Week 8: Mashups and API

Wow! The last week. I have learned quite a bit. I have looked at some new areas on the computer that I most likely wouldn't have without this class. Some of the new technology I plan to incorporate, but others I probably won't use right now. Maybe some day.
This week I learned about mashups and Application Program Interface (API).
I looked at the links for mashups. There are quite a few that are pretty cool. I found one called Live Plasma (www.liveplasma.com) on the "most popular mashups" link. It describes movies, actors and directors -- visually. It really reminded me of Aquabrowser (www.aquabrowser.com) -- both being as the description says -- a visually rich application. Aquabrowser is going to be placed "on top" of our OPAC. We are very excited about it. I think there could be uses for various "mashups" in the library world. I think people in general could find them useful depending on what they do.

I also went to Rollyo. At first, I didn't get what was happening, but then the "lighbulb" went on and I saw that once you typed in a word, the index found a created searchengine of sorts. If you then typed in a word or phrase for that "search engine" those words would be searched in the websites listed specific to the "search engine". I think I am getting it right.
I did notice that when you get your "hits" the websites searched are listed on the left -- on the several I looked at "entire web" was listed last on the list of sites searched. I don't know if that meant in addition to the websites searched the entire Internet was also searched. How does this narrow anything? Maybe I am just not getting it. I am not as excited about this as the mashups.

As assigned I also searched for "privacy" -- read thru the list and looked at them, but everyone of course that different ideas of privacy and different areas of privacy that was important to them -- some focused on speech, some on government intervention, and others on financial concerns.

I have enjoyed this class. It was alot to take in, but I am glad to have had the assignments to focus my learning. I know I have much more to learn, but at least I have now been "exposed" to some new Web 2.0 terms and phrases. It is just amazing what you can do on the computer now.

Wk 7: Podcasting and Online Hosted Video

I am so happy I have caught up with the assignments. I have read about podcasting and looked at the links. I think there could be some use for podcasting on our library website. The podcast "Get Help" by Ashley Howard was good and I could see creating something simiar for our library. This type of podcast could help distance learners learn how to get "assistance" in a quick way. I signed up for Odeo, but I am not sure I see myself looking for podcasting and going to listen to my list -- it is just another site to log into. I think if the podcast is linked on page for someone to click and watch -- that is great such as a training tool or sending a "funny" podcast to someone is fine too. As for You Tube, I tend to like video/audio together better. I see more uses for "You Tube" clips over podcasts. I am sure there are more ways podcasting can be used, I just need to brainstorm with others. On the You Tube site I haven't quite figured out the differences of the different tabs -- videos, channel, community tabs.
I did locate a couple of clips I liked related to learning research/writing skills.

Research Minutes: How to Identify Substantive News Articles
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QAiJL5B5esM

Stop, Thief! Avoiding Plagiarism by Paraphrasing
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9z3EHIoa9HI&feature=related

Plagiarism Don’t Do IT (spoof, comedy)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gC2ew6qLa8U&feature=related

IowaSunset

IowaSunset
Originally uploaded by mrick99

Wk 6: Photo Sharing

Ok, I am finally finishing week 6 assignment. I was out last week on vacation and not able to finish the assignment. I have heard of flickr, but never have use it. I use Picasa for my photos. I opened an account and uploaded a picture. I need to spend some more time learning all the nuiances of the site. One thing I am noticing during this class is there are so many choices being created regarding technology products -- wikis, podcasts, photo sharing, IM, etc. Each person needs to explore the choices and pick what product works for them. Ok, adding a photo from Flickr isn't very clear to me. I am working on figuring this out. I have my blog open and logged-in and my Flickr account open, but I haven't figured out how to get the picture to my blog. Ok, I figured out how to post a picture, but it wasn't exactly how I wanted to do it. I want to add the picture to this post, but I haven't figured out how to do it.

WK 5: Web Office Tools

I opened an account in Google Docs and created a couple of documents. It is very easy to use. I like this better than using a Wiki. I think I would prefer to use something like this when collaborating on a "document" of some sort with my colleagues than a wiki. Maybe someone can point out why a wiki would be better to use than a online office program.
To answer the question given in the assignment. Yes, I think this could be the future of software products. There is definitely a use for it. I am trying to think why people would not use it -- one thing that comes to mind is security. Actually, how secure is what we put online. Not too much. I think anything you put online you must be aware that it is open to anyone, glitches occur where security breaks down. The only other drawback I can think of is -- "purchased" products might have more features.

Wk 4: Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking really has alot to offer. What I like is that you can learn from others about booksmarks/ internets sites you didn't know about. I plan to use "delicious" more than I have. After reading the links on the class blog and reviewing "delicious" again I see that it could be more useful to me. I am glad we had this lesson. I mentioned on the class blog on one of the discussion lists that I have been reading a book titled:
Information Trapping: real-time research on the web by Tara Calishain (2007)
and it had a good chapter on Tagging.

Wk 3: Social Networking

I know that Social Networking is popular and I have been aware of MySpace but have never really wanted to join. Reading more about it this past week and seek how other people and organizations use it has been eye opening. I have a better feel for it. I found the article on Libraries and Social Networking enlightening. The French people seem to be more open to having libraries participate in Social Networking more than any other country polled. I do think there could be a place for libraries to use Social Networks, but I don't think we should force the issue. Many people do think that libraries are for learning/information seeking and Social Networking has a place elsewhere. I know that most people under 25 think that My Space and similar sites is just the way to go. I think that is great, if that is what they like. There is a place for all ages -- I think libraries should try to cater to their customers/clients. Social Networking is fine for those that want to use it, but also other modes of communication should also be used for those who don't want to join a social network.