Google Books

I must confess I don't use Google Books as much as i probably could, though there hasn't really been an instance where I needed to.

Google Books would be great in my instance working in a library, if anyone came searching for a book but wasn't sure what the title was or who wrote it we could search on there.

I don't think Google is the new Microsoft. If it was, I'm sure they would be charging us as much as they could for the privilege. I think Google has actually surpassed Microsoft in many applications, and I look forward to seeing what they have to offer for the future.

Here is the link to the book I am currently reading now.

Never the Bride *2014 amendment* I still don't use Google Books for more than just trying to determine what a book title may be, however the scope of what Google Books can do since this course was undertaken has grown somewhat. Google Books provides searchers with reviews on the books searched (if they exist) and also information on where to purchase the books, and a link to WorldCat, where searches can see if their local library has a copy to borrow. It also attempts to be a 'one-stop shop' for information on books, like reviews, and user bookshelves, however I think GoodReads has that market cornered.

Google Maps

I LOVE Google Maps. It is one of my favourite sites Google as to offer. If I need to get directions to somewhere I use Google Maps. If I want to see what my house looks like from both the street and bird's eye view, I use Google Maps.

My husband and I recently looked at a house to buy online and once we found out the address, looked it up on Google Maps to see if it was really the land size we wanted.

I absolutely LOVE it!!

PS Uluru looks rather different from above eh?


View Larger Map *2014 amendment* There are many uses of Google Maps in a school environment. Students can map local areas, check in on major cities, and library staff could map where books of interest take place. In one recent example, a teacher did a charity ride through South Africa, and his progress was charted via Google Maps Ride for Zambia

Google Docs

I created a form for work which I may or may not actually use, regarding cataloguing requirements for department staff. You can view this at http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AqCgdwWDU6WfdEx2VElfR1lZRlNmRXE2RGZsWWF6LXc&hl=en

I'm assuming that will work.

Google Docs is easy to use, and can act as a backup for users to save things so they are not lost in unforeseen computer glitches. Google Docs can also be used as a collaborative tool, where various people can work on one document without necessarily being in the same room. A group assignment can be completed this way, as well as the initial stages of creating a policy document.

Web 2.0

I am finding that Web 2.0 resources are a great way to not only share information, but also have a hand in how information is put together. There are some problems one may find along the way with regards to misinformation and any info found on a Web 2.0 application is probably best not taken as factual evidence of something, as anyone who is a member of the application can edit or input something. This can be useful for the school library environment to allow both staff and students to communicate with each other on a variety of different applications, such as a GoodReads account, where both staff and students can review books from the collection.

First Post!

Ok, so here is my first post for the Syba Signs How 2 of Web 2.0 program. So far so good. I have played around with customizing, but I haven't completely worked out how to make my dogs face not quite so big. I hope to gain information about new tools that could be used to enhance my use of 2.0 tools for work purposes, as well as gain a better understanding of those tools which I have experienced, but may not be using to their full potential. I hope everyone enjoys the program!

xoxo Allie