Because I can't resist it and I KNOW you are all out there reading - you have to check out this YouTube Video featuring Nick from Ref Central. Too Funny!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDRGffmCcr8
Have a safe halloween everyone, even if you do decide it lasts all weekend....
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Changes ... or don't tell me to grow up or out of it...
Good stuff this week. The Radiohead article from Rolling Stone was very interesting even though I've never heard any of their music to the best of my knowledge. I may have to go download or stream some of it later on.
The reason I was most interested in that article is that I have an interest in continuous innovation. I think that as a library we try to innovate, certainly to the extent of doing more with fewer resources and to an extent we succeed. I think it's good from a customer standpoint that we can offer things other than books and even give them a place to download an audio book if they choose. I also think that as we've moved away from the "shush" culture of a library - the one where you can hear a pin drop from the far end of the building - we've created an atmosphere that is more "fun" for our patrons.
The Davinci articles were interesting. In particular, I enjoyed the gaming article which points out how addicted many humans are to some form of gaming. Games can take so many different forms and can make doing mundane tasks much more enjoyable. Oddly enough, there are books I remember from my youth which advocated this method - Mrs. Piggle Wiggle anyone?
The reason I was most interested in that article is that I have an interest in continuous innovation. I think that as a library we try to innovate, certainly to the extent of doing more with fewer resources and to an extent we succeed. I think it's good from a customer standpoint that we can offer things other than books and even give them a place to download an audio book if they choose. I also think that as we've moved away from the "shush" culture of a library - the one where you can hear a pin drop from the far end of the building - we've created an atmosphere that is more "fun" for our patrons.
The Davinci articles were interesting. In particular, I enjoyed the gaming article which points out how addicted many humans are to some form of gaming. Games can take so many different forms and can make doing mundane tasks much more enjoyable. Oddly enough, there are books I remember from my youth which advocated this method - Mrs. Piggle Wiggle anyone?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Week four
Open source is a growing field. For the "early adopters" it can be a gold mine of software to do the same job as a $1000+ commercially produced product. I strongly believe that had I been better aware of the Open Office project I could have saved money when I was working on my Master's degree.
The YouTube video made some excellent points about how much information is available out there and how it is used in an election. It is nice to see that voices that would otherwise be disregarded now can be heard.
Liveleak is neat, but I had to take offense with the titling of the video I watched - Darwin Award Dimwits 14 - as few of these people CHOSE to be in the airplane accidents, they just chose to fly. There is spectacular footage, set to the song "Danger Zone", but to infer that these folks are eligible for the Darwin is questionable.
Answerbag is neat, but I was unable to find similar enough questions on TVs between Yahoo Answers, Answerbag and Askville. Yahoo answers seemed to me to have the better quality answers and a far larger number of answered questions.
The YouTube video made some excellent points about how much information is available out there and how it is used in an election. It is nice to see that voices that would otherwise be disregarded now can be heard.
Liveleak is neat, but I had to take offense with the titling of the video I watched - Darwin Award Dimwits 14 - as few of these people CHOSE to be in the airplane accidents, they just chose to fly. There is spectacular footage, set to the song "Danger Zone", but to infer that these folks are eligible for the Darwin is questionable.
Answerbag is neat, but I was unable to find similar enough questions on TVs between Yahoo Answers, Answerbag and Askville. Yahoo answers seemed to me to have the better quality answers and a far larger number of answered questions.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Interesting copyright ruling
I ran across the following article via my favorite blog - Slashdot .
RIAA loses $222K verdict from ZDnet. I follow many of the cases that the RIAA has filed against individuals becauase I have an interest in copyright law and how it is applied. In this case, the RIAA claimed that simply "making ... available for download" was a violation. Fortunately the US District Court disagrees. This is important decision for libraries because simply allowing the RIAA to sue under this concept of "making available" could force libraries to do away with any CD, CD book, etc in their collection for fear of being sued for "making available" items people can then put on a peer to peer network. Granted, the RIAA has concentrated on going after individuals, but there is still the remote chance that those items would eventually be traced back to the library.
Another item, this one from Gamepolitics.com. Recommending Permanent Disbarment Jack Thompson. All the gamers can sleep easier knowing that this now former lawyer will have a much harder time filing lawsuits against their favorite games. For those that don't know, Mr. Thompson has filed several lawsuits in the past against a number of video games and video game producers.
RIAA loses $222K verdict from ZDnet. I follow many of the cases that the RIAA has filed against individuals becauase I have an interest in copyright law and how it is applied. In this case, the RIAA claimed that simply "making ... available for download" was a violation. Fortunately the US District Court disagrees. This is important decision for libraries because simply allowing the RIAA to sue under this concept of "making available" could force libraries to do away with any CD, CD book, etc in their collection for fear of being sued for "making available" items people can then put on a peer to peer network. Granted, the RIAA has concentrated on going after individuals, but there is still the remote chance that those items would eventually be traced back to the library.
Another item, this one from Gamepolitics.com. Recommending Permanent Disbarment Jack Thompson. All the gamers can sleep easier knowing that this now former lawyer will have a much harder time filing lawsuits against their favorite games. For those that don't know, Mr. Thompson has filed several lawsuits in the past against a number of video games and video game producers.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fitness and technology
Today was the Health, Wellness and Technology lesson. Lots of good links and good information on those links. I think the Wii is great for a workout - I particularly like the boxing which I tried at staff day last year - and the games are fun. I would like to see the library offer a Wii workout room for the staff to use; I'd be there every day on my lunch hour.
I would use the google maps pedometer, but my neighborhood does not show up on their map. I would like to know how far it is around my gated neighborhood, but I guess I'll just have to buy a new pedometer and find out.
Nike + looks like a good program just absurdly expensive and apparently not compatible with my iPod Touch.
Good ideas here and a great mix of techology that can be used to improve fitness.
I would use the google maps pedometer, but my neighborhood does not show up on their map. I would like to know how far it is around my gated neighborhood, but I guess I'll just have to buy a new pedometer and find out.
Nike + looks like a good program just absurdly expensive and apparently not compatible with my iPod Touch.
Good ideas here and a great mix of techology that can be used to improve fitness.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Blogging
I just finished the second learn 2.1 lesson. The 2 blogging songs may be running through my head for the rest of the day... grrr...
I've read shifted librarian on and off for the last year and I really like that blog. I wasn't familiar with the librarian in black blog, but it triggered me that I have a Library Thing account that I hadn't looked at in ages. Lots of good recommendations for my reading pleasure and it reminded me that I need to upload more of what I own.
Looking forward to the next lesson.
I've read shifted librarian on and off for the last year and I really like that blog. I wasn't familiar with the librarian in black blog, but it triggered me that I have a Library Thing account that I hadn't looked at in ages. Lots of good recommendations for my reading pleasure and it reminded me that I need to upload more of what I own.
Looking forward to the next lesson.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
March of the Reference Penguin
A new learn 2.1 blog from a marching penguin. I am looking forward to whatever has been cooked up for us this time, particularly the health section. Web 3.0 seems to be a very fluid concept that is subject to change at any time. This should be a fun journey for all of us.
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