Thursday, November 19, 2009
Gather around thou of stout heart! Week 1
Welcome back to those who have not blogged for a while, 2.1 has commenced! The first of which tasks is to refresh the blog... For me this luckily has crossed over with the release of Left 4 Dead 2, even though I haven't played video games for a while I still thought this was a cool coincidence. My first step was to swap over the title background to one that actually looked better.. Same picture just the second game is now flashed over it. Second was to change the template to something that reflected the theme better and last I changed the title to the lyrics of Fallout Boy's song - Thanks for the Memories. Since the end of 2.0 I blogged quite a bit and even ran my own forums for a while keeping online communication flowing. Eventually however life crept up on me and I got far to busy to keep up with the hours needed for these activities and the posting died off. Free flow of information without threat of reprisal brings us all to the internet, and well, let's just say I type far more intelligent then I can talk heh. Now I've touched on blogs on and off, the expressing of free thought can be something that is touchy to read because somethings may only cause conflict in your own life - Due to the desire to avoid arguing on the internet (It's generally a very sad, sad thing to do) I generally never comment to others opinions and may flash through their writing with no real desire to leave my own mark :)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Task 12 - The Finale
Although I could say I knew alot about the internet already when taking on this course I can say that it has shown me some neat sites and possibilities that I hadn't explored and shown me that I was a little naive with my thoughts on what I was limited to doing on my computer was by the software I had when there was so much free things you could use for the same effect. Bravo web 2.0!
That said, lets answer task 12. Facebook, myspace, bebo, live profile (Which can be used by an xbox console as well as a computer to communicate) and things like that as dominating the way we currently communicate. As long as I can remember using the internet things like MSN chats have been hugely popular - The ability to conveniently hold several conversations without having to be near eachother or on a phone and as technology has increased, now you can have webcam conversations called "Video conferences" on just about everything including chat programs like yahoo, msn and even Skype a very popular talking program. People feel safe when using these things to talk to others, and allows them to express themselves without the same fears of reprisal which makes them very very popular because people can be themselves without little things like their "mouths" getting in the way.
Now, lets take a idealistic glance at using it for a business or library. I know libraries have made a facebook page and use it to get their information out there about their services and ease at which customers can find things out. Facebook notifies friends (which in this case members?) when there is a profile update which could be a event or even some new hot titles coming out. I can see it working and being popular due to it could just slot into the use they are already having of facebook and the internet conveniently and advertising almost as they enjoy they're community online base. However, this could also be seen as bad form from a business view I would think and not as official as a business should be.
So would it work? Yes, I think it would, and be quite popular. Is it appropriate? I'd have to lean towards no - simply because it's not your a real person and if it was suppose to be used this way people could just subscribe to the libraries online updates as a choice rather then using facebook or some other such site which keeps it more official. Not that I'm saying it's a terrible idea! Marketing wise, bands are doing it now, and alot. But... Is it the way we want the libraries to go? That's questions that will be asked for years as well as other businesses I would think.
I'd rather the business created a social network of its own through its own website by making mailing lists, forums, blogs, voting polls, link lists, all this wonderful stuff but off their own website in summery. A forum especially could be HUGE to get people interested in the library and everything about it.
I also can't believe a mention of Second Life found its way onto the program heh. Second Life is highly addictive and so far I've kept away from it but I know of it! I was heavily into World of Warcraft for the better part of two and a half years and I have to say those things can chew up alot of your time. I'd definitely say that a library on Second Life would take more time to run and manage then is worth the effort, also you'd want to keep people off online and actually coming into the library for books so I'd discard the entire idea personally :)
Finally, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to do this online, smoothly and easily at my own pace and I have enjoyed the entire program.
That said, lets answer task 12. Facebook, myspace, bebo, live profile (Which can be used by an xbox console as well as a computer to communicate) and things like that as dominating the way we currently communicate. As long as I can remember using the internet things like MSN chats have been hugely popular - The ability to conveniently hold several conversations without having to be near eachother or on a phone and as technology has increased, now you can have webcam conversations called "Video conferences" on just about everything including chat programs like yahoo, msn and even Skype a very popular talking program. People feel safe when using these things to talk to others, and allows them to express themselves without the same fears of reprisal which makes them very very popular because people can be themselves without little things like their "mouths" getting in the way.
Now, lets take a idealistic glance at using it for a business or library. I know libraries have made a facebook page and use it to get their information out there about their services and ease at which customers can find things out. Facebook notifies friends (which in this case members?) when there is a profile update which could be a event or even some new hot titles coming out. I can see it working and being popular due to it could just slot into the use they are already having of facebook and the internet conveniently and advertising almost as they enjoy they're community online base. However, this could also be seen as bad form from a business view I would think and not as official as a business should be.
So would it work? Yes, I think it would, and be quite popular. Is it appropriate? I'd have to lean towards no - simply because it's not your a real person and if it was suppose to be used this way people could just subscribe to the libraries online updates as a choice rather then using facebook or some other such site which keeps it more official. Not that I'm saying it's a terrible idea! Marketing wise, bands are doing it now, and alot. But... Is it the way we want the libraries to go? That's questions that will be asked for years as well as other businesses I would think.
I'd rather the business created a social network of its own through its own website by making mailing lists, forums, blogs, voting polls, link lists, all this wonderful stuff but off their own website in summery. A forum especially could be HUGE to get people interested in the library and everything about it.
I also can't believe a mention of Second Life found its way onto the program heh. Second Life is highly addictive and so far I've kept away from it but I know of it! I was heavily into World of Warcraft for the better part of two and a half years and I have to say those things can chew up alot of your time. I'd definitely say that a library on Second Life would take more time to run and manage then is worth the effort, also you'd want to keep people off online and actually coming into the library for books so I'd discard the entire idea personally :)
Finally, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to do this online, smoothly and easily at my own pace and I have enjoyed the entire program.
Task 11 - Docs online!
Word pad writing documents and having access to that online is a fantastic idea! You don't have to worry about loosing it, can access it anywhere without needing a flash drive or some kinda portable storage device. Heck I'm gonna start suggesting this to people and using it myself. Fantastic! Below is the short story I wrote on my email to the markers - It's themed in with the rest of my blog on the game Left 4 Dead.
* * * * *
The sound of gunfire echoed like rain on a hard iron roof down through the tight compact alleyways until it reached the ears of the few survivors huddled to small blocked off room. They were hurriedly sorting through the items they had collected and picked up as they had escaped through the terror that could only be vividly remembered in flashes of moments and ear-shattering screams punctuated with the drowning sound of their guns. For two terrible weeks these people had defied impossible odds to get to where they were now, a small team sharing ammunition, first aid and watching eachothers backs as they rushed through what was once their cities streets and now belonged to the mindless infected.
"Well, least we're not alone;" Muttered Francius as he gazed out the bared exit door into the almost pitch black alleyway only illuminated by a tiny light somewhere out of sight along the walls outside. Somehow the city had become so much darker then it was before, then perhaps it was even possible to actually become.
Louis moved to the bared window and with a smooth aimed action fired some shots out into the black with his pistol. "I think they're towards the school, just down a few blocks."
"And right through the central mall complex." Added Bill sourly. "That means thousands of them between us and those folks, and since they're firing they're probably attracting them to them by now." He added as he cast a glare to Louis's pistol.
"So ... We go to the school?" Asked Zoey, looking over the rooms other three occupants. "Anyone got a better plan?"
Francius shrugged, walked to the door and in one swift motion kicked up the bar holding it closed and pulled it open, only to be set upon by a infected out of sight to his left as he came through it. It was sorted out with a quick punch and a crack of pistol fire followed by a spray of blood and gore.
* * * * *
Now... The use of this for -everyone- is potentially massive, doesn't matter if your a library staff all contributing to work in a online fashion (E.G. All share one account, and when things need to be added for say a newsletter everyone does their contributions to the one google doc account) to anything else you could imagine in anyones life. I'm very impressed.
* * * * *
The sound of gunfire echoed like rain on a hard iron roof down through the tight compact alleyways until it reached the ears of the few survivors huddled to small blocked off room. They were hurriedly sorting through the items they had collected and picked up as they had escaped through the terror that could only be vividly remembered in flashes of moments and ear-shattering screams punctuated with the drowning sound of their guns. For two terrible weeks these people had defied impossible odds to get to where they were now, a small team sharing ammunition, first aid and watching eachothers backs as they rushed through what was once their cities streets and now belonged to the mindless infected.
"Well, least we're not alone;" Muttered Francius as he gazed out the bared exit door into the almost pitch black alleyway only illuminated by a tiny light somewhere out of sight along the walls outside. Somehow the city had become so much darker then it was before, then perhaps it was even possible to actually become.
Louis moved to the bared window and with a smooth aimed action fired some shots out into the black with his pistol. "I think they're towards the school, just down a few blocks."
"And right through the central mall complex." Added Bill sourly. "That means thousands of them between us and those folks, and since they're firing they're probably attracting them to them by now." He added as he cast a glare to Louis's pistol.
"So ... We go to the school?" Asked Zoey, looking over the rooms other three occupants. "Anyone got a better plan?"
Francius shrugged, walked to the door and in one swift motion kicked up the bar holding it closed and pulled it open, only to be set upon by a infected out of sight to his left as he came through it. It was sorted out with a quick punch and a crack of pistol fire followed by a spray of blood and gore.
* * * * *
Now... The use of this for -everyone- is potentially massive, doesn't matter if your a library staff all contributing to work in a online fashion (E.G. All share one account, and when things need to be added for say a newsletter everyone does their contributions to the one google doc account) to anything else you could imagine in anyones life. I'm very impressed.
Mashups.. I been wanting to know how to make these!
Yay, something I've always wanted to know about. How to make these funny little motivational photos you see around the net cause I always thought I could do alot with them :) Heh. Rock on, I'm gonna stick with the Left 4 Dead theme for now..
Mashups could have alot of uses rather then just making people laugh, for library use I could see us throwing covers of books up there and using them in creative and interesting ways to make readers stop and have a look which is half the battle and once they know what its about they may decide to check it out. Half the battle is getting them to look and visual effects help immensely with this!
Mashups could have alot of uses rather then just making people laugh, for library use I could see us throwing covers of books up there and using them in creative and interesting ways to make readers stop and have a look which is half the battle and once they know what its about they may decide to check it out. Half the battle is getting them to look and visual effects help immensely with this!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Podcasting, jumping without a parachute and other fun ideas
Podcasting is a impressive way of spreading information in the form of words. All you have to do is take a recording on audio of what you wish the world to know, and share it. With the aid of RSS you can bring instructions in a hopefully clear and easy to understand manner for anyone to understand by allowing them to hear it.
Now... we do have joys of a restrictive internet however the basic concept works for me and I understand it quite well. I believe that it could be very helpful especially allowing a service for those who have difficulties reading. The library could also provide a news feed of sorts linked straight to a podcast that sounds more like a live shot of information concerning everything and anything the library wanted people to know, being updated regularly this could work to make the place seem alot more alive.
Now... we do have joys of a restrictive internet however the basic concept works for me and I understand it quite well. I believe that it could be very helpful especially allowing a service for those who have difficulties reading. The library could also provide a news feed of sorts linked straight to a podcast that sounds more like a live shot of information concerning everything and anything the library wanted people to know, being updated regularly this could work to make the place seem alot more alive.
I'm on the board! Vote for me... You know you want too.
So you've got a question that has been bugging you, and you can't find the right resouces to answer it yourself correctly, infact you've searched and searched and now it'll disturb your sleep until you answer it!
Well, grab a coke and turn on the computer because you can now find it out quickly and hopefully painlessly. An answer board - Or slam board if you will is like a forum where all you do is post a question and people answer it. Awesome. If it's correct of course - This is a webpage made for that sole purpose however and has a huge benefit in that respect. But I still think a library may be better off having their own forum where they can link in these sorts of things including having a FAQ thread for the members to ask questions. I can see its use but I think a whole page dedicated to it might be like grabbing howitzer to kill a fly in respect for our library here personally. Forum with a Q&A threat would be perfect however!
The only benefit over a forum I could see would be that it can allow you to vote where a forum can only do that if you link it in .. Internet is a tricky tricky place.
Well, grab a coke and turn on the computer because you can now find it out quickly and hopefully painlessly. An answer board - Or slam board if you will is like a forum where all you do is post a question and people answer it. Awesome. If it's correct of course - This is a webpage made for that sole purpose however and has a huge benefit in that respect. But I still think a library may be better off having their own forum where they can link in these sorts of things including having a FAQ thread for the members to ask questions. I can see its use but I think a whole page dedicated to it might be like grabbing howitzer to kill a fly in respect for our library here personally. Forum with a Q&A threat would be perfect however!
The only benefit over a forum I could see would be that it can allow you to vote where a forum can only do that if you link it in .. Internet is a tricky tricky place.
Delicious = Yummy?
Okay here I stumbled... But I never fell! I had difficulties signing up my own account to delicious (sorry!) due to the display image for the verification text never coming up. However I discovered due to a very generous staff member that our library had an account and I thought it may just be fine that I used it instead so here goes;
http://delicious.com/Inverell.Library
Now as for what I think of it and how it can be used, it's a fairly easy concept to grasp - A website created by you linking people to everything that they may need to look at concerning the topic you had in mind (Or something close to that). How can it benefit libraries you ask? Well! It's one of those beautiful little things where if someone needs to get a page up that alot of people ask for, like for example the RTA homepage, or a direct link to the drivers knowledge test which for us would be one of the most asked for things that I have come across - Perhaps even some free online educational games for the little ones or even to emails for those wanting to sign up a email account which is another highly asked question. It could just as easily be used to research topics if we take them to wiki's or any database of information.
So in closing, - Can be very useful! Perhaps the best use I could imagine is throwing it as a link onto the libraries website with more "useful links" which might be a nicer and more organised way of making a the links page.
http://delicious.com/Inverell.Library
Now as for what I think of it and how it can be used, it's a fairly easy concept to grasp - A website created by you linking people to everything that they may need to look at concerning the topic you had in mind (Or something close to that). How can it benefit libraries you ask? Well! It's one of those beautiful little things where if someone needs to get a page up that alot of people ask for, like for example the RTA homepage, or a direct link to the drivers knowledge test which for us would be one of the most asked for things that I have come across - Perhaps even some free online educational games for the little ones or even to emails for those wanting to sign up a email account which is another highly asked question. It could just as easily be used to research topics if we take them to wiki's or any database of information.
So in closing, - Can be very useful! Perhaps the best use I could imagine is throwing it as a link onto the libraries website with more "useful links" which might be a nicer and more organised way of making a the links page.
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