GoogleDocs

This is useful to even know it exists, particularly since I have had some patrons whose laptops, for one reason or another, do not have microsoft word. Anyway, I made an IRS information document on GoogleDocs (after creating an account) and, while I found that the share function wasn't too hard to operate, I didn't know anybody to "share" it with that were on this particular system. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn't see a list of "shareable" people to choose from. I got the impression that you already had to know who already existed in their database to even use this function.

Learning 2.0 Sandbox Wiki

I found it interesting that so many different library groups across the world (e.g. Australia) contributed to this wiki. In terms of placing my blog link on the site, it did take a few tries to input it in a manner where the link would actually work.

Wikis

Regarding the use of wikis in library settings, I found the SJCPL Subject Guide site very useful as a way for librarians, particularly those in a specific system, to pool their resources together to suggest useful links. The ALA 2006 New Orleans Wiki also made sense, particularly before a conference, as a useful tool that those attending the conference could make use of before the conference, especially if librarians who know the city are contributing to the wiki. Actually, as a special assignment librarian, I used a wiki (and now I currently use sharepoint) for the purposes of my job. In this format, the Library Staff needs across SAPL are posted by the respective branch and when any person able to fill the needs indicates this on the site. Thus, in this environment, it is most useful to have all involved have editing capabilities. So far, this system has worked very well overrall.

Web 2.0

The comments various people have made about Web 2.0 in relationship to libraries has been most interesting. Rick Anderson's "Away from Icebergs" comments seemed most out of touch with reality. For example, Anderson proposes the idea of getting rid of print material because he says everything is on the Internet now. This is inaccurate in many respects. Not only is there many printed items that have never been put on the Internet, there are many items that can only be accessed by paying for them. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a site will be there the next day, so it is in some ways even less reliable than print. Another incompletely conceived idea by Anderson is the idea that user education can be reduced by making computers more direct in interface operations. While librarians can sometimes change this, often they cannot, as they are typically stuck with the software interface that they have and the degree of modifications they can make on them is often minimal.

A Library 2.0 commentator who made more sense was Michel Stephens. In his article "Into a New World of Librarianship," he makes a observations that more technophiles should pay heed to: that technology should not be pursued just to be trendy, but should be pursued in sync with the librarian's mission and with the users needs in mind.

Technorati

The "Rush" below was a test. Technorati seems useful in helping people limit their internet searches to blogs only, but it seems more tedious than it needs to be in its "tagging process." By contrast, Goodreads tagging process seemed more user friendly and less tedious

REVIEW: RUSH-- Snakes and Arrows Live DVD

Long awaited by the most serious of Rush fans, this DVD wisely includes an additional disk that has the alternate songs that were swapped out on the second leg of the Snakes and Arrows tour. In sum, this DVD is an excellent and comprehensive DVD representation of a impressive tour for those who were not fortunate enough to see it for themselves.

SAPLL2

"Del.icio.ous" Tags

In certain circumstances, I can see how this tool could be useful. This would be especially true if one has consistently had difficulties finding information through normal searches in search engines or simply has specific sites in mind.