#10 & #11 Flicking the switch....

Flickr, it has to be said, is quite amazing. It is a vast resource of photos on just about any topic. I like the fact it can be used as a tool by individuals or groups of people as a storage (wouldn't use it as a primary storage place....technology is just too fickle) or sharing space. There is a lot of control with this product. The idea of sticking all my photos on the web for all and sundry to use and abuse as they see fit does not apeal, but the ability to place copyright statements alleviates this somewhat. Libraries can make use of this technology, they already do, Picture Australia and the SLV treasures site was all about the masses uploading their photos. The other stuff in this exercise was a whole lot of fun. Very silly really, but some of the 'toys' can be useful in design. I love the 'make your own magazine' thing and the colour selector is very groovy. It does astound me that all this technology is now available over the internet. These things were often do-able in software packages, but the introduction of broadband has allowed the shunting of larger files over the net and thus all these crazy applications. I did spend rather too much time playing with these! The warholizer was pretty hillarious also!!!

This is a great shot of the library from Flickr called 'Library' by The Lab. It almost looks olde worlde, very beautiful.

#8 & #9 Tagging, Tagging, Tagging.....

It's gotta be said that these technologies are pretty cool. The ability to bookmark on the web and 'take them with you' so to speak is very useful. Still not entirely convinced about the 'sharing' thing.....probably just a personality trait.....I have issues with privacy.....I'm sure it is something that we will all get used to eventually, but I think any of the generations apart from the young probably still feel a little uneasy about this issue, think "Australia card". So the tagging thing is obviously fantastic for finding other bookmarked sites on a particular topic. Likewise, The Library Thing is a fantastic resource for finding books on a topic as well, and even though I believe in standards and bibliographic control, being able to type in a subject that actually makes sense (ie not Library of Congress Subject headings) makes searching very easy. I typed in "Books about Books" and found lots of hits. This is a general term that people use to refer to any books about books or the book trade. In our library catalogue, there are headings like Books -- Europe -- Storage -- History, Shelving for books -- History, or how about Rare books -- Australia -- Bibliography. So I think tagging is great for this popular searching. The fact that so many people have put their collections onto Library Thing is pretty amazing, I don't know if I'd have the time or the inclination (the privacy thing again) but I certainly do like it. The other major worry about all this web stuff for me is that all the info is sitting on some server somewhere and if the company folds etc, it can all be lost. The thought of doing all that work and losing it all is freaky. All up these technologies are very useful and I'm sure can be applied in libraries.

Love this stuff....

Fantastic website and work....Just thought I'd put it in... http://www.gracialouise.com/

#6 & #7 Really simple or dumbing down.....?

Newsfeeds are a clever use of technology, possibly for those on the run, or more probably those who have way to much time on their hands. I have known about newsfeeds for some time but have never wanted to engage really, just too much information. I find it hard enough keeping up with the email lists about work issues that I subscribe to, these are very useful I have to say. I guess if you hone your subscriptions it would be good to have that select group of feeds there at the ready, it is convenient. I'm not keen on the Google reader layout, it's a bit clunky looking. I'll keep an eye on my feeds for a while and see if I actually do find them useful, or if it is just too much. I think it's that sensation of being cluttered, or a sense of feeling obligated to read these things once I have subscribed that really puts me off. Also the sense of not being out there on the web 'on the hunt' so to speak, finding new information or sources, being locked in to the subscriptions I have. That's it for RSS from me.