Ruminations on Web Page Design
July 22, 2007
I enjoyed the experience of creating a useful website. I took an HTML course 6 years ago, but never had the need to use it after that class. So I was basically starting from scratch.
As with many of my LIS assignments, the most difficult part of the project is coming up with the idea. Useful content is always a challenge for me. I hate the idea of reinventing something that is already on the Web, but once I developed a practical reason for the website, a staff page for shelving aides, it was much easier to plan the storyboard and develop links that were useful.
As a potential add-on to the existing Oak Park Public Library, I maintained the look of the official website by recreating the heading and format from the original home page. The logo is not as clear as it could be as it was copied from the website, not the original file.
One of the most useful things I learned during this experience is the ability to create PDF files for free. This utility is useful for anyone outside of the HTML experience. I also appreciated the wealth of information available on the web that provided handy details to be used on-the-fly.
I also learned about list elements. List tags are similar to table tags, with <ol> being an ordered (numbered) list and <ul> being an unordered (bulleted) list. Each list item is tagged with <li> </li> list item within the <ul> or <ol> command.
Much of my frustration came from the idiosyncrasies between Firefox and IE. Links, styles and images all were a challenge when viewing in the different browswers.
I also appreciated the dedicated lab time for the entire course. It allowed me to have an uninterrupted block of time to work on the coding, something that would have been difficult in my home situation.
Finally, I am glad that I took this course as I am finishing the program, as I have noticed that the job openings that I am interested in are requesting more web related skills.
Crowdsourcing—
July 22, 2007
The group dynamic gets a different spin with NPR’s “11 Central Ave.” Listen to show 31 to hear the alternate reality to collaboration on the web and the financial realities of collective intelligence.
Bibliography for Podcasting in Public Libraries
July 21, 2007
Podcasting in Public Libraries
Print Sources
Abram, Stephen. “Podcasting: the Short Course.” Information Outlook 10 (2006): 34-35. ArticleFirst. OCLC. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.
Donohue, Nanette. “Library 2.0: What’s Next in Tech.” Illinois Library Association Reporter 2 (2005): 18-19. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.
Fichter, Darlene. “Creating Engaging Audio Content: Podcasting.” Online 30.6 (2006): 46-48. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 14 July 2007..
Morris, Tee, and Evo Terra. Podcasting for Dummies. 1st ed. Hoboken: Wiley, Inc, 2006. 1-340.
Murdock, James. “On Air At the Library: Teens Sound Off Through Podcasting.” VOYA 29 (2006): 402-403. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.
Sampson, Jo Ann. “Launching Into the Podcast/Vodcast Universe.” Computers in Libraries 26 (2006): 10+. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.
Websites
Podcast Overview
“Lansing Public Library Podcast Information Page.” Lansing Public Library. 14 May 2007. 15 July 2007
Instructional Podcasts
“Atlantic Free Public Library: Online Databases.” Atlantic City Free Public Library. 19 Apr. 2007. 15 July 2007 http://www.acfpl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=352
“Basic Business Research.” Sunnyvale Public Library. 20 Apr. 2007. Sunnyvale Public Library. 15 July 2007
Interviews
“Christina Saller: Dresden Survivor.” Kankakee Public Library. 10 Nov. 2005. 20 June 2007
Storytime/Children
“Denver Public Library Podcast.” Denver Public Library. 6 July 2007. 15 July 2007
Teens
“Orange County Public Library System Podcast.” Orange County Public Library System. 6 July 2007. 15 July 2007
Library Professionals
“Seattle Public Library: Audio for Professionals.” Seattle Public Library. 6 May 2007. 15 July 2007 (No RSS)
“LibVibe: the Library News Podcast.” LibVibe. 12 July 2007. 15 July 2007
Post #5 Is the Web 2.0 bubble about to burst?
July 20, 2007
Web 1.0 fights back. Blackboard ( our favorite web app) fires a shot at Second Life. I was not wildly impressed with my first viewing of Second Life. I’m not sure why I would go to all the work of making an avatar for an online class discussion.
Facebook is not all that friendly to libraries, either. The Facebook terms of conditions don’t allow users to imbed search apps, including catalog searches– the exact thing that libraries are trying to do. So, libraries can attract Facebook users, but not show anything useful. Librarian.net has some interesting, if cynical theories on the reasons behind the blocks.
YouTube pulls guitar lesson videos due to copyright infringement. The videos used a portion of a Rolling Stones song as a teaching tool. When I first heard the story on NPR, I thought instructional videos were a great idea and could be implemented in libraries for all kinds of subjects. Just don’t use copyrighted music or books. So, if you were thinking of recording a storytime, DON’T DO IT! Record an instructional tape on how to use a software application, STOP! YOU’LL GO TO JAIL!! Record a sing-a-long, LOOK OUT FOR THE RIAA!! (Paranoid episode completed.)
I really don’t think the Web 2.0 bubble will burst (after all Web 3.0 is right around the corner) but there is still a lot to be resolved between the assumed freedom of the Internet and the rights of the content providers.
I slogged through Michael Gorman’s discourse on the Internet and the decline of authority, and had a variety of reactions. The first is that the concept of authority is just to broad to define with one brush.
Authority comes in many guises.There is of course the written authority: researched, analyzed, and documented. These authorities are usually recognized until new evidence is produced to prove the point otherwise. Is the authority that is recognized always right? No. (think the Catholic Church and Galileo) Is the authority immediately recognized? No. (Galileo, again.) Is the authority always documented and published? No, and there’s the rub.
Think of how many people are authorities– through research, persistence and hard work who don’t publsh books, articles or theses. Are they less of an authority? I don’t think so. Blogging, wikis, and electronic documentation give publishing access to those (who are familiar with the medium) who otherwise would take their knowledge to the grave. I’m thinking of the example of the mechanic who just “knows” what is wrong with your car (regardless of what the manual says), based on his/her experience.
Information is not static. As soon as it is captured on the printed page it is subject to addition, correction and obsolescence. Just as there are too many claiming unwarranted authority, there is the “authority” claiming unproven truths. The new information model allows for both error and correction. As it should.
It’s the little bits that make up the whole mosaic of human knowledge.
Earlier I wrote about library websites that do it right, and one of the best is here in our own state. The Kankakee public library has embraced the 2.0 challenge.
Kankakee PL puts it right on their home page–2.0. Click on it and see their online mission for the 21st century. They have incorporated podcasts, flickr, blogs, IM reference, and Cafe Press. They’ve also won ALA webdesign awards for 2 years. I’m impressed with the clean layout that tells it all. (Check out the Teen Zone. Again, I’m easily impressed with graphics, so check out the “meet staff” door on the theater.)
This website has it’s bugs, many links don’t work. But after a few days of learning HTML, I have sympathy and respect for the webmaster who has to keep all those balls in the air.
Post #3 Defining Web 3.0
June 15, 2007
Just when I think I’ve figured out what Web 2.0 entails, I discover that the visionaries and futurists are beginning to define Web 3.0. I’m not even sure I understand the terminology behind 2.0 yet.
Search “web 3.0″ and you get techspeak that can hardly be described as English.
Web 1.0 was the one way street: read-only web. We could browse what was uploaded by those with the skills to get the information out to us.
Web 2.0 turned it into the two way street: read-write web. No longer restricted, new programs (Blogger, YouTube, Myspace) allow everyone to contribute content and interact with others.
Web 3.0 is being defined in many ways by various interested parties.
Some consider the definition to include programming the web (read-write-execute) allowing users to develop their own personalized software. Others think it will be more of a 3d.0, transforming the internet into 3-D spaces, expanding on the Second Lif e model. Some see the integration of all technology into a seamless flow from computer to mobile technology.
Lately I’ve been reading so much about it, my head hurts. How do you become proficient in one when so many others are coming along at the speed of light? How much can you absorb, apply, assimilate or just plain use? Will I come to a point where I’ll just say “STOP! I give up?”
Copyright Law Video
May 22, 2007
In case the explanation of copyright from Bitlaw was too dry, watch this video from Eric Faden, an assistant professor of English and film studies at Bucknell University, who produced the video with help from seven of his students and said it took eight months to make.
Aggregate or aggravate
May 13, 2007
How much fun is aggregating ? If you have a Google account, you can click the RSS feed and add to your reader or homepage with 1 click
