lhscils598s08

open letter to Steve

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:12:00 +0000

What an amazing class.
Things I would change....

First, speaking as one seemingly fused to my desk chair, the final project HAS to go.

Second, more discussion. Although I am beyond grateful that I wasn't obligated to comment more, there were so many comments I had in my head as I read incredibly well written and/or laugh aloud funny blog posts that I just didn't take the time to make because I didn't have to. On the other hand, I had some pretty involved discussions via IM about specific topics and tools we used, which gave me another perspective, reinforcing what I was thinking or made me take a second look at something I'd too easily or quickly dismissed (many blog posts did this too). So, with my apologies to future sections of this class, there needs to be more discussion....whether that's accomplished via chat rooms, SL, whatever shiny new SS resource turns up next week. You could maybe kill one of the weekly blog posts to free up some time.

Third, excellent readings; the fact that my copies are not already listed at half.com makes them the exception to the rule. Really enjoyed Everything Bad (it's a keeper), Feed -if I hadn't borrowed it from the library, I would have handed it over to my daughter (but, for lack of a better description, it got into my head; I would have kept it also), Farkas was good and more than justified, but I don't know that Brown & Duguid was worth the investment in terms of the time or expense for the point(s) made. IMHO.

so, that's it. Nothing huge and certainly nothing that's going to change the very positive buzz about the course or dissuade anyone from taking it. :)

if everything bad IS good for you....

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:42:00 +0000

what does the future hold for libraries and educational organizations?

well....for one, higher expectations on the part of patrons/users/learners for more interesting, creative, customizable, thoughtful, engaging presentation and ways to interact with the product whether that product is information or learning opportunities, but for the reason those expectations are higher is the same reason fulfilling them is possible. The technology is within reach, the tools (as I think we demonstrated over the past 15 weeks) are relatively easy to manipulate, but the challenge of putting them into use can be daunting.

I have to admit I have mixed feelings when I hear or read the complaints that it's no longer good enough to just teach; educators resent the pressure to create a learning environment that must entertain in order to be able to fulfill their real role. I do agree that not everything has to be fun, but I do not think that learning has to be a miserable experience to be considered successful (see above comment about the past 15 weeks).

more snapshots in world

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:09:00 +0000

This was the best merry-go-round I've (n)ever been on.
Located on Imagination Island, got to the ride by that transport bubble on the right......
and when I got tired of riding on killer whales, I found a well right out of Alice in Wonderland, one touch later and I was underwater with turtles and seahorses.

2nd life

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:37:00 +0000

I could not have been more surprised by this experience. Initially, it was pretty much what I expected: a waste of time, annoying and frustrating...yet another variation on the emperor's new clothes theme; it left me (or actually, I left it) wondering what exactly all the fuss is about, but then, once I'd worked out some of the perspective issues (with the help of a librarian of all people), got better at navigating and felt less awkward, the conversations began. I chatted with a number of people about why they were in world (lots of students exploring 2nd life for a class), and wandered through areas filled with people there to share. In the image, I am at China Cafe, enjoying the beautiful setting and discussing chinese icons/artwork.
I think this is one of those things that has to actually be experienced to get any substantive sense of what it's about and how it works, and fortunately or not, the awkwardness makes it a more authentic.
I don't know for certain if I'll go back after this week, but I think I will.

sophisticated delivery of stupidity

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:12:00 +0000

Johnson makes a pretty convincing argument that the content of tv, games, et al. have actually become more engaging. Many forms of popular culture have evolved past entertainment as something that just washes over us, the outcome of games and even television programs are controlled by our input. Although I don't know whether it actually matters that we as an audience are there, have an opinion, vote, buy into good old-fashioned voyeurism repackaged as reality - we believe it matters which makes it real enough.
While it is true that the delivery has grown more sophisticated, I think the content is at least keeping pace.

choosing a gaming console

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:54:00 +0000

Since this is uncharted territory for me, I would start with research and evaluations online so I could get a basic understanding and working knowledge/vocabulary to be able to compare the differences, benefits, predictions about the useful lifespan for the console and the particular platform.
I would go to the websites of public libraries with similar demographics to see if they were promoting a particular system, I would without hesitation contact staff at other libraries to see if they had any experience or advice to share.
I would take a look at the circulation stats for the games available from the library, see whether there's some sort of discernible pattern, which among the selection of xbox 360, ps3 or wii games seem to be the ones circulating the most, and speak with the circ staff to see if they have a feel for why one platform is more popular than another. If the ps3 games are getting the least play, it may be that too few of our patrons have the players, but the circ staff talks to patrons up to 12 hours every day, I would ask them what the people borrowing the games are saying.
I would survey patrons, online, on paper and in person.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

what would I buy?
wii, I think. Based on my readings and just a surface understanding of the differences and benefits, the wii is the most bang for the buck. The console itself is not terribly expensive and the games seem to be more reasonable.
for what it's worth, the library system I work in just bought ps3's for each location, but I don't know how much of this was fueled by the largish collections of blu-ray's that were perhaps a bit premature since they seem to be spending more time on the shelves than actually circulating.

screencast best practices

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:39:00 +0000

unplug the phone
leave enough time, trying to do screencasts at the last minute will invariably produce poor results
invest in a good headset
do a couple of dry runs to make sure the screen capture encompasses everything it should and any other necessary pages are tabbed and ready to go
warn those with whom you share living space that interruptions will not get a warm reception
expect that they will get better and easier with time and practice

interactive game

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:44:00 +0000

Yet another benefit of having a 13 year old in the house......
We played Dubloon Disaster at Neopets; so far the only assignment I've laughed uproariously while doing.

Link to the screencast of the game being played

screencast about how to put videos on a profile page

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:25:00 +0000

how to put videos on your myspace profile page

ning

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:25:00 +0000

Advantages include the ease with which groups can be formed and joined, how personal pages/profiles can be shared selectively or exclusively among group members, and, in contrast to the accumulation of friends in MySpace or facebook that are relationships that often already exist, Ning groups are people linked by common interest(s), providing opportunities for new connections on an international level and across all socioeconomic lines (although I suppose this might be a disadvantage as well, new connections are more tenuous/less cohesive).
The only disadvantage I can see are that some people may be reluctant to sign up and join.

In a work environment, Jing groups could be used like a wiki, acting as a forum to track and complete some short-term project or goal, or in a more open-ended way for members connected an ongoing interest or commonality. For example, a Jing group could be formed for new employees at a large institution or organization, giving people who might be scattered across departments or even locations, an opportunity to connect with eachother, share experiences, arrange to meet in person, etc. In a library, a Jing groups could be formed for patrons interested in specific genres, or programming such as parents who attend storyhour but are not able to have meaningful or uninterrupted discussions during or after events.

information/lessons libraries should take away from boyd

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:36:00 +0000

Specifically, libraries might observe that not only are social networking sites here to stay, but that they provide opportunities to connect and stay connected with diverse groups, particularly older teens/young adults.
In a broad sense though, libraries, seeking a heterogeneous mix of the population they serve, should observe that our virtual meeting places and congregating online reflects the same social stratification that exists in the physical world. In order to connect with and remain relevant to a wide range of people, libraries need to have a presence in multiple areas and sites.

what makes sns sticky?

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:08:00 +0000

MySpace reminds me so much of a fair midway, it is an unrelenting assault on my senses; it is visual chaos, flashing lights, spectacle often without substance. In fact, the only thing missing is odor. (perhaps there should be a parenthetical addendum of so far). The fact that it's sticky just completes the image.

However, thinking about why social network sites attract and retain visitors, a couple of questions come to mind........Is it the content? Is there something about members and/or visitors that makes them more likely to get stuck?
Yes, and yes.

Visitors return because there are new things to see, there is a dynamic quality to personal pages, reflecting shifting moods, new interests, events, and fluctuating favorites and dislikes, compounded by how interactive having friends and belonging to groups can be. Of course, all of this presupposes that members are spending time updating, creating and bolstering their presence, adding and interacting with friends and groups.

As to commonality among users, I think by virtue of the fact that people go to these sites either by invitation or their own prerogative, and reflecting on boyd & Ellison (2007), the networks parallel users more 'real' lives, "primarily communicating with people who are already a part of their extended social network."; the sns is not the fundamental link between users, it is the medium.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
as for myself, sns are kind of an interesting phenomena, and while I am all over social software tools that make work easier and more efficient, I am not looking for ways to substitute the virtual for real contact in my personal life. And to that end, of the social networks I tried, I liked Ning the most - I found a whole lot easier to navigate and understand, visually it was less confusing.

how i'm spending my weekend

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:56:00 +0000

....mowing, cleaning, packing, throwing away and actually looking forward to some quiet time at my desk tonight. too many late nights lately, scattered thinking and limited concentration only a reflection of the more overall chaos.

anti-social software

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:20:00 +0000

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/style/18divorce.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

youtube favorites

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:08:00 +0000

lorri's contemplation and debate about shoes is a classic example of how a well-thought out idea and a sense of humor can elevate even something as simple as comparing shoes to a really entertaining video.

carina's how to make a dog sit is incredibly well done, easy to follow and understand.

laura g's how to dog-proof the house made me laugh aloud...we do exactly the same things at my house!

zoho database app creation and embedding a form

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:24:00 +0000

screencast (blip.tv)
In this screencast I ran through the process of setting up a zoho database application, creating a form and embedding it in a blog. After a dozen or so false starts, huge errors and thinking I'd mentioned something when I had in the previous and just discarded attempt, but neglected to in the current recording - this might have actually qualified as a comedy of errors. that is, if it had been funny.

if nothing else I have a whole new appreciation for the long list of screencasts every week. :)

Click To Play

Link to the video at blip.tv

zoho sign up (jing/screencast)

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:02:00 +0000

In this first screencast (3:09) I (somewhat hesitantly) describe the features of zoho in the broadest terms, and explain how to sign up for a zoho account. This is 1 of 3.

how do I contact you?

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:50:00 +0000

this is a test for my screencast, but feel free to fill in the form.
enter your scils598s08 username (xxscils598s08) and a more permanent IM, and the other fields if you like, I was just playing with the features and possibilities at zoho.

and if, for some reason, I do not demonstrate zoho creator for my screencasts, have a look!

educational vs entertainment videos

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Short answer: I think there's increasingly less distinction.
Longer answer: I think there's an expectation for video in general to be interesting, attractive, fun to watch and because the means to produce media is getting easier to use....I will come back and finish this in a bit.....

educational/instruction vodcast

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:53:00 +0000

The blip.tv pop-up post.
A how-to-make-scones vodcast using both still and video files.

Click to play

entertainment video

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:06:00 +0000

these are images I shot in Ireland too many years ago.

Watch the video at YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU9KrOsuM0c

our flickr similarities & differences

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:35:00 +0000

Clearly all of our lives are dominated by technology, books, and the places we work at work and home, and while I pretty much expected the consistencies, I think there are far fewer of the ones like those that seem to dominate flickr more generally - the friends, the meals, birthdays and travels....the images of the minutiae and monumental of our selves and days that are added naturally as those events occur, unrestricted by the confines of a semester and with a luxury of time few of us have. Whether it's due to the newness of the concept and habit of photo sharing, or overwhelming schedules and demands, I think the predefined theme sets suggest more in common than actually exists in our multi-faceted and busy lives.

the tail end of the long tail

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:22:00 +0000

...can libraries as a whole effectively utilize the "long tail" of our collections? Is it worth it? What would we have to do? or, what question didn't I ask that I should? why should I ask it?

to effectively use the long tail of our collections libraries would need to cooperate, pooling resources, creating a virtual centralized inventory which, I think, are the fundamental principles and objectives of ILL, consortia.....the NJ Union List of Serials. Libraries are increasingly offering more and more resources in digital formats. So, I think libraries are doing it, but maybe the more important question is how might it be done better, more effectively.

perhaps designating specific member libraries to specific niches
incorporating as many opportunities and tools as possible to give users/customers a way to impact, influence, "crowdsource" (pg. 219), customize their experience to their needs and their own time and skills.

the benefits/detractions of podcasts vs. text blogging

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:16:00 +0000

The benefits of podcasting compared to text-based blogging:

There is another level of detail to podcasts that text-based blogging cannot achieve. I don't know if it is actually authenticity, but there is a more human, personal quality to spoken words; podcasting can add emotion to content where it might be indiscernible in text.
Good for users who cannot read for a variety of reasons ranging from visual impairments to a lack of time.
Good for auditory learners.

The detractions of podcasting vs. text blogging

Podcasting requires a little more equipment than text based blogging. Access to a keyboard is fairly ubiquitous and text blogging can be done anywhere, but microphones are (I think) not necessarily standard and recording a podcast requires somewhat more privacy and space to create and not disturb others.
Podcasting cannot be edited as simply and easily as text based blogs. In the worst case, once a podcast has been posted, in order to "edit", a new mp3 must be generated and uploaded. Text blogs can be edited in situ.
Not so good for visual learners. For myself, I am a better and more careful reader than listener and it's not so much that I don't actually listen, but I will try to take advantage of the opportunity to do other things while I listen and often find my attention drifting, listening less carefully.

a podcast story

lhscils598s08@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:30:00 +0000

This is a story that I always think of as my Mr. Magoo moment.