Todays test drive gave us the opportunity to explore online video content - the first site that comes to mind when you hear this is Youtube, but aside from Youtube, we looked at 2 other sites I was not familiar with at all - Dailymotion and Vimeo - although fundamentally they are all very similar. My least favourite of the 3 was Vimeo as it doesn't initally tell you how long the clips are and just about all of them that I wanted to view took a very long time to load.
I checked out footage on those amazing dust storms that we had back in September which I found on both Youtube and Google Video (perhaps as it is one and the same) and out of curiosity checked for anything on Vimeo and Dailymotion but was unsuccessful.
I explored other libraries use of online video and looked at Laura Dingle at SLQ, staff training for the IKC administrators in Cairns and tried to look at the promotion of reading by the Carnegie library but unfortunately it seemed to take forever to load and I ran out of time [and patience!].
I think that my library would be able to provide links on the website that then use online videos as training purposes - something like a series of short step-by-step videos which show library patrons how to access and use resources such as databases, library catalogue and equipment. I have mentioned in a previous blog entry about the Coffee Corner special guest events that we hold each month - some of these are quite demonstrative and would also be great to record and make available for those that were unable to attend the event. This could flow on to special holiday events that occur with the children and young adults although we have already done this (but could do more!).
For my adventure I've included a short clip on Stupid Game Show Answers from the US.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
SLQ's Licence 2 Test Drive #5 - More Google
Google would have to be the most well known and used search engine around. Today we take the opportunity to look at some of its additional features:
Google Translate - Because my language skills are so extremely limited I did a basic 'text and web tab search' on a german-to-english phrase of introduction - beautiful - the translation is correct! For the URL translation I tried SLQ's Multicultural Bridge in Italian [ http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/lang/italian ] and translated it to English.
In the public library that i work in, there is a very high percentage of the population from non-english speeaking backgrounds so I think both of these features are very useful and could be used as an initial tool of translation when required, although i wouldn't rely entirely on it's accuracy as the translation is quite literal and/or some things are lost in translation and therefore, could be incorrect. Also spelling errors do not translate. Although quite a good representation of different languages are available it would be fantastic if google continued to add more languages such as Samoan etc.
Google Books - I can recall the controversy surrounding this very ambitious project when it was first announced as Google Print. I guess if Google is certain of not breaching any copyright regulations of different countries, publishers and writers than as it continues to grow, it would have to be one of the biggest resources of online information.
i-Google - As stated in an earlier blog entry, i am experiencing problems with my PC at home and it seems to have something against Google so unfortunately i don't want to antagonise it by trying any personalisation of my homepage. iGoogle looks good though!!
Google Calendar - I could see this feature being used as a shared application between myself and my colleagues who are based in different library branches. We could use it to schedule meetings, when and where outreach visits are taking place and training schedules. I like that it can be integrated with outlook too.
Google Maps - How fantastic is google maps - it's like your own little tomtom GPS but so much more! I especially like the satellite option and street view and have spent much time checking out family and friends' places (luckily my parents had recently mowed the lawn). Mymaps is pretty cool and it doesn't appear to be that difficult to do either - perhaps when i get some photos together i could make a map of my favourite Sunshine Coast beaches....
Google Translate - Because my language skills are so extremely limited I did a basic 'text and web tab search' on a german-to-english phrase of introduction - beautiful - the translation is correct! For the URL translation I tried SLQ's Multicultural Bridge in Italian [ http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/lang/italian ] and translated it to English.
In the public library that i work in, there is a very high percentage of the population from non-english speeaking backgrounds so I think both of these features are very useful and could be used as an initial tool of translation when required, although i wouldn't rely entirely on it's accuracy as the translation is quite literal and/or some things are lost in translation and therefore, could be incorrect. Also spelling errors do not translate. Although quite a good representation of different languages are available it would be fantastic if google continued to add more languages such as Samoan etc.
Google Books - I can recall the controversy surrounding this very ambitious project when it was first announced as Google Print. I guess if Google is certain of not breaching any copyright regulations of different countries, publishers and writers than as it continues to grow, it would have to be one of the biggest resources of online information.
i-Google - As stated in an earlier blog entry, i am experiencing problems with my PC at home and it seems to have something against Google so unfortunately i don't want to antagonise it by trying any personalisation of my homepage. iGoogle looks good though!!
Google Calendar - I could see this feature being used as a shared application between myself and my colleagues who are based in different library branches. We could use it to schedule meetings, when and where outreach visits are taking place and training schedules. I like that it can be integrated with outlook too.
Google Maps - How fantastic is google maps - it's like your own little tomtom GPS but so much more! I especially like the satellite option and street view and have spent much time checking out family and friends' places (luckily my parents had recently mowed the lawn). Mymaps is pretty cool and it doesn't appear to be that difficult to do either - perhaps when i get some photos together i could make a map of my favourite Sunshine Coast beaches....
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
SLQ's Licence 2 Test Drive #4 - Web Browsers
Initially I was a little surprised by this week's test drive, as I thought for a moment that it was almost like taking a step backwards considering all of the fantastic and interesting applications that we have looked at previously, but I found it as interesting as the past test drives as it gave me the opportunity to look at the different look and features of browsers other than Explorer - which is the only browser I have ever seen and used.
According to the Brian Tong comparison video it would appear that Firefox comes out on top of the browers. Some of the features I like alot are the session restore which opens you up where you left off if an unexpected shutdown occurs, the awesome bar which allows you to type in part words to get to sites, and the fact that it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it - what with the 5000+ add-ons you can use to make it your personal playground.
I like the clean simple look of Chrome and some of the features like the tab drag and drop and the wrench menu. Similar to Firefox's private browsing feature which allows you to surf without leaving a trace, Chrome has the incognito mode - perhaps a feature you won't want to tell your teeangers about!
Unfortunately at this time I am reluctant to download another browser as I continue to experience problems with my PC at home and until I get it fixed, do not like doing anything other than basic tasks (and that is when it allows me to!) and due to administration and firewall restrictions at work I would not be able to do it there. But, I would certainly say that when all is good, I would choose Firefox as my browser!
According to the Brian Tong comparison video it would appear that Firefox comes out on top of the browers. Some of the features I like alot are the session restore which opens you up where you left off if an unexpected shutdown occurs, the awesome bar which allows you to type in part words to get to sites, and the fact that it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it - what with the 5000+ add-ons you can use to make it your personal playground.
I like the clean simple look of Chrome and some of the features like the tab drag and drop and the wrench menu. Similar to Firefox's private browsing feature which allows you to surf without leaving a trace, Chrome has the incognito mode - perhaps a feature you won't want to tell your teeangers about!
Unfortunately at this time I am reluctant to download another browser as I continue to experience problems with my PC at home and until I get it fixed, do not like doing anything other than basic tasks (and that is when it allows me to!) and due to administration and firewall restrictions at work I would not be able to do it there. But, I would certainly say that when all is good, I would choose Firefox as my browser!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
SLQ's Licence 2 Test Drive #3 - Podcasts & Audio
Today I looked at podcasts - although I have had minimal exposure to podcasting previously in the Joneses exercises - test drive #3 expanded upon it further by including creating your own posdcasts.
I work in a public library and organise a monthly event called the 'Coffee Corner' where a guest speaker visits and offers an information session to members of the local community. These sessions cover a wide range of issues and topics from health to gardening and storm chasing to cultural information with everything in between. I often hear feedback from disappointed people who are unable to attend the event on the day which has made me think more than once of how useful it would be to record the event and offer it as a podcast on the libraries' website for people to listen to at their leisure. This is something to be seriously considered and followed up...
I listened to a few of the SLQ 'Walking West End' files and think that our Local History collection could follow suit and also make use of podcasting but I know that the Local History Librarian has plans to tackle this in the future!
I work in a public library and organise a monthly event called the 'Coffee Corner' where a guest speaker visits and offers an information session to members of the local community. These sessions cover a wide range of issues and topics from health to gardening and storm chasing to cultural information with everything in between. I often hear feedback from disappointed people who are unable to attend the event on the day which has made me think more than once of how useful it would be to record the event and offer it as a podcast on the libraries' website for people to listen to at their leisure. This is something to be seriously considered and followed up...
I listened to a few of the SLQ 'Walking West End' files and think that our Local History collection could follow suit and also make use of podcasting but I know that the Local History Librarian has plans to tackle this in the future!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
SLQ's Licence 2 Test Drive #2 - Mashups
I just love the term Mashups - so no surprise to learn that it hails from the music industry where all of those clever DJs are mixing the music and vocals of different songs - but in the IT industry it refers to a web application that uses more than 1 source of content to create a new service which improves usability and makes it more engaging.
In this tute we looked at various examples of Mashups including the use of Flickr and Google (maps, street view and earth), Youtube using multiple video sources to create an entertaining speech from a string of different movies, news headlines (my least favourite - I'd rather get in there and be able to view the news links in text, read and get out) and a fantastic site for those interested in real estate - Suburb View, which allows you to search for listings in your suburb, see the location map and even the house itself - great way to save on time and fuel!
From the Mashups awards site I would have to say that I was quite surprised to see how many of the winners relate back to Twitter. Now I'm still a little slow on the uptake with Twitter and admit that it holds no interest to me in the slightest - but in the interest of the exploration part of this tuturial I have chosen Twitrans which allows you to translate your tweets to any language using human translators - for a cost of 5c a word and all within the hour! Would people actually pay to let their friends/family know the mundane and silly things that they are up to?? Apparently they do....
But Twitrans is not just for the Twitterers - it can be used by Businesses or Academics wanting to translate whole files - which includes an independant review of the translation. Of course this review pushes the cost up to 10c a word, and for an 'expert' translator as opposed to the professional translator, you'll be looking at 15c a word. All in all, probably not a bad service as it is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day from the ease and comfort of your office/study!
In this tute we looked at various examples of Mashups including the use of Flickr and Google (maps, street view and earth), Youtube using multiple video sources to create an entertaining speech from a string of different movies, news headlines (my least favourite - I'd rather get in there and be able to view the news links in text, read and get out) and a fantastic site for those interested in real estate - Suburb View, which allows you to search for listings in your suburb, see the location map and even the house itself - great way to save on time and fuel!
From the Mashups awards site I would have to say that I was quite surprised to see how many of the winners relate back to Twitter. Now I'm still a little slow on the uptake with Twitter and admit that it holds no interest to me in the slightest - but in the interest of the exploration part of this tuturial I have chosen Twitrans which allows you to translate your tweets to any language using human translators - for a cost of 5c a word and all within the hour! Would people actually pay to let their friends/family know the mundane and silly things that they are up to?? Apparently they do....
But Twitrans is not just for the Twitterers - it can be used by Businesses or Academics wanting to translate whole files - which includes an independant review of the translation. Of course this review pushes the cost up to 10c a word, and for an 'expert' translator as opposed to the professional translator, you'll be looking at 15c a word. All in all, probably not a bad service as it is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day from the ease and comfort of your office/study!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
SLQ's Licence 2 Test Drive #1 - Online Applications and Tools
Today we looked at a range of many different and often free online productivity software such as word processing, web conferencing and presentations. It is really quite amazing just how many different ones there are available and in all honestly I have only heard of Google Docs and Slideshare before.
I can certainly see the benefits of using such applications - they are flexible enough to allow those you want to have access to them as well as portable so that they can be accessed on any computer with Internet access. Brilliant really!
Out of everything we looked at in this tute - I have only ever used zamzar before so I have found it all to be very interesting indeed!
I can certainly see the benefits of using such applications - they are flexible enough to allow those you want to have access to them as well as portable so that they can be accessed on any computer with Internet access. Brilliant really!
Out of everything we looked at in this tute - I have only ever used zamzar before so I have found it all to be very interesting indeed!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Week 8: Searching the Web
This week presented us with the perfect opportunity to take a look around the web and see what else is available to us other than Google.
Of the 5 suggested, I quite liked how Exalead allows you to add your own shortcuts to the homepage - it's nice to personalise things afterall.
The people search engine Wink was also very interesting in that I was able to find myself - interestingly, it was my facebook profile from about 5 photos ago so who knows how current the site is.
To rap things up - I'd like to thank Mr (and Mrs) Jones for the program. I will be able to take with me a whole bunch of knowledge about Web 2.0 that I didn't formerly have, and honestly, probably wouldn't have had the inclination to seek out - so in the [shortcut-ted] words of Fall Out Boy - thx fr th mmrs!
Of the 5 suggested, I quite liked how Exalead allows you to add your own shortcuts to the homepage - it's nice to personalise things afterall.
The people search engine Wink was also very interesting in that I was able to find myself - interestingly, it was my facebook profile from about 5 photos ago so who knows how current the site is.
To rap things up - I'd like to thank Mr (and Mrs) Jones for the program. I will be able to take with me a whole bunch of knowledge about Web 2.0 that I didn't formerly have, and honestly, probably wouldn't have had the inclination to seek out - so in the [shortcut-ted] words of Fall Out Boy - thx fr th mmrs!
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