Wufoo at http://wufoo.com is an easy to use form builder that has several applications for use in the library and information setting. You can create surveys, invitations, job applications, registration forms, etc. Once your form has been created, you can receive email notifications, create reports that list and graph submissions, view statistics, customise (theme) your form, and even mail your form to groups of people. Wufoo automatically builds the database, backend and scripts for the forms that you create. I could think of several ways in which the tool could be useful for work: surveys, event registration, invitations to skilling/training sessions and RSVPs etc. I had a play and developed this quick and dirty client satisfaction survey: http://bibliogirl.wufoo.com/forms/client-satisfaction-survey/
Exercise
Go to Wufoo and have a look at the Examples on the site and the Features. There is a video tour but this only works on a standalone computer. Sign up for the Free account with Wufoo. This entitles you to create 3 free reports and 3 free forms. Use the application to create and save your own form (a survey or event registration etc).
Blame me if you don't cry out WUFOO when you see your amazing form!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thing #46: Updates
Since starting the original 23 things, I have become quite familiar with using Wiki tools and RSS feeds so for the update exercise, I focussed on other Web 2.0 tools that I have not used since my initial exposure to them.
Firstly, I looked at Flickr which has changed its layout in the last year. The ads are not so much in the way of the options on the home page, making it easier to navigate through the options. Another improvement is that you can now view the slideshow on Flickr in full screen. I discovered a new Flickr Group called Free Use Photos: http://flickr.com/groups/freeuse/. The photos in this group can be used with no fear of copyright restrictions. There are now 3000 photos in the group so it's worth checking out this collection when you need an image. I also found out that museums (e.g., Powerhouse Museum in Sydney) are adding their historical images to Flickr Commons.
LibraryThing has grown in popularity throughout the last year. The service is still free for up to 200 books. Like many of the Web 2.0 technologies, the social networking application of LibraryThing has expanded so it's now possible to import book lists directly into a Facebook profile and you can add New Tags so that you can find friends on LibraryThing. I was interested in finding out about the use of LibraryThing by actual libraries. On the Association of College and Research Libraries blog at http://acrlog.org, I found out that the Claremont Colleges Libraries are adding LibraryThing tags to their catalogue records. I had a look at their catalogue online and couldn't see any of the LT tags so maybe the tags are not available for all items or maybe they are only accessible by the students and faculty members. A librarian from the Colleges said that the tags were very easy to use but she did not think that the users made much use of them (likewise she commented that LCSH do not get much use either!). There is a Legacy Libraries collection on LibraryThing: the libraries of famous people such as Lawrence of Arabia and General George S Patton, Jnr have been catalogued using LT!
I was pleased to see that del.icio.us.com has become delicious.com! I was clearly one of the majority who had trouble remembering where to put the dots in the name! This tool has also improved the design of its layout.
I'm still using Blogger for my second lot of 23 things but discovered that you can add Geotags to posts - these Geotags act as a link to GoogleMaps! The interconnectedness of the Web 2.0 technologies is what has impressed me most about the direction taken by the 23 things in the year since I started to use them.
Firstly, I looked at Flickr which has changed its layout in the last year. The ads are not so much in the way of the options on the home page, making it easier to navigate through the options. Another improvement is that you can now view the slideshow on Flickr in full screen. I discovered a new Flickr Group called Free Use Photos: http://flickr.com/groups/freeuse/. The photos in this group can be used with no fear of copyright restrictions. There are now 3000 photos in the group so it's worth checking out this collection when you need an image. I also found out that museums (e.g., Powerhouse Museum in Sydney) are adding their historical images to Flickr Commons.
LibraryThing has grown in popularity throughout the last year. The service is still free for up to 200 books. Like many of the Web 2.0 technologies, the social networking application of LibraryThing has expanded so it's now possible to import book lists directly into a Facebook profile and you can add New Tags so that you can find friends on LibraryThing. I was interested in finding out about the use of LibraryThing by actual libraries. On the Association of College and Research Libraries blog at http://acrlog.org, I found out that the Claremont Colleges Libraries are adding LibraryThing tags to their catalogue records. I had a look at their catalogue online and couldn't see any of the LT tags so maybe the tags are not available for all items or maybe they are only accessible by the students and faculty members. A librarian from the Colleges said that the tags were very easy to use but she did not think that the users made much use of them (likewise she commented that LCSH do not get much use either!). There is a Legacy Libraries collection on LibraryThing: the libraries of famous people such as Lawrence of Arabia and General George S Patton, Jnr have been catalogued using LT!
I was pleased to see that del.icio.us.com has become delicious.com! I was clearly one of the majority who had trouble remembering where to put the dots in the name! This tool has also improved the design of its layout.
I'm still using Blogger for my second lot of 23 things but discovered that you can add Geotags to posts - these Geotags act as a link to GoogleMaps! The interconnectedness of the Web 2.0 technologies is what has impressed me most about the direction taken by the 23 things in the year since I started to use them.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Thing #45: Gliffy and Mindmeister
Taking advantage of a quiet start to the year, I spent this afternoon getting to know Gliffy and Mindmeister. I found Mindmeister very easy to use and with Xmas still on my mind, mocked up a mindmap for tackling that dreaded of tasks: Christmas shopping! If you'd like to take a look at my map, here's the address: http://www.mindmeister.com/maps/show/13958745#
I didn't find Gliffy as easy to use as Mindmeister but maybe this is because I looked at the screencast for using Mindmeister before creating my own map. Gliffy, I got to know through trial and error. I used Gliffy to create a flowchart for checking out an item on the library catalogue. It could do with a little more tinkering but here it is:
http://www.gliffy.com/gliffy/#d=1572583&t=Library_Circulation_flow_chart_-_Amanda
Just a little note, before I go, about the Google Groups NexGenLib. I was wrong about the group being defunct. They are very active as my Outlook Inbox will testify! It's interesting to read the posts. The participants are from a cross-section of the library and information sphere, mostly located in the States, but the issues that they face are very similar to those that we face in the Tax Office Library. It's a small world after all...
I didn't find Gliffy as easy to use as Mindmeister but maybe this is because I looked at the screencast for using Mindmeister before creating my own map. Gliffy, I got to know through trial and error. I used Gliffy to create a flowchart for checking out an item on the library catalogue. It could do with a little more tinkering but here it is:
http://www.gliffy.com/gliffy/#d=1572583&t=Library_Circulation_flow_chart_-_Amanda
Just a little note, before I go, about the Google Groups NexGenLib. I was wrong about the group being defunct. They are very active as my Outlook Inbox will testify! It's interesting to read the posts. The participants are from a cross-section of the library and information sphere, mostly located in the States, but the issues that they face are very similar to those that we face in the Tax Office Library. It's a small world after all...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thing #44: Jott.com
Jott.com must be for those of us who live on our mobile phones. I must admit that I'm more likely to have forgotten my mobile than paper and a pen! Still, I can see that this service has its merits.
For no fee (there are more benefits if you pay a fee) Jott allows you to phone them, tell them where you want the meesge to go (e.g., email) and leave a voicemail message to capture notes, set reminders and calendar appointments, stay in touch with friends and family, and interact with your favorite web sites and services. Jott captures the voice, turns it into text, and sends it to the destination you chose.
I expect that it won't be long before a similar service starts up in Australia.
For no fee (there are more benefits if you pay a fee) Jott allows you to phone them, tell them where you want the meesge to go (e.g., email) and leave a voicemail message to capture notes, set reminders and calendar appointments, stay in touch with friends and family, and interact with your favorite web sites and services. Jott captures the voice, turns it into text, and sends it to the destination you chose.
I expect that it won't be long before a similar service starts up in Australia.
Thing #42: Google Groups
Google Groups was very slow to use over the desktop but I did find out some interesting info on the Society.libraries.talk user group. Browsing the postings, I found out that this month, the 2nd edition of Library World Records will be published. Something to keep in mind for a retirement/leaving gift!
I used the search facility to search for mention of Web 2.0 technologies but only got one hit! This I found quite surprising.
I joined the NEXGENLIB user group just so that I could check out the postings of this forward thinking user group but nothing had been added since January so figured that this user group ran out of momentum.
In the end, the poor response from the Internet over the desktop convinced me to abandon mission. I'll have to return another day.
I used the search facility to search for mention of Web 2.0 technologies but only got one hit! This I found quite surprising.
I joined the NEXGENLIB user group just so that I could check out the postings of this forward thinking user group but nothing had been added since January so figured that this user group ran out of momentum.
In the end, the poor response from the Internet over the desktop convinced me to abandon mission. I'll have to return another day.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Animoto
It's been a while since I did any of the 2.1 Things. I was busy at work and then got out of the habit of doing them but now I'm back on the wagon with Animoto!
This is an easy tool to use and I am sure that it could become very addictive! It would be very useful for social events and workwise, could be used for promotional activities.
Using Christmas and cats as my theme (because it's Christmas and my cat is rather unwell so in my thoughts at the moment), I selected some photos from Photobucket and then used Animoto to make a video. Here's the link to Moggy Cheer: http://animoto.com/play/z3lXdSYxMu3fFtzt8P6wLw. As yet, I haven't heard the music (I chose it blind so hope that it's appropriate).
Enjoy.
This is an easy tool to use and I am sure that it could become very addictive! It would be very useful for social events and workwise, could be used for promotional activities.
Using Christmas and cats as my theme (because it's Christmas and my cat is rather unwell so in my thoughts at the moment), I selected some photos from Photobucket and then used Animoto to make a video. Here's the link to Moggy Cheer: http://animoto.com/play/z3lXdSYxMu3fFtzt8P6wLw. As yet, I haven't heard the music (I chose it blind so hope that it's appropriate).
Enjoy.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thing #35: Twitter
Hi
My introduction to microblogging was through Twitter. I can see the value in joining Twitter if you have a group of friends who all have Twitter accounts but I could think of no people among my acquaintance that would twitter so didn't go down the "find a friend to follow" path. Alternatively, if all library staff had accounts, we could use Twitter as a means of communication - unlike email, you could access Twitter with your mobile phone.
While I was looking at Twitter, I did read Christina Laun's Twitter for librarians: the ultimate guide. She gives the following reasons in favour of libraries setting up a Twitter account:
• Keeping in touch with librarian friends and colleagues. Twitter makes it easier to keep up with what others are up to and to share and collaborate on projects.
• Stay on top of the latest technologies. Even if you don’t think Twitter has any applications that will work for you at the moment that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future. Staying on top of the latest technologies will give you a leg up and may make it easier in the long run to adapt them to your own purposes.
• Read the latest news. Many major news sites, like CNN and the BBC, have Twitter feeds. This makes it easy to just quickly check to keep up with news and find the latest information, a particularly relevant application for libraries.
• Get information on conferences. Some geekier conferences of interest to librarians have Twitter feeds that will allow you to keep up with registration deadlines, speakers and accommodations without having to visit the site itself all the time.
• Have Q and A sessions. Thinking of making some changes to your library website or changing policies? You can get suggestions and opinions from patrons quickly and easily through Twitter. This can work with any kind of question and answer type situation and the possible uses are quite broad.
• Learn more about colleagues. Not sure about the new guy? See if he has a Twitter feed and read more about his life. Who knows, maybe you have more in common than you think. You could also do the same thing for authors, artists and writers you like as well if they have Twitter accounts.
• Use it as a notepad. Jot down great ideas anywhere through your Twitter account. If you’re on your computer you can use it there, but Twitter is also accessible via a mobile device, making it easy to transfer the name of a book you saw on TV and to-dos for work to yourself.
• Share references. Library patrons can get online help from librarians through a Twitter account. Patrons can send messages asking about specific materials and staff can get back to them when they have information. You could also use if for your own personal information sharing with friends and colleagues.
• Announce library programs. Launching a new children’s reading program or having a book sale? Let the community know about it through your Twitter feed. It’s a simple and easy way to get information out about any library.
• Update patrons on new materials. Got exciting new resources? Let those in your area know about them through a Twitter feed. Some libraries already using Twitter send out updates when they get in new books, though for larger libraries this might be impractical.
• Send alerts about requested materials. Patrons who have a Twitter account could opt to receive notices that their materials have arrived at the library via Twitter rather than on the phone or in the mail. Some people may prefer this method and it’s one simple way Twitter can be used in place of existing technologies.
I'm not convinced by all her arguments and Twitter would not be the only means of achieving these aims but Christina's blog article does provide some food for thought. See http://www.collegeathome.com/blog/2008/05/27/twitter-for-librarians-the-ultimate-guide/ for Christina's blog.
My introduction to microblogging was through Twitter. I can see the value in joining Twitter if you have a group of friends who all have Twitter accounts but I could think of no people among my acquaintance that would twitter so didn't go down the "find a friend to follow" path. Alternatively, if all library staff had accounts, we could use Twitter as a means of communication - unlike email, you could access Twitter with your mobile phone.
While I was looking at Twitter, I did read Christina Laun's Twitter for librarians: the ultimate guide. She gives the following reasons in favour of libraries setting up a Twitter account:
• Keeping in touch with librarian friends and colleagues. Twitter makes it easier to keep up with what others are up to and to share and collaborate on projects.
• Stay on top of the latest technologies. Even if you don’t think Twitter has any applications that will work for you at the moment that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future. Staying on top of the latest technologies will give you a leg up and may make it easier in the long run to adapt them to your own purposes.
• Read the latest news. Many major news sites, like CNN and the BBC, have Twitter feeds. This makes it easy to just quickly check to keep up with news and find the latest information, a particularly relevant application for libraries.
• Get information on conferences. Some geekier conferences of interest to librarians have Twitter feeds that will allow you to keep up with registration deadlines, speakers and accommodations without having to visit the site itself all the time.
• Have Q and A sessions. Thinking of making some changes to your library website or changing policies? You can get suggestions and opinions from patrons quickly and easily through Twitter. This can work with any kind of question and answer type situation and the possible uses are quite broad.
• Learn more about colleagues. Not sure about the new guy? See if he has a Twitter feed and read more about his life. Who knows, maybe you have more in common than you think. You could also do the same thing for authors, artists and writers you like as well if they have Twitter accounts.
• Use it as a notepad. Jot down great ideas anywhere through your Twitter account. If you’re on your computer you can use it there, but Twitter is also accessible via a mobile device, making it easy to transfer the name of a book you saw on TV and to-dos for work to yourself.
• Share references. Library patrons can get online help from librarians through a Twitter account. Patrons can send messages asking about specific materials and staff can get back to them when they have information. You could also use if for your own personal information sharing with friends and colleagues.
• Announce library programs. Launching a new children’s reading program or having a book sale? Let the community know about it through your Twitter feed. It’s a simple and easy way to get information out about any library.
• Update patrons on new materials. Got exciting new resources? Let those in your area know about them through a Twitter feed. Some libraries already using Twitter send out updates when they get in new books, though for larger libraries this might be impractical.
• Send alerts about requested materials. Patrons who have a Twitter account could opt to receive notices that their materials have arrived at the library via Twitter rather than on the phone or in the mail. Some people may prefer this method and it’s one simple way Twitter can be used in place of existing technologies.
I'm not convinced by all her arguments and Twitter would not be the only means of achieving these aims but Christina's blog article does provide some food for thought. See http://www.collegeathome.com/blog/2008/05/27/twitter-for-librarians-the-ultimate-guide/ for Christina's blog.
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