Task 23-Summary

I have really enjoyed this challenge. The tasks have allowed me to explore blogging, wikis, feeds, and many other applications and technologies that I have wanted to become familiar with for some time now. I think the thing I am most impressed by is how easy it is to update online information. Also impressive is the "real time" aspect of Web 2.0; with the use of feeds, you have access to the most recent info from online resources. But what is most fun, I think, are the possibilities of collaboration. Shared applications of all types can be used by people from physical locations very distant from one another.

Although not every new bell or whistle out there will be appropriate or useful to libraries, there are some that will be. And, used properly, they will enhance the library experience for both patrons and library personnel.

Task 22-Teach The Technology

My coworker, Carla, and I teamed up on this task. She showed me podcast links and explained different things about podcasts to me. I showed her how to create a map in Google-My Maps, insert a photo on to the map, and share the map with others by inserting the proper link into your blog. When you create a new map, instructions for adding photos or videos, sharing your map, and other options, can be found by following the "Learn more" link. I have taken digital pictures of a few of our branches and the Headquarters. I started a Flickr group called "Orange County Public Library" and uploaded these photos on to the group. I then invited Carla to join the group so that she could make use of the photos. In Flickr, when you click on a photo, another page comes up where there are buttons that offer different options for working with the photo. I showed Carla how you can select an image of the proper size for your needs by clicking the "ALL SIZES" button. Once you have selected the image size of your choice, you simply follow the instructions under the "Adding Photos" section of the Google Maps User Guide (this is where the "Learn more" link takes you). I also shared the following link with Carla for custom resizing of photos. (Resized photos in Flickr are at preset sizes). I used the following application to resize my photos for the ZohoShow at the bottom of my blog.

http://www.photosize.com/

Task 21-Search Tools for Locating Podcasts

I got the following links from Squeaky's 2.0. Carla is very knowledgeable about podcasts. Be sure to read about these resources under #21 in her September archive.

http://www.pluggd.com/audio/
http://www.podcastalley.com/
http://www.podcastpeople.com/
http://www.podnova.com/

Here is my own addition to the trove. If you click on the podcast link at the bottom, a webpage with feeds of new podcasts comes up. You can subscribe to the Metacafe - New Videos feed to find out about new podcasts on this site.

http://www.metacafe.com/

Be sure to read the post on Blog City "Bounces & Rhyme: It's Reading Time!: A Vodcast Proposal" - Sept. 5, 2007 for how the Orange County Public Library is planning on using podcasts.

Task 20-YouTube & Other Video Sites

I just watched a couple of videos on autism and read the comments about the first one I watched. I am concerned that the information available on these videos does not have any sort of control over it, and may or may not be true. The comments were uncensored and were quite offensive at times. I watched a second video that flashes pictures of all sorts of individuals that it claims have been diagnosed with different degrees of autism. I then explored MySpaceTV, AOL Video, and Metacafe. They all seem to be similar. Metacafe seemed to accomodate the use of more tools than the others, having buttons for Facebook, Del.i.cious, Stumble, Netscape, and Reddit. There is also a button for digg it and for podcasts.

Despite my concern about the authenticity and accuracy of information of the videos on these sites, some of them are entertaining--like home movies. I also watched a movie trailer on MySpaceTV. These sites can be valuable for becoming aware and knowledgeable about new movies & music videos. It is also cool that you can stream video on to your website or blog. I just bought a new digital camera that can also shoot video clips. I'll be experimenting with these sites and how they might be useful for different programs.

Task 19-My Map and Google Maps

I just put a map up of Orange County Public Library Headquarters and added a picture. Just click on the icon to see it. Here is the link.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103869863851412941263.000438d7fa22b487a1fca&ll=33.757742,-117.849998&spn=0.125592,0.2314&z=12&om=1