Off to CHLA

Greetings - I am off to the annual meeting of CHLA in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where I look forward to meeting old friends, sharing information and learning from the experiences of our colleagues up north! I am also presenting a paper on interdisciplinary collaboration in informatics. Content related to this paper is accessible at this WIKI site: http://spacelibrarian.wikispaces.com

MASHUPS AND MPI

This week's topic, Mashups and UPI, illustrates the "free-for-all" nature of the evolving WEB. The "mashup" concept reminded me somewhat of a federated search engine, in that it combines information from a variety of sources. The concept of merging different technologies and applications is extremely appealing and, offers much promise. In one respect, this technology, to me, illustrates one of the best features of WEB 2.0, that of an emerging information environment increasingly flexible and leaning away from controlled, rigid "boxed in" sites for different types of knowledge. The two sites I visited were DBpedia and Lyricsfly, both good examples. DBpedia, interestingly, reminded me of a "goosed up" City search feature found on many search engines. It combines a GPS with information on specific locations - a very practical tool. As a musician, I found Lyricsfly particularly interesting. It combines lryic text with video and audio files, all within a package which appears to be much more user-friendly than related Google applications.
What are the downsides? I found some other sites I checked out to be password protected, and, like all web sites, there is always the issue of no one web site providing access to "all" information. However, as I mentioned above, Mashups illustrate the evolving nature of the WEB into a less rigid, more integrated, flexible, improvisable media. Great stuff!! A fitting finale to a VERY COOL course!!

Using video content

The ability to use video content opens new opportunities, not only to engage targeted viewers, but to expand the volume and nature of content. In a library setting, video can be used as a skills teaching resource or a support document within the context of a larger presentation. I am using short video (as introduced in this class) in support of a paper I am presenting next month. In addition, I will be using short video segments to add "personality" to an online course I will be teaching in the fall. Beyond using the same care you apply to any other "medium" of information, one must grapple with the "performance" feature of presenting in a video format. To do this, you must be brutally honest about your own "presentation style" - which can be quite humbling. Also, the "nature" of the content presented may determine if video is the best medium for presenting. I have some experience using the tegrity system and "live performance" does have its challenges. However, the rewards inherent in broadening your pallete of presentation options is worth the work. Video can also be quite humorous and reflective of changing "social practices". Take this video from UTube, for example. (:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RGccQFxi3U

Online photo sharing

Honestly, I was least impressed by this application. Although I agree that Flickr is probably the most usable application, I found the "yahoo pushing" on the site a real negative feature. Account creation is a problem here. I eventually got an account in atpic and used that. I have used PC based photo programs and, combined with email and WEB browsers have found that they work well. However, understanding the "interconnected nature" of WEB 2.0, Flickr type tools are obviously the wave of the future. However, they have to clean up the login issues and curb pushing an agenda on potential users. Just my 2 cents worth.

Web Office Tools

WEB office tools, particularly the Google Docs application, is/are extremely useful additions to your "arsenal" of resources. As mentioned elsewhere, it bypasses the need to utilize email attachments, providing a central platform for joint editing and viewing ventures. In fact, I am presenting at CHLA next month and am using Google Docs with my co-writers as we speak to edit our paper. I may also test the forum as a backup (not confident yet to use it as the primary source) for accessing the document at the conference. I believe this is the "direction" of document sharing. However, I think you will see such features appear in a number of forums (wait until Microsoft gets a hold of it) and will be as common as WEB based banking. Very good topic, and, for me, VERY timely!!

Social bookmarking tools

Social bookmarking tools offer some distinct advantages over the traditional terminal based variety. First, there is the obvious "portability factor" (which raises the question: I assume Del.ic.ious offers hand-held access. True?). Second, and more significantly, the "folksonomy" factor expodentially expands access to potentially useful sites. Like other aspects of WEB 2.0, this feature facilitates information sharing among like-minded people who, otherwise, would not likely to connect. I can see the potential for using this tool as a current awareness opportunity. On the down side, there is the ever-present issue of "information security". One can gain much information on an individual by the types of sites he or she bookmarks. As with other Internet based resurces, one must use the standard precautionary measures. It is a fact of life that greater access to information also includes greater security issues. Thatis the reality we live with, unfortunately.

Social networking tools

Social networking is a potent tool, not only for librarians but also for educators. I see it as a logical extension to online content probrams like Blackboard, because students have at their hands another method for communicating information related to assignments, study related networking and communication with faculty and fellow students.

Indeed libraries should have social networking pages, both as a general means of communicating and also for special projects. For instance, information literacy programs could benefit from a combination of blogs, wikis and social networking applications.

As with any internet based activity, security must be a concern. Use the same precautionary measures you would apply to any WEB based forum.

I was most impressed with the "democratization" of information access provided by social networking applications. With this new freedom comes both opportunities and risks (both obvious - greater access to information on the one hand and security issues on the other). The best precaution one can take is the judicial use of "computer # 1", your own common sense, when utilizing any of these resources.