Facebook and what I think of it

FACEBOOK:  This could be a huge time-waster or a great boon.

This is a social network site in which each page contains the information about the page creator that covers those parts of their daily life, their friends and their interests that they wish to share with the world. For some people it is a constant stream of information about the mundane activities and a way of social intercourse, for others it is a venue for the communication of group activities and for many , a way to keep in contact which replaces E-mail and letters. The resultant posting are instant and can be wide spread.

As a first time user, I find that the volume of material which is collected from those who I have made friends and of which I have no interest can be a bit daunting. This problem may be corrected when I find a method of filtering out the information which is not required or of no interest.

For those of us who are savvy with the new methods of communications and who like to provide or receive instant  information, this is the perfect form of talking with others and a great way of instant response. For me, at the moment, it seems to be a bit intrusive. No doubt as I become more familiar with social media  and the things to which it can be applied, there will be an escalating acceptance of this facility.

I can see that it could be useful to me in group projects as a means of distributing information about activities and planned events. It could also be a means of providing details to any person with similar interests to those who are already participating in the projects. These are similar needs as those required in a library situation for the broadcasting and promotion of their activities.


I found this site which could be of interest to those who are involved in the provision of RFID in a library situation.

Dialoc ID BV │Library detection & identification │ Retail EAS │RFID Projects

Facebook. 2013. "Dialoc ID BV │Library detection & identification │ Retail EAS │RFID Projects" [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/Dialoc[Accessed: 3 Sep 2013].

This is a site aimed to provide information to persons interested in the use of RFID systems in a library environment and has small posts which describe product advancements, usage and news relating to all subjects invovling libraries. The range of posts is only limited by the application of the filters imposed by the creator of the page.

Because this is a commercial site, the provision of authority is only obtained from the reputation of the company, Dialoc ID. This company was established in 1977 as a supplier of imported products for library security in the EAS market. They developed their own products during the 1980's and have been marketing under their own brand since 1992. The head office is located in  Harderwijk, the Netherlands,  but they have established partnerships with companies in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and America. The products they supply are Library Detection Systems (EM, RFID, Hybrid -EM & RFID-, RF) and projects based on RFID (e.g. Logistic Industry, Library Patron Cards). The products are supplied to more than 40 countries using three different kinds of technologies. (EM / RF / RFID)
More information can be obtained on the company website [http://www.dialocid.com] including the following:

"Dialoc ID is an innovative technology driven company who builds up its quality, flexibility and expertise, based on a long term experience in the field of detection and identification in Libraries (EM/ RFID) and other markets like retail (EAS: EM/ RF/ RFID) and industry (RFID)." 
 AIMS:
Dialoc ID aims to be a leading manufacturer of library equipment, by providing customers top quality products with innovative and optimal solutions for automation, management, information and security systems. Our employees are ambitious, powerful and dedicated to their jobs with maximum prestige and pleasure to serve our valuable customers.

Hong Kong Public Libraries - Smart Return Station (RFID)

YouTube. 2013. Smart Return Station (RFID) 2013 Hong Kong Public Libraries  submission. [online] Available at: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WsE7med_Ik] [Accessed: 21 Aug 2013].

Hong Kong Public Libraries                                 Published on Jun 18, 2013
Smart Return Station (RFID)


This is a short instruction video produced by the staff of the Hong Kong Public Libraries for demonstrating to library clients the techniques required to operate the Smart Return Station installed as part of the Pilot Scheme of 'Smart Identification System' launched in 2012 at six selected libraries of the network.  These stations use the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology applied to the stock held by the library to create a more user-friendly and efficient self-charging and self-return services.

Authority for this video is obtained from the credibility of the authors. This is a government organisation, part of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, controlled by a Public Libraries Advisory Committee which is appointed by the Secretary for Home Affairs and composed of professionals, academics, community personalities and government representatives appointed for a two year term. More information can be found at the following site.


http://www.hkpl.gov.hk/english/aboutus

extendinformationliteracyskills.pbworks.com

When I first saw the invitation to join this wiki I was wondering what Leone was getting us into. Having accepted the invitation and logging on there were severe doubts as to my ability to use this wiki with any confidence. I could not seem to convince the 30 second videos to work. Oh well, plunge in and try to work it out.

The more I played with it the more I learnt (mistakes make you learn) and more confidence was achieved. There is still a lot to learn but I think I have produced what was required of us.

The system is simple to use once basics are conquered. I can see that this form of wiki could be of value to me in future. The trick will be to convince others who are even more unfamiliar with technology than myself that it is of value and to teach them to use it.

Its the life experience and training and the age group. Not everyone was raised in the age of ever changing light speed technology.

Cyber space can be scary.

What I think about WIKIS

These are a community information sharing sites which can service a group ranging from several members to the whole network of the World Wide Web. I have found that in some ways these can be  much easier to use than some other communal sites that I have encountered. The ability to share and edit documents, project information and ideas with others is very fascinating.

Like many communally edited data bases, verification of the accuracy of added information within the data base could be a problem when a large group is involved. Trust in your group members is necessary, therefore I would prefer to work only with small groups in which I am familiar with each member.

My knowledge and experience of the use of Wikis is very limited. I have used Wikipedia for searching information but have never tried to add or modify information.

I can see potential uses to which this system could be put that would improve and add value to my current use of the network. This would allow collaboration with others when trying to complete my family history, work on the modification or updating of documents in committees or producing reports.

DELICIOUS

This tool could be useful to keep track of developments by individuals or organisations about specific topics, events or tools by using the tags and bookmarks created allowing the user to connect to chosen websites or blogs. This would be an advantage with professional development as it would aid in the notification of trends in technology and may assist when answering customer queries for information.

On investigation of this tool I have found that it contains the ability to track the links established and the tagging used by those people who are included in your list of friends. Also included is the facility to track the information of your friends list in both the Facebook and Twitter provided that you  have authorised a connection from your Delicious account to your accounts on these platforms.

To be honest, this is a tool whose use to me at the moment is very limited. I am not yet savvy enough in the field of social networks and modern technologies to utilise the features to their best advantage. I am very reluctant to venture into the realms of this form of modern communications as I see the social network as invasive of my personal space. I am content to work a lot slower than appears to be the necessity of today's society. If people want me to know something, they will let me know rather than me gathering the information for cyber space and feeling I am spying on them..

There is a section of the population who have embraced this technology with enthusiasm but they have never know any other way of communicating. This technique of sending information into the ether and assuming that others will collect it does not sit well with me.

I guess my age is showing.

Still Talking about Old Technology?

by David Lee King on July 16, 2013

King, David Lee. "Still Talking about Old Technology" Blog post on July 16, 2013

http://www.davidleeking.com/2013/07/16/still-talking-about-old-technology/

David Lee King is a consultant whose expertise is in the field of Library planning and emerging trends. He is employed as a presenter and public speaker within this field mostly by companies within the Washington D C area. This indicates that he is a respected person within his field of expertise and gives authority to his writings. The aim of this blog is to indicate to readers that even though they may be considering the use of "new" Technologies within their institutions, these technologies may indeed not be cutting edge ideas. The comments attached to this post indicate some of the problems which are to be encountered by organisations when attempting to introduce new equipment and ideas. It shows an interesting aspect about "new technology"