#23 Not the end of my learning journey.....

Hola or perhaps now it's time for hello, :)

Overall, I have really enjoyed the program. Particular highlights for me were
Wufoo, Library Thing, Wikis and Blogging.

I realised initially I really had to overcome my barriers to learning and just get in there and have a play, make mistakes, forget user names and feel like I'm not really achieving much. When I let go of a few hurdles and moved onto other 'things' I reclaimed my momentum and enjoyed what I was learning even more.

I have a long way to go and need to play much more but at least now I feel like I'm not being left behind when conversation turns to wikis, etc.

Improvements such as full access at our desktop would have assisted in devoting smaller chunks to complete the program rather than the longer amount of time spent in the library with blocked sites, continuing problems with podcasts and caching.

I'm pleased I was able to work through the 'tough' ones and complete the program. Yay

Muchas gracias for the opportunity

Carlos

#22 Audiobooks and Netlibrary

Hola,

This technology is certainly useful for libraries and really is just an extension to the existing collection. I did wonder about use? How often can the audio book be downloaded? It is really an owned part of the collection or do you subscribe or license various titles for a period?

Anyway, since I have had ongoing troubles with audio, it didn't get as much out of this 'thing' as I have others in the program.

Carlos

#21 Podcasting

Hola,

Given my frustrations earlier with Bloglines and RSS feeds I was not an interested in exploring this too much. Perhaps it's something I'll come back to.

I certainly think podcasting as a technology certainly has applications in libraries, uses such as online tutorials and presentations come to mind. I found the Podcasting Directory websites useful too.

The FAQ on the Yahoo podcasting site did answer some of my basic questions.

Ciao for now
Carlos

Thing #20 YouTube

Hola,

There are so many cute cats out there like myself and it was easy to get distracted.

I'm not sure if this technology has useful application in libraries, perhaps in the instuctional sense (but there are better tools out there).


Here is a movie of a silly kitten - cute though.
Carlos

Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards playtime

Hola,

Well, I had HEAPS of fun with this one. I tried Wufu, a fantastic tool that enables you to create and publish online forms.

I created an online form and attached it to my blog. Please tell me what I should have for dinner.

On a more serious note, this technology has great application in libraries in terms of creating quick easy to design/use online surveys. A great way to obtain information from our users about what they want and need.

Gracias,

Carlos

#18 Zoho Writer and GoogleDocs

Hola gatos,

I like this idea about sharing files and documents, it certainly has uses - particularly for staff that may need to access content outside of the office (security issues aside).

I had no luck on Zoho Writer (a few too many technology related limitations) but with GoogleDocs it was pretty easy.

Check out my published story A novella of the Mexican Cat Carlos.

Lovin' it!

Carlos

#17 Playing around with PBWiki

Hola,

I'm not too sure how useful this is, probably just for fun. I managed to list my blog on plcmclearning.pb.wki as a Favourite blog and added my comments to a couple of others.

I feel like I'm slowing achieving something, time for a catnap.

Purr
Carlos

Week 7 Thing #16 Wikis

Hola gatos,

I found the playing this week on wiki's certainly the most useful of the program so far. Perhaps too, after the CPD Forum today, I was able to build on the knowledge gained from the elibraryWiki.

My 'issues' with wikis is the lack of control regarding the content. Users of wikis are also the creators. However from further exploration of wikis today, it struck me that if the scope/purpose of a wiki is clearly defined, then lack of control over content is no longer an issue.

For example, SJCPL wiki was a fantastic resource but I found the content would otherwise duplicate that found on the library's own website. How do library patrons know they are able to add their own resources to the wiki?

However, when looking at the example of Book Lovers Wiki, it is clearly known to users that the purpose of the wiki is to share book reviews and therefore, it works well.

I also liked the use of the wiki for the ALA 2006 Conference - I wasn't sure how a wiki could be used in this way. But the strength here is that the wikis is used collaboratively and the information can be update quickly by interested users.

Most importantly, the structure of the information contained in a wiki, will also contribute to it's use and ultimately success. Bull Run Library is an example of an unstructured wiki.

So, along with mice, birds and naps, wikis are something this little cat would like to get into.

Ciao for now

Carlos

#15 Thoughts on Library 2.0, Web. 2.0

Hola,

The articles contained in the Netspace OCLC Newsletter were very interesting. It's good to hear a major library's international approach to this technology and how it may be used.

I think there are aspects that are highly relevant and should be developed immediately (improved metadata for example) as well as the exploitation of own data through OPEN WorldCat Projects or similar.

However, users should be considered the no. 1 factor in providing/exploiting any of these technologies. There are still library clients that perhaps haven't got a handle on what an online catalogue is yet!

So without deciding what our clients need for them, more time needs to be spent seeking out that information from them and then adopting the most appropriate technology to deliver that service, collaboratively.

Enough for now

Carlos

Thoughts on Technorati

Hola,

Well, I think I got something to happen here....

Certainly this technology is useful to search the "deep or hidden" web, particularly as the number of blogs grows so quickly. It makes sense to provide a search facility that enables the information stored in blogs to be found.

Carlos


Technorati Profile

Week 6 Tagging, folksonomies & social booking in Delicious

Hola,

Well if I had been able to view the 12 minute podcast on this I may have learnt something. I realise it's all about tagging and I would have liked to have known more about it.

Hmm, a bit disappointing....

Unhappy Cat Carlos

Week 5 Playweek - Online Image Generators

Hola,

I did some exploring of this ealier, see posting Thing #6. This is the first issue of my journal, I hope it will continue but I need more cat food sponsorship.
Not sure why the text is fuzzy as it looked OK at home.

Ciao
Carlos

Week 5 Playweek - Library Thing

Hola biblioteca gatos,

I LOVED Library Thing!! So easy, so fun, and so ... easy! I took the tour, created an account and selected some books. They are not all my blog but the link to my catalogue is there so I'm happy with that.

In my former life as a cataloguer, time spent creating bibliographic records seems so old fashioned now. Certainly there is endless opportunity to do more with this technology, particularly for smaller libraries to create a catalogue of holdings with limited experience or knowledge of MARC coding.

It was also good to see large bibliographic databases such as Libraries Australia can be searched here also.

I really enjoyed this one.

Ciao
Carlos

RSS Feeds - Part 2

Hola,

Well, this little cat has played enough and I must be missing something obvious here. Perhaps more playing will get my feeds to display on my blog but for now, I'll move along to the next piece of cheese, Oops I mean mouse...

#8 RSS feeds - Part 1

Hola,

So far, all I have is a URL for my bloglines account. I'm struggling to know what to do with it - how to get the little RSS icon on my blog?

If there are any groovy cats out there that can help this one - I don't know what I'm missing....

It's a work in progress, a bit like a big mouse..

Carlos

Thing #7 My post about anything technology related

Hola gatos,

I would like to discuss the limits of technology and how it has inhibited my learning journey. I work hard, chasing mice and creating fancy images for my blog, then depending which standalone machine I am using, or if I'm at home in the cat basket, I may or may not be able to view what I have done! Firewalls, blocked sites, caching, modem speeds all contribute to either the success or failures of my contributions.

Ciao for now
Carlos

Thing #6 My new publication

Thing #5 Yay - I've conquered Flickr!

I hope this link goes directly to my uploaded image in Flickr.....

http://flickr.com/photos/8579073@N05/723469886/

Beginners info for Flickr

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/digital-photos/tips-for-flickr-beginners-031935.php


Found this handy website with 'beginners' information on uploading images to Flickr.

Carlos

2nd thoughts on Flickr

Hola gatos,

I luuurrve Flickr, it's great to play! But the blocked websites here are driving me to Whiskas (when really I'm a Dine cat).

Perhaps I will have more luck at home from the cat basket (I mean computer...)

Ciao
Carlos

First thoughts on Flickr

Meeooow,


I have been sniffing around the Flickr site and at the moment it's a bit like jumping over the neighbours fence: I'm in the yard, I know I want to explore more, but in some ways want to jump back over to my side of the fence where my world is familiar.
This little kitten is a bit apprehensive (my tail is fluffed up) and I'm thinking a catnap is in order before I attempt the next stage.


Ciao gatos

Carlos

Learning habit 3

Hola gatos,


Learning habit 3 - view problems as challenges, is something I am striving to overcome everyday in my life as a cat.


There are so many barriers; the mouse will run away, I can't fit my paw into the mouse hole or my sloppy staff (owners) won't be home in time to feed me....


But part of the learning is to learn how to overcome these barriers and issues and keep working until you find a solution.


Something that works for me is greeting my owner by climbing up their leg when they get home - it alerts them it is time for dinner and there is no uncessary unpleasantness.



Ciao

Carlos

Hola gatos

Puurrrrr! Hello my fellow groovy cats and welcome to my first blog (and perhaps the first blog of a cat!)

Let's explore the new technology together muchachos.....

Ciao

Carlos