Wikis

Well it's the day before Christmas and I've managed to get some time to look at Wikis. I was familiar with them before Web 2.0 and had been curious about the editing process given that there are many out there who are tempted to create havoc with online information. Of course, Wikipedia has people policing its site now but I noticed that other wikis have had to become stricter about allowing access.

I must say that I was impressed with the SJCPL subject guides and can see a great deal of potential for libraries wishing to offer their patrons 'one stop shopping' on a range of subjects. I wasn't quite sure, however, why this site had to be a wiki as opposed to a web page which could be updated periodically. I have been told, however, that the process of changing content is generally less time consuming if the site is set up as a wiki.

The Book Lovers' Wiki is a way of providing an online forum for those wishing to review, or discuss books, but I wonder if sustaining an interest in it over a period of time could become an issue.

Rolling on with Rollyo

Well, this is great. Everyone else seems to have finished Web 2.0 but I'll soldier on because there are a few more offerings I would like to investigate. Had a look at Rollyo and created a couple of search rolls and was pleased with the result. The interface, however, is a little busy for my liking and one would need to compile a comprehensive number of search rolls and continually update them if the aim was to use it in a library reference setting.

LibraryThing

Finally found time to look at LibraryThing. What a great site especially for people with large home libraries. This is one I would recommend to friends and associates and appeals to that desire for order which is in many of us. Done anyone know if there are copyright issues with downloading catalogue details from the Library of Congress catalogue?

Play isn't exactly the word I would use to describe my experience with image generators. I had an attempt at making a customised neon sign but had no luck. But then I thought who needs a bar sign anyway. So I moved on and decided on the reflection generator. It was only after I had made that decision that I noticed the first couple of comments from those whose attempts had been unsuccessful. "do (sic) not work for me " and "Yeah I couldn't get it work for me either." Still I decided to persevere and was finally rewarded.

Bloglines

Finally managed to find the time to use Bloglines. Being a bit of a news junkie I must admit that I like the concept although I found it interesting that some of the links that appeared were not actually selected by me. For instance, the PETA link was not one I chose although I'm quite happy to know what is happening in the world of animal rights. I am intrigued, however, to know how the link was made me. Was it based on my choice of a vegetarian site? Do organisations pay to be 'attached' to other sites? Has anyone else noticed this?

Frustration

This is where my montage was going to be. Unfortunately owing to technical difficulties it will not appear at this stage.

And this is where I would have had my attempt at colr pickr. Unfortunately another technical hitch (apparently caused by certain IT restrictions) and I was unable to show you my efforts. Which brings me to another point about technology. Great when it works but incredibly frustrating and time consuming when it doesn't!

Hence the inspiration behind my choice of pictures for the badge.

Barcode

Barcode
Originally uploaded by camera_rwanda

Techno musings

Ah yes - the joys of tecnology. Well, the blog is off and running. Running to where I don't know but apparently it will team up in cyberspace with someone's friend called Flickr. I'll keep you 'posted'.
By the way some food for thought. An ex-Silicon Valley employee by the name of Andrew Keen has just written a book with the title - The cult of the amateur : how today's internet is killing our culture and assaulting our economy. He argues that that much of what is on the internet (including blogs) is a sign of growing narcissism in our culture -"We don't need to read the thoughts of 11-year-olds with a laptop, says author who warns against 'great seduction' of the web". His book has certainly generated plenty of debate. Take, for instance, an entry from Seth Finkelstein on the Lessig blog - "Andrew Keen is working the contrary angle of the Web 2.0 hucksters. But, note, you're playing into his professional-wrestling game. That is, the Web 2.0 snake-oil seller says "UTOPIA! Give me ATTENTION!". Then that creates an opening for an anti-Web-2.0 pundit to say "DYSTOPIA! Give me ATTENTION!". And both can then play to their respective audiences (and yes, there is still an audience, one of the most blatant lies of of blog-evangelism is for A-listers to claim that there is not)".