NLS4 Melbourne 2008

NLS4 Melbourne 2008

The final tune

You don't learn and experience life if you don't have a go and dip your toe in. This program was a full body immersion. It has been at varying times frustrating, always challenging and most importantly very very satisfying and great fun.
I have set up so many online accounts I now have a directory to my usernames and passwords. Along the way I have set up some online documents to share with staff, joined our staff wiki, use the blogline book reviews frequently and will maintain my blog both on a professional and personal interest basis, keeping both colleagues and friends amused with my blog discoveries.
I have found the whole exercise not only informative on a library level, but also on a "keeping up with the savvy patrons" level. The program initiated many lively discussions around the staff tea table, which can only be good! There was of course the added benefit for my photography aspirations and I have now tracked down several blogs on the rather obscure pastime of digiscoping.
All in all a job well done by all involved.

Week 9 : ebooks / downloadable audio

There is certainly a huge variety of downloadable books out there. Shakespeare's sonnets certainly appealed to me. In a library situation I think this format would be useful in literacy programmes, where computer training and introductions to traditional literature and poetry could be combined in one attractive learning package.
But regardless of the proliferation of ebooks I still think the good old printed word version is alive and kicking for some time yet.

Week 9 : Podcasts

Again there is a huge amount of material out there waiting to be heard.
I did find some useful podcasts, namely poetry readings, instructional directions for practically anything, wedding planning, old radio scripts, guided meditations and motivational tidbits which is very useful at the end of a busy week.
I have bloglined the best of National Gepgraphic and look forward to some tempting and interesting travel information on a regular basis.

Week 9 : Youtube

There is certainly much to waste time over here, but there is also much to benefit a library situation. Want to see something on film stars, movies, television or music? -- it's practically all there. Was also impressed with the original footage of the bigfoot, challenger space shuttle explosion and Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy birthday Mr President", just to name a few examples of the vastness of Youtube.
Had a particular preference for the summit of Everest as I've made it to the foot of the icefall and it's great to see the view from the top without the lack of oxygen and sheer exhaustion.

Everest Summit Panorama

The best way to be on the top of the world.

Week 8 : Web 2.0 awards - Stress buster cockroaches

Looked at several of the Web 2.0 award sites and can certainly see benefits and uses for many of the sites. I'm afraid the stress busting fun widgets site caught my attention, but there are many applications like the photo editing tools, the organizing and on line document sites that I will definitely use.