19 April 2007
Exploring IM
I already had a Yahoo! Messenger and AIM account which I usually check via Trillian or Meebo. So for this Week 2 exercise, I decided to try Google Talk -- my screen name is "michelemiz." Since I already had a gmail account, I think that chat functionality just got added on. It's actually kind of confusing. As far as I can tell, Google Talk will not work with Trillian but it does work with Meebo.
17 April 2007
Exploring pbwiki
OK, so I'm definitely getting a little behind in the course. There's so much to explore and only so many hours in a day...
I have used wikis before and examined the features and editing capabilities of several options out there. I've used StikiPad most extensively, and will now delve into pbwiki and get familiar with it. I've created a wiki to use as my own personal Bay Area Guide -- things to do, places to go, etc. There's no real content there yet, but the URL is http://bayareaguide.pbwiki.com/
By the way, does anyone else get the song "Jam on It" stuck in their head every time the word "wiki" comes up?
I have used wikis before and examined the features and editing capabilities of several options out there. I've used StikiPad most extensively, and will now delve into pbwiki and get familiar with it. I've created a wiki to use as my own personal Bay Area Guide -- things to do, places to go, etc. There's no real content there yet, but the URL is http://bayareaguide.pbwiki.com/
By the way, does anyone else get the song "Jam on It" stuck in their head every time the word "wiki" comes up?
12 April 2007
Library Wikis
Our next assignment is to look at some library wikis and comment.
St. Joseph County Library’s Subject Guides
Presented for the convenience of library users and maintained/edited by staff.
Software: MediaWiki
University of Huddersfield’s Electronic Resources Wiki
For the benefit the whole academic community. Edited by staff, but all can comment in the discussions tab.
Software: MediaWiki
University of Minnesota Libraries’ Staff Wiki
A staff intranet.
Software: pmwiki
University of Connecticut Libraries’ Staff Wiki
An IT topics intranet.
Software: MediaWiki
Butler University Libraries' Reference Wiki
A Reference-centered knowledge-base for staff and the larger academic community.
Software: seedwiki
Open WorldCat’s wiki-powered user comments system
To enable user interactivity through reviews and ratings.
Software: not clear
These six examples illustrate the fact that a wiki can be used for various purposes. The MediaWiki interface is a bit spartan, but I think both examples that use it here are well organized and presented. U of Hudd. and Butler need a bit of work on clarity and organization. U of Minn. has a more "designed" interface as well as good organization. The Wiki Worldcat Pilot look very promising. If I had not read the description of it, I would not have realized that a wiki was what was enabling reviews/comments.
St. Joseph County Library’s Subject Guides
Presented for the convenience of library users and maintained/edited by staff.
Software: MediaWiki
University of Huddersfield’s Electronic Resources Wiki
For the benefit the whole academic community. Edited by staff, but all can comment in the discussions tab.
Software: MediaWiki
University of Minnesota Libraries’ Staff Wiki
A staff intranet.
Software: pmwiki
University of Connecticut Libraries’ Staff Wiki
An IT topics intranet.
Software: MediaWiki
Butler University Libraries' Reference Wiki
A Reference-centered knowledge-base for staff and the larger academic community.
Software: seedwiki
Open WorldCat’s wiki-powered user comments system
To enable user interactivity through reviews and ratings.
Software: not clear
These six examples illustrate the fact that a wiki can be used for various purposes. The MediaWiki interface is a bit spartan, but I think both examples that use it here are well organized and presented. U of Hudd. and Butler need a bit of work on clarity and organization. U of Minn. has a more "designed" interface as well as good organization. The Wiki Worldcat Pilot look very promising. If I had not read the description of it, I would not have realized that a wiki was what was enabling reviews/comments.
05 April 2007
Library Blogs Evaluation
I'm taking an online course, "Web 2.0:Developing a Successful eBranch," and the first thing we're doing is looking at some existing library blogs and commenting on the following:
While I'm not sure about the polka dots, this one has excellent layout and organization. There are clear and well-placed links for chat, feeds, and returning to the main library page or the main teen page. The content seems good and relevant, but there is a conspicuous lack of comments. Maybe not reaching the audience?
St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog
I had repeated trouble getting this page to load. Maybe due to server traffic? The subject matter here is very specific and registration is required to leave a comment. However, there are quite a few comments which suggests the blog is actively used. There seems to be no link back to the library site -- perhaps intentional? The categories here could be better.
Ann Arbor District Library Books Blog
This one is well organized and integrated seamlessly into the rest of the library web site. It's not really clear what the parameters are though -- are these new books, recommended books? Postings appear to be by both staff and visitors, and this blog also requires registration in order to leave comments.
Waterboro Public Library H20boro
This is my least favorite design of the group. The organization is a bit confusing, and there appears to be no option to leave a comment. There are links to the online catalog and the main web site.
Thomas Ford Memorial Library Western Springs History Blog
I would not have thought to use a blog to showcase local history photographs. Nice design, clear organization, and great use of the medium. Those viewing the site can comment freely and many have. Links to email the library or learn for about the historical society are present.
- What do you like and dislike about the blog?
- Is it easy to find your way around?
- Does the site allow comments from users?
- Have they tied the blog back to their official library website?
While I'm not sure about the polka dots, this one has excellent layout and organization. There are clear and well-placed links for chat, feeds, and returning to the main library page or the main teen page. The content seems good and relevant, but there is a conspicuous lack of comments. Maybe not reaching the audience?
St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog
I had repeated trouble getting this page to load. Maybe due to server traffic? The subject matter here is very specific and registration is required to leave a comment. However, there are quite a few comments which suggests the blog is actively used. There seems to be no link back to the library site -- perhaps intentional? The categories here could be better.
Ann Arbor District Library Books Blog
This one is well organized and integrated seamlessly into the rest of the library web site. It's not really clear what the parameters are though -- are these new books, recommended books? Postings appear to be by both staff and visitors, and this blog also requires registration in order to leave comments.
Waterboro Public Library H20boro
This is my least favorite design of the group. The organization is a bit confusing, and there appears to be no option to leave a comment. There are links to the online catalog and the main web site.
Thomas Ford Memorial Library Western Springs History Blog
I would not have thought to use a blog to showcase local history photographs. Nice design, clear organization, and great use of the medium. Those viewing the site can comment freely and many have. Links to email the library or learn for about the historical society are present.
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