This week we got to look at a amazing list of online applications and tools.  I already had a google account and used the “google docs and spreadsheets”.  Found them useful when I didn’t have access to my computer and I needed to open word docs (e.g. at the public library)

What I tried this week is something that a lot of my co-workers mentioned, “Library Thing”.  This is just amazing.   In an instant I was able to add the Seven books from the “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”.  (Hint:  You must have the correct title to find the books).  However, once I had the title verified, it was very easy to add what I had in my collection.  What I also liked was the addition of how many other people had the books in their collections.  This site is really cool!

All for now.

Jeannie  

Activity #1 and #2

I had already created a del.icio.us account several months ago and I do find it useful although I tend to use my “favourites” on my toolbar.  However, I realize that having a del.icio.us account is the way to go since it is available anywhere!

What I didn’t realize was that although I did have an account, I had no “bookmarks” when I went back to this exercise.  Very strange..

#3  Here’s a picture from Flickr that I really like because it looks so pretty:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44539050@N00/492796590/

#4 I have already set up a del.icio.us button on my workstation at Innis and I do use regularly but not as often as I should.

Comments for the week:

Nothing new yet but it’s a great way to review and learn some tips that I didn’t know. 

Jeannie

This week’s activities seeed quite easy but I was actually very frustrated with PBWiki… I tried so many times to add new content to the ETG Homepage but nothing happened.  I’m not sure if it is my computer or the program.  I believe I created a new folder (maybe two folders) for “Jeannie’s Favourites” but I can’t seem to see it.  My experience using WetPaint was a lot easier and on the “Digital Reference Shelf” Wiki I was able to add new content.  I added “Innis Library Homepage” under Business Sources.  The “Innis Library” Wiki is available from: http://innislibrary.wetpaint.com/

I also did the test using Wikimatrix and it gave me a list of eight Wikis that I would probably prefer.  The only thing we need is TIME to take a look at the different types.   

For this week’s lesson, I set up a “Innis Library Wiki” (using Wetpaint)  as a pilot, as part of the Learning 2.0 @ McMaster.  So far, I just added a welcome page and created new pages for “Students” and “Faculty”.  My next task will be to add content to the pages.  I think this will be useful and I’m hoping to communicate better with our academic users.  I’m thinking of putting some of the exisitng “Innis Library” content on the new Wiki and I am asking for feedback and input from our users. 

Concluding Thoughts 

Although I have limited experience using Wikis, I think it is definitely a great way to collaborate with faculty, colleagues and students.  I know it’s being used in the classroom to support teaching and learning and hope we can use this as a tool to also add value to support academic success at McMaster.

Jeannie

I confess that I already have another blog somewhere on WordPress but I can’t seem to access the blog… This is a blog I set up after I set my first blog “Librarian & Hockey Mom..”  For some reason I can’t seem to find this so I am going to go this this one.

RSS in not new to me as I have been using Bloglines for about a year or so, just after Amanda did a presentation for SLA-Toronto West Programming Subcomittee at AIC in Burlington.  I decided to try it then and it was easy to set-up and manage.  I have several library and news feeds including OLA Headline Stories and Resource Shelf.  I try to check for updates at least once a day.

As I was already familiar with Bloglines, I added several subscriptions using Google Reader.  I like that the Google Reader is really much easier to add subscriptions and they also have pre-bundbled feeds.  I added the Emerging Technologies Group RRS and the Finance Feeds. 

It will be very interesting to compare which one I like between the two.  It seems Google has so many tools that it may be my preference as I have a gmail account. 

I was able to also able to subscribe to a colleagues blog, but I don’t know how I can set a RRS feed on my own blog so people can subscribe, should they be inclined.  Any suggestions?

Jeannie