Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
This is a fantastic use of Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/BBCCov1940
All tweets are from BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and are marking
the 70th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz on 14 November 1940.
Imagine if Twitter was in 1940!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Use Social Media with care!
Things to consider:
Use Good Judgment: Consider how your comments might be received and how they reflect on you. Think about the consequences of what you are about to post before you click send.
Kindness counts: Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, you shouldn't post it. Be aware that Cyber-bullying instances have been increasing over the last several years and in the US, The National Crime Prevention Council reports cyber-bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.
Know the Privacy Settings: Check that settings, especially Privacy settings are at a level that you are comfortable with; you can control the access that others have to your postings-- share only what you want to share.
Further Reading: eHow Internet Safety
Social media policy:
http://mashable.com/2009/06/02/social-media-policy-musts/
Top tips for using social media:
http://www.sophos.com/security/topic/social-media-top-tips.html
Create your personal online brand
http://mashable.com/2010/02/11/avoid-sabotage-personal-brand/
D'OH:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/wife-learns-of-husbands-other-wife-on-facebook/article1662703/?cmpid=nl-tech1
Some Vblogs from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8929854.stm
Use Good Judgment: Consider how your comments might be received and how they reflect on you. Think about the consequences of what you are about to post before you click send.
Kindness counts: Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, you shouldn't post it. Be aware that Cyber-bullying instances have been increasing over the last several years and in the US, The National Crime Prevention Council reports cyber-bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.
Know the Privacy Settings: Check that settings, especially Privacy settings are at a level that you are comfortable with; you can control the access that others have to your postings-- share only what you want to share.
Further Reading: eHow Internet Safety
- Don't share information that can help people steal your identity or locate you.
- Exercise good judgment when posting and sharing personal information.
- Check into your ability to opt-out with advertisers and third parties.
Social media policy:
http://mashable.com/2009/06/02/social-media-policy-musts/
Top tips for using social media:
http://www.sophos.com/security/topic/social-media-top-tips.html
Create your personal online brand
http://mashable.com/2010/02/11/avoid-sabotage-personal-brand/
D'OH:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/wife-learns-of-husbands-other-wife-on-facebook/article1662703/?cmpid=nl-tech1
Some Vblogs from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8929854.stm
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Welcome
WELCOME to Library and Archives Canada PH Digital Office
"23 Things" Web 2.0 training blog
a place to learn, test, try, play, to demystify social media. You may have a Facebook page, but you don't visit it very often. You likely have heard about Twitter and Posterous and RSS feeds, but you wonder, what can be done with them? How can I use them? Why bother?
23 things?The Learning 2.0 program was originally designed by Helene Blowers, and is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006) and the website 43Things.
From the Lighthouse Blog: "Since the program was launched it has spread virally (and for free) around the world to include many languages, many countries, all types of libraries and tens of thousands of participants. Research on the effectiveness of the program from both the employers’ and learners’ points of view show that it was and remains a successful method to bring library teams up-to-speed quickly and cost-effectively. Did people waste their time learning Web 2.0 stuff? I think not. I worry about libraries, library folk and information pros that don’t keep up enough. 23 Things is one way to address the problem of large scale training for professionals who choose to invest their time in their own development."
This course is a mostly self-guided introduction to some of the more common social media (aka Web 2.0) tools out there.
--and I will do what I can to help you if you get stuck
Email Joanne -- This a chance for you to explore -- which is the best way to become familiar with these tools.
Over twelve weeks, September 7 to December 7, you will complete 23 Things related to Web 2.0 tools and concepts. (So, you will complete 2 "Things" per week). Each "Thing" will introduce or expand upon a new tool or concept.
Special thanks go to Allison Dowler and Jean-Rony Benoit for their kind assistance with this project. A big thank you also goes to Susan Haigh, Manager, Digital Office for championing this project.
You might consider posting to your own blog to serve as a personal learning journal, a place for you to record your experiences, frustrations, ideas, discoveries, questions and reflections, and where others can offer you feedback and encouragement!
Week 1:
Week 4: Twitter
Week 6: More with e-books
Week 8: Bookmarking. Read later
Week 10- Wikis
Week 11:
Week 1:
- Start here: Introduction
- Thing 1 - Set up a Google account and ID and an iGoogle homepage
- Thing 2 - Learn about RSS and set up Google Reader account. Feed your reader: find & subscribe to feeds
- Thing 3 -Set up your blog and write your first posts. Add tags (labels), photos, screenshots, etc.
- Thing 4 - Search for and "Follow" blogs that interest you using Google Blogs. Search for blogs using blog-specific tools such as Technorati and Blogscope, or any others that you wish.
Week 4: Twitter
- Thing 7 - Set up a twitter account; search for tweeps to follow
- Thing 8 - Use advanced search; make Twitlists, try Twitpic, Twitplayer, etc.
Week 6: More with e-books
- Thing 11 - Download an e-book to read a book on your computer (or mobile device)
- Thing 12 - Explore which e-Reader or apps you might like to use/buy and blog about it.
Week 8: Bookmarking. Read later
- Thing 15 - Intro to Social Bookmarking; Set up a Del.icio.us account and begin adding and tagging resources
- Thing 16 - Instapaper ; reddit; Stumbleupon; digg etc.
Week 10- Wikis
Week 11:
- Thing 21 Use Google Docs to create and share collaborative documents, spreadsheets and presentations
- Thing 22 -Explore one or more tools of choice (Springpad; Jott (free trial); Toodledo; Blip.fm, Gliffy, Quizlet, . . ., etc) and share them with everyone on your blog :)
- Thing 23 -Write a blog post about how we might use some of these tools in our daily work; add comments on a blog; add things to a wiki; or re-visit and explore whatever you wish. Check out: 23 more things.
Thing 1
Create a Google ID and your own iGoogle start page.
What is a Google ID?
Google ID helps you to personalise your Google experience by enabling you to customize pages and obtain more relevant search results. Once you have created your ID you will be able to use other Google applications such as iGoogle, Google Calendar and Google Docs (more on these later).
What is iGoogle?
iGoogle is a personal web portal created by Google for you to add and organise your favourite web pages, RSS feeds, gadgets and social networking sites (including Twitter and YouTube).
Step-by-step instructions
1. To create a Google ID, go to https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount (if you already have a Google ID, please log in).
2. Complete the form and click on I accept when ready.
3. To create your iGoogle page, go to http://www.google.com/ig and log in with your Google ID.4. Click on the Add Stuff link to explore the various gadgets you can install - have a look at All categories on the left of the screen for ideas, as well as the most popular gadgets (Most users), what's new (Newest), or use the search box.
You can also organise your gadgets with tabs which can help you navigate quickly to your content, as well as help your iGoogle pages load faster.
1. To add a tab, click on the tab Home on the left of the screen and select Add a tab.
2. Untick the I'm feeling lucky box.
3. Type in a name for your tab (e.g ) in the box.
4. Click on OK.
5. Drag your items into the new tab.
Feel free to add other tabs as and when you feel your page is getting too busy.
You may find this short YouTube animation a fun way of finding out how to set up and arrange your page
Optional extras
If you already use iGoogle, have a look at Netvibes or Pageflakes to see what they may offer you that's different.
Thing 2
Welcome to Thing 2!
Add RSS feeds of your choice to your iGoogle page and explore other RSS feeds.
What is an RSS feed & is it relevant to libraries and archives?
RSS (commonly known as Really Simple Syndication) allows you to view new content from web sites, blog entries, etc in one place.
A fuller and more technical definition can be found on Wikipedia.
Why is it called a feed?
Essentially, you (via your RSS reader) are being fed new content (news, blog posts, journal articles, book and movie reviews, images, podcasts, etc). You don't have to go out and get it. It just comes to you.What do I need to take advantage of this RSS stuff?
There are two basic parts to using RSS - first is the feed, which will be available as a link or icon on the website or blog you want to subscribe to, and second is the reader (or aggregator), which is the container that manages all of your subscriptions (or feeds). There are a number of different readers available. For this course, we will use Google Reader, a free, simple, browser-based reader. Basically, it's like this : You visit a website you like, click the RSS feed/subscription link and add or paste the URL into your reader.
Then, you visit your reader anytime you want to see what's new at all of the sites you have subscribed to. Newspapers, major news channels (such as the CBC), and journal providers have RSS feeds available, to name but a few. Libraries also have feeds from their web pages, such as the OU and the British Library - some local examples can be found at the Public Health Agency, the Globe & Mail , or the Toronto Public Library
Other aggregators include Bloglines, MyYahoo, Pageflakes, Netvibes, Newsgator, for other aggregators.
Then, you visit your reader anytime you want to see what's new at all of the sites you have subscribed to. Newspapers, major news channels (such as the CBC), and journal providers have RSS feeds available, to name but a few. Libraries also have feeds from their web pages, such as the OU and the British Library - some local examples can be found at the Public Health Agency, the Globe & Mail , or the Toronto Public Library
Step-by-step instructions
1. Go to the Canadian Library Association website.
2. Under Resources, select RSS feeds
3. Click on CLA News RSS and choose select Subscribe with Google.
1. Go to the Canadian Library Association website.
2. Under Resources, select RSS feeds
3. Click on CLA News RSS and choose select Subscribe with Google.
4. Add to Google Homepage
Now, whenever new material is posted to CLA News, it will appear on your iGoogle page
You may have noticed that there is also a choice to add to Google Reader.
To set up your Google Reader, simply visit http://reader.google.com and log in with your Google Account. You can also just log into your gmail account and click reader in the upper left corner of the gmail window (The first time you log in, you will see a welcome screen containing sample "recommended" feed items -- you aren't subscribed to anything yet).
Add a few feeds of your choice.
You may find this instructional video helpful in using the reader :)
Other aggregators include Bloglines, MyYahoo, Pageflakes, Netvibes, Newsgator, for other aggregators.
Thing 3
Welcome to Thing 3!
3. Write something here about what you hope to get out of 23 things or your previous experience of Web 2.0 and social media, or whatever you wish. Perhaps you have always wanted to start a blog about a favourite hobby. Now you can!
4. When you have finished writing the post, type in 'Thing 3' in the labels box under the text box. You will need to tag all your posts with the number of the Thing being blogged about and any other descriptive words you want to use to help you find the post later on (just as we librarians add subject headings to catalogue records in order to help users retrieve books)
A blog is one of the core publishing/communication tools of Web 2.0. A blog, at its simplest, is a website containing an archived series of posts (e.g. articles, news items, commentaries, journal entries, stories, reviews, summaries, etc...), organized by categories (or tags), with a place for readers to leave comments. Readers can subscribe to the blog using a special type of code called an RSS (or similar) feed. A blog may have one or many authors, and can be about any topic, from personal to political to professional.
Blogs connect ideas and people.
Blogging can provide writers and readers with an authentic opportunity to express themselves, synthesize ideas from many sources, engage in discussion and debate, write for an audience beyond one's immediate world, reflect on their own learning, teach and mentor others, and connect with peers and experts around the globe. As you work through the next few "Things," and the remainder of the course, you will begin to learn more about blogs and their powerful potential for personal and professional learning, reflection and communication.Blogging Platforms:
Lots of options but we will use Blogger, for it's ease of use.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Go to http://www.blogger.com/ and sign in at the top right-hand corner with your Google account username and password. This will bring you to a sign up for Blogger screen. Some of the information may already be filled in for you (depending on what you told Google when you signed up for your account) but you will need to choose a display name and to accept the Blogger terms of service.
2. You now need to name your blog, and choose a web address (URL) for it. The address has to be unique so your first choice may not be available.
1. Go to http://www.blogger.com/ and sign in at the top right-hand corner with your Google account username and password. This will bring you to a sign up for Blogger screen. Some of the information may already be filled in for you (depending on what you told Google when you signed up for your account) but you will need to choose a display name and to accept the Blogger terms of service.
2. You now need to name your blog, and choose a web address (URL) for it. The address has to be unique so your first choice may not be available.
3. Now choose your preferred layout template for your blog. You can change this at any point for a different one.
4. Congratulations your blog exists. Simple!
Your first post
You now need to create your first blog post.
1. Click on the orange arrow that says 'start blogging' (if you have logged out and are returning, then click on 'new post' by your blog's name on your dashboard - the screen you see when you log in). This will bring you to the posting screen.
2. Enter a title for the post, and then type your text into the box. There is a toolbar at the top of the box which will allow you to format your text and add links and images.
You now need to create your first blog post.
1. Click on the orange arrow that says 'start blogging' (if you have logged out and are returning, then click on 'new post' by your blog's name on your dashboard - the screen you see when you log in). This will bring you to the posting screen.
2. Enter a title for the post, and then type your text into the box. There is a toolbar at the top of the box which will allow you to format your text and add links and images.
3. Write something here about what you hope to get out of 23 things or your previous experience of Web 2.0 and social media, or whatever you wish. Perhaps you have always wanted to start a blog about a favourite hobby. Now you can!
4. When you have finished writing the post, type in 'Thing 3' in the labels box under the text box. You will need to tag all your posts with the number of the Thing being blogged about and any other descriptive words you want to use to help you find the post later on (just as we librarians add subject headings to catalogue records in order to help users retrieve books)
5. Click the 'Publish Post' button at the bottom of the screen, and your first post will be live.
Any problems?
If you got lost at all at any point above, I can recommend this Blogger tutorial (from YouTube)
If you got lost at all at any point above, I can recommend this Blogger tutorial (from YouTube)
To read about what makes a good blog post check out:
What makes a good blog post by Steve Wheeler
What makes a good blog post by Steve Wheeler
Thing 4
Welcome to Thing 4
cartoon used with permission. http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/000478.html
Blog on Things 1 and 2 with a screenshot
Your blog is a means to record your progress through the wholeprogramme so take a bit of time now to write a post about what you thought of Things 1 + 2 and include a screenshot of your iGoogle page. It would be good practice over the 12 weeks to add screenshots, images, cartoons and other visuals to make your blog more appealing.
How to insert a screenshot
1. Maximise the screen (in this case the iGoogle page) that you want to copy and then hit the 'Print Screen' key on the keyboard.
2. Open an image/photo editing package on your PC and paste the image by choosing CTRL + V simultaneously or 'Edit' and 'Paste' from the package menu. (If you haven't got a photo editing package on your PC its definitely worth downloading a free one from the web - check out this list of the best free photo editors.)
3. Now save the image to a folder.
4. Add the image to your post by selecting the blue sky square icon above the post text box and browsing to the folder where you saved the image on your PC.
5. You will need to select how you want the image aligned and what size you want it to be.
1. Maximise the screen (in this case the iGoogle page) that you want to copy and then hit the 'Print Screen' key on the keyboard.
2. Open an image/photo editing package on your PC and paste the image by choosing CTRL + V simultaneously or 'Edit' and 'Paste' from the package menu. (If you haven't got a photo editing package on your PC its definitely worth downloading a free one from the web - check out this list of the best free photo editors.)
3. Now save the image to a folder.
4. Add the image to your post by selecting the blue sky square icon above the post text box and browsing to the folder where you saved the image on your PC.
5. You will need to select how you want the image aligned and what size you want it to be.
Add tags
Don't forget to add tags (Blogger calls them Labels) to your post - Thing 1, Thing 2, iGoogle etc.
Get social
Blogging is much more fun and interactive if you receive comments on your posts, so now you need to visit other blogs and comment away. If someone leaves you a comment from a blog that you have not yet viewed then go and visit it and comment back. This is a great way to network and share.
Blog about Thing 4
Search for and "Follow" blogs that interest you using Google Blogs.
you can also search for blogs using Technorati and Blogscope, among others
Feeling out if your depth with blogging? Need inspiration?
Don't worry if it takes you a while to feel comfortable writing blog posts and to find your 'online voice'. Below are lists of some excellent blogs which you may find interesting and to visit for inspiration and ideas...
Thing 5
Welcome to Thing 5!
Google Calendar
Create a Google Calendar, add some events to it, and add it to your iGoogle page.
What is Google Calendar ?
Google Calendar is a free web-based calendar which can be shared with other people and accessed from anywhere with Internet connection. Events can be added quickly and viewed by day, week or month. It can also be integrated with other Google services, such as iGoogle, and imbedded in web pages & blogs.
Create a Google Calendar
Step-by-step instructions
1. To create a Google Calendar, go to:
http://www.google.com/calendar/
2. Log in with your Google ID.
3. Your new Google Calendar will look like this
3. Before you add any events to your calendar,
go to the top of the screen & select Settings - Calendar settings. In the General section you can change the Time & date formats, plus have a mini icon of your local weather displayed, for those of you obsessed with the daily forecast!
4. Click on Save.
Adding events to your Google Calendar
Step-by-step instructions
1. To add an event, click on Create event (you can also select Quick add or highlight a date on the calendar).
2. Fill in the boxes for your event:
What it is (e.g. staff meeting).
When it is (click on the boxes to specify a date & time).
Where it will take place.
Use the Description box to add details.
You can also choose to have a Reminder sent to you minutes, hours, days or weeks before the the event is due to take place (the system defaults to a 10 minute reminder). If you don't want a reminder, click on the cross next to the box.
3. Click on Save & you will be taken back to the calendar with your new event visible!
4. Take a minute or two now to add other events.
Add your calendar to your iGoogle page:
1. Go to your iGoogle page.
2. Click on Add Stuff.
3. In the Search for gadgets box on the right of the screen, type inGoogle Calendar
4. You want the first on the list - click on Add it now
5. When you go back to your iGoogle home page, your calendar will be displayed!
Something else to try:
Share your calendar with a colleague or family member.
1. Under the My calendars section on the left side of your calendar home page, click on the drop down menu next to your e-mail address & select Share this calendar.
2. You will be taken to the Share this calendar section.
3. Type in the e-mail address of the person you would like to share your calendar with & their details will appear automatically underneath (note: this person must also have a Google Calendar too otherwise you won't be able to share it!).
4. Set the Permission settings you would like this person to have.
5. Click on Save.
The following video on YouTube gives a very quick demo on how to share your calendar:
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