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.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Future of Media #81: Get Out Your Crystal Ball
1. Whew! Technology is moving along at such a fast clip it is difficult to predict which one development will have the most influence. From what I read in the exercise, however, it sounds like internet being paired with/installed in tvs could make the biggest impact. It could certainly spell the end of cable, satellite, and even movie theaters, depending on how quickly movies are allowed to be aired on tv.
There is no new technology that I am following – it seems like people around me do that very thing and I follow them once they have it all figured out!
2. I am definitely not an early adopter of new technology – the technology needs to be ironed out and pretty standard before I attempt it. I guess my favorite media gadget would be the cell phone (if that counts as a media gadget) – not having to be tied down to a land line and being able to make phones calls from so many places (not the car!) is wonderful! I definitely don’t miss any outdated formats either. As I said, the technology that has been perfected (and tried out by others) is sooo much better than what it replaced.
I do wonder if direct, personal human interaction may someday become more of an "outdated format."
There is no new technology that I am following – it seems like people around me do that very thing and I follow them once they have it all figured out!
2. I am definitely not an early adopter of new technology – the technology needs to be ironed out and pretty standard before I attempt it. I guess my favorite media gadget would be the cell phone (if that counts as a media gadget) – not having to be tied down to a land line and being able to make phones calls from so many places (not the car!) is wonderful! I definitely don’t miss any outdated formats either. As I said, the technology that has been perfected (and tried out by others) is sooo much better than what it replaced.
I do wonder if direct, personal human interaction may someday become more of an "outdated format."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Future of Media #80: Movies
1. I looked at Hulu for a full feature film. Actually, I have found that so far, I do not really enjoy watching a movie/tv show on the computer, although I have watched tv episodes of shows that I keep up with that I missed when they aired. Watching movies/tv shows on a computer is just not cozy! Maybe the experience would be better on a laptop. We have a Wii, so that has some potential, since movies would be viewed through the tv.
2. I used Hulu to find a trailer for an upcoming movie, The Eclipse, which will be in theaters on April 4, 2010. I can see this as a very handy option for frequent movie goers, which I am not, so I personally would not probably use it often. But it is good information!
3. We have used fee based services in the past - both Netflix and Blockbuster. Both had their advantages - Netflix movies actually arrived in the mail quicker, but Blockbuster allowed us the option to return mailed movies in person at a Blockbuster store and check one out in person. As I mentioned earlier, the Netflix option of the streaming movies through the Wii may be a temptation in the future, as we currently don't subscribe to a fee based service.
2. I used Hulu to find a trailer for an upcoming movie, The Eclipse, which will be in theaters on April 4, 2010. I can see this as a very handy option for frequent movie goers, which I am not, so I personally would not probably use it often. But it is good information!
3. We have used fee based services in the past - both Netflix and Blockbuster. Both had their advantages - Netflix movies actually arrived in the mail quicker, but Blockbuster allowed us the option to return mailed movies in person at a Blockbuster store and check one out in person. As I mentioned earlier, the Netflix option of the streaming movies through the Wii may be a temptation in the future, as we currently don't subscribe to a fee based service.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Future of Media #79: Television
1. I checked the website Hulo for the show "The Bachelor". You could watch entire episodes. I especially liked the feature under "browse tv" where you could look for shows alphabetically and could tell whether they were full episodes or clips.
2. I have never watched a tv show on my cell phone but I can certainly see where that could be handy if there is no tv or computer handy so you could watch your favorite show(s).
3. I do not watch any streaming videos or user channels nor have I posted videos - no time, no time, no time!
2. I have never watched a tv show on my cell phone but I can certainly see where that could be handy if there is no tv or computer handy so you could watch your favorite show(s).
3. I do not watch any streaming videos or user channels nor have I posted videos - no time, no time, no time!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Searching #75: Google and Beyond
1) I tried 3 searches on BlindSearch - "Tiger Woods", "Obama", and "Internal Revenue Service". I actually voted for the entry by Yahoo, for 2 times out of 3, and Google for the other search. I usually use Yahoo, since it seems like that was the first search engine I was introduced to and got comfortable with it. I have, however, always used Google for image searching. Based on my preferences I discovered on BlindSearch, I'll probably keep using Yahoo most of the time.
2) Google outpaced by far the competition on Hitwise. The site I usually use, Yahoo, was its closest competitor, and lagged far behind, approximately 75% for Google and 15% for Yahoo by volume.
3) I checked out the new feature on Yahoo called Yahoo Search Pad, where you can save searches and take notes and make these things accessible from any computer. I can see where this feature can be very useful if you are researching a particular topic and want to keep the information available in a central location or even to transmit the information to someone else.
2) Google outpaced by far the competition on Hitwise. The site I usually use, Yahoo, was its closest competitor, and lagged far behind, approximately 75% for Google and 15% for Yahoo by volume.
3) I checked out the new feature on Yahoo called Yahoo Search Pad, where you can save searches and take notes and make these things accessible from any computer. I can see where this feature can be very useful if you are researching a particular topic and want to keep the information available in a central location or even to transmit the information to someone else.
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