I'm actually thankful for this task - perhaps it will get me up and going with RSS again. I have found it very useful in the past.
For me, reading key library-related web sites and blogs keeps me up to date on the field and the professional literature far more than trying to read the various magazines does, and I've found RSS invaluable for this.
Sadly, my good habits here fell victim to time crunch. I don't seem to have the time to visit the web sites and blogs I like and find useful. RSS saves some time, but if you don't look at your feed for a couple of weeks there is so much to wade through it becomes overwhelming in the same way that visiting a dozen web sites would be.
When I find the time, though, I am a much more informed professional - so here's to turning the old leaf over again!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Instant Messaging
OK, I did this weeks ago but have procrastinated in writing about it.
IM is something I have done before. I actually use it most in Skype, because I use this service to stay in touch with my brother in Tokyo and my sister in Iowa City. Skype is cool because it allows us to make video phone calls (for free!!!) but often we don't have the time or inclination to do the whole web cam thing and we just end up typing back and forth.
I found Google Talk incredibly easy and convenient. There was something odd about typing messages to someone who was typing back from about 10 yards away.
That said, uses did occur to me. How much quieter would our library be if each time I had to pass a small message on to someone at the desk I just typed it instead of walking over and telling them out loud?
We aslo discovered it makes it a lot easier to "talk" about patrons this way. Not sure I want to open that door!
IM is something I have done before. I actually use it most in Skype, because I use this service to stay in touch with my brother in Tokyo and my sister in Iowa City. Skype is cool because it allows us to make video phone calls (for free!!!) but often we don't have the time or inclination to do the whole web cam thing and we just end up typing back and forth.
I found Google Talk incredibly easy and convenient. There was something odd about typing messages to someone who was typing back from about 10 yards away.
That said, uses did occur to me. How much quieter would our library be if each time I had to pass a small message on to someone at the desk I just typed it instead of walking over and telling them out loud?
We aslo discovered it makes it a lot easier to "talk" about patrons this way. Not sure I want to open that door!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Conversation Starters
In the interests of participating in the conversation about our experiences with this training exercise:
For me the most positive effect so far has been the conversations this has prompted with colleagues. I have enjoyed talking with others about new things they have discovered - and have been delighted to be surprised by some folks who are already comfortable with much of what we have looked at so far - and will talk about all the other online tools and services they use in their lives.
For me the most positive effect so far has been the conversations this has prompted with colleagues. I have enjoyed talking with others about new things they have discovered - and have been delighted to be surprised by some folks who are already comfortable with much of what we have looked at so far - and will talk about all the other online tools and services they use in their lives.
Keeping Track
I'm impressed by the tracking mechanism. Quick and easy - and it subtley makes sure we are posting to our blogs. Very nice.
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