I've added my Flickr images. Cool hey. More to follow!
Ringo

Tunnel Creek

Tunnel Creek
Originally uploaded by Sonofringo

This is a photo I took in 2001 of Tunnel Creek in far northern Western Australia (near Derby). A very beautiful but eerie and mystical place. For more photos on Flickr.com, just search for sonofringo.

RSS - Love It

I've set up some RSS feeds in iGoogle. This keeps me informed of what's what but how do I link it from here?

Smash my Face(book)!!!

What an apparent waste of time F@@ebook is turning out to be. Most of the applications do not add value to me or are in any way appear useful to me and my (real) world. As for online friends, who cares - I'd rather spend face-to-face time with my mates, friends, family than interactions on F@@ebook - can you have a beer with online friends?. I've discussed this with a colleague tonight - is it a generational thing - I'm not sure.

As for real applications to real situations, let's cast a critical eye over the VU site. Should we really be here and is it educational? Mmmm, lots of social stuff - another time waster perhaps or another way to approach students?

As for Library applications, at least one can be in the 'space' that students are in, real or online. Putting information (catalogue, new material) out there is not a bad idea - again it's how you do it and what value our students get out of it. Do they look at hard information or are they more interested in the social networking possibilities?

As for MySpace, I'm not sure I want another social site to waste my time on! Perhaps I should get a second opinion from my 16 year old!

Gotta go and feed the dog!

Part II

After reading comments etc. in Thoughts on privacy and libraries and social networks on the blog on http://distlib.blogs.com/distlib/2006/05/thoughts_on_pri.html, it is a question of push don't ram information for students on social networks such as MySpace and Facebook!

That iGoogle Thingy

I quite like iGoogle but there's a lot of add ons that don't seem relevant. At least the gadgets I like can be grouped.

Google Book Search or not?

Google Book Search seems like a good idea initially as it teases you into purchasing or borrowing the book - good for libraries!!?? Or does it only limit you to certain books without the ability to browse or find other items never likely to be in GBS? What about the tactile nature of the item - are you into smelling books?

Rovers - End of Shift - STATISTICS sheet:

LIBRARY	1 minute or less	Up to 5 minutes	More than 5 minutes	Referred to Staff
Printing (how to…)
Printing (problems)
Photocopying (how to…)
Photocopying (problems)
Borrowing/returning books
Borrowing/returning other
Directions (campus/library)
Catalogue & Holds
Finding lost & misplaced books
Swiping card
Other
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	1 minute or less	Up to 5 minutes	More than 5 minutes	Referred to Staff
Logins & passwords
Email
MyVU
WebCT
Wireless network
Using search engines
Other
LEARNING	1 minute or less	Up to 5 minutes	More than 5 minutes	Referred to Staff
Referencing
Learning/ study strategies
Assessment tasks
Reading/ Writing/ language
Other
CAREERS	1 minute or less	Up to 5 minutes	More than 5 minutes	Referred to Staff
Careers/Counselling
Course & careers advice
Job search skills
OTHER	1 minute or less	Up to 5 minutes	More than 5 minutes	Referred to Staff
Melbourne questions
VU questions
Questions regarding Rovers
Other

Google Docs Shocks!!

Mmmm, I just tried to export a Word doc to my blog but Google Docs didn't really do it for me. Soooo, what happens if I want to send a GD (Google doc) to my blog? The best I can figure out is to save it somewhere on a drive and attach it to a post - hey, I'll try that.

Dante 01

A new film from Marc Caro: http://www.dante01.com/site.html

It could very well be the next big SF hit.

What we drinking Kelly?

...well, I did try a 1991 Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon on Sunday night with my bro' in law and might I say it was holding up beautifully with lovely fruit and mature Cab taste. On the yummy rating scale of 1-10, I gave it a 9.4

The other goss is around the 2006 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon, even cheaper at the big barn place in 6 pack lots. A useful place to check out vintages etc. for those not in the know is the Langton's site at: http://www.langtons.com.au/Home/Default.aspx - just click on the Wine Tools heading.

digg this!!

Check out the groovy Digg site and the following news item:

http://digg.com/space/Guy_Films_Space_Shuttle_Launch_from_Passing_Airliner

Some people are crazy!

Go Melbourne Victory

Photos on Flickr

Check out FLICKR for a few photos of Hobart during a recent trip. Just search: Hobart_Ringo

MIFF highlights

The Melbourne International Film Festival is over for another year, phew! Highlights for me included: The Bank Job, Hunger, Boy A, Seven Days Sunday, In Bruges, Empties, Surveillance, Johnny Mad Dog and Gonzo: the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson.

As with any festival, there were a few that were tedious and stretched the friendship after 1/2 hour including: Sukiyaki Western Django, Cargo 200 and Christopher Columbus - The Enigma.

http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/

Snow not Soccer

Number One son was supposed to play soccer for the Brunswick United U12 team yesterday morning against Sassafras but instead ended up playing with snowballs (not soccer balls) in the Dandenongs. The game was cancelled due to snow falling up in the hills, brrrrrrrr!!!!!.

Pictures of the historic event were also taken which I can hopefully upload. Interestingly, one of Josh's mates was rapt as he'd never seen snow before - a happy and warm ending to an otherwise miserable day.

Number One daughter's game for the U16 girls was played at home in Brunswick in relatively mild conditions - just slush and mud.