Thing 1

As a newbie to the land of all things ipad, I hope to learn about apps that may apply more to my work life than the basic apps I currently use to take notes during meetings. Personally, I hope to realize there is more to my ipad than the constant checking of facebook, email, and of course using 3M/Overdrive/Nook apps to read books.
I joined 23 Mobile Things because I do not want to be left in the dust in the world of Library 2.0. I have not learned much about Library 2.0 since completing my MLIS in 2008, (other than my own exploration of e-book platforms) and hope to gain greater insight into the useful, free tools available today. The description of the program says that we will learn about "apps will cover a variety of topics: social media, presentations, photography, reference, news, notes, games, and so much more." Can't wait to get started!

Welcome back

Time to resurrect my library blog! I have joined the '23 Mobile Things' program and will post updates based on this self-paced learning program.

Back to school...

Just finished the first session of fall semester class! WooHoo!
Only 7 more sessions, with lots of homework to go!

Done with summer session!

Yea! I successfully completed 3 classes over the course of 7 weeks! Only one more class is between me and the successful completion of my MLIS degree.
WooHoo!!!

Comments on Mashup articles for June 28

Pietroniro and Fitcher "Map Mashups ..."
Right away, the authors cite wikipedia's definition of a mashup as follows,
"a web ‘mashup’ is “a website, or web application that combines content from one or more sources”.1 The word ‘Mashup’ comes from a term that is used in the music industry. In music, the term refers to a genre of popular music whereby the remixing of vocal and instrumental tracks from different songs to create a new song, is practiced."

I like the fact that a scholarly article is citing wikipedia! More power to wikipedia!

Anyway, the authors explain that what mashups are to music, the map industry is now joining in and using live info in correlation with maps, gps, etc... to create maps on the fly for users looking for very specific content, directions, information.
As someone who is constantly either mapquesting or google-mapping everything when I go to an unfamiliar location this is very exciting! My husband and I are more likely than not to get lost if we stray a block or two off the prescribed google map route. If we could afford an iphone we would automatically sign up for one of the map services (discussed in class a couple weeks ago).

I love the idea of housingmaps.com. How helpful that would have been when I was apartment and house searching. There are so many ideas that could be implemented with maps/info, etc... This should become very popular, and as the authors mention the possibilities are endless!

I also like the points made about traffic updates/conditions, flight info, commuter train update, etc... What a long way technology has come since the AAA TripTik my parents relied on for this information on our summer roadtrips!

Wikipedia entry on Mashups...
Reading through the description and process for creating a mashup I began to think that it seemed a little beyond my skill level. As I continued to read I noticed a variety of sites that serve as "mashup platforms" to help users creat mashups. Hooray! That is what I need to give this a try.
I thought the section on applying mashups to businesses was quite interseting, and certainly applicable. I hate "trawling" through information to dig up the tiny little piece of info that I need. By re-organizing a website with a mashup, info should be more accessible and more importantly user friendly.
We have already used a successful and popular mashup- Flickr... next I want to look into Travature- a travel mashup.

Library School Update...

Well folks, there are only two weeks left of summer session one! Only 8 more class sessions for me to attend (among the three classes I am taking) before I can officially say that I have just one more class before I officially earn my MLIS.
Yea!
Just thought you all should know!

Part two of Gaming, Second Life and Virtual Worlds...

Czarnecki, Kelly and Matt Gullett. "Meet the New You"

In some ways the idea of presenting course content to middle schoolers completely online makes perfect sense, and in other ways it is quite scary to think about. Would life online mirror real life? Would the same bullies exist? Could your online avatar name remain anonymous when you are in a set group of 30 or so people working collaboratively on recreating Ellis Island? Does it matter?

I just seem to think of the discipline problems that may occur, the disrespect students may have, which might ruin a wonderful idea for the majority...
It will be interesting to see how popular TSL becomes for schools in the future, let alone libraries. A very intersting concept.


Hurst-Wahl, Jill "Librarians and Second Life."

Like many other web 2.0 tools, librarians quickly identified Second Life as a platform on which to connect with information users. A Second Life Alliance Library System has now been created. It is run by volunteer librarians devoting their time and energy to creating libraries and lirbary services within the context of SL. This seems like just another way to add our presence to where our patrons are.

Like last class where we discussed how many people "live" on MySpace, many people also "live" on Second Life. Even though I am not one of those people, I see the potential for additional outreach services.

The article also talks about the opportunities for collaboration among librarians from different locations across the globe, rethinking library 'space' (in both virtual architectural design, and the actual existence of online libraries), and the exploration of new tools. All are important ways for libraries to remain relevant, cutting edge, and cool!