Buzzwords of the day

I found some words left on my performancing blog plug-in, so I thought I would share them with the world, that is all.

1. blog bouncers



2. link jackers



3. tag soup

NextSpace... A good newsletter for those wanting to follow future trends in the Library field

Source: NextSpace: OCLC Community Newsletter

I just wanted to wholeheartedly recommend the NextSpace: OCLC Community Newsletter which is has lots of good articles on technology and trends in the library. I particularly enjoyed their issues on Web 2.0 and Boomers vs. Gamers. They also cover issues like the 'long tail' effect, and ways to personalise the Web interface for library users.

Speaking of ways to personalise the Web I was recently introduced to Netvibes, a Personal Information Management System (PIMS) for things you are doing on the Web. It allows the creation of and linking of RSS feeds and other API scripted widget boxes that allow you to check multiple mail accounts, your ebay, local weather, etc.

Rex Libris... a comic for librarians

I discovered this while down at my favourite comic shop in Melbourne 'Alternate Worlds'. In this issue Rex Libris, a kind of New Jersey accented tough guy librarian, gets sucked into a book of monsters and tries to rescue a patron of the library. Some people in my course had talked about it before I think students who studied Children's Literature as an elective are aware of it's existence.

Anyhow I found it entertaining and liked this panel describing the role of a librarian and how it is not to seek adventure.

What the heck is Library 2.0?... here's a visual Meme map by bonariabiancu

Source: Uploaded March 16, 2006 by bonariabiancu
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonaria/113222147/

I found this visual representation of Library 2.0 when looking through Chelsea Harper and Kate Watson's Powerpoint presentation on wikis and blogs and their use in the libray. I have always liked diagrams and visual explanations of concepts. I think the Japanese do them very well, with their comic (or manga) culture. I am also interested in the idea that games can increase digital literacy as put forward by Paul Gee in his book see info below.

What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy

by James Paul Gee

See this book for a very detailed (and more academic than I expected) look at video games and semiotic domains etc

Later when I find it on my flash drive again I will include a link to a great powerpoint presentation on games demonstrating how the complexities of an interface used be a typical role playing game (RPG) like the popular World of Warcraft prepares game players to adapt to many different software applications.

I have found something interesting to assist me with my research interests next year.

I was looking through the latest issue of Incite Magazine (Dec 06), and on page six there was some information about the Ray Choate Scholarship. The idea behind this is to investigate some aspect of reference services that will lead to better practice in this area. It sounds really interesting and I look forward to putting something towards this scholarship. For now that is going to have to go on the backburner as I have to get my employment and graduation sorted.

I am very interested in the current recipients project which is 'Investigating Blog and Wiki Technology for the Enhancement of Internal Reference Services Practice' by Chelsea Harper and Kate Watson. I am going to have a bit of look at their project tonight and hope to be able to contribute some of the sources I have uncovered in my exploration of blog and wiki issues.

All consuming... check it out for books, music, and movies I recommend

As most of my friends know I read a fair bit. In the words of Bill Hicks 'wellll looks like we got ourselves a reader!' One of the fantastic people I hung out with on my recent trip to Canberra wanted to know more about what I recommend in the way of reading materials etc. So I prepared this little list and tried to think of at least ten movies, books, and music that I like. I have fairly eclectic tastes and if I had more time I would describe why I liked each of these items. Anyways might do some more tagging later.

Check out my goodies on All Consuming then just select books, music, or movies from the sidebar.

Viruses are not scary... be afraid of the Bots

I have just been reading about bot attacks in Wired Magazine (Nov 06). Scott Berinato wrote an article titled 'Attack of the Bots' on p. 171. These bots have the ability to create huge DDos (distributed denial-of-service-attacks) and one company called Blue Security had their site taken down by bots because they were trying to provide an anti spam service which tries to flood the spammer with data. Unfortunately the site and related ISPs and other network servers were all shut down in the process.

Anyhow these things are real nasty and basically are controlled on high by Command and Control (C&C) operational software which usually move servers often to frustrate those trying to stop the bots. Even if you shut down one of these operational software programs there may be another one lurking somewhere else.

When the botnet underground means business and it is probably best to stay out of their way.