Cloud Computing and Google Docs

Google Docs is a convenient tool for collaboration. Please find my entry to our Google Doc by clicking here. Thank you!

Social Bookmarking and Tagging

I never knew how useful a social bookmarking and tagging tool like Delicious can be. I had heard of it before, but had never tried it. It was a lot of fun exploring its features!

It was easy importing the bookmarks from "Favorites" in Internet Explorer directly into Delicious. Some of the favorite bookmarks I have been saving in Internet Explorer are Web sites that could possibly help me when I am doing online reference. Now with Delicious, these sites are more easily accessible and identifiable. It's wonderful that a social bookmarking site like Delicious allows us to share resources.

With respect to library tools and services, tags can be very useful. They provide a supplementary means for the discovery of resources. While they may lack the authority control of more established systems, they can help users identify resources in ways that are directly meaningful to them. For this reason, I am glad to see that the library's many databases include tags supplied by a variety of members of the CSUF community.

Perhaps in the future, tags may even be incorporated into the library's online catalog. Tags can also be applied to other tools on our library's website, such as the broad array of Web resources available under the "Research" tab on the Pollak Library homepage.

To view some of my bookmarks on Delicious, please go to: http://delicious.com/csufap.

Beyond Internet Explorer: Exploring Firefox and Add-Ons

I think Mozilla Firefox definitely provides a user-friendly tool for searching the Internet. Admittedly, I am so used to using Internet Explorer that I stick with what I know. For this reason, I am glad to have had the experience to gain a better appreciation of Firefox.

The add-on I really liked playing around with is LibX because it provides a central source for searching a variety of information sources, from the Pollak Library catalog, to WorldCat.org, to Google Scholar. One thing I loved discovering was how easy it is to add search boxes to accommodate more terms. The SFX links are great for determining the availability of a specific resource.

I have Firefox on my office computer and have also downloaded LibX. It will not only help me personally to find information, but it will also provide another tool I can use when doing digital reference with our students. I'm also glad to know that we have LibX on the computers we use at the Reference Desk. LibX is an add-on I will gladly recommend to students for their personal use.

Thank you for introducing us to these great tools!

Using Jing

Jing is a powerful tool, and it's wonderful that it is freely available. Jing is a great option during virtual reference. By creating custom videos or screen captures, we can provide effective research assistance online and add a level of personalization to our reference sessions. Jing brings to life the old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words."

I also played with making screen captures, similar to the one pictured above. These screen captures can even be embedded into Web pages as a way to illustrate important concepts. I have been practicing with this application as well.

For a more detailed view, please feel free to click on the image above, which reflects a sample search of EBSCO's PsycINFO database. This image is also is available at: http://screencast.com/t/cTifhHr5nw.

Thank you for introducing us to this great communication and teaching tool!