Mashups are web applications that combine data and / or functionality from more than one source into an entirely new application. The content used in mashups generally comes from a third party through a public interface, known as an application programming interface, or API.
An example of a mashup that could be applied in a medical library is HubMed (www.hubmed.org), an alternative search interface to the PubMed database of biomedical literature. HubMed incorporates external web services and provides functions to improve the efficiency of literature searching, browsing and retrieval. Users can create and visualize clusters of related articles, export citation data in multiple formats, receive daily updates of publications in their area of interest, navigate links to full text and other related resources, retrieve data from formatted bibliography lists, navigate citation links and store annotated metadata for articles of interest.
Another interesting mashup is Vimo (www.vimo.com), which allows consumers to research, rate and purchase health insurance and health savings accounts, and select physician profiles from across the U.S. Vimo brings together a variety of private and public data sources so that health consumers can find physicians while comparing prices for procedures at each hospital. Using the Google Maps application programming interface technology, Vimo searches for the exact location of a health professional's office when users click names on the Google Map. Using RSS feeds, Vimo automatically updates users about changes affecting physicians, including reviews, licenses, malpractice awards and disciplinary actions.
At: http://programmableweb.com/, I found many interesting mashups. I like a mashup called: Explore the World Map. This mashup integrates YouTube video location footage with Google Maps. One can click on the map marker to see a video from that location. Another interesting mashup is called: 50 Top U.S. Medical Schools. There is a map of the top U.S. medical schools, as reported by U.S. News. Pop-up markers show MCAT scores and average tuition. I also want to mention a mashup called: CityCribs.com. Since its launch in 2004, CityCribs.com has established itself as the leading, trusted authority on real estate rentals and sales in New York City, and now growing nationally. CityCribs.com focuses on all consumer housing needs including sales, rentals & furnished properties.
CityCribs.com has become the select choice for the housing of thousands of NYC residents in just over 3 years. CityCribs markets and streams listings to consumers and distributes them to associated partners. CityCribs is designed to provide unparalleled exposure to your listings, with a homepage designed around your featured ads and easy to navigate search results for your potential customer
For consumers, CityCribs provides quick and easy tools to finding the best available homes and services. Whether you're looking for the ultimate penthouse or an affordable studio you can find your new home here. As a user of CityCribs, you can communicate directly with realtors to schedule a viewing of your desired property. Finding a property is free and no sign up is required to find fee or no fee apartments. New properties are added daily, so visit often or opt-in for email alert's and your new home will find you.
For realtors, CityCribs provides powerful marketing solutions. Create and manage your property listings with full descriptions, photos , corporate branding and much more in real time. Our advanced marketing technologies increase your exposure to the local and global market and provide a unique easy to use platform which can be used in support of or instead of a website. Monitor your success through detailed reporting. CityCribs is not a brokerage, we do not collect a commision.
I explored Rollyo (www.rollyo.com) and I searched for the term "privacy". On a searchroll called: Internet Safety, I found a website called: GetNetWise, which provides tops for parents who have young, or older, children searching the Web. It encourages parents to make an Internet Use Agreement with their children. Many families have found that hammering out online "rules of the road" together goes a long way toward helping kids have constructive experences on the Net. One approach is to have a family policy discussion, drafting an Internet Use Agreement, Contract, or Policy as you go along. Some families print and post the contract by the computer, while others elect to have both parents and kids sign the document.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Online Hosted Video and Podcasting
I first became familiar with online hosted video, such as YouTube, through my daughter, who is in grade six, and who browses this site on a regular basis. She likes to view videos on topics such as dogs, cats, school topics, sports and music. Almost any topic imaginable is covered in YouTube, even libraries. It's a great service, because it combines audio and video to present topics of interest. There are many applications for libraries, including library design projects, marketing of library services and resources, highlighting new library collections and celebrating National Library Week.
Podcasting also has a number of great library applications. First of all, anyone with a microphone, a computer and an Internet connection can publish audio broadcasts that can be listened to by people anywhere in the world. Podcasting can be tailored to a medical school library curriculum. It allows for learning "on demand", at anytime and anywhere. It also is useful for students who may miss regular class sessions, due to illness. Libraries may create podcasts to publicize their services and resources, and to highlight specific library topics, such as access to the online catalog, searching PubMed and orientation to the library.
Both online hosted video and podcasting provide libraries with effective methods to communicate with our clientele on a regular basis, to tailor our presentations for different audiences and to reinforce learning.
Podcasting also has a number of great library applications. First of all, anyone with a microphone, a computer and an Internet connection can publish audio broadcasts that can be listened to by people anywhere in the world. Podcasting can be tailored to a medical school library curriculum. It allows for learning "on demand", at anytime and anywhere. It also is useful for students who may miss regular class sessions, due to illness. Libraries may create podcasts to publicize their services and resources, and to highlight specific library topics, such as access to the online catalog, searching PubMed and orientation to the library.
Both online hosted video and podcasting provide libraries with effective methods to communicate with our clientele on a regular basis, to tailor our presentations for different audiences and to reinforce learning.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Online Photo Sharing
Online photo sharing would be handy for project work that involves the sharing of photos. An example of how this tool could be applied to library work is in a library space remodeling project, with team members in different locations, who have photos of library designs, furnishings and equipment that they would like to share.
I created an account in Flickr and I found it pretty easy to upload a digital photo - of our dog, Ozzy, a Cairn Terrier - and share it with others. Features such as tagging, and the organizing of online photos, is very attractive to me.
There have been some instances in the past, when I was in need of a specific photo for use in a presentation, and photos in Flickr would have been the perfect solution. If the Creative Commons license allows me to use the photo, it's very easy to copy and paste the photos into a PowerPoint presentation.
Other examples of how Online Photo Sharing could be used in libraries is during a Library Open House - to launch a new library service or resource; during a Library Instruction Session - to highlight the unique ways that the library utilizes innovative technologies in training; or during National Library Week - to show off your creative ideas and to catch the library community in action. Sharing photos of library events, such as these, with other libraries, or by publishing them in your library news blog, serves to inform colleagues and clientele about library services and resources, enhances the library's image and publicizes the library's activities.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Web Office Tools
Our assignment for week 5 was to become acquainted with Web Office Tools. Google Docs & Spreadsheets was highlighted and after creating an account, it took very little time to create a basic word processing document and a spreadsheet. I was impressed with all of the options for modifying documents and for sharing / collaborating with others.
I also created an account in Zoho and I liked the functionality of this tool as well. It was easy to import a word document, name, and modify it. The spreadsheet function was also very simple. Both Google Docs & Spreadsheets and Zoho have great potential for libraries.
Librarians could use Web Office Tools within their library and medical informatics instruction program, for the posting of student assignments or projects. Web Office Tools would allow students to collaborate on library instruction assignments, by sharing their documents with their classmates and instructors. Once their documents were finished, the instructors could access the student assignments at their leisure and insert comments, questions and a final grade.
Librarians could provide students and faculty with instruction on the use of Web Office Tools for research projects, highlighting such features as peer editing, continuous peer feedback and collective brainstorming. These tools are very easy to use; they're freely available on the Web, and they offer limitless opportunities for collaboration.
MLA committees and groups, no matter their location or time zone, could collaborate on library guides, procedures, projects or proposals.
One disadvantage of these Web Office Tools is that the Internet could be slow or there could be an Internet service interruption. While I don't plan to discontinue use of my MS Office Suite, Web Office Tools are easy to use, they're free and they offer excellent functionality. I plan to continue to investigate Google Docs and Zoho in the future.
I also created an account in Zoho and I liked the functionality of this tool as well. It was easy to import a word document, name, and modify it. The spreadsheet function was also very simple. Both Google Docs & Spreadsheets and Zoho have great potential for libraries.
Librarians could use Web Office Tools within their library and medical informatics instruction program, for the posting of student assignments or projects. Web Office Tools would allow students to collaborate on library instruction assignments, by sharing their documents with their classmates and instructors. Once their documents were finished, the instructors could access the student assignments at their leisure and insert comments, questions and a final grade.
Librarians could provide students and faculty with instruction on the use of Web Office Tools for research projects, highlighting such features as peer editing, continuous peer feedback and collective brainstorming. These tools are very easy to use; they're freely available on the Web, and they offer limitless opportunities for collaboration.
MLA committees and groups, no matter their location or time zone, could collaborate on library guides, procedures, projects or proposals.
One disadvantage of these Web Office Tools is that the Internet could be slow or there could be an Internet service interruption. While I don't plan to discontinue use of my MS Office Suite, Web Office Tools are easy to use, they're free and they offer excellent functionality. I plan to continue to investigate Google Docs and Zoho in the future.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Social Bookmarking Tools and Their Use in Libraries
Social bookmarking tools could be very useful for MLA sections, MLA chapters, and MLA in general, because they help us keep abreast of the latest library / informatics news and technologies, changes in the profession, and they facilitate overall networking. It was very easy to register for del.icio.us, and it will be wonderful to finally have the ability to better organize my favourite sites, to tag them and to share them with others.
MLA sections and chapters could benefit from the use of social bookmarking tools by creating section and/or chapter accounts, so that the group members could share the resources fully. A group account could also be set up within individual libraries, on topics, such as medical reference, web 2.0, or evidence-based clinical practice.
Another possibility would be to create links to subject guides on our websites. For example, sites that focus on occupational therapy, or physiotherapy, resources could be tagged and made available to health professionals within those disciplines. The possibilities are endless!
MLA sections and chapters could benefit from the use of social bookmarking tools by creating section and/or chapter accounts, so that the group members could share the resources fully. A group account could also be set up within individual libraries, on topics, such as medical reference, web 2.0, or evidence-based clinical practice.
Another possibility would be to create links to subject guides on our websites. For example, sites that focus on occupational therapy, or physiotherapy, resources could be tagged and made available to health professionals within those disciplines. The possibilities are endless!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Social Networking Tools: My Experiences and Impressions
I have only just begun to explore the world of social networking tools, but I can see the attraction that these tools must have for individuals who are looking to reconnect with former class-mates, colleagues and friends; as well as for those who are hoping to making new friends, explore job options, relocate or seek romance.
We were asked to comment on how MLA could use social networking to connect the membership. Already, in Facebook, there are a number of MLA chapters and interest groups that have formed, and being able to see the photos and profiles of the individuals creates a more personal experience and might encourage more members to sign up and get involved.
It was interesting to explore the MySpace sites, and I can see the potential for libraries to obtain user feedback and to promote their services and resources in this way.
Overall, social networking tools are a great resource for connecting with others, but there are privacy concerns. It's tempting to put all sorts of personal information out there, in order to find more friends. I guess it just depends on one's comfort level with the web.
We were asked to comment on how MLA could use social networking to connect the membership. Already, in Facebook, there are a number of MLA chapters and interest groups that have formed, and being able to see the photos and profiles of the individuals creates a more personal experience and might encourage more members to sign up and get involved.
It was interesting to explore the MySpace sites, and I can see the potential for libraries to obtain user feedback and to promote their services and resources in this way.
Overall, social networking tools are a great resource for connecting with others, but there are privacy concerns. It's tempting to put all sorts of personal information out there, in order to find more friends. I guess it just depends on one's comfort level with the web.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Comparing Blogs and Wikis
Blogs and Wikis are similar in that they both provide a means for sharing and publicizing information, and they both encourage collaboration. Blogs, however, are a more solitary endeavour. While readers are welcome to post comments on a blog, they are not able to log in and create postings, or to edit any postings. One potential use for a blog would be a library newsletter blog, for keeping an audience informed about such topics as library training, new e-resources, a change in the library hours or an open house.
Wikis have great potential for group work and projects. Wikis make it very easy to see one another's work, to make edits and to create new content. With regard to libraries, I am in the process of creating a library wiki for library policies and procedures, collaborating on projects, keeping track of committee work and for staff profiles.
Wikis have great potential for group work and projects. Wikis make it very easy to see one another's work, to make edits and to create new content. With regard to libraries, I am in the process of creating a library wiki for library policies and procedures, collaborating on projects, keeping track of committee work and for staff profiles.
Monday, March 17, 2008
MLA Web 2.0 101 Week One
During this past week as a participant in the MLA Web 2.0 101 course, I have learned a great deal about blogs and RSS feeds. The learning resources have been very helpful, especially for individuals like myself who are absolute beginners, without any colleagues close by to help. Actually, I must give credit to my 11-year-old daughter, who, when I was ready to give up on subscribing to the PubMed feed, showed me how to copy and paste the feed correctly.
In addition to this course blog, I created a blog on a topic very dear to me. It's called Women Playing Ice Hockey. At present, my hockey blog contains only one posting, and features a photo of my team, the "Thunder Bay Magic", taken last month, after we won our annual tournament championship. However, I plan to update it regularly. I also subscribed to the Google Reader, and to five RSS feeds, including: a) the MLA Task Force on Social Networking Software; b) the Krafty Librarian; c) DavidRothman.net; d) Library Journal - Academic Libraries; and e) PubMed Search: "evidence-based medicine and information science".
Using Blogs and RSS Feeds in our Libraries
As part of the week one assignment, we were asked to consider how we could use RSS feeds in our libraries. RSS feeds would be very effective for linking to a library newsletter, so that our students, faculty and staff could stay up-to-date on the library services, resources, instruction, technology and staff news. In particular, RSS feeds would be especially useful for linking clientele to an E-Resources blog.
With regard to blogs, an E-Resources blog would be a great addition to most academic health sciences libraries. The blog could include information about new databases, journal / book collections, PDA resources, and other products; new product trials in progress, any technical difficulties with regard to access; and e-resources recommendations, and providing an RSS feed would make it that much easier for our clientele to stay up-to-date.
joanne
In addition to this course blog, I created a blog on a topic very dear to me. It's called Women Playing Ice Hockey. At present, my hockey blog contains only one posting, and features a photo of my team, the "Thunder Bay Magic", taken last month, after we won our annual tournament championship. However, I plan to update it regularly. I also subscribed to the Google Reader, and to five RSS feeds, including: a) the MLA Task Force on Social Networking Software; b) the Krafty Librarian; c) DavidRothman.net; d) Library Journal - Academic Libraries; and e) PubMed Search: "evidence-based medicine and information science".
Using Blogs and RSS Feeds in our Libraries
As part of the week one assignment, we were asked to consider how we could use RSS feeds in our libraries. RSS feeds would be very effective for linking to a library newsletter, so that our students, faculty and staff could stay up-to-date on the library services, resources, instruction, technology and staff news. In particular, RSS feeds would be especially useful for linking clientele to an E-Resources blog.
With regard to blogs, an E-Resources blog would be a great addition to most academic health sciences libraries. The blog could include information about new databases, journal / book collections, PDA resources, and other products; new product trials in progress, any technical difficulties with regard to access; and e-resources recommendations, and providing an RSS feed would make it that much easier for our clientele to stay up-to-date.
joanne
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