I enjoy the beauty of statistics, they tell you things you didn't know, or verify things you did. They provide evidence one way or contradict another - glorious.
I also love the fun which Twitter adds to the information it shares - things like Tweet Stats.
This nifty little app looks at my twitter traffic and gives me stats back showing my activity, breaking it down into months, days, hours, etc. Exciting stuff for someone who likes stats (bizarre given that I generally loath library metrics, though I find it satisfying to create synopses of PLEG stats, go figure).
Who knew that I spend most week-day mornings in Twitter? (well, actually I did know that but here's the proof!!) Or that I do most of my Tweeting on a Friday??
This is a brilliant little app. I look at it and can straight away understand why my twitter traffic was higher in March, May & June this year. That would be the RA seminar, Reference seminar and Games seminar respectively. Nice to see the correlation.
Okay, back to work. It's Tuesday so obviously a slow Twitter day for me..... ha.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
federal election 2010 - rant
A federal election has been called for August 21. When we started the year we had Kevin Rudd as PM at the helm of the Australian Labor Party, going into the elections we have Julia Gillard.
I think it's great that we have a female PM, don't get me wrong, I just don't like how she got there.
Prior to the election being called there has been much debate around the national broadband network (NBN), internet filters, and education. There's been debate about other things too but these are the ones that I have opinion about.
The NBN would be great, if it worked. Maybe then I'd get broadband connected at home.
Internet filtering is just plain bad (a much milder phrase than the one I'm thinking mind). Along side here is the whole rating of games fiasco - take a look at any gamer mag to find out why.
Our education system is weak. I took an active role in commenting on the Australian Curriculum, I think the idea of a national curriculum is great. What worries me is that my children have missed out on essential schooling skills because previous changes to the education system took them away - seriously, is there some particular reason why children can't be taught to spell correctly rather than good enough will do?
And in the midst of all this, what about libraries? Where do we fit in the grand election promise? have we actually raised ourselves to the point where we do matter? Teachers can strike, health workers strike, but when Librarians strike who listens?
I feel very disheartened at the moment about the state of all our major political parties. I've just finished reading a news item about the allocation of preferential voting. It's ludicrous. If my vote counts then I want it to count how I say, not in some predetermined fashion. I've been thinking about how I would vote in this next election and after reading through this news item I'm tempted to tell them all to take a hike. None of them are listening to the Australian population and I don't think that any of them deserve my vote.
The really sad thing is that it's not really me who will suffer, it's my kids and the future which is being strangled before they have a chance to explore it.
Another news item I noted was about the continuing brain drain from Australia - and they wonder why........
Rant over.
I think it's great that we have a female PM, don't get me wrong, I just don't like how she got there.
Prior to the election being called there has been much debate around the national broadband network (NBN), internet filters, and education. There's been debate about other things too but these are the ones that I have opinion about.
The NBN would be great, if it worked. Maybe then I'd get broadband connected at home.
Internet filtering is just plain bad (a much milder phrase than the one I'm thinking mind). Along side here is the whole rating of games fiasco - take a look at any gamer mag to find out why.
Our education system is weak. I took an active role in commenting on the Australian Curriculum, I think the idea of a national curriculum is great. What worries me is that my children have missed out on essential schooling skills because previous changes to the education system took them away - seriously, is there some particular reason why children can't be taught to spell correctly rather than good enough will do?
And in the midst of all this, what about libraries? Where do we fit in the grand election promise? have we actually raised ourselves to the point where we do matter? Teachers can strike, health workers strike, but when Librarians strike who listens?
I feel very disheartened at the moment about the state of all our major political parties. I've just finished reading a news item about the allocation of preferential voting. It's ludicrous. If my vote counts then I want it to count how I say, not in some predetermined fashion. I've been thinking about how I would vote in this next election and after reading through this news item I'm tempted to tell them all to take a hike. None of them are listening to the Australian population and I don't think that any of them deserve my vote.
The really sad thing is that it's not really me who will suffer, it's my kids and the future which is being strangled before they have a chance to explore it.
Another news item I noted was about the continuing brain drain from Australia - and they wonder why........
Rant over.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
r u game? post event happenings
It's almost 3 weeks since the rugame2010 seminar in WoW and in that time it's been great to see the wiki grow as participants add in screen shots, an edited transcript, websites mentioned, etc.
On top of that it's also nice to catch up with what others have put together from their experience of this event (thanks Kim).
Overall, this was an exciting program for public library staff and has opened doors for more of the same. The success of the online session in World of Warcraft certainly validated the scepticism that some felt for such a venture. Too often as Librarians we feel comfortable where we are and don't want to explore new ways of doing things. Events like this, which to many would appear mundane, make us uncomfortable. We lose sight of its inherent value.
I look back at this event when I sat glued to my pc for 2 days following Twitter and think how I would most certainly go through that again for the benefit I got out of it. I cannot promote to enough colleagues the value of events like this which push the boundaries just a little.
Planning is now underway for next year's Reference @ the Metcalfe seminar and I'm very excited about the proposed program. It too pushes the boundaries of what's comfortable just a little and to be perfectly honest I think we need that push - really.
I'm also looking forward to designing a new shirt to add to the RISG collection on RedBubble.
On top of that it's also nice to catch up with what others have put together from their experience of this event (thanks Kim).
Overall, this was an exciting program for public library staff and has opened doors for more of the same. The success of the online session in World of Warcraft certainly validated the scepticism that some felt for such a venture. Too often as Librarians we feel comfortable where we are and don't want to explore new ways of doing things. Events like this, which to many would appear mundane, make us uncomfortable. We lose sight of its inherent value.
I look back at this event when I sat glued to my pc for 2 days following Twitter and think how I would most certainly go through that again for the benefit I got out of it. I cannot promote to enough colleagues the value of events like this which push the boundaries just a little.
Planning is now underway for next year's Reference @ the Metcalfe seminar and I'm very excited about the proposed program. It too pushes the boundaries of what's comfortable just a little and to be perfectly honest I think we need that push - really.
I'm also looking forward to designing a new shirt to add to the RISG collection on RedBubble.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The question of "Cyber" Safety
This morning (with thanks to @craigthomler & Twitter) I came across this Submission to the Joint Select Committee of Cyber Safety from Mark Newton. It's 18 pages long yet I sat at my desk and took the time to read through it, thoroughly, no skimming
I was struck by much of this submission, agreeing with most of it and glad that someone was both able to put into words so many of my own thoughts and arguments as well as submit the same to the Joint Select Committee. I look forward to reading ALIA's submission on the same topic.
Perhaps just a few of the many quotes that struck a chord with me.
"This committee is looking at “cyber-safety.” I put it to the committee’s members that the real issue is “safety.” Child abuse is child abuse; bullying is bullying; stalking is stalking; harassment is harassment. Whether they happen online or offline is totally immaterial to the victim and irrelevant to the perpetrator. The Government’s response should and must be indifferent to the medium through which the crime is committed." (p5)
And the bit that really got up my nose in regards to the better rating of games, indicating that if the public response doesn't say what the government wants to hear then they'll just ask the question again is.... "Public consultations yielding over 50,000 responses in favor of the establishment of an R18+ rating for computer games, put on the back-burner because, apparently, 50,000 responses is inadequate and more consultation is required." (p18) wtf!!
And in closing,
"This Government has literally no idea what it’s doing with the online environment, and has shown an outright refusal to be educated about it. Is it any wonder that so many people distrust them?
This Committee represents a very rare opportunity to inform the Government. For all of our sakes, I hope they’re prepared to listen." (p18) Here, here.
I was struck by much of this submission, agreeing with most of it and glad that someone was both able to put into words so many of my own thoughts and arguments as well as submit the same to the Joint Select Committee. I look forward to reading ALIA's submission on the same topic.
Perhaps just a few of the many quotes that struck a chord with me.
"This committee is looking at “cyber-safety.” I put it to the committee’s members that the real issue is “safety.” Child abuse is child abuse; bullying is bullying; stalking is stalking; harassment is harassment. Whether they happen online or offline is totally immaterial to the victim and irrelevant to the perpetrator. The Government’s response should and must be indifferent to the medium through which the crime is committed." (p5)
And the bit that really got up my nose in regards to the better rating of games, indicating that if the public response doesn't say what the government wants to hear then they'll just ask the question again is.... "Public consultations yielding over 50,000 responses in favor of the establishment of an R18+ rating for computer games, put on the back-burner because, apparently, 50,000 responses is inadequate and more consultation is required." (p18) wtf!!
And in closing,
"This Government has literally no idea what it’s doing with the online environment, and has shown an outright refusal to be educated about it. Is it any wonder that so many people distrust them?
This Committee represents a very rare opportunity to inform the Government. For all of our sakes, I hope they’re prepared to listen." (p18) Here, here.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
r u game fashions.......
I noticed in amongst the comments from yesterday's seminar at NSL was the importance of branding, like what we are trying to achieve with RISG on RedBubble. Yesterday I wore my pink girlie shirt to work and today I'm wearing my black long-sleeved number with the text on the back.
I've decided I like wearing Library themed shirts to work - certainly eases a few of the wardrobe decisions some mornings!
A few extras from r u game? yesterday
Go to www.slideshare.net/hayesg31 to view Gary P Hayes' presentation (you could also follow him on Twitter - @GaryPHayes)
Jenny Levine (@shifted on twitter) is one of US' library gaming gurus and can be found at http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/category/blog
And Michael Stephens can be found at http://tametheweb.com/ (@mstephens7 on Twitter)
Jenny Levine (@shifted on twitter) is one of US' library gaming gurus and can be found at http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/category/blog
And Michael Stephens can be found at http://tametheweb.com/ (@mstephens7 on Twitter)
Oh the fun they had at r u game? yesterday!!
I so enjoyed following the comments on Twitter yesterday and am enjoying following them again today from the online seminar in WoW. this is such a great event and judging by the comments on Twitter is really engaging with a lot of library staff.
One thing that struck me yesterday was the number of urls flying around so I thought I'd best compile them from the twitter feed before they disappeared into the ether.
Here they are:
http://www.muvedesign.com/ (Multi User Virtual Environment design)
http://www.mcvideogame/ (understand McDonalds processes)
www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/frame_start.jsp?id=homepage (check out Toyota's new iQ)
http://www.persuasivegames.com/ (Jetset: a game for airports)
http://www.dafurisdying.com/
http://missioncontrol.adventureecology.com/
www.reachout.com.au/ (helping people to understand why they get depressed)
http://thesims3.ea.com/ (teaching teens how to react in siuations)
http://akoha.com/ (social reality game)
http://isites.harvard.ed/icb/icb.do?keyword=harp (Handheld Augmented Reality Project)
www.interactivestory.net/#facade
http://www.xbconnect.com/
www.truism.com/ (paramedic simulation)
http://www.afmpgame.com/ (political crisis handling simulation)
www.msafire.com/game_home.com (fire simulation)
http://www.food-force.com/ (decision making in disasters)
http://www.sydac.com.au/ (build simulator, driving train, flying plains, etc)
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/service/augmented_reality_introduction_1.html (BMW mechanic wears goggles while working)
www.parkmanmurder.com/ (Walking Cinema: murder on Beacon Hill - a beautiful piece of storytelling)
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/streetmuseum.htm (iphone apps map + video showing then & now of a streetscape)
www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology/2010/05/20/museum-of-london-launches-incredible-augmented-reality-iphone-app-115875-22272465/ (newspaper article re above app)
www-01.ibm.com/software/solutions/soa/innov8/index.html (enabling staff change)
http://www.americasarmy.com/ (USA militatry recruitment game) - compare to Australia's http://defencejobs.gov.au/games and fly the RAAF Strike Fighter F-35 Lightning II)
http://www.metaio.com/
www.metaio.com/demo/demo/pop-sci-cover/ (3D magazine cover)
http://www.harrypotter3d.com/ (3D map of Harry Potter)
http://worldwithoutoil.org/ (imagine first 32 weeks of a global oil crisis)
http://www.superstructgame.org/ (imagaine the world in 2050)
http://www.urgentvoke.com/ (latest game from Jane McGonnigal - games to change the world)
http://simcitysocieties.ea.com/ (so Town Planners can learn about social impacts)
www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk/ (Serious Games Institute, UK)
www.abc.net.au/tv/seriousgames/ (ABC Serious Games Initiative)
www.abc.net.au/innovation/bluebird/ (ABC's Bluebird project)
www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_pink_shirky/ (Wired mag article on Cognitive Surplus)
http://developer/nvideia.com/object/udk.html (Unreal Development Kit)
www.dsto.defence.gov.au/MAGIC2010/ (competition for robot development)
www.torquepowered.com/products/torque-3d
http://www.nearmap.com/ (alternate source for mapping graphics)
www.vimeo.com/shanachietour
www.dutchcowboys.nl/gaming/18804 (some recent game statistics)
www.redbubble.com/people/nswrisg (the importance of branding)
http://scratch.mit.edu/ (create interactive stories, games, music, art & share online)
http://www.ugame-ulearn.com/ (in Dutch)
www.tudelft.nl/ws/381465?shdoc=381465&language=EN (Dark Ink)
www.cannibalgamestudios.com/
http://vimeo.com/5643953 (connecting council image archives and library databases)
http://www.shanachietour.com/
http://www.thisweekinlibraries.com/
Phew!
One thing that struck me yesterday was the number of urls flying around so I thought I'd best compile them from the twitter feed before they disappeared into the ether.
Here they are:
http://www.muvedesign.com/ (Multi User Virtual Environment design)
http://www.mcvideogame/ (understand McDonalds processes)
www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/frame_start.jsp?id=homepage (check out Toyota's new iQ)
http://www.persuasivegames.com/ (Jetset: a game for airports)
http://www.dafurisdying.com/
http://missioncontrol.adventureecology.com/
www.reachout.com.au/ (helping people to understand why they get depressed)
http://thesims3.ea.com/ (teaching teens how to react in siuations)
http://akoha.com/ (social reality game)
http://isites.harvard.ed/icb/icb.do?keyword=harp (Handheld Augmented Reality Project)
www.interactivestory.net/#facade
http://www.xbconnect.com/
www.truism.com/ (paramedic simulation)
http://www.afmpgame.com/ (political crisis handling simulation)
www.msafire.com/game_home.com (fire simulation)
http://www.food-force.com/ (decision making in disasters)
http://www.sydac.com.au/ (build simulator, driving train, flying plains, etc)
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/service/augmented_reality_introduction_1.html (BMW mechanic wears goggles while working)
www.parkmanmurder.com/ (Walking Cinema: murder on Beacon Hill - a beautiful piece of storytelling)
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/streetmuseum.htm (iphone apps map + video showing then & now of a streetscape)
www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology/2010/05/20/museum-of-london-launches-incredible-augmented-reality-iphone-app-115875-22272465/ (newspaper article re above app)
www-01.ibm.com/software/solutions/soa/innov8/index.html (enabling staff change)
http://www.americasarmy.com/ (USA militatry recruitment game) - compare to Australia's http://defencejobs.gov.au/games and fly the RAAF Strike Fighter F-35 Lightning II)
http://www.metaio.com/
www.metaio.com/demo/demo/pop-sci-cover/ (3D magazine cover)
http://www.harrypotter3d.com/ (3D map of Harry Potter)
http://worldwithoutoil.org/ (imagine first 32 weeks of a global oil crisis)
http://www.superstructgame.org/ (imagaine the world in 2050)
http://www.urgentvoke.com/ (latest game from Jane McGonnigal - games to change the world)
http://simcitysocieties.ea.com/ (so Town Planners can learn about social impacts)
www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk/ (Serious Games Institute, UK)
www.abc.net.au/tv/seriousgames/ (ABC Serious Games Initiative)
www.abc.net.au/innovation/bluebird/ (ABC's Bluebird project)
www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_pink_shirky/ (Wired mag article on Cognitive Surplus)
http://developer/nvideia.com/object/udk.html (Unreal Development Kit)
www.dsto.defence.gov.au/MAGIC2010/ (competition for robot development)
www.torquepowered.com/products/torque-3d
http://www.nearmap.com/ (alternate source for mapping graphics)
www.vimeo.com/shanachietour
www.dutchcowboys.nl/gaming/18804 (some recent game statistics)
www.redbubble.com/people/nswrisg (the importance of branding)
http://scratch.mit.edu/ (create interactive stories, games, music, art & share online)
http://www.ugame-ulearn.com/ (in Dutch)
www.tudelft.nl/ws/381465?shdoc=381465&language=EN (Dark Ink)
www.cannibalgamestudios.com/
http://vimeo.com/5643953 (connecting council image archives and library databases)
http://www.shanachietour.com/
http://www.thisweekinlibraries.com/
Phew!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
r u game?
The inaugural r u game? Games & Public Libraries seminar is on today at the State Library of NSW. I wish I was there.
However, just because I couldn't make it doesn't mean I can't participate & share in the wonder that is today.
I'm wearing my r u game? shirt which I got from RedBubble.
And I'll be following all the action on Twitter.
I think Ellen Forsyth has done a great job in preparing both today's seminar and especially tomorrow's event in World of Warcraft. This is such an exciting thing she's achieved, I hope everyone pays attention.
However, just because I couldn't make it doesn't mean I can't participate & share in the wonder that is today.
I'm wearing my r u game? shirt which I got from RedBubble.
And I'll be following all the action on Twitter.
I think Ellen Forsyth has done a great job in preparing both today's seminar and especially tomorrow's event in World of Warcraft. This is such an exciting thing she's achieved, I hope everyone pays attention.
Friday, June 18, 2010
CRL's online newsletter - June
Here's the latest news from Clarence Regional Library's online newsletter
Lots of things happened around the branches during Library & Information Week and a lot of fun was had by all during National Simultaneous Storytime too. I had loads of pictures to put into this newsletter but given the constraints of the newsletter program could only add in 1 for each section. I'm working on plans to open up the sections a bit more over time so I can put loads more photos in.
Anyway, enjoy.
Lots of things happened around the branches during Library & Information Week and a lot of fun was had by all during National Simultaneous Storytime too. I had loads of pictures to put into this newsletter but given the constraints of the newsletter program could only add in 1 for each section. I'm working on plans to open up the sections a bit more over time so I can put loads more photos in.
Anyway, enjoy.
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