I had noticed Google Labs, but had yet to explore them. I remember looking at their online Shakespeare, which I think is through Book Search on the non-beta Google products.
I started going down the list and saw public source code and thought- cool! A way to search for city codes. It took me a moment to realize, um- HTML code that is free to use. Sigh. Both are neat, but I'd like searchable municipal codes more. Silly me.
Trip planner is great! And I was so happy to see that Seattle Metro is one of the cities searchable. The last time I searched a bus route from my house to work it was one hour and two transfers. According to Google Trip Planner, I can catch a bus to work from the end of my street! My critique is that it only planned the next trip, and got confused when I tried to search a morning route tomorrow. But I'll be checking that out!
I LOVE music trends! I thought it was so neat that it linked lyrics and other song titles. This could be a great way to help answer those ref questions that start "I heard this song on the radio..."
Trends is a lot of fun. I put in some very serious searches like "Prince William, Prince Harry" and "Rosie, Donald Trump". This could be great for comparison searches when students need to compare topics.
Lots of neat stuff on Google Labs. I've said it before and I'll say it again- Google Rules!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Learning 2.0 is Stalking Me- Really
This is starting to get a bit creepy. It's like Learning 2.0 knows what I'm doing and wants me to "tech it up". One of the CAYAS board members suggested that we use online docs just as I'm looking at this lesson.
The impetus for this conversations started when I had to retype and edit our new board roster from last years and emails with the new members information. It was more time consuming than it needed to be. As I sat there trying to make the formatting work I thought to myself, this would be SO much easier if I already had the document and could just make changes.
I emailed a suggestion that we invest in jump drives that would house all the documents that each board position uses. While most of my board that this was a great idea (ah validation) one member thought it would be a better idea to have online documents that we could access.
So here I am, trying out the first few lines of our roster into both Google Docs and Zoho. Google was good, very similar to Gmail which I love. Not a surprise, very likable. Then I went over to Zoho and.....(gasp) I liked it better. It has more formatting options, I especially liked the html capabilities . It asked me what I wanted to save my document as. My A-type personality loves that I can let people see documents but not necessarily edit them. Google doesn't let me do that!
I need to play around some more, but this has some possibilities.
The impetus for this conversations started when I had to retype and edit our new board roster from last years and emails with the new members information. It was more time consuming than it needed to be. As I sat there trying to make the formatting work I thought to myself, this would be SO much easier if I already had the document and could just make changes.
I emailed a suggestion that we invest in jump drives that would house all the documents that each board position uses. While most of my board that this was a great idea (ah validation) one member thought it would be a better idea to have online documents that we could access.
So here I am, trying out the first few lines of our roster into both Google Docs and Zoho. Google was good, very similar to Gmail which I love. Not a surprise, very likable. Then I went over to Zoho and.....(gasp) I liked it better. It has more formatting options, I especially liked the html capabilities . It asked me what I wanted to save my document as. My A-type personality loves that I can let people see documents but not necessarily edit them. Google doesn't let me do that!
I need to play around some more, but this has some possibilities.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 Contemplation
This was an interesting exercise. When I was at WLA last week the breakfast speakers were talking about....wait for it....Learning 2.0! I had a really neat feeling as I sat at the table eating my limp french toast, listening to the two speakers debate concepts we've already covered. I knew what avatars were!
Here are a few thoughts from the readings.
1. I can't imagine what it's like to work for a branch who's circulation numbers have dropped 55%! Even over 12 years that's frighting. I agree with his point that we need to have more information available digitally, and I think KCLS has really done this well. I send a lot of students to the database versions of resources that I had to trek to the library to use back in the day. BUT as our patron survey has told us, our users WANT more books. And for that I am truly thankful to work in this area.
2. I am completely behind making interfaces more user friendly and less complicated to use. I ventured into Factiva last week (not a database I use frequently) and I had to stare at the screen for a moment to get my barrings. As it was, I just dove it and said to my patron- well, let's try clicking here! BTW, we found the article he wanted. Yay me :)
3. There is a fine line between making good/fast decisions for the good of our patrons and succumbing to techno-lust. As a system we might want to put a few more measures in place to avoid falling into that trap.
4. I still have difficulty thinking of the library in terms of commodities. I know that's how the public looks upon us, but old habits die hard. I'm hesitant to completely turn into Starbucks or Barnes and Noble, we need to hold on to the essence of our library-ness and that area is getting pretty blurry.
Here are a few thoughts from the readings.
1. I can't imagine what it's like to work for a branch who's circulation numbers have dropped 55%! Even over 12 years that's frighting. I agree with his point that we need to have more information available digitally, and I think KCLS has really done this well. I send a lot of students to the database versions of resources that I had to trek to the library to use back in the day. BUT as our patron survey has told us, our users WANT more books. And for that I am truly thankful to work in this area.
2. I am completely behind making interfaces more user friendly and less complicated to use. I ventured into Factiva last week (not a database I use frequently) and I had to stare at the screen for a moment to get my barrings. As it was, I just dove it and said to my patron- well, let's try clicking here! BTW, we found the article he wanted. Yay me :)
3. There is a fine line between making good/fast decisions for the good of our patrons and succumbing to techno-lust. As a system we might want to put a few more measures in place to avoid falling into that trap.
4. I still have difficulty thinking of the library in terms of commodities. I know that's how the public looks upon us, but old habits die hard. I'm hesitant to completely turn into Starbucks or Barnes and Noble, we need to hold on to the essence of our library-ness and that area is getting pretty blurry.
Google Rules!
Ok, I tried. I really, really did! I know there are articles about how librarians are getting to dependent on Google and need to think outside the box. And I understand the fear of getting stuck in a rut. So I tried Rollyo first- how magnanimous of me...
But Rollyo was lame. Really lame! The results were bad- so bad! If I saw Appendix D-2 and the Books to Grow On list come up one more time....not good searching. I was also amused when I tried searching "gaming in the library" and it brought up the California National Indian Gaming Association. Um- no.
Google searched so nicely, and without all the clutter and "blurring" of advertisements.
Google rules all. Really. But it's nice to confirm that Google continues to rule all.
Here is my search roll Disney Mania, search for updates on things in the Wonderful World of Disney. Try searching for submarines!!!!! I want to go to Disney Land soooooooo badly!!!!
But Rollyo was lame. Really lame! The results were bad- so bad! If I saw Appendix D-2 and the Books to Grow On list come up one more time....not good searching. I was also amused when I tried searching "gaming in the library" and it brought up the California National Indian Gaming Association. Um- no.
Google searched so nicely, and without all the clutter and "blurring" of advertisements.
Google rules all. Really. But it's nice to confirm that Google continues to rule all.
Here is my search roll Disney Mania, search for updates on things in the Wonderful World of Disney. Try searching for submarines!!!!! I want to go to Disney Land soooooooo badly!!!!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Frankie Says...Relax!
This was the best exercise ever! I added my very favorite generators to my link list, so look there! I was sadly disappointed by the following generators who got me all excited, but then let me down.
The A-Team Episode sounded fun, but my episode got all garbled and didn't make sense. Lame!
Make your own action figures sounds cool, as anyone who owns a deluxe Nancy will confirm, but SHHHH!!!!! Lame again!
The satirical tones of Catbert intrigued me, but was I satisfied? EHHH!!!! Wrong again!
And last but not least, the generator that I thought would make me delirious with joy- the Disneyland Sign! But did it? NOOOOO!!!!! And that review is from someone who finds almost anything related to Disney thumbs up. Really, I'm that over the top. Ask my friends, they will rat me out.
At the end of the day I had fun, see the generators that made my list, and anytime I can put my kitty on the cover of a magazine- we'll that's a great day.
Feel free to email Cat Fancy and tell them to call me. Captain Jack is ready for his close up Mr. DeMille...
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Alex Rider: Book to Movie Vent
I need a moment to share my displeasure with movie distributors. Anthony Horowitz writes this amazing J/Y series about a teenage MI-6 spy named Alex Rider. I love it. This is not an exaggeration.
Last year I was tickled pick to hear that the movie for book one, Stormbreaker, was in production due to come out over the summer. I plugged the movie and the latest book at my school visits. Children were very excited! I was very excited! Then Ewan McGregor signed on and I had heart palpitations -I know it's a small part but he makes such a dashing spy...
The UK got a big opening, but then disaster struck. The US opening was delayed. It was delayed again...but ultimately...it never showed in this area! Believe me, I checked my movie times every weekend. I would have ventured out of the safety of the suburbs for this movie. And then came the poor reviews and I couldn't even go see it to judge for myself! Such frustration!
Flash forward to last weekend. My DH (dear husband) and I were strolling the aisles of Blockbuster waiting for inspiration to strike. We get most of our movies through the library and we just don't rent often enough (read: holds haven't come in) to warrant a Netficks subscription.
We'd selected Stranger Than Fiction (btw it was good in an interesting kind of way) when I finally found my long awaited Alex Rider sitting on the shelf.
I have seen the movie twice now and perused the special features.
My reaction: a well done book to movie! The author wrote the screenplay and was very hands on in the filming. From the special features it's quite clear they thought they had a Harry Potter thing going on with a series of movie. The cast was full of big name actors.
Robbie Coltrane (um...Hagrid anyone)
Damian Lewis (Mjr. Winters in Band of Brothers)
Ewan McGregor (Down with Love, etc...)
Bill Nighy (Pirates 2, Blow Dry)
Mickey Rourke (Sin City)
Alicia Silverstone (Clueless)
Even the teen actor Alex Pettyfer did well. Better than Daniel Radcliffe managed in HP 1...he get's better, but let's be honest, Emma Watson as Hermione made the first movie.
Where did it go wrong? Why did it fail? My best answer- they deliberately kept the film out of American clutches. No big name companies or producers. Which meant the movie was true to the book. But they missed out on the connections Hollywood brings.
I'm torn, would it have been as good if it was filmed in the states instead of in England? If the author wasn't evolved and hadn’t wrote the screenplay? If a team of US screenwriters had hacked it to bits?
No, it probably wouldn't have been a well done movie that visualized the book. My only consolation is the hope that it was better received at home in the UK. I'll keep my fingers crossed for more Alex Rider films to trickle over to Blockbuster's wall.
Note: my DH thought the action scenes were cheesy- but compared to the man movies he's selected they seemed fine to me!
Last year I was tickled pick to hear that the movie for book one, Stormbreaker, was in production due to come out over the summer. I plugged the movie and the latest book at my school visits. Children were very excited! I was very excited! Then Ewan McGregor signed on and I had heart palpitations -I know it's a small part but he makes such a dashing spy...
The UK got a big opening, but then disaster struck. The US opening was delayed. It was delayed again...but ultimately...it never showed in this area! Believe me, I checked my movie times every weekend. I would have ventured out of the safety of the suburbs for this movie. And then came the poor reviews and I couldn't even go see it to judge for myself! Such frustration!
Flash forward to last weekend. My DH (dear husband) and I were strolling the aisles of Blockbuster waiting for inspiration to strike. We get most of our movies through the library and we just don't rent often enough (read: holds haven't come in) to warrant a Netficks subscription.
We'd selected Stranger Than Fiction (btw it was good in an interesting kind of way) when I finally found my long awaited Alex Rider sitting on the shelf.
I have seen the movie twice now and perused the special features.
My reaction: a well done book to movie! The author wrote the screenplay and was very hands on in the filming. From the special features it's quite clear they thought they had a Harry Potter thing going on with a series of movie. The cast was full of big name actors.
Robbie Coltrane (um...Hagrid anyone)
Damian Lewis (Mjr. Winters in Band of Brothers)
Ewan McGregor (Down with Love, etc...)
Bill Nighy (Pirates 2, Blow Dry)
Mickey Rourke (Sin City)
Alicia Silverstone (Clueless)
Even the teen actor Alex Pettyfer did well. Better than Daniel Radcliffe managed in HP 1...he get's better, but let's be honest, Emma Watson as Hermione made the first movie.
Where did it go wrong? Why did it fail? My best answer- they deliberately kept the film out of American clutches. No big name companies or producers. Which meant the movie was true to the book. But they missed out on the connections Hollywood brings.
I'm torn, would it have been as good if it was filmed in the states instead of in England? If the author wasn't evolved and hadn’t wrote the screenplay? If a team of US screenwriters had hacked it to bits?
No, it probably wouldn't have been a well done movie that visualized the book. My only consolation is the hope that it was better received at home in the UK. I'll keep my fingers crossed for more Alex Rider films to trickle over to Blockbuster's wall.
Note: my DH thought the action scenes were cheesy- but compared to the man movies he's selected they seemed fine to me!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Wild Over Wikis
My brother was the first to say "just wiki it" instead of "just Google it" so I was interested to learn more. I must say, I like what I see!
SJCPL's subject guides were great! How cool is that- it links to local information! I went browsing through the pet books and not only do the librarians get to post their favs (I could be conviced to do that kind of list) but it shows covers and even took me to the local animal rescue.
Library Success really is one stop shopping, but it needs more J entries. I went to recommended books and there was no children's topic! What's up with that!!! YA/Teen was there- and linking to blogs- and I know there are J blog book reviewers out there....
Book Lovers has a great set up. I love the pink! I thought it was interesting that they were just introducing tags- Sarah Hunt's pod cast about how she uses tagging to keep track of booktalks was a great tip, and shows why they are adding that feature.
The ALA Midwinter wiki has such fun information! I might have to check out some of the bar recommendations ;)
There are a bunch of Library applications for Wikis- for the public: book reviews, programming interests/suggestions, local information and subject guides. For staff: book talks, programming ideas, branch updates (e.g. that broken bathroom door).
The CAYAS board has been talking about starting a Wiki, and after browsing through these I have some great ideas. We are interested in starting a knowledge based open wiki where youth services people can share their experiences. We could tag booktalks, program ideas, story time tips, how to deal with rowdy kids... this could be a great resource!
SJCPL's subject guides were great! How cool is that- it links to local information! I went browsing through the pet books and not only do the librarians get to post their favs (I could be conviced to do that kind of list) but it shows covers and even took me to the local animal rescue.
Library Success really is one stop shopping, but it needs more J entries. I went to recommended books and there was no children's topic! What's up with that!!! YA/Teen was there- and linking to blogs- and I know there are J blog book reviewers out there....
Book Lovers has a great set up. I love the pink! I thought it was interesting that they were just introducing tags- Sarah Hunt's pod cast about how she uses tagging to keep track of booktalks was a great tip, and shows why they are adding that feature.
The ALA Midwinter wiki has such fun information! I might have to check out some of the bar recommendations ;)
There are a bunch of Library applications for Wikis- for the public: book reviews, programming interests/suggestions, local information and subject guides. For staff: book talks, programming ideas, branch updates (e.g. that broken bathroom door).
The CAYAS board has been talking about starting a Wiki, and after browsing through these I have some great ideas. We are interested in starting a knowledge based open wiki where youth services people can share their experiences. We could tag booktalks, program ideas, story time tips, how to deal with rowdy kids... this could be a great resource!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
3D is Back!
And the D stands for Disney! We caught a showing of Disney's new CGI movie Meet the Robinsons yesterday- but with a special twist. The Pacific Place AMC has the only screen in town showing the movie in- dare I say it- Digital 3D.
Only 600 screens nationwide have the 3D version, so you have to trek into Seattle to see it. But I will attest that it is totally worth it! And the higher ticket price (FYI $11.75/adult). But hey, you get to keep the glasses!
Now, 3D is dead you might protest. And normally I would agree. Just a few weeks ago we saw a midnight showing of The Creature from the Black Lagoon old style. Paper glasses with red and blue lenses: the glasses didn't fit over my husband's regular glasses, I couldn't see the 3D effects at all...the 3D, well it was not good. I won't go into the plot issues...just remember, it's a classic.
But Disney 3D- this is a thing of beauty. Actual plastic glasses- both lenses black- and the 3D was just fantastic. To make the movie even better, Disney showed an old Donald Duck short Working for Peanuts (the one where he works at the zoo and Chip n' Dale are stealing peanuts from Dolores the elephant) which was originally shown in 3D back in 1953. How cool is that!!!???
I won't spoil the movie for you, but there is a great Walt Disney quote at the end that made this movie goer get a bit teary. Thank goodness for long credits!
Apparently Disney released a limited showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas last year in 3D that was such a success that they are planning on showing it again and with a larger run later this year. So if I can't tempt you to see Meet the Robinsons, perhaps that will.
Only 600 screens nationwide have the 3D version, so you have to trek into Seattle to see it. But I will attest that it is totally worth it! And the higher ticket price (FYI $11.75/adult). But hey, you get to keep the glasses!
Now, 3D is dead you might protest. And normally I would agree. Just a few weeks ago we saw a midnight showing of The Creature from the Black Lagoon old style. Paper glasses with red and blue lenses: the glasses didn't fit over my husband's regular glasses, I couldn't see the 3D effects at all...the 3D, well it was not good. I won't go into the plot issues...just remember, it's a classic.
But Disney 3D- this is a thing of beauty. Actual plastic glasses- both lenses black- and the 3D was just fantastic. To make the movie even better, Disney showed an old Donald Duck short Working for Peanuts (the one where he works at the zoo and Chip n' Dale are stealing peanuts from Dolores the elephant) which was originally shown in 3D back in 1953. How cool is that!!!???
I won't spoil the movie for you, but there is a great Walt Disney quote at the end that made this movie goer get a bit teary. Thank goodness for long credits!
Apparently Disney released a limited showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas last year in 3D that was such a success that they are planning on showing it again and with a larger run later this year. So if I can't tempt you to see Meet the Robinsons, perhaps that will.
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