WordPress

I've really enjoyed working with WordPress both last semester in Dr. O's 7370 and in this 7505 Maymester course. I still find it amazing to see how a CMS can be re-worked to fit the needs of the organization. I particularly found it interesting to read how WP was transformed into a platform for a digital library. In terms of time and money, CMSs seem pretty hard to beat. Although, there will definitely need to be some tweaking so previous experience in programming is definitely a plus.

It will be interesting to see what Drupal is all about. More on this later after I finish the course content on Drupal.

RFID

Radio Frequency IDs:

I was completely astounded by Corrie Marsh's presentation on RFID. I never really thought about all the various ways in which RFID was being used: tags on merchandise, tags on packages, luggage, on the body so surgeons don't operate on the wrong body part, library check out machines, ID cards, speed passes, shipping crates, etc. One of the videos that I found most interesting was about RFID being used to track students when they get on and off the bus. I'm sure that gives both parents and schools officials a great deal of relief so that they can know where the child is--or his/her last known location in a worst-case scenario.

I do wonder about privacy issues given that so much personal information is being stored in different RFID forms. Granted, as Corrie explained, the info is in a database and not in the RFID tag (whatever the form) itself. How secure are these databases? Professional hackers get into "impossible to hack" websites and databases all the time. Maybe I just subscribe to the typical American "paranoia." I do, however, think RFID is pretty amazing.

MLIS 7505 Assignment 1

MLIS 7505 Assignment 1

Part I:

Blog URL: http://margaretaswanson.blogspot.com/

Blog RSS: http://margaretaswanson.blogspot.com//feeds/posts/default

My Blog Experience:

I really enjoyed creating my blog. Blogger.com made it so easy and convenient. I didn’t have any trouble creating or designing my blog. I also appreciated all of the “Settings” that were available from Google to control your content, who can see it, and who can comment on it. This is my first blog and even though I never thought I would be interested in a blog I’m finding it a fun experience.

Part II:

Standalone RSS: http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/23452/

My RSS Experience:

Creating my standalone RSS feed wasn’t quite as easy as creating the blog. It wasn’t necessarily difficult, per se, it just wasn’t as easy as the blog. The instructions from rapidfeeds were non-existent and I had a hard time understanding whether or not I was doing the right thing. Once I got on the right track, I was able to easily make posts--it just took a little longer than I anticipated.

Part III:

My Google Reader Experience:

I think the Google Reader is so cool. It is so great to be able to have all your RSS feeds aggregated in one space. Plus, Google Reader makes it so easy to sign up for feeds. I currently have 19 feeds and will undoubtedly add more as the Maymester continues.

Part IV:

1. Library Information:

The Athens Clarke County Public Library is the headquarters of the Athens Regional Library System, which has 8 libraries and 5 resource centers. The ARLS offers libraries services to 5 counties: Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Franklin, Madison, and Oglethorpe. Their website provides information on the library system as well as gives access to the various resources associated with the ACCPL. Resources include access to PINES, GALILEO, Interlibrary Loan, computer classes, and more.

2. Goal of the Wiki:

This Wiki will be used for the announcement and discussion of newly released and popular/featured library materials.

3. Library’s Requirements for the Wiki:

The Wiki must be free, as the library doesn’t have the funding to purchase any software. The wiki must be very easy to use for all ages, meaning that a WYSIWYG interface is best. The wiki must conform to ACCPL design standards, so it must have corporate branding. And ACCPL prefer a wiki that allows the library to have its own domain. The wiki must allow the library to keep up with page history, in order to control spam and inappropriate posts. The wiki must also allow an unlimited amount of users and work well for educational purposes.

4. Chosen Wiki:

Wikispaces.com

After narrowing the choices down to 4 wikis—Netcipia, Pbwiki, Seedwiki, and Wikispaces, I compared the four wikis using WikiMatrix. I decided on Wikispaces as the best wiki for the ACCPL because it both met the library’s fundamental needs and provided additional desired features such as 8 languages, discussion pages, conflict resolution, multiple linking options, strong usability settings, and commercial support. Wikispaces’s intended audience included interest groups, education, small companies, social groups, and individuals, which fits well with the ACCPL’s audience. Wikispaces also seemed to offer more all-around features than the other three wikis; it has a 10 second signup, is one of the largest wiki platforms, has RSS support, easy space backups, and complete linked HTML.

Best Technologies for Libraries??

After reading/watching all the materials in Module 1, I've begun to wonder what the best technologies are for libraries? Which technologies/software/applications make the most sense from a cost-benefit analysis? Which make the most sense from the standpoint of the groups that libraries hope to engage? Do libraries have the resources to invest in more than one technology?

As I've mentioned on the discussion boards, I don't work at a library so I don't feel I have the necessary experience to make valid arguments for a library. I do, however, work for a university press and we are dealing with technology issues as well. We currently have a blog and an RSS feed, and just a few months ago we created a Facebook page. We have a lean staff but it is imperative that we continue to incorporate more technologies, so we have to find a way to balance our normal work loads with the demands of learning and using new technologies. In particular, I would like to see more podcasts and vodcasts utilized. We publish some great books and have amazing authors. It would be great to have podcasts or vodcasts of author Q&As, for example.

But the question is, what other technologies are worth our time? Should we be using Twitter? Should we up the amount of blog posts? Should our presence on Facebook be beefed up? Should we expand to include other SNSs?

I don't really know the answer but I feel like we are in a similar position to many libraries--dwindling resources, budget cuts, and a small staff doing extra work to be able to embrace new technologies.

Wikipedia

After watching a video of Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, I've found that I have a new appreciation for Wikipedia. I think his goal of creating a free encyclopedia for everyone world-wide is amazing. I also applaud the setup of Wikipedia and the volunteer administrators who monitor the boards. What I find most appealing is Wales's non-negotiable neutral point-of-view. There will always be people willing to argue that Wikipedia entries are biased but the idea of maintaining neutrality really does empower diverse communities to come together to share information.

Despite all of the things I like about Wikipedia, I will still never see it as a scholarly source. Maybe it is the historian in me, or maybe it is my lack of faith in anonymous editors, but I can't see Wikipedia as a serious, scholarly resource. Rather, I love checking Wikipedia for random facts or background information.

Hitting the Ground Running

Well, I find myself a little behind in this class and now I'm hitting the ground running. I was out of town Thursday afternoon until Sunday evening at a family wedding in Memphis. I only had sporadic internet access and now I feel a little overwhelmed; but, I shall persevere.

I am quite excited to learn about all the different types of technologies being used or considered by libraries. I work for a university press and I think several of the technologies that libraries are utilizing would also be great for a press. Hopefully after this class, I can introduce some of these technologies at work.

More later, after I've caught up.