Podcasting

Ma is making me listen to all the new things she’s learning. Podcasting is our new technology for today. She’s listened to ‘Podcasting in Plain English’ and is now planning all sorts of new training for the CLS libraries. Country libraries could promote their events, training, author talks or exhibitions and make them available as podcasts and videocasts for those who couldn't be there. Showing patrons how to use iTunes and audiobookcutter will help isolated patrons keep up to date with technology.
Going through the Podfeed.net Directory to find Podcasts was very easy and searching using Directory, then Arts, then Literature, then The Butcher Block podcasts was quick and uncomplicated.
Learn Out Loud was great for self development for everyone and the ABC National Podcasts: Just in, is a innovative way of helping our CLS libraries patrons keep up to date. Isolated patrons unable to listen at set times can download and listen in at their chosen time.

Mashups

Ma is learning all about Mashups. I thought it was all about my favourite subject – food. However, she viewed David Berlind’s video of ‘How Mashups are Created’ and now we know what a technology Mashup really is. The clip was very clear and informative.
Music and photographic mashups are a very interesting concept.
Historic images of the New York Library site, with the 360 degrees view, was amazing. Using Flickr and Google Street view makes it so easy to see the rest of the world without leaving home.
Then we looked at Houses for Sale in our area using Google Maps. It was easy to find our suburb and the houses for sale, for rent etc. We could even move the Google Map around to look at the rest of the street. The markers on the map are very clear and easy to navigate around.

Online Applications and Tools

Ma has been playing at the computer again. This time she’s been playing with Google docs. She found lots of interesting templates especially for the SLQ Green Team and said it’s handy having the web address hyperlink at the end of each template. She uploaded a Word document called Exchange Checklist and shared it with L2TD@slq.qld.gov.au. When it’s almost completed it can be shared with the CLS libraries. Everyone can add their specific library requirements, add it to their own computer files and use it every 12 weeks when they return an Exchange.
Then she experimented and found useful templates for Family History. Overseas family connections can add photographs and information. She might even be competition for Ancestry.com!
The Freebies for Productivity included very useful sites like Jott and Whiteboard.
Slideshare.net was very helpful to use, especially for sharing information like Climate Frontline. CLS libraries will find Slideshare very useful for promoting their specific area.

Mum is on Facebook and keeps in daily touch with her overseas friends. She likes using Facebook because she can see everyone’s photographs and gets to know what they’re all doing that day.
When Ma went away to Africa she left messages and photographs each day for us to see. Not everyone could see them, just the people she selected in the secured section. She is a part of a group raising funds for libraries in East Timor. They have Facebook too. Everyone can see when their next booksales are. This saves sending the dates out on their mailing lists.
Dad uses CommonCraft 3 minute videos when he want to find out what new Social Networking ideas are around. They have easy information on all the latest Social Networks, RSSs, Bookmarking, Flicker, Tags and lots more.
Ma uses the IFLA Facebook, she went to an IFLA conference in Durbin and is going to the one in Brisbane in 2010.
My family aren’t into Twitter, they SMS each other all the time.

Wikis

Mum's been introduced to the world of wiki-ing - she's been reading other Wikis and has even moved on past Wikipedia. She's checked out other libraries' Wikis, their Tips and Tricks, Photos and Latest News sections. We all have to listen to her babble on about how useful Wikis are for libraries, education, even gardening! She found one that's about building model boats, and best of all, several about Bull Mastiffs.
When we were reading Wikis about my type of doggie we realised that the comments aren't always correct, they're just that person's opinion. Like Bull Mastiffs are lazy - oh plllleeeesssssseee! One bad apple gives the rest of us a bad name.

End of Holidays

Returning from holidays is enought to make a big girl cry.

Maybe Mum will take me to the park today to see Ned Collie.

That will really cheer me up!

Home from Holidays

Home from holidays. I left the sunny Whitsundays just to return to cold cement on the garage floor. Veeerrrryy depressing.