re SCREENCASTS

Much of my job is development of a video/DVD collection. With screencasts it would be interesting to have the studio rights to previews of movies. Several of our branch locations subscribe to licenses in order to show full movies at the library; perhaps the studios would grant previews for such showings. Themes are often chosen for the branch showings. Anime clubs show films at two locations, and another branch chooses a yearly theme such as screen legends, or great film duos to show.

Also, it would be interesting if screen casts of previews of less popular, but important films and documentaries could be previewed. "Have you seen?"

The Screencasts at U of Calgary and Central Michigan are quite interesting. Just as we have learned from the broadcasts from Project Play, users of these websites can obtain training on by clicking on the tool bar. I especially liked the U of Calgary explanation of ProQuest's Dissertations retrieval. The commentary helped to clarify the Byzantine nature of document retrieval. Thus, when a library buys a service such as ProQuest, a Screencast can help users get past barriers to use of the product. In this way, the library doesn't look "stupid" about products provided to the public.

Further, Screencasts are a powerful learning tool for library users. The moving image is best for many learners. Thus, supplementing text only approaches is very, very useful for libraries. Yet another tool in the mixed media of computers and library tradition.

PODS now available

I successfully added "Uncontrolled vocabulary" to the RSS feeds on this blog. It was interesting to retrace the steps from Semester I week 3 and to be once again confused by the relationship between bloglines and blogger (and google reader for that matter). [So many similar, fuzzy concepts; so little time. For early onset baby boomers it's like keeping the Gabor sisters straight.] Yet, "uncontrolled vocabulary" is right there on the RSS side of this blogger.com blog; and it works. Though the sound was poor on on podcast; I need earphones I think. The topics, of course, are germain to the field. The number of PODcasts overwhelming.

PODcasts are ubiquitous; our libary used MP3 files to make a 4 session lecture series available to the public--wonderful idea. As with YouTube personas, for PODcasting, the sky's the limit (TSTL--to propose a text message epithet.) A carnival barker PODcast avatar comes to mind--"Step right up library folks now starring at your library!" A radio script modelled on old time radio might be clever. An assistant to library webczar would be useful to pull together the marketing strategies for PODcasting and YOUtubing, etc., etc., etc..

Space, my

The use of MySpace by WI libraries is interesting. AT LaCrosse, I found the black on green background rather difficult to read; and at first I was slightly bewildered by the boxes of formatting. The style reminded me of paste ups for newspapers or yearbooks. After viewing other library sites it became obvious that this is due to the MySpace format; similar to the layouts of blogger.
For Oshkosh, I enjoyed the photo of the Lion in Winter/holiday wreath and the listings of authors as Friends. In fact, in general, authors and books as friends is a great conceit.
Winnie Fox wins my heart, however, for the posting of Winnie Fox as mascot and as the avatar for the MySpace is quite enjoyable. Go mascot/avatar.
In sum, I enjoyed all of the sites. I wonder how regular customers of MySpace use such sites. I would guess that stumbling across a library rather than a person is at first a bit confusing; but then, one would know where to go to find events, hours, etc at the library. Not much different from going to a library web page or contacting a friend for info. Also, many libraries have friends groups, and MySpace is perfect for friends. For niches in library service singular avatars could be created. A library could create myriad MySpace personas for children, or perhaps for top new arrivals. Unless one can prove that users of MySpace are annoyed by such a presence, it's almost a necessity for libraries to create a MySpace site (or sites).

Listing

The "Remember the Milk," and Jott sites are interesting. I couldn't find the Login for "RTM" at first, it's way up in the top right corner. I tried to edit my initial task at "RTM," but it didn't seem to work. After clicking on the Tasks tab I didn't see a list of what to do; and after clicking on my previously posted task I later found an editing window way down in the lower right hand corner.
All of which is to say, it wasn't intuitively obvious to me how to use "RTM" as an end user. BUT, as with any of these myriad Tools, time should tell, I'm sure this is useful for task management. I shall set up a personal account to see. Usage is a bit like the new remote on a new television; it can take a while to figure out the procedures and/or to just find the buttons.
As to Jott; a great barrier was not wanting to leave another voice mail in the universe. I'm sure it works just fine and is fun for many folks. So it goes.

Sharing

The Google Docs document was confusing to me. Also, as I tried to add a comment a message popped up which implied that someone had already left such a message. As with all new vehicles for information I would posit that this is merely part of learning the new system.
I added a slide, "sorta." I learned how to add text to an empty frame, but did not take the time to download, cut and paste a picture.
As to the garden, someone beat me to the ordering of fencing; I'm used to trying to keep rabbits out of the flowers. These days I emphasize with Elmer Fudd more than in the past.
We have used the software "Bootcamp" at our library for committee documents. This too can be a useful work tool. I wonder how it would have helped Jefferson in drafting the Declaration.

Yes again yes, IM

So, with Meebo beta and two sharp colleagues in the department I've learned to chat amongst ourselves. First, one registers for Yahoo Messenger and then one registers for Meebo beta web based IM. Then chat at Meebo; chat with Yahoo Messenger doesn't seem to work on all office machines. Interesting.

The Meebo widget can be added to one's blog also, but it isn't functional. Good practise, however.

There has been some problem with Yahoo Messenger chat and the actual key strokes. Although, we don't know the full syntax, sometimes the space bar seems to lock up the computer when trying Yahoo Messenger. Messages without punctuation may work better. Also, one sends a message with the Enter key (which requires tacit knowledge; one looks for a Send button to click in vain). This is confusing. When customers log on to library computers on LINKcat the OPPOSITE is required. That is, using the Enter key doesn't work; one must click on the Send button. So it goes.

IM and some confusion

Several office colleagues have decided to choose IM through Yahoo messenger with Meebo. It is confusing to continously create account IDs and passwords; but, of course necessary. The placement of Meebo would seem to require a webpage or blog, but the relation of IM choice to Meebo is unclear. Fortunately, the more saavy collegues will probably enlighten me. Again, tricks of the trade are necessary.

It is interesting that IM can allow one to be contacted immediately. This would allow workers to work at home. Whereas, workers often ask one another questions, these could be IMd at point of need--even to a home based worker. Also, workers can contact one another from one library building to another. Interesting. With cell phones one might even be "on call" for advice during off hours (paid per call, of course).