Thursday 9 September 2010
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Continued blogging?
Cheers 23 Thingers! I might even keep this blog going.
That didn't quite happen then did it?
That didn't quite happen then did it?
Friday 9 April 2010
Thing 23 - the END!
So, what have I got out of taking part in the 23 Things?
My first blog post said this:
Have I got to know Web 2.o any better? I’ve been really surprised at how many of the Web 2.0 bits and bobs I already use, and have been using for a while. I wouldn’t say I was particularly computer savvy (in other words, despite being a librarian I’m not a total geek), but I’ve been happily using almost every Thing we’ve looked at.
The most valuable aspect for me though has been looking at how the other OULS/Bodleian Libraries incorporate Twitter etc into the way they communicate with their users.
Here at HCL we don’t use a lot of these techniques, but I think we should explore them a bit further.
Taking part in the 23 Things has let me have a look at some of the ways we can get our message out to users, and potential users. I was pleased that in many cases i was already familiar with them. It’s also highlighted how I can make better use of resources that I already utilise (Twitter, Linkedin, tags in Delicious) to help my own practice and CPD.
I’ve enjoyed taking part, reading the other participants blogs, and would like to have a follow up Things in the future to see what else is out there.
What would I have done differently? Next time I’ll try not to move house and give myself a bit more time. I should be a bit tidier with my labels on the blog (Thing, thing).
Cheers 23 Thingers! I might even keep this blog going.
My first blog post said this:
“I’m taking part in this to get to know web 2.0 a bit better. I use a lot of this stuff already (Facebook, Twitter, customised homepages) but I don’t really know how they work. Which in day to day life, is fine.
However, from a professional point of view, understanding how they work will help me use them in a better way”
Have I got to know Web 2.o any better? I’ve been really surprised at how many of the Web 2.0 bits and bobs I already use, and have been using for a while. I wouldn’t say I was particularly computer savvy (in other words, despite being a librarian I’m not a total geek), but I’ve been happily using almost every Thing we’ve looked at.
The most valuable aspect for me though has been looking at how the other OULS/Bodleian Libraries incorporate Twitter etc into the way they communicate with their users.
Here at HCL we don’t use a lot of these techniques, but I think we should explore them a bit further.
Taking part in the 23 Things has let me have a look at some of the ways we can get our message out to users, and potential users. I was pleased that in many cases i was already familiar with them. It’s also highlighted how I can make better use of resources that I already utilise (Twitter, Linkedin, tags in Delicious) to help my own practice and CPD.
I’ve enjoyed taking part, reading the other participants blogs, and would like to have a follow up Things in the future to see what else is out there.
What would I have done differently? Next time I’ll try not to move house and give myself a bit more time. I should be a bit tidier with my labels on the blog (Thing, thing).
Cheers 23 Thingers! I might even keep this blog going.
Gadgets and Widgets
I removed the Jackson Pollock widget, which I liked but I wasn’t keen on the advertising. I know that somehow you have to pay for ‘free’ stuff, but I still didn’t like it. So I swapped it, in a not very rebellious move, for my Picasa Photostream rather than my Flickr one. Yeah I know, crazy huh?
It was actually really easy to do, and shows how you can customise this kind of site very easily. An important point if you are going to use these applications for library purposes – ease of use means that any one can keep the site updated.
I also added my Delicious bookmarks to my iGoogle page, there should be a screen shot somewhere down the bottom of this post.
Again, this was really easy. I’ve been involved in updating our library webpage, which doesn’t use this kind of widget. This definitely hasn’t been easy.
I suppose the main thing I’ll take from looking at Widgets is how simple they are to use, and how they can (if used carefully) improve the look of your site, and easily personalise then too.
Office 2.0 (I like these Things!)
Office 2.0 eh? I’m amazed, and for some reason slightly embarrassed, to admit that this next Thing is another one that I’ve come across. And actually use.
I’ve been using Google Docs for a while, mostly because I couldn’t get my copy of Office (the untrendy Microsoft one) to install on my laptop at home. I needed something for txt docs etc, and seeing as this was free I thought I’d give it a go.
It is a bit more limited than MS Office applications, but for my home usage it’s fine. I also find the Gears bit handy so I can work offline too. I’m not so sure I’d want to compose large documents or reports on it, but basically I think it’s great.
I know that some people have issues around the privacy, or potential lack of it, but if they really want to see what my to-do list of DIY jobs for the next month is then they’re welcome to it. Especially if they offer to help.
Like a few of the other 23 Things participants I found ThinkFree Office a bit slow. I’m also fairly happy with Google Docs, so a bit disinclined to use it.
Overall, I’m a supporter of these applications. I know some people have reservations about the security and long term stability of cloud computing and document storage, but as long as you’re sensible and don’t save your list of bank account numbers and PIN no.s I reckon it’ll be fine.
The ability to access your documents from anywhere will only increase in importance as we increase the amount of work we do from netbooks, smartphones etc. Big thumbs up for these Things from me.
I’ve been using Google Docs for a while, mostly because I couldn’t get my copy of Office (the untrendy Microsoft one) to install on my laptop at home. I needed something for txt docs etc, and seeing as this was free I thought I’d give it a go.
It is a bit more limited than MS Office applications, but for my home usage it’s fine. I also find the Gears bit handy so I can work offline too. I’m not so sure I’d want to compose large documents or reports on it, but basically I think it’s great.
I know that some people have issues around the privacy, or potential lack of it, but if they really want to see what my to-do list of DIY jobs for the next month is then they’re welcome to it. Especially if they offer to help.
Like a few of the other 23 Things participants I found ThinkFree Office a bit slow. I’m also fairly happy with Google Docs, so a bit disinclined to use it.
Overall, I’m a supporter of these applications. I know some people have reservations about the security and long term stability of cloud computing and document storage, but as long as you’re sensible and don’t save your list of bank account numbers and PIN no.s I reckon it’ll be fine.
The ability to access your documents from anywhere will only increase in importance as we increase the amount of work we do from netbooks, smartphones etc. Big thumbs up for these Things from me.
Wikis, especially Wikipedia
I had a look at the Oxford web2.0 wiki, and first impression is that its a really useful resource (I must try and find another way of saying 'useful' on this blog). I had a play with Wetpaint (also in my previous role) and it seems fairly easy to use. My experience of wikis has been limited, but positive. They are a great way to work on collaborative projects, especially if you’re isolated “up the hill” like we are at HCL. They also make life much easier than having to email countless drafts for comment. What a great way to make the most out of the collective brainpower of our colleagues.
Which brings me on to Wikipedia. When I was at library school it was instilled into me that Wikipedia was pretty much the reliable-information-antichrist, and if you referenced it in an assignment, well I shudder to think what would happen.
However, since then in my professional role I have found myself using it more and more. I carry out literature searches on (to me) unfamiliar medical topics. Wikipedia will often provide me with an easy overview, allowing me to then move on to more “trusted” resources. I wouldn't rely on it to provide me with evidence based information, but it is a handy (avoided useful there) way to check things quickly.
Outside of work – I use it a lot.
Loads in fact. One of the favourite games in our house is ‘how old do you they reckon they are’ whilst watching TV. I also use it to decide whether I’ll like a film, or band , or book.
It’s ace.
Which brings me on to Wikipedia. When I was at library school it was instilled into me that Wikipedia was pretty much the reliable-information-antichrist, and if you referenced it in an assignment, well I shudder to think what would happen.
However, since then in my professional role I have found myself using it more and more. I carry out literature searches on (to me) unfamiliar medical topics. Wikipedia will often provide me with an easy overview, allowing me to then move on to more “trusted” resources. I wouldn't rely on it to provide me with evidence based information, but it is a handy (avoided useful there) way to check things quickly.
Outside of work – I use it a lot.
Loads in fact. One of the favourite games in our house is ‘how old do you they reckon they are’ whilst watching TV. I also use it to decide whether I’ll like a film, or band , or book.
It’s ace.
Thursday 8 April 2010
Wow, I'm so Web 2.0!
Well, I already use Twitter, does that count? My unimaginative username is ocoxall.
A quick look at my account shows that I've tweeted 82 times, follow 61 and have 37 followers.
I use Twitter in a number of ways. I follow a mix of people I know, some professional Twitterers (CEBM, Cochrane Library), and some stuff that I'm interested in (bands etc). Oh, and I've tweeted with a #ox23. Actually I was surprised how many tweets I'd, um, tweeted.
A few of the people/organisations I follow use Twitter to announce updates to their websites. I prefer this to RSS feeds, probably because I'm used to Twitter and so can scan the Tweets quickly.
I think that a Library Twitter account, probably linked to our RSS newsfeed, could be worth investigating. Well, I'd like it.
Well, I already use Twitter, does that count? My unimaginative username is ocoxall.
A quick look at my account shows that I've tweeted 82 times, follow 61 and have 37 followers.
I use Twitter in a number of ways. I follow a mix of people I know, some professional Twitterers (CEBM, Cochrane Library), and some stuff that I'm interested in (bands etc). Oh, and I've tweeted with a #ox23. Actually I was surprised how many tweets I'd, um, tweeted.
A few of the people/organisations I follow use Twitter to announce updates to their websites. I prefer this to RSS feeds, probably because I'm used to Twitter and so can scan the Tweets quickly.
I think that a Library Twitter account, probably linked to our RSS newsfeed, could be worth investigating. Well, I'd like it.
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