jcscils598f08

this world is not my home

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:22:48 PST

Second Life is not for me. I do want to escape from my first life, but Second Life is not the kind of place where I can lose myself. I don't really want to communicate with random people who are ultimately hidden behind their avatars nor do I want to interact with information through a foil. If I wanted to access the information on Information Island, for instance, I could do so in the real world without any filters.

All that being said I could see how people get very interested (consumed) with this environment. You can build and shape Second Life in a way you cannot in the real world. You may have more control over you Second Life while your first life is dictated by innumerable rules, genetics, physics, etc.

I did enjoy flying! My screen shot is from my exploration of Information Island. I flew into an illuminated tree to take my photo...I thought it would look nice.

if...

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:23:55 PST

If I were running this class I would focus on fewer Web 2.0 applications and instead select a few and plumb their capabilities to the nth degree. I know about a LOT of stuff now and I have a cursory understanding of them all, but I am no expert by any means.

I think it was good that we continued to blog and use technologies as we used them, but the amount of work ultimately limited my experimentation.

That being said there are several things I'll be using in the future: Audacity, Screencasting and perhaps Podcasting. Blogging may not suit my interests...which is strange because I have had a blog for a number of years. However, it seems that the other applications allow for greater creativity or are more creatively liberating.

Everything, everything, everything

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:19:36 PST

What if everything is bad? What if everything is good? Ah, the assignment of value to popular culture...a timeless and pointless debate and one that will be continually debated throughout my lifetime, no doubt. Popular culture, as Johnson points out, is dynamic and therefore there is value in things perceived to be bad. This debate though is really one of "brows" or class. If a popular culture is primarily consumed by affluent youths it is more likely to be seen as good while if the same thing is consumed by less affluent youth it will be stigmatized.

Of course, affluent youth consume from the lower tiers in an effort to buy street credibility or what have you.

I digress, libraries will have to change to incorporate popular culture. The biggest problem with libraries, I've often heard, is that librarians design their collections for themselves. This means that most libraries are designed for high brow, middle aged, white women. So, this situation must change. Maintaining a balance between all user groups is bound to be problematic, but perhaps that is the "fun" of working in a library?

playing games

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:23:37 PST

Here I explain how to play a solo Star Wars themed game. My attempt to play another person at chess came to naught...I've been playing chess at work for the past week (shhh!). I don't particularly enjoy playing virtual games...

screencasting

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:53:36 PST

The rules to a successful screencast (for me) are as follows:

-pretest what you are going to talk about

-do a trial run...with your window open so you know the size of the screen, etc.

-take some notes to work from, but don't write an entire script

-be aware of the passage of time, but try and ignore that...it'll make you rush

-pausing is a good thing, sometimes

-and of course, watch what you did so you can learn from your prior mistakes

Johnson Reading

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:48:08 PST

Sigh. It's a never ending debate between "popular cultures" value and "low" vs. "middle" vs. "high brow" expression(s). There is no solution to the question does popular culture deliver stupidity (or the paraphrase thereof)? The answer is "yes" and "no." The crux of the argument seems to be one of user control. If a group of individuals sees no inherit value in a medium it will be derided and the negative aspects of it played up.

Johnson, playing devils advocate, asked if the same traits inherit in video games are also inherit in books. Of course, the real question is what roles does the individual play in reacting to the medium and their relationship to the world.

Perhaps video game violence influences the violence of teenages, but it is more likely that this is a violent world and that a "sacred space" where violence is contained (video games, books, etc.) needs to exist to vent this societal violence.

Older cultures utilized ritualized violence to curb the disorder in their own societies (in Central and South America there were violent games and sacrifices, Romans and Greeks had gladiators, Native Americans had lacrosse, seriously, and other rituals). Perhaps this is the role of video games, or perhaps they are meant to provide a flexible narrative to empower the user. I think this is a bunk argument since games are scripted...just there seems to be more freedom.

Anyway, "yes" popular culture does deliver "stupidity," but that is okay. Obsessiveness is perhaps what should be curtailed...obsession over the value of popular culture, obsessiveness of individuals who are completely absorbed in popular culture, obsessiveness within the western world, generally.

Wii

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:35:41 PST

If I were buying a game system for my library I would choose the Wii.

Prior to actually buying this system I would do research using library literature, talking to my user group and professional peers. I think being the first librarian to try something is quite different than being the 100th or 1,000th. So, I would not be leading any spearhead effort to introduce game consoles into a library and a wealth of information about this exists.

Of course, I would want to satisfy the needs of the users while also introducing some "value" to the library. For these two reasons I think the Wii is the best choice. The Wii works off both physical and mental interactions, something I think that is missing from other game systems. Furthermore, the Wii is designed to offer activities to a range of age groups. Cross usage would add increased value to the system and in turn add value to the library. The Wii could be used for little kids, tweens and teens, adults and seniors. Also, though perhaps harder to accommodate, the Wii may be used for family activities.

How 2?

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:19:13 PST

Here I sniffle through an explanation on how to add music to your Myspace profile. A few weeks ago this technology was different...prior to the relaunch of Myspace Music. I now find it less attractive.

Boyd

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:48:34 PST

What can we take away from the Boyd readings? Well after reading the articles I went and looked to see how old she is...and I am older than she is. My career, if modeled on her, could have been spent considering the societal impacts of Myspace and Facebook? I have clearly been wasting my time with archaeology and now library science.

Anyway, Boyd indicates that different social classes (cliques really) utilize Facebook and Myspace. This is the real take-away from her articles. How then do libraries reach users? I think by developing representation on both networks. Of course this doubles the amount of work required to maintain the aforesaid presence, but ultimately it should "pay off" in some way. Facebook and Myspace allow for passive advertising, in addition the blatant advertising on both sites. By passive I mean that by establishing any sort of presence a user may stumble upon information related to the library...this then may result in library use, or may not. The important aspect though is that it MAY and that the amount of effort (and more important cost of advertising-free, aside from staff time) should offset maintaining a presence.

I imagine that someday someone will develop another tool, like Meebo, that will synthesize information from both sites or allow for users to enter information into a form that then is distributed to both sites. Just you wait.

Ning

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:28:14 PST

I found Ning to be overwhelming and too diffused. I think until it becomes part of a ZEITGEIST much like the progression from Friendster to Myspace to Facebook then it will be a ghost town. Searching on things (keywords) I am interested in, I found either: nothing I'm interested in or too many pages. Again, too diffused.

However, if you had a captive audience-for instance workers at a company-you could use Ning as an internal social network. My wife works at a "grown-up" style company and they use instant messaging...probably negating something like Ning. The application of these social networks is really geared towards friend-based networks or less formal connections. I'm not so sure I would want my coworkers to know so much about my personal life. Hence, instant messaging would be more useful than a tricked out Facebook page or Ning Page.

My wife told me that her company is currently toying with the idea of using other Web 2.0 technologies in the work environment...interesting, but also far behind the curve? I've only really worked at small companies where Web 2.0 technologies could really only facilitate passive aggressive communication. It was easier for me to ask my coworker a question than email/text/IM/etc.

Sticky

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:28:33 PST

Why are Myspace and Facebook "sticky"? That is a seemingly easy question to answer. Both of these sites are about the users, the content providers, all of whom add their "persona" to the collective digital ecosystem. As far as I can tell most people are narcissistic and self involved and these sites cater to that. Anecdotal evidence suggest that people spend as much time looking at their own profiles as their "friends" or peers. Mutable content means that users can tweak their profiles ad infinity.

SO, I think that these sites are appealing for two reasons really: voyeurism and exhibitionism. People want to be seen or want to see other people (who want to be seen). That's it. Perhaps Andy Warhol was right and Facebook and Myspace represent ever ones fifteen minutes of fame? Perhaps J.G. Ballard was right and this is just part of an Atrocity Exhibition? Perhaps Aldous Huxley was right, though I don't know of a comparison to draw between this and Brave New World.

I found Boyd's articles to be very intriguing. I can see how each platform would be adopted by different social classes or, more appropriately, cliques whilst in high school. I can also see how this would carry through middle age and so on. Perhaps this is the beginning of my next post. Fin.

You Tubes

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:32:44 PST

I liked everyones YouTube videos. You all have interesting abilities, comic timing, families, skills, pets, vacation stories and the like. '

However, I think my favorite videos were by Steve Caruso. I really liked Learning Aramaic simply because it was short and somewhat sarcastic. It was also very nice looking and technically great. The second iPhone Watch Fob was also interesting technically and because of the anonymity in the presentation.

Jing/Screencasting/Google Scholar

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:18:18 PST

Here is my Screencast on how to use Google Scholar. We use Google Scholar at one of my libraries to either start research or finish research. By finish research I mean retrieve articles culled from a variety of sources. Using Google Scholar strategically is helpful to doing research. Google Scholar is just another tool and shouldn't be the primary source utilized while doing work. I don't believe I could use this tool as effectively at the community college where I work...the emphasis would devolve to just being about GOOGLE. Within a tool kit Google Scholar is very helpful, but using it in concert with other sources is essential.

In my presentation I indicate that I return thirty nine hundred articles...I really meant thirty nine thousand. Also, there may be other areas where I misspoke. Jing is interesting, but I could see how I could become consumed with the perfection of my speaking/content and become shy.

Entertainment?

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:45:51 PST

This is my nephew. This is really only "entertaining" to a handful of people...his and my family. He used to crawl in a funny way, knees up, but now walks and talks like an adult (actually more like an old-man little kid). If the player doesn't open, try this link.

Click To Play

Educational Video

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:08:22 PST

I just got my upper wisdom teeth removed and am generally obsessed with teeth anyway. So, I decided I should make an "educational" video-cast. I think I did a pretty lousy job of describing dentition, so please read about it via the prior link.

You can also see this on YouTube.

flickr

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:55:00 PST

SCILS598f08/SCILS598f08-edepxerience

What do we have in common in these groups? Lets see:

animals (cats/dogs)
people (families)
books
cars
computers
nature/scenery
buildings

and appreciation of the above. I am most surprised (for some reason) by the number of pet pictures. I don't currently have any pets, so perhaps this is what I notice most. Oh also, everyone seems to have a Puritanical view of the cleanliness of their workspaces. My desk is the messiest place in the world...even if anyone is "messy" I have them beat! Apparently you guys like books...

that's edutainment

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:45:46 PST

Educational vs. Entertainment Videos

I think there is a place for both, but I think entertainment is more popular and if there were a death of one it would be education. The reason is quite simple, in my mind and from my experience. I am a product of 1970s-1980s education which means that I had analog learning experiences...in classrooms with teachers. Even if we had a video in a class the teacher was still nearby ensuring that we paid attention. My experiences with video/film/tv has been that these things are primarily for entertainment and I therefore have a short attention span when it comes to learning from these media. When education is couched in entertainment (such as documentaries) my attention span seems to lengthen. I took a hazwopar (hazmat, but a little more involved) course online a year ago and that was my first experience with an online educational experience. The only thing I could aim for in that experience was the advance of the slides or change up in contextual information.

I think younger generations will find no distinction between the two genres of video and will have an easier adjustment. Of course, I think the cultural trajectory is for shorter attention spans...so maybe the "youngsters" won't have any more success than I.

Provenance

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:04:37 PST

When people ask me where I am from I typically say "Tennessee." This is the simple answer, but there is a longer, drawn-out answer that I avoid. Here is the long explanation.

Blogs/Podcasts

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:05:36 PDT

What are the benefits/detractions of podcasts vs. text based blogging?

Podcasts and Blogging are different as a matter of media. What is the difference between the 5 o'clock news and the evening paper. The differences are based on delivery and media. Content may be quite similar, ultimately. However, the written word-blogging-may allow for more nuance and greater depth or reportage while podcasting may provide more of an overview (if it is kept brief).

So here are the features:

Blogging:

Written, more nuance and depth (maybe)-active thinking by user

Links

Less prior knowledge required-just typing, really

Written responses/posts by others often incorporated

Podcast:

Visual/audio

More immediate-less input from the user, less thinking-passive thinking by user

More knowledge required to use and create, less intuitve than blogging

The interface between Blogging and Podcasting isn't always an easy one. Typically if I am faced with reading contextual information and watching/listening to a podcast I steer towards the lazier avenue and then if still interested follow through with the blog. A podcast is easy and passive. A blog is more involved.

Anderson

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:59:45 PDT

can libraries as a whole effectively utilize the "long tail" of our collections? Is it worth it? What would we have to do?

Libraries probably can't effectively utilize the long tale theory because of their lack of phyiscal space. The long tail is effective when physical space is of no concern to the retailer. A libraries "long tail", if such a term can be applied, is most likely the collection from previous decades/years. The high circulation element of the collection, your best sellers and so forth, would compose the far left part of the tail...the thickest part. The "long tail" would be the lesser circulating materials acquired previously and of some interest to patrons though no longer part of the popular culture zeitgeist.

Where the long tail could be effectively utilized is within a library consortium, such as BCCCLs, or a large institution, such as Rutgers. Physical space is still limited but the materials may be spread amongst a variety of locals and accessed from a centralized location. The "long tail" in this situation would be the esoterica characterized by the theory.

Also, I believe special collections fall into the "long tail" paradigm. Special collections exist to service a small population. The special collections of Rutgers could not exist without the umbrella organizations (Rutgers Libraries) support. A stand alone special collection is a rare thing indeed and doesn't have the staying power on its own. For instance, the New York Historical Society faced bankruptcy several years ago...staggering considering there are 8 million New Yorkers (potential audience) coupled with residents of the greater metro area (more potential users).

SCILS Experience

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:47:42 PDT

My view abt. 2 hours a day, originally uploaded by jcscils598f08.

My experience at SCILS has been characterized by logistics. I travel by either train or car to school. Transportation takes up a large part of my day and so I have time to read, think, daydream, etc. Initially I planned to read school materials on the train, but I am very easily distracted and instead read for pleasure, listen to music or listen to audio books.

I drive if I am going to be on campus briefly, but take the train otherwise. I haven't purchased a parking permit and so I don't drive. I don't really like driving for long periods of time so the train is ideal. I live in Jersey City and the commute via train is about 1.5 hours all said. In car it is about 45 minutes.

My experience at SCILS has been very pleasant...I guess that is what I would say. I found myself more engaged while working on a prior MA in History, but I find the social environment in the MLIS program more engaging. Librarians seem to be less competitive, I suppose. Historians are more aggressive and opinion is the hallmark of the scholarship. Hmmm.

Google Analytics

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:38:21 PDT

I can see how using Google Analytics could become very depressing. If there is a way to quantify your popularity or uniqueness, I am going to steer clear of it...unless money is involved. Anyway, I have had seven visitors to my blog. Five visitors used Firefox on Macs, while one visitor used Firefox for Windows and one used Explorer for Windows. Of these five used DSL while the other two used Cable. I'm happy to not report average time spent on site.

Self pity aside (this pity, by the way, is made up), I can see how Google Analytics would be a useful tool to track where and how a blog is being used. If this were a commercial venture that sort of information would be extremely useful.

Using Google Docs

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:02:13 PDT

I don't know how well Google Docs would work as a collaborative tool in school. The reason is manifold and not strictly relegated to the stoic nature of a large department or university. I think the trouble may lay with the students and their inability to collaborate. It is much easier to work on an assignment alone and accept the resulting grade. It is much harder to both find time to contact people, coordinate tasks, work on said tasks and then re-edit everything to feel congealed. It is not just a matter or collaboration, but also control. I realize in a work environment that collaboration is par for the course, but within an academic setting that is not really ingrained in the work flow. Generally, working in groups is fine, but the final grade is assigned based on individual performance and so on.

DELICIOUS, an introduction

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:58:14 PDT

I think Delicious as an introduction tool is a very good idea. When looking at our combined list I kept thinking either "wow, that is cool" or "I should have thought of that." I suppose my envy is an indication of endorsement? Anyway, I envision a day when people ask what sites you like to look at (or whatever) before "what do you do?" or "what are you studying." Maybe that day has already come...presumably the need existed before Delicious came along. Anyway, as a digital artifact Delicious seems to answer this question.

WIKIS

noreply@blogger.com (jcscils598f08) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:35:17 PDT

After using PBWiki for several weeks it has become my Wiki of choice. I don't actually use Wikis...I have no need for them in my personal life (thus far). However, if I did have a use, I would use PBWiki before wikispaces. Wikispaces is rather clunky. After entering text information (bold, font size, and so on) I was unable to easily change to another type or scale. It was rather aggrevating. I really can't divorce my opinion from PBWiki which I have been using now for approximatley 7 weeks. An hour with Wikispaces and I know how to format and layout, but it's just not as good.

I keep coming to the same conclusion week-in and week-out and that is preference is based on what is known vs. what is new. Wikispaces could be the greatest thing ever, but my familiarity with PBWiki precludes any other Wiki service! If I were marketing I would lose my mind...people like me, people like me. It would require a tectonic shift to make me now switch the something else. Of course, had you asked me when first using PBWiki if I liked it I would have espoused the evil of Wikis relative to something else...