1. I can see that Google Wave could be very useful for projects undertaken by a group, especially in a work setting - a committee, perhaps? It could also be helpful on a personal basis for planning a party, family trip or reunion. I really don’t currently use an online collaboration tool, but this exercise could lead me in that direction!
2. If I had a web enabled phone, I could easily see using Google search, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Gmail - well, the list goes on and on! Can’t see spending the extra $$$$ at this time, though. Plus we do spend a huge amount of time during our work day on the internet already!
3. The answers are above! (#1 and #2).
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Web According to Google #87: Google Reader
The Web According to Google #87: Google Reader
1. I don’t currently use a feed reader – I did sign up for bloglines when we did another exercise earlier. I can see the value of Google Reader – handy for emailing. I don’t believe I would get into the sharing and “liking”. I did go ahead and subscribed – somehow I saw I was already subscribed to things like BBC and New York Times – not sure how that happened so I unsubscribed to those. If I were interested in regularly using a feeder, I probably would use this one.
2. Ok, as stated above, I did subscribe to a couple of feeds – The Houston Chronicle and HCPL (I took the hint) – however, I had trouble importing the feed from HCPL.
1. I don’t currently use a feed reader – I did sign up for bloglines when we did another exercise earlier. I can see the value of Google Reader – handy for emailing. I don’t believe I would get into the sharing and “liking”. I did go ahead and subscribed – somehow I saw I was already subscribed to things like BBC and New York Times – not sure how that happened so I unsubscribed to those. If I were interested in regularly using a feeder, I probably would use this one.
2. Ok, as stated above, I did subscribe to a couple of feeds – The Houston Chronicle and HCPL (I took the hint) – however, I had trouble importing the feed from HCPL.
The Web According to Google #86: Calendar and Documents
1. I created a calendar in Google Calendar – very easy and cool! I can see how this would be very helpful – forget the printed desk calendar where you write everything down! This one is available anywhere there is internet access! Of course, you could print one out, if need be. Yes, it would be very helpful in my case to share my calendar with family. It could be useful for work as well, but our online calendar does the same job.
2. Speaking of online calendars, I uploaded our reference schedule – again, very cool and useful! I could also see myself using Google Docs in addition or instead of a desktop application. It would be handy to be able to create or modify documents without being tied down to the computer they were created on (or on which they were created!), or to use Google Docs on a computer that does not have a word processing program loaded on it.
2. Speaking of online calendars, I uploaded our reference schedule – again, very cool and useful! I could also see myself using Google Docs in addition or instead of a desktop application. It would be handy to be able to create or modify documents without being tied down to the computer they were created on (or on which they were created!), or to use Google Docs on a computer that does not have a word processing program loaded on it.
The Web According to Google #85: Resistance is Futile
1. Google products I have used: books, images, maps, web search, blogger,google mail, and YouTube. Actually, most of these I have used for work purposes. I really can’t say what makes them better than a competing product, since I spend little time comparing – if it works for what I need, I don’t search for alternatives!
2. I checked out Google Labs and found the following products of interest to me: Google Reader Play, City Tours, and Google Desktop.
3. I have used Google Books before when researching ILLs for customers so did not expect to find free downloadable books/magazines still governed by copyright. I did look up the bestseller, The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark, and saw that Google Books does offer a preview of this and other titles, which could be useful for someone wanting to read a page or two before committing to buying/borrowing. “Gems” would include classics, and older titles which might be difficult to find . I already use this instead of ILL – sometimes customers are happy and willing to read or download an online version.
2. I checked out Google Labs and found the following products of interest to me: Google Reader Play, City Tours, and Google Desktop.
3. I have used Google Books before when researching ILLs for customers so did not expect to find free downloadable books/magazines still governed by copyright. I did look up the bestseller, The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark, and saw that Google Books does offer a preview of this and other titles, which could be useful for someone wanting to read a page or two before committing to buying/borrowing. “Gems” would include classics, and older titles which might be difficult to find . I already use this instead of ILL – sometimes customers are happy and willing to read or download an online version.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Publishing Evolution #84: Writer Communities & Author Websites
1. I haven't contacted my favorite authors or gone to their websites - I guess I was just content with the reading itself! For the purpose of this exercise, I went to Stephen King's website, since I figured there might be alot going on there. I was right! He will be appearing at the Charlotte County Library (Florida) to kick off their Big Read! Wow! I saw that there is a forum message board which Stephen King does peruse from time to time, but the site does not provide a direct email address to him.
2. The idea of a book being published based on popular vote might help in my faith in the material - as long as that is not the only criteria used. I like the idea of publishers also using their expertise in deciding what should be printed. It will be interesting to note how the Authonomy website concept works in years to come, as to individuals being able to upload their material, the materials being rated online, and then, possibly, being published.
2. The idea of a book being published based on popular vote might help in my faith in the material - as long as that is not the only criteria used. I like the idea of publishers also using their expertise in deciding what should be printed. It will be interesting to note how the Authonomy website concept works in years to come, as to individuals being able to upload their material, the materials being rated online, and then, possibly, being published.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Publishing Evolution #83: Paper to Pixels (or e-ink)
1. I still prefer paper over pixels for the time being but am watching fairly closely with what is going on in the digital market - I am a Consumer Reports fanatic and am waiting to get it's stamp of approval on digital readers before I purchase one. I also can't (yet) see myself cozying up with a laptop. I am also pretty patient in terms of availabilty so don't need the speed of a digital version.
2. I am a diehard library user so don't purchase many books - cookbooks, health, gardening books, maybe, so availabilty is probably more important to me than price when I do purchase a book. Assuming I had some kind of portable digital reader, I probably would pay the same price for a digital book as I do a paper copy, depending on the situation.
3. I found iFiction very interesting. I like the idea of being able to preview and then pay (although I prefer nonfiction - any similar websites for nonfiction?)
2. I am a diehard library user so don't purchase many books - cookbooks, health, gardening books, maybe, so availabilty is probably more important to me than price when I do purchase a book. Assuming I had some kind of portable digital reader, I probably would pay the same price for a digital book as I do a paper copy, depending on the situation.
3. I found iFiction very interesting. I like the idea of being able to preview and then pay (although I prefer nonfiction - any similar websites for nonfiction?)
Publishing Evolution #82 Print on Demand
1. I visited each of the websites listed and was interested in seeing what services they offered and at what prices. The question is, "Is it higher or the same as traditionally published books?" I am not sure what this questioni is asking, but if it is referring to book prices, some of the prices looked to be competitive, some not. I see that Katy has a book published by IUniverse called Homeschooling more than one child: a practical guide for families, which is priced at $14.95 - quite reasonable. So yes, I would read a self-published book, depending on the subject matter.
2. I think these modes of self-publishing are very interesting. For the most part, I prefer books that have gone through the traditional publishing route because there appears to be at least the illusion of some filtering and quality control but I am very open to self-published material, again depending on the subject matter and source.
2. I think these modes of self-publishing are very interesting. For the most part, I prefer books that have gone through the traditional publishing route because there appears to be at least the illusion of some filtering and quality control but I am very open to self-published material, again depending on the subject matter and source.
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