File Converters

That was fun and worth learning how to do

Evaluating Websites

This is an interesting idea to evaluate and compare websites. For the web is such a vast array of sites that suit all different people and their needs.
I am not on facebook personally but many of my friends use it and certainly my kids use it. I have preferred not to as what my kids get up to is not always information I need to see. So I have always thought that it is an invasion of privacy . But then it is also a great tool for communication and therefore it is almost communication versus privacy that is an issue.

I really like using and reading twitter. Its quick easy and simple, and has a place where anyone can have a say on an issue.

For quick search of book reviews and online book suggestions I will use the Book seer. I really liked this site. It was clear and concise and practicle, which I think is useful in the library.
Other sites like Reading Trails also went into Amazon which of course would love you to buy the books.

You have to spend time understanding which website works for you and which dont. I still use youtube for all sorts of practicle things and my new found sites flickr and twitter for enjoyment.

An Authors Perspective

Using Podcast to learn about a book/Author is an interesting way to get informed.

I listened to the author of the 'Clifford' childrens books. He was saying that he was really an illustrator who was bad at drawing and then got talked into writing stories to go with the picture of the over size dog drawn.

Also there is a podcast every wednesday from the Auckland university that reviews books each week. I often listen in the afternoon as it certainly gives a different slant on literature. By this I mean that the podcast is aimed more at a younger audience than me and this is a good thing. I get to hear about books not in my usual radar of reading.

Podcast can be overtaken somewhat by youtube. Often looking for a podcast will produce a clip from youtube instead of the podcast. Either way, as long as the information and understanding is available that is what matters.

Readers and Booklovers

This is such a good tool to have and share with patrons.

I liked the Book seeker site. It was so easy and user friendly. Kinda looked like almost to simple, possibly to be used in schools. Anyway it was simple and easy.

Reading Trails was more for the hard core serious reader, or librarian. It is important to have sites that are there for the more learned patron and also for the librarian who loves the job with a passion. It also looks a more professional site to use infront of the patron.

Lastly- what should I read next, was again easy, simple and direct. It did have a good book recomendation area for offering your own reviews and ratings. This could also be useful, especially when purchasing a book.

Specialist Search Engines

I thought this would be an easy way to search for magazines, but in fact I found it took quite some time to find what I was looking for. Then to try and narrow down the search for an article took forever. So I used more of the advanced search each time and this seemed the only way to navigate.

Having said that I did appreciate that when looking for a particular article, and being prepared to wade through the defining questions, it is very possible to attain information that would otherwise sit quietly hidden away. I would use the magazine search, as I am a magazine addict and constantly sad to return the mag to the library. So this could be a good tool for me.

I can see that these search engines would be used in cases where someone with a special requirement for information would use this search. So this is where I feel that it would be helpful in the library, to offer the service or show the patron how to use this search.

Google web searches

This type of searching would be a huge advantage if for example researching for a study paper, or an indepth interest. Also in a library context, it would help with requests for information from patrons and give another area for searching.

I found Bing was slow to use but not hard to follow or navigate.Using related searches and narrowing each search.

Exalead, also had more search types on the right side of the page and i noticed a choice of language.

Interesting to know these search devices are there and easily available.