WikiScanner Identifies Editors on Wikipedia
http://mashable.com/2007/08/14/wikiscanner/
WikiScanner, which is discussed in the article mentioned above, is a new site that allows anyone to see who is editing what on Wikipedia. It is interesting enough by itself to ponder the potential uses and abuses for this tool, but the New York Times recently published an article on what has actually been discovered through it. It seems most of the "obviously self-interested" edits have come from users in corporate networks.
Seeing Corporate Fingerprints in Wikipedia Edits
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/technology/19wikipedia.html
So, I guess the moral of the story is what we've been saying all along...be careful with information found on Wikipedia. I think it also strengthens the larger argument for the need to evaluate sources of information in the digital age. Where are you getting information? Who did it come from?
Update: A blog post about this
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Georgia News: America's Most Literate Cities
America’s Most Literate Cities, 2006
http://www.ccsu.edu/amlc06/
Woo-hoo! Atlanta is tied with Washington, D.C. for 3rd/4th place!
found via the Publib list
Update 1/2/08: Jack Miller posted an updated list in December of 2007. ATL fell to 8th on the list. It's funny how you can fall so far so fast. What's up with that?
http://www.ccsu.edu/amlc06/
Woo-hoo! Atlanta is tied with Washington, D.C. for 3rd/4th place!
found via the Publib list
Update 1/2/08: Jack Miller posted an updated list in December of 2007. ATL fell to 8th on the list. It's funny how you can fall so far so fast. What's up with that?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Georgia Resources: Georgia Library Power!
Georgia Library Power! Book or CD
Book - http://www.lmcsource.com/isell3/product.php?id=59
CD - http://www.lmcsource.com/isell3/product.php?id=60
This was posted to the GA-Media list and is primarily meant for media specialists to utilize in increasing parents' understanding of school libraries. However, I suspect some of the topics could be useful to any library. I like that everything in it is reproducible and can be used for handouts, newsletters, etc.
Book - http://www.lmcsource.com/isell3/product.php?id=59
CD - http://www.lmcsource.com/isell3/product.php?id=60
This was posted to the GA-Media list and is primarily meant for media specialists to utilize in increasing parents' understanding of school libraries. However, I suspect some of the topics could be useful to any library. I like that everything in it is reproducible and can be used for handouts, newsletters, etc.
Database Tips: Browser Toolbar for EBSCOhost
Browser Toolbar for EBSCOhost
http://support.epnet.com/knowledge_base/detail.php?id=2393
EBSCO offers a browser toolbar for both Internet Explorer and Firefox. Both versions provide a simple search box to start a search in the EBSCOhost platform. EBSCO warns that the toolbars are in Beta - but what isn't these days? ;-) I suspect off-site users may have some authentication issues depending on how your authentication is set up, but it's still a neat little tool.
http://support.epnet.com/knowledge_base/detail.php?id=2393
EBSCO offers a browser toolbar for both Internet Explorer and Firefox. Both versions provide a simple search box to start a search in the EBSCOhost platform. EBSCO warns that the toolbars are in Beta - but what isn't these days? ;-) I suspect off-site users may have some authentication issues depending on how your authentication is set up, but it's still a neat little tool.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Using RSS in Libraries - Catalog Feeds
RSS at UTK Library
http://www.lib.utk.edu/rss/newbks/
I love that UTK (my alma mater) is offering RSS feeds of the new books being added to the catalog. I'm even more excited that the feeds are specific to subjects or particular types of books (children's literature, music library, etc.).
It's just a great library application of RSS.
Is anyone using RSS in this manner at their library? Please share!
http://www.lib.utk.edu/rss/newbks/
I love that UTK (my alma mater) is offering RSS feeds of the new books being added to the catalog. I'm even more excited that the feeds are specific to subjects or particular types of books (children's literature, music library, etc.).
It's just a great library application of RSS.
Is anyone using RSS in this manner at their library? Please share!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Library Tools: LibX Firefox Extension
LibX - A Firefox Extension for Libraries
http://libx.org/
LibX allows users to have a search box to find your library's resources right in their browser toolbars. These extensions also include right-click context menus, library branding, and more. Each library can create its own customized extension. There are many examples on the site.
I wish I would have had this when I was in college!
http://libx.org/
LibX allows users to have a search box to find your library's resources right in their browser toolbars. These extensions also include right-click context menus, library branding, and more. Each library can create its own customized extension. There are many examples on the site.
I wish I would have had this when I was in college!
Social Networking: Another Facebook? or a Better Facebook?
Report: Plaxo to unveil social network on Monday
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9754399-2.html?tag=nl.e776
Webware is reporting that Plaxo, which is a contact and scheduling management service, will be launching Pulse, a new social networking site on Monday. I'll have to look at this next week when it becomes available.
One major difference between Facebook and Pulse is that Pulse will offer the option to have a user's profile open to the public. However, users will still be able to limit who will be able to see their profile. In adding options for more privacy, Facebook has allowed one to have portions of their profile visible to friends or networks, but generally not to the public.
I really appreciated when Facebook introduced its privacy options, and, if I'm understanding this correctly, I think Pulse is broadening options for users. It's a new way to address the privacy issues surrounding social networking by giving the user more control of what level of public and private he or she is willing to allow their information to be.
The other interesting feature I would like to check out is the ability to put friends into custom categories. I'd like to see how I can distinguish between my high school and college friends, former co-workers, professional contacts, and friends from other parts of life.
OK, Pulse, I'll give you a chance...let's see what you can do...
found via the CNET Webware Weekly newsletter
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9754399-2.html?tag=nl.e776
Webware is reporting that Plaxo, which is a contact and scheduling management service, will be launching Pulse, a new social networking site on Monday. I'll have to look at this next week when it becomes available.
One major difference between Facebook and Pulse is that Pulse will offer the option to have a user's profile open to the public. However, users will still be able to limit who will be able to see their profile. In adding options for more privacy, Facebook has allowed one to have portions of their profile visible to friends or networks, but generally not to the public.
I really appreciated when Facebook introduced its privacy options, and, if I'm understanding this correctly, I think Pulse is broadening options for users. It's a new way to address the privacy issues surrounding social networking by giving the user more control of what level of public and private he or she is willing to allow their information to be.
The other interesting feature I would like to check out is the ability to put friends into custom categories. I'd like to see how I can distinguish between my high school and college friends, former co-workers, professional contacts, and friends from other parts of life.
OK, Pulse, I'll give you a chance...let's see what you can do...
found via the CNET Webware Weekly newsletter
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Database Tips: Linking in LexisNexis
URL API Specification for LexisNexis Academic
http://www.lexisnexis.com/academicmigration/viewpage.asp?p=8
The new LexisNexis Academic interface is certainly worth a look if you have access to the database. I recently wrote an article about the new interface for work.
Recently, someone mentioned the availability of directions for linking to items in the database on the LexisNexis Academic discussion list. Directions for how to link to the document level (e.g. article in the Chronicle of Higher Education), source level (New York Times), and search forms can be found at the URL above. This is very nice for creating lists of references for classes to use or adding links in lesson plans.
Have any of you found interesting applications for the ability to link to content within databases?
found via the LexisNexis Academic discussion list
http://www.lexisnexis.com/academicmigration/viewpage.asp?p=8
The new LexisNexis Academic interface is certainly worth a look if you have access to the database. I recently wrote an article about the new interface for work.
Recently, someone mentioned the availability of directions for linking to items in the database on the LexisNexis Academic discussion list. Directions for how to link to the document level (e.g. article in the Chronicle of Higher Education), source level (New York Times), and search forms can be found at the URL above. This is very nice for creating lists of references for classes to use or adding links in lesson plans.
Have any of you found interesting applications for the ability to link to content within databases?
found via the LexisNexis Academic discussion list
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