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?