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).

Semester I wrap up

To SCLS gurus, thanks. Often it is difficult to get the news from PlayAway; but non-players fade every day for lack of what is found there. (with apologies to William Carlos Williams). I'd suggest keeping the instructions as they are; for one needs to learn these technologies by doing. Wrestling with sites as they are on the web is informative; and SCLS teachers do help when queried.

The movie for this wrap-up "Information Revolution" moves too fast for my central nervous system. I became a bit sea sick, literally. Not enough time at sea, perhaps.

When discussing authority files vis-a-vis tags, it is interesting to note that authority control terms can be readily added as tags to entry; whereas the converse is not true. One can cut and past any old authority file one likes. In fact, it would be interesting to consider domains of tags. One could, for example, ask for a set of tags applied by oceanographers to a topic as opposed to say tags applied by travellers on cruise ships. These sets of tags would be represented as different tag clouds; a bit like stratified random sampling.

As to the material culture of the web, one always wonders just where is the web? It is actually held on several large storage computers somewhere. (Old missle silos in Kansas? Who knows?) As for libraries, we do need physical space for the equipment and data storage. This alone is a different physical conception than the old catalogue files; but it is physical.

A dizzying set of concepts: humbling and awesome.

Looking towards Semester II and hoping to play while dropping the nagging awareness that I am playing.

Good sized city saves work

Madison WAS listed at Wikipedia, thus giving Lesson 9 an easy out. But I was interested in the Wikipedia explanation of their incoming data process. And, if time allows, I'd like to peruse the ProjectPlay sandbox wiki.

Also, I'd like to reviews the first 8 lessons to strenghten any memory cells that are up to it.

Thanks again to the mentors of ProjectPlay hurtling us into the Social Sphere 2.0.

Eureka!

Wednesday a library customer asked if we "had a list" of volunteers to help catalogue a small collection. I was able to suggest LibraryThing to the customer. Knowledge is out most important product! Thanks to PlayAway

del.icio.us Popular tags

Finally for this week I looked at the del.icio.us site (in lieu of creating yet another account; as I'm weary of accounts). But a look at the Popular tags on del.icio.us was interesting (as is learning re social networking). I tried history, and found a link to a NY Times article re The Manhattan Project of WWII and how it got its name. A family member of mine had worked on the project in Chicago, but the article described how the name was taken from Army Engineer offices at 270 Broadway in New York, which was the first headquarters for the project. The name was developed from the standard bureaucratic method then in use and was simply named for the location (Manhattan Engineer District -- later shortened). Thus, no secret spy name; just administrative naming.
Interestingly, while using the back button the link didn't appear again; that is, the link to the del.icio.us subscriber. Clicking the Tag Cloud brings up different links at different times. I think. Alas, it's a continually morphing world.