Podcasts, Videos & Downloadable Audio

Having previously downloaded the iTunes software, -- until now I've only used it to listen to and download music. It was interesting to take a look at the Podcast feature, which allows for both video and audio recordings. Some of the podcasts available are video content, while others are strictly audio.

A couple of years ago I vacationed in California, which consisted of a visit to Disneyland. I thought it would be interesting to see if there were any videos available through the iTunes Podcasts re: Disneyland, specifically on any new attractions that were built since my visit. Sure enough I came across an ~ 5 minute video broadcast titled, "Celebrate New Adventures at Disneyland Resort". It covered new rides and renovations that have taken place in both the original Disneyland park, and the neighbouring Disney's California Adventure.

There are several categories one can search for available podcats, including: Art; Health; News & Politics; Sports and Recreation, etc. The great thing about the iTunes software, is once you've downloaded a podcast, it will be saved on your hard drive to access anytime in the future.

My Exerience Using LinkedIn as a Social Networking Tool.

As part of this week's exercise for Library 2.0, I decided to open an account with the social networking tool LinkedIn. Since I was familiar with Facebook and Twitter (having established an account a couple of months back), I decided to take a look at an online social network I was not familiar with...

Overall, its a great tool to use for communicating with colleagues. The only drawback is, navigating through the site once you've created an account, -- for example, it took a bit of time to determine how to link with another colleague who already had an account with LinkedIn.

Online Application and Tools, i.e. Meebo, Google Docs

What I like about the various online application tools such as Meebo, Google Docs, Shelfari, etc. is that several users can be logged on and contribute simultaneously to a page. With wikis, one is restricted to only one user at a time, -- other participants can only contribute to the discussion, once the person who is currently logged in, has logged off the site.

I had a look at the interface of Meebo and Shelfari. With Meebo there is a definte look of a chat room, with messages constantly appearing. Sites such as Shelfari are definitely geared towards a specific interest group (with Shelfari catering to librarians and book lovers). I found this latter type of site to be well organised with a uniform look to it.

Using del.icio.us

For this week's Library 2.0 assignment focussing on social bookmarking and tagging, I chose the social bookmarking site del.icio.us. I had not used this resource before, -- only reading about it on listservs and in journal articles.

It took a bit of time for me to actually transfer the bookmarks from my browser at home, and upload them to del.icio.us (I had some problems with the instructions, until I realised that each browser type requires somewhat different steps in doing the transfer). Tagging the bookmarks is actually easily (I'm still creating "subject headings" for many of them).

All-in-all I would have to say del.icio.us is very useful. I can bring together bookmarks together from home and work, and have them all available in one single place.

Using Wikis

A wiki is a great interactive software that allows people to share comments or information on various topics. Having just completed the wikis' exercise for the UML's Library 2.0 course, -- I can definitely see how some people could become addicted to using them.

Librarians' Council and the Action Plan 2009-2012 - April 30, 2009

Yesterday the UML librarians met, at which time the Action Plan 2009-2012 Team members presented their ideas and proposals to their assembled colleagues. The team did a truly fantastic job! Many of their ideas, if eventually implemented, will bring theUML to the forefront in terms of technological innovations and environmental initiatives.

Hello There!