Open source software is software whose source code is published and made available to the public allowing anyone to copy, modify and resistribute without paying anything - yes it is free!!
This software evolves through the community cooperation of individuals and large companies.
We aleady have OpenOffice available for use by patrons in our library and this is probably just the beginning.
Mozilla Firefox ( web browser) and Blender (3D graphics editor) are examples of Open source application software.
Moodle , the course management system we use, and MediaWiki, the software that runs Wikipedia are examples of Open source server software.
There are of course advantages and disadvantages of Open source software. Businesses do achieve greater penetration of the market with a very much reduced cost of marketing, however it is very difficult to design a commercially sound business model around the idea of Open source software. The technical requirements may be satisfied but not the requirements of the market!
The cooperation of individuals and large companies does produce reliable, high quality software quickly and inexpensively.
Open source software is being taken up by libraries as a way of reducing costs and being able to have input into the design of the application. Evergreen is used by nearly 1000 libraries (mainly US and Canada, but also Tasmania) to provide their public catalogue, circulation and acquisition software.
I wonder how much the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation spends on software applications?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Useful Web 2.0 applications and Libraries
Web 2.0 is the term used to cover web applications that involve information sharing and collaboration on the world wide web. It is all about new and improved online connections.
We are using Web 2.0 applications every day now whether for social networking, web services, or software services.
Patrons walk into our library everyday to use social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter. They can create and edit Wiki's. They can post on their blog and comment on others. They can spend hours on video hosting and sharing sites such as YouTube, Myspace and Flickr. Every teenager seems to have a mobile phone and video can now be taken at any moment!
Other patrons come to the library to pay bills. They are paying a company (or Ebay seller) using Paypal which is a Web 2.0 service, that shares information with the company. Many websites combine data and maps from different sources (a mash-up) which are also provided to us through Web 2.0 technology.
Finally Web 2.0 allows us to access software such as Zoho, Google docs and project management software.
These are all amazing applications that keep us connected, save us time and allow us to share and work with others, however there are still many disadvantages.
Security and privacy are major concerns especially when banking or credit card details are given out. Social networking sites are dealing with the potential for misuse (fake Facebook pages), online bullying, risks to child safety by sexual predators, psychological effects, and trolling (eg. the defacing of tribute pages). Data mining is also an issue where companies use information to increase sales.
Could we live without Web 2.0 applications now???
We are using Web 2.0 applications every day now whether for social networking, web services, or software services.
Patrons walk into our library everyday to use social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter. They can create and edit Wiki's. They can post on their blog and comment on others. They can spend hours on video hosting and sharing sites such as YouTube, Myspace and Flickr. Every teenager seems to have a mobile phone and video can now be taken at any moment!
Other patrons come to the library to pay bills. They are paying a company (or Ebay seller) using Paypal which is a Web 2.0 service, that shares information with the company. Many websites combine data and maps from different sources (a mash-up) which are also provided to us through Web 2.0 technology.
Finally Web 2.0 allows us to access software such as Zoho, Google docs and project management software.
These are all amazing applications that keep us connected, save us time and allow us to share and work with others, however there are still many disadvantages.
Security and privacy are major concerns especially when banking or credit card details are given out. Social networking sites are dealing with the potential for misuse (fake Facebook pages), online bullying, risks to child safety by sexual predators, psychological effects, and trolling (eg. the defacing of tribute pages). Data mining is also an issue where companies use information to increase sales.
Could we live without Web 2.0 applications now???
Cloud Computing & Libraries
Cloud computing is the next stage in the evolution of the internet, however the definitions given on the internet can be absolutely bamboozling!
The cloud server provides the means through which everything from the computing power, infrastructure, applications, business processes to personal collaborations can be delivered to you wherever and whenever you need.
Organizations or businesses remotely access a cloud server. They can instantly get more computing power or release it when not required!
There are many benefits such as:
Libraries are already providing services on their public internet terminals, such as Hotmail, Gmail, Flickr and Facebook that utilise cloud computing. Libraries are also using LibraryThing, Google Apps, Biblio, twitter, and even catalogue and database applications such as Jstor and WorldCat.
I can share my photos of Vietnam with you on Flickr, Picasa or Snapfish, and I can access them all in my library.
The DC Public Library and the British Library are using cloud computing servers now, so it is appears more and more libraries are heading for the clouds!
Of course there are also a few drawbacks and issues that concern many users: privacy, security, reliability, data ownership, control, will it become obsolete, and being locked-in to a particular cloud server.
The cloud server provides the means through which everything from the computing power, infrastructure, applications, business processes to personal collaborations can be delivered to you wherever and whenever you need.
Organizations or businesses remotely access a cloud server. They can instantly get more computing power or release it when not required!
There are many benefits such as:
- availability
- portability
- reliability
- performance
- security
- cost
- collaboration opportunities
Libraries are already providing services on their public internet terminals, such as Hotmail, Gmail, Flickr and Facebook that utilise cloud computing. Libraries are also using LibraryThing, Google Apps, Biblio, twitter, and even catalogue and database applications such as Jstor and WorldCat.
I can share my photos of Vietnam with you on Flickr, Picasa or Snapfish, and I can access them all in my library.
The DC Public Library and the British Library are using cloud computing servers now, so it is appears more and more libraries are heading for the clouds!
Of course there are also a few drawbacks and issues that concern many users: privacy, security, reliability, data ownership, control, will it become obsolete, and being locked-in to a particular cloud server.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio?
You can spend a lot of time watching videos and go off on a tangent.
We have all heard about You Tube and MySpace but there are a lot of other sites out there with some average videos available for upload and sharing.
Watched some great videos on You Tube and in this information literacy subject I thought I had better give you a link to this one. Its a Book is fantastic and will give us all something to ponder as we learn about all the electronic resources available to us now. How stupid why am I giving you a link when I should be sharing it with you!!!! Will add at the end.
Podcasts are perfect for trains, planes & automobiles as well as lazing on the beach.
It is a fantastic option to be able to automatically download the next episode (audio or video) , store locally for offline use on your PC or for transferring to your MP3 player .
If I had to spend hours commuting I would prefer to be listening to what I want to rather than flicking radio stations. iTunes has their own database of podcasts or you can try Podscape or the podcast network. Had a look at ABC Services and the podcasts available - The Science Show, Country Hour - could be great for a farmer on the the tractor with no radio or to listen to at a later time.
So many audiobooks available and multiple ways to download them that suit every situation!
We have all heard about You Tube and MySpace but there are a lot of other sites out there with some average videos available for upload and sharing.
Watched some great videos on You Tube and in this information literacy subject I thought I had better give you a link to this one. Its a Book is fantastic and will give us all something to ponder as we learn about all the electronic resources available to us now. How stupid why am I giving you a link when I should be sharing it with you!!!! Will add at the end.
Podcasts are perfect for trains, planes & automobiles as well as lazing on the beach.
It is a fantastic option to be able to automatically download the next episode (audio or video) , store locally for offline use on your PC or for transferring to your MP3 player .
If I had to spend hours commuting I would prefer to be listening to what I want to rather than flicking radio stations. iTunes has their own database of podcasts or you can try Podscape or the podcast network. Had a look at ABC Services and the podcasts available - The Science Show, Country Hour - could be great for a farmer on the the tractor with no radio or to listen to at a later time.
So many audiobooks available and multiple ways to download them that suit every situation!
RSS Feeds - Really interesting...
RSS or really simple syndication, a method of delivering regularly updated information over the web.
I didn't even know what RSS stood for when I started investigating and I have discovered there are some great newsfeeds out there.
The important part of subscribing to RSS feeds is choosing the ones that are the most beneficial for you or your organization as like anything it is finding the time to read them!
The first thing you have to do is set yourself up with a feed reader. This feed reader allows you to read all your favourite content in one place rather than moving around between lots of different websites. The feed reader I used was Bloglines but you could use Google Reader.
I subscribed to feeds like: ABC News, ABC Books New Release, iTunes Top 25 songs, The Age news headlines and National Geographic News: Animals & Nature.
Today's Sunday Life magazine with The Age has an article on the feast of ways for food lovers to indulge their passion online, so I though I had better add a recommended blog with a feed. I am going to follow Clotilde Dusoulier's Chocolate and Zucchini.
I think some RSS feeds could be great on the public internet computers at the library as a quick way for people to check news, weather, this weeks best sellers, AFL information etc. without having to find each individual website.
Best sellers, new releases could also be great on the circulation pc's for those questions you are always being asked?
The library could use an RSS feed to send out regular information about changes to storytime/bookclub sessions/opening & closing times/internet pc's being unavailable. They could also use it as a quick way to let people know about activities at short notice or just advertise something new happening..
I think there is many ways RSS feeds can be used positively in a library setting.
I didn't even know what RSS stood for when I started investigating and I have discovered there are some great newsfeeds out there.
The important part of subscribing to RSS feeds is choosing the ones that are the most beneficial for you or your organization as like anything it is finding the time to read them!
The first thing you have to do is set yourself up with a feed reader. This feed reader allows you to read all your favourite content in one place rather than moving around between lots of different websites. The feed reader I used was Bloglines but you could use Google Reader.
I subscribed to feeds like: ABC News, ABC Books New Release, iTunes Top 25 songs, The Age news headlines and National Geographic News: Animals & Nature.
Today's Sunday Life magazine with The Age has an article on the feast of ways for food lovers to indulge their passion online, so I though I had better add a recommended blog with a feed. I am going to follow Clotilde Dusoulier's Chocolate and Zucchini.
I think some RSS feeds could be great on the public internet computers at the library as a quick way for people to check news, weather, this weeks best sellers, AFL information etc. without having to find each individual website.
Best sellers, new releases could also be great on the circulation pc's for those questions you are always being asked?
The library could use an RSS feed to send out regular information about changes to storytime/bookclub sessions/opening & closing times/internet pc's being unavailable. They could also use it as a quick way to let people know about activities at short notice or just advertise something new happening..
I think there is many ways RSS feeds can be used positively in a library setting.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Fun with Flickr
Had fun playing around with flickr.
Was fairly easy to use once I knew where to find everything on the site.
Did have to go to Frequently Asked Questions a few times!
The first photo I wrote a description thinking it would come up as title but then realized on second I needed to change image number to get a title under photo.
The kids looked great for Book Week & Hazel's visit was a lot of fun for the new library.
Was fairly easy to use once I knew where to find everything on the site.
Did have to go to Frequently Asked Questions a few times!
The first photo I wrote a description thinking it would come up as title but then realized on second I needed to change image number to get a title under photo.
The kids looked great for Book Week & Hazel's visit was a lot of fun for the new library.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
