#6 Google Maps

I have just spent some time on the most excellent google maps. Maps and satellite pictures of everywhere in the city, and presumably as much of the world that they have been able to snoop. I was able to use the route planning to discover the quickest drive from my house to work is 4.5 km, yet the bus I catch takes a leisurely meander for 7.2km down backstreets taking twice as long! Even more amazing/disturbing is street view, where a picture, at street level is taken at every address and one can click and drag to walk down the street like a virtual tourist! (The picture of my house was taken sometime on a Wednesday morning as the recycling bin is out, if they'd let me know they were coming I would have mowed the lawn!). It is fun, but privacy campaigns must have convulsions, until next time AJ25 out.

#4 What is Web 2.0?

What is Web 2.0 I hear you ask? I confess I been somewhat vague in my earlier posts. But now having been shown the way to some articles online I can tell you some more about it and about how it relates to libraries. (Did I mention I work at a library?) Web 2.0 does not as is a common misconception relate to any particular advance in web technology but rather a different way of using existing technology in a new way. This new way is all about users of the internet sharing content online user to user rather than just using applications from a central source. This appears a very democratic system and the boundries of this new frontier are still blurry, allowing people on the web to share photos, blogs and music (not always with respect to copyrights or privacy). This is exciting for libraries because no longer do you just come to us for information (although we are happy for you to, of course!), but you can share information with us, or with other library users. Exciting times with endless possibilities in front of us!

P.S. Why is there no post for activity #3? No, not due to a superstition concerning the number 3 but because, this activity was named "Registering your Blog". I think that will suffice.

#2 Creating a blog

Dear Reader, I see you have returned to read of my further adventures in cyberspace today's post: creating a blog. Despite the rather odd word blog, they are actually rather easy to set up, requiring only an email address to create one at the blogspot on google. The hardest part was thinking of something to call my blog. Or as the case was, several things to call my blog after my initial choices were taken already (curses!). So now I have my own platform from which the world can here my voice (should they care to listen) and my musings . . . if only I could think of something worthwhile to say. After all nothing encourages meaningless babble like an open mike, so I think I will finish here for now. AJ out.

#1. About Learning 2.0

Welcome reader! This is an auspicious day, for you are present at the creation of a new blog, the start of a new journey as I discover the thrill of the YPRL Learning 2.0 23 things program. The program, over the coming weeks promises to take me through the world of 2.0 technologies, from google maps to flickr to the social pages of myspace and facebook. So sit back my friend, put on the kettle and through this blog follow my frustrations, laugh at my misfortune and (if by this stage you have not lost interest) my final (hopefully) triumph over the forces of technology, slow internet and a seven year old PC. Enjoy!