Week 9 Further Tools

Activity NineFurther Tools

Web 2.0: so far.

• You have been introduced to some of the more popular Web 2.0 tools available. There are many other tools which are similar in functionality to those you have used.

• You may find that other tools may suit your needs better and the only way to find out if this is the case is to continue to play around with Web 2.0 tools until you find your favourites. For example you may prefer FeedReader to Bloglines.

• However remember Web 2.0 is dynamic and user focused and thus new tools are being created all the time. Tools just being developed or not even created today may become the standard way to communicate or gather information.

• There are many tools available for you to continue your journey and explore.

• To start you on your way Go2Web20 is a website that provides a large directory of Web 2.0 tools which you may like to investigate.

• You may feel overwhelmed by GO2Web20 . However to start you on your journey we will briefly explore three more Web 2.0 technologies to end the program.

Twitter• Twitter is a free social networking

and micro-blogging tool which allows users to send updates (otherwise known as tweets) which are text-based posts, ranging up to 140 characters long.

Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

• Micro-blogging is a form of blogging that allows users to write brief text updates (usually fewer than 200 characters) and publish them, either to be viewed by anyone or by a restricted group which can be chosen by the user. These messages can be submitted by a variety of means, including text messaging, instant messaging, email, MP3 or the web. Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-blogging

More About Twitter• Watch this short video produced by Common Craft Twitter in Plain English.

• What the heck is Twitter and why should I care?http://www.slideshare.net/AJCann/what-the-heck-is-twitter-and-why-should- i-care

• Twitter explained for Librarians, or 10 ways to use Twitterhttp://www.davidleeking.com/2007/03/10/twtter-explained-for-librarians-or- 10-ways-to-use-twitter/

• Twitter best practices so farhttp://www.davidleeking.com/2008/06/25/twitter-best-practices-so-far/

Second Life• Second Life is an internet based virtual world, created in 2003 by Linden

Labs.

• Users, which in Second Life are called "Residents", interact with each other through avatars (graphical representations of one’s self). These avatars interact, play, do business, and communicate for a range of purposes.

• Residents can spend time in any of a vast number of locations called ‘Islands’ that have been created for purposes including education, socializing, entertainment and commerce. Examples of islands include, Queensland Island, Library Island, where real library staff answer reference queries and ABC Island.

http://www.abc.net.au/services/secondlife/

More about Second Life• Flying Librarians of Oz : What’s all the fuss about Second Life and what’s

it got to do with libraries?http://www.slideshare.net/sirexkat/flying-librarians-of-oz-whats-all-the-fuss- about-second-life-and-whats-it-got-to-do-with-libraries

• 7 things you should know about Second Lifehttp://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7038.pdf

Meebo• Meebo is a Instant Messaging (IM) tool that supports many different IM

applications. This means it does not matter which IM service a user has an account with (e.g. Yahoo Messanger, Google Talk or Windows Live Messanger) they are all compatible with Meebo.

• Meebo can be inserted into a website so you do not have to go to a specific web page to access Meebo. The application which allows you to embed Meebo into a website is known as a widget. Widgets allows you to embed content from external sources into a blog, social network, webpage or download it to your desktop.

• IM is a form of online communication that allows real-time interaction through personal computers or mobile computing devices. Users can exchange messages privately, similar to e-mail, or join group conversations.

• The State Library of Queensland (SLQ) uses Meebo as a component of their Ask the Library Service and have also embedded the Meebo widget into their library catalogue to appear when a failed search has occurred.

• This adds a new dimension to SLQ library service and allows users to gain instant access to reference assistance.

• You may like to try this tool yourself by doing a catalogue search you know will fail on the SLQ’s website.

More about IM and Widgets• 7 things you should know about Instant Messaging

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7008.pdf

• IM Me : Instant messaging may be controversial, but remember, we also debated telephone referencehttp://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA512192.html

• 17 Tips to Be Productive with Instant Messaginghttp://webworkerdaily.com/2007/11/14/17-tips-to-be-productive-with-instant- messaging/

• Widgets to the rescuehttp://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6527346.html

Ending your journey• We hope you have enjoyed the program and learnt new and exciting skills

along the way. Before we finish the program we would like to take a look at few key points to keep in mind.

– It really doesn’t take much time : Many of these new tools do not take long to sign up for and learn how to use, you may like to spend extra time in mastering the tool, however a basic understanding is easy to grasp and sometimes is all that is needed.

– You know you can do it : You have already got this far! Remember these tools do not break if you play around with them or do something wrong. Go back and start again or look for an answer to your problems. Most tools have help pages and there is also plenty of information available on the internet.

– It’s fun to know and use these tools : These tools allow you to tailor information in different ways for your personal or professional life. How about a puzzle of your newborn niece for you family or photos of your brand new library on Flickr for everyone else to see and envy!

– We need to keep informed : These tools ensure we have the ability to gain and organise the most relevant information to our needs. Getting updates from our favourite websites through RSS feeds or talking to library professionals or family instantly through Facebook or IM allows us to share and learn from others, literally a virtual classroom without walls.

– We need the support of each other : Tools such as wikis and blogs allow you to communicate effectively with others. Commenting on others blogs or social networks can provide encouragement and support and assist you to learn and stay informed.

• Remember, Continue your blog and use the tools you have learnt about and explore new tools as you hear about them. Ask yourself ‘What did I learn today?’ and record your discoveries in your blog.

• As libraries continue to evolve, we need to be informed to evolve with them and guide the evolution.

Final Activity• Blog your thoughts about the whole Web 2.0: what health libraries need to

know program. Here are some questions to prompt you:

– Have your thoughts about what Web 2.0 is changed over the course of the program?

– What Web 2.0 tools can you see being implemented in Queensland Health Libraries and for what purposes?

– Do you have more confidence with technology and in particular with Web 2.0 tools?

– Were there any outcomes from the program that surprised you?

Stay tuned for a program evaluation in the near future.