Video and Audio

I have to say that I think there are many possibilities for using podcasting and vodcasting in the library environment. We could use this technology to advertise new programs, reach new audiences with recorded programs, and communicate more effectively with staff and customers in general. For example, it is logistically impossible to get all employees to each LCDT session, but if we created a video or audio recording of that program, we could share it with all staff on their own schedule. I think this is one of the more promising new technologies for us as a system and for libraries in general, and I look forward to exploring new ways of taking advantage of it.

Podcasting

Podcasts are a great way to stay up to date with my favorite radio content. I am an ardent supporter and fan of public radio, and their podcasts allow me to easily keep up with the news and programs I may have missed while at work. I also use the podcasts provided by the University of Tennessee for my online info science classes. This tool is a convenient way to review past lectures and stay on top of my coursework.

I have not tried creating my own podcast yet, mostly because I don't have a mic on this computer, but I plan to give it a go on my home computer! I have really enjoyed the podcasts Cindy has used in this series of exercises and I think that they can really add to the richness and depth of an online educational experience.

YouTube

I have used YouTube before to post video to my blog, so this one is not really new to me, but I think it works pretty well. I don't think the resolution is as high when video is added this way as opposed to say when I add it to my Facebook page, but it is a really easy way to get content up on your blog...

I chose to add this clip because it highlights some of the work I do with the VAQ Stranding Response Team, and because Andy Fox makes such a big deal of the smell. Enjoy!

Image Generators

My creation, originally uploaded by surfing librarian.

Just one more fun FD toy I thought I'd add to the blog... this is a bit scary, but really cool at the same time. I can think of plenty of uses for this in the library environment, such as creating posters for programs or displays. Fun!

Flickr Toys

What fun! I love that so many users have devoted their time to creating fun and exciting tools that other Flickr users can make use of for their own enjoyment. This is one of the great things about Web 2.0 technology in my opinion: Users take the services in new and perhaps unanticipated new directions, creating new functionalities along the way and making the tools living, growing entities rather than letting them stagnate. These piggyback tools not only allow users to expand upon the original service in creative ways, they also offer new opportunities for their creators to potentially profit from them in ways that were not possible in the Web 1.0 model.

Tagging with Flickr

Tagging is one of the features that sets Flickr apart from other photo sharing sites because it allows users to categorize the images in ways that make sense to them which, in theory, facilitates access and retrieval of those images. Of course tagging lacks the authority of a controlled vocabulary, but this is somewhat mitigated by the idea of a tag cloud which emphasizes frequently used tags over those that appear only sporadically. The result is a kind of democratized naming authority that may make use of terms and phrases not traditionally found in controlled vocabularies. Though Flickr is not the only means of collaborative photo sharing, it is certainly one of the simplest to use and has the added benefit of being one of the more popular sites. This means that more images are available to use and tag, and this is undoubtedly better for all users.

deep

deep, originally uploaded by surfing librarian.

This is a photo of me surfing in Kitty Hawk back in March of 2003 or 2004... time flies, so it is hard to keep up. This was a great day though, and everytime I look at this picture I get a warm fuzzy feeling all over remembering it. On the subject of posting photos to the blog via this Flickr tool, I really like the option to add content in this way. It makes it very easy to search for photos and to then link them to my blog without having to wory about crediting the photographer or other rights issues. Very nice.