Because I search MEDLINE so frequently, I experimented with HubMed. I’m still not convinced it’s a useful tool, but it may have functionality I’m not yet aware of. I’m more inclined to search a database directly so that I can make full use of the tools rather than have my search watered down. In some ways, it reminded me of a meta search engine. You gain something (searching several search engines at once) while forgoing advanced features. I don’t trust the results when I give up some of the control. Although HubMed says you can run searches exactly the same as you can in MEDLINE, you have to know MeSH and syntax in order to do it. I often search for botanical medicine in relation to conditions, and to get the best results, you have to search on the Latin name, common name(s) and the active constituent. I rely on the MeSH database and am not sure whether I can access it from HubMed. My impression is, that it might be useful to first run a search in MEDLINE, and then run it in HubMed to take advantage of some of the features such as tagging articles, etc.
I used Rollyo to create a search engine unrelated to libraries. I love to cook and frequently search my favorite websites for recipes. It was easy to set up my own Rollyo and I did it in minutes. One complaint I have is the sponsored links: they’re both above and below results so they blend is with results. I would prefer to see them more clearly distinguished, perhaps by putting them only above results or on the right-hand side. As much as I like Rollyo, I wouldn’t use it for complicated searches for the same reasons I discussed in using HubMed. For simple searches or ones that don’t require comprehensive searches, I think it’s useful.
As far as the applications of MashUps in libraries, I think Rollyo could be used to create custom search engines for consumers. In addition, I frequently use Google Bookfinder to find books of interest in local libraries.
Podcasting holds a lot of promise for educating library patrons, especially younger ones. I was impressed with the number of ones available and the variety of content. I can see how people get hooked on them and why some universities are podcasting certain classes. The appeal depends on learning style: audio learners and students who thrive on lectures will like them. Social people and visual learners won’t. Accommodating learning styles in libraries is important. I see more possibilities for hosted videos than I do for podcasting because you get the best of both worlds: audio and visual. I enjoy using YouTube for pleasure and find it easy to use. The ones we watched created by commoncraft are particularly well done. I think they work best when they’re limited to teach one basic skill rather than trying to cover a broad spectrum. For my library, I’d like to create one for orientation and for teaching basic search strategy skills. A MEDLINE video similar to the one we watched as an example would also be useful.
Flickr is fun! I’ve wondered about it for a long time and am glad I can use it, at least on a basic level. I couldn’t figure out how to get my Flickr photo on my blog until I read a comment in the CE blog. It’s easy once you find the RSS feed. I see uses for Flickr personally and professionally. The personal aspect is obvious. I have a lot of friends hooked on it. On the library front, why not post pictures of library functions, staff, and other goings on? Photos are attention-getters and add interest to blogs, wikis and other means of communication. Hey, I’m sold on Flickr!
I have to admit when I first started playing around with google docs I was enamored. Oh, the possiblities. And then I tested zoho. It has so much more functionality and a lot more tools. The only one I’ve tried so far is the word processor, but that’s mainly what I’d be using. It took me a while to get the hang of it because I don’t usually get too creative with documents. I typed a test one, inserted a link and emailed to myself, but I didn’t get it. I think my security sytem blocked it.
It’s so handy to be able to publish to the web immediately and with a minimum of work and expertise, documents can look pretty spiffy. Also, collaboration is cool: I’m sure I’ll think of a lot of ways I can take advantage of it. On the downside, I don’t like the idea of my documents living on another server. Also, being a librarian, I think about the longevity of information and the problem of archiving. How long will those documents live on zhoho or google docs? I don’t know whether web-based products are the wave of the future or just another trend: they’re just one tool among many. They have their place, but I wouldn’ trust the new tools for important or highly confidential documents.
I loved the tools we learned this week and see lots of potential for social bookmarking. It’s so easy to learn and has immediate benefits. With a click of a button, I can “catalog” my bookmarks for fast, logical retrieval. I signed up for del.icio.us. and could barely drag myself to bed I was having so much fun bookmarking. As others have commented, why didn’t I discover this tool sooner? My thought is to teach the staff in our small library about the tools, and then brainstorm about how we can incorporate them into daily use. Not only will they be handy tools for our own work, but I’d like to start an account for students, staff and faculty. I’m particularly interested in learning more about Connotea. I think our research staff would find it highly useful; however, it will be a better tool once you can have private as well as public books marks.
I’ve learn a lot this week but am not all that enthused about social networking. The process of meeting “friends” who aren’t really friends seems so artificial. I also saw a lot of kids with inappropriate websites. Having said that, I was impressed with the Denver and Brooklyn’s sites and can see why teens would be attracted to them. However, I’m a librarian at a university, and I don’t think this format is the most efficient way to relay information to our students; many of them average 30 credits per quarter. They don’t want flash, they want it fast! I’m open minded, though, and will ponder the usefulness. At any rate, I’m glad to know what all the fuss is about.
Finally, I’m almost finished with the assignment for week 2, and the best part is, I’m learning a lot and having fun. Throughout the week I’ve been skimming blogs and perusing wikis. The question of the week, differentiating between blogs and wikis, has pretty well been covered. Here’s my take on it: blogs and wikis have two distinct purposes both of which have potential uses in all kinds of libraries. Blogs are more of a one person vehicle while wikis are buses: let’s get a whole lot of people involved and see what’s on their minds. For informational purposes, blogs are the way ago. You don’t want just anyone with a hankering and time on their hands to change posting about recent changes in your library. Wikis, on the other hand, invite collaboration, participation, and free speech, which is what libraries are all about.
A couple of thoughts regarding uses for RSS feeds. First, table of contents for faculty would be handy, efficient, and save tons of time. I think it would also be useful to set up MEDLINE RSS feeds for the more technical faculty members. Third, faculty and students would benefit from RSS feeds for current medical news sources. It’s been a long day and that’s all I can think of at the moment. I’m sure other ideas will come to light when I read the postings and as I continue in the course.
Here it is going on week three of the CE and I’m only just now working on the first assignment. Not that I haven’t been paying attention. Life happened and now I’m catching up. I’ll bet I’m not the only person though; and I’d hate to give up because I really want to learn this stuff. So, here goes!
