Search Engines

I have played around with Rollyo in the past. I can see how it would be useful to put in an online pathfinder about a specific topic, or for a teacher to use to have her students find information for a lesson. Really, though, I prefer to use google when searching online.

Today I tried searching the terms "harry potter" (my default search terms when ever I have to use an example or evaluate a search engine.) I am familiar with many of the Harry Potter sites out there, so I can quickly evaluate the results. Both Google and Dogpile listed the office WB site, JK Rowling's site and other big Harry Potter sites near the top of the search. However, on Mamma, the first search result was from a site called "parenting teens" and J.K. Rowling's site didn't even appear on the first page of results. In terms of the two metasearch engines, Dogpile had better results, but I think I will stick to google when doing internet searches.

Podcasts

I really enjoy listening to podcasts. I've used podcast alley before, but I actually prefer using itunes to find and download podcasts. For this assignment, I listened to "Booktalks--Quick and Simple". I thought they were nice, short introductions to a book. I think libraries can use podcasts to publish story times, to use as an audioblog to talk about upcoming programs, or as a way to introduce new material to the public. However, I think it's very important that they be updated very regularly. I know that I, personally, will stop listening and lose interest in podcasts that don't have new episodes every week or so.

My interest in Harry Potter is how I first got into podcasts. I was a regular listener to both Pottercast and Mugglecast until the book came out last summer. And now, even though I still download the episodes every week, I don't have as much time to listen to them. Maybe I'll start up again when the movie comes out!

Online Image Generators

I can see how online image generators can be a fun tool for people who like to play around with the pictures they take. While this isn't really for me, it's nice to know this stuff is out there for when I need it. For example, we made this Quibbler cover to use in the scavenger hunt at the Harry Potter Release Party last July.

Downloadable Media

The first time I ever tried to use Overdrive was a few years ago while I was in grad school in Indiana. I was taking a class on children and Young Adult literature and wanted something to listen to on my road trip to St. Louis that weekend. At that time, although I thought it was a great service, I wasn't completely impressed. There were only a few titles I was interested in listening too and had some trouble getting the software and upgrades downloaded. (I also had some problems downloading the files, but I suspect this was an issue with my internet service and not Overdrive.) I burned the first few parts to a CD and listened to some of on my trip, but I never finished the book. After that initial experience, I didn't play around much with Overdrive until now. (Since the downloads couldn't be played on my iPod, I didn't have much use for them.)

This time was completely different. The software and upgrades download and installed easily and the selection was vastly improved. (I can't wait to explore the videos and music more!) And I'm excited that some of the files will soon be able to be used with iPods. Even so, I'm not sure how much I will use this service. Mainly because I don't listen to a lot of audio books (my commute is too short). But the next time I go on a road trip, I'll give it a try!

Social Bookmarking

I've played around with del.icio.us and can see how it could be very useful. Especially since you are able to access your bookmarks from any compute, anywhere. Personally, I don't see myself using the site very often. Not because I don't think it's useful, but because I don't tend to bookmark sites. I usually have the sites I access the most memorized and can find other I need with quick Google searches. (I take that back--when looking at my web browser, I noticed that I do indeed have sites bookmarked at the top of my tool bar...but I like to be able to get to these sites from any window I'm in and don't think I would log in to del.icio.us to find them if they weren't there.)

I can think of at least one example of how social bookmarking sites could be very useful in libraries or schools and that is creating an enhanced syllabus with readings and resources all pulled together and shared with a whole class or group of students.

If I were more of a "bookmarking person" I think I would use it all the time. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind! :-)