Hi LILI IT! Come to the ComETS birthday party, scheduled for Thursday, February 25, at 11:30am-1:30pm - in the Red Gym.
From the website: http://comets.wisc.edu/event/comets-birthday-party-membership-meeting
"Lunch and birthday cake will be provided (thanks to CIO Ron Kraemer and DoIT-Academic Technology). Please come to help us celebrate, and to engage in conversation about what ComETS is doing and to share your ideas for the future."
12:30 - 1:00 Choose a breakout table to discuss visions for the following topics at UW-Madison: • Assessment • The ComETS community • Games • Learning Management Systems / Personal Learning Environments • Media Production • Mobiles • Supporting Outreach and Public Service
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Reference Retreat Table Discussion
We had a great Reference Retreat lunch table discussion today. I am hoping we can cover some of the tools we saw today again at the next meeting. Then we can add them to the blog!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
LILI IT Interest Group Meeting Notes – October 22, 2009
We met in October despite WLA conflicts and poor weather!
Bob: got us off and running with a very interesting demo of Google Sketchup. He showed us a file his daughter (an architect) had created to design an end-table. A nice design! One can design objects, add textures, obtain precise measurements of the objects, and make objects transparent for easier observation. Bob showed us that it is possible to import an image of a floorplan, then scale that image to the correct proportions, and then finally draw the walls/doors to exact scale. That is amazing! Bob finds that the "Missing Manual" for Google Sketchup by Chris Grover is a good book to use to learn this tool: http://www.amazon.com/Google-SketchUp-Missing-Chris-Grover
Jim: showed us a variety of great sources of information for staying ahead of technology change and development. The first site we visited was TWiT: http://twit.tv/ (This Week in Tech) - This site includes a series of podcasts (as well as other sources of information) focused on specific topics. Jim notes that the Leo Laporte "tech guy" podcast is very good. He also listens to "Windows Weekly" and the Macbreak Weekly podcast looks good too. From there Jim brought us to http://www.techcrunch.com/ to take a look at their site, also chock full of interesting information. in particular, Jim pointed out the TechCrunch50 Conference that they sponsor every year: http://www.techcrunch50.com/2009/companies/ At this event, top startups present their new ideas, and compete for fabulous prizes... Finally, Jim noted this very promising-looking financial application called Mint: http://www.mint.com/ It helps you manage your personal finances.
Karen: finished up the hour by showing us the NatureBreak site: http://www.naturebreak.org/NatureBreak/Nature_Break.html This site has been created by noted wildlife documentary creator Vanessa Serrao to "bring together people who love nature." There are a variety of nature themed videos to watch, including a few that are "viral" on YouTube. I will let you all ask Karen why that is... :-0
Bob: got us off and running with a very interesting demo of Google Sketchup. He showed us a file his daughter (an architect) had created to design an end-table. A nice design! One can design objects, add textures, obtain precise measurements of the objects, and make objects transparent for easier observation. Bob showed us that it is possible to import an image of a floorplan, then scale that image to the correct proportions, and then finally draw the walls/doors to exact scale. That is amazing! Bob finds that the "Missing Manual" for Google Sketchup by Chris Grover is a good book to use to learn this tool: http://www.amazon.com/Google-SketchUp-Missing-Chris-Grover
Jim: showed us a variety of great sources of information for staying ahead of technology change and development. The first site we visited was TWiT: http://twit.tv/ (This Week in Tech) - This site includes a series of podcasts (as well as other sources of information) focused on specific topics. Jim notes that the Leo Laporte "tech guy" podcast is very good. He also listens to "Windows Weekly" and the Macbreak Weekly podcast looks good too. From there Jim brought us to http://www.techcrunch.com/ to take a look at their site, also chock full of interesting information. in particular, Jim pointed out the TechCrunch50 Conference that they sponsor every year: http://www.techcrunch50.com/2009/companies/ At this event, top startups present their new ideas, and compete for fabulous prizes... Finally, Jim noted this very promising-looking financial application called Mint: http://www.mint.com/ It helps you manage your personal finances.
Karen: finished up the hour by showing us the NatureBreak site: http://www.naturebreak.org/NatureBreak/Nature_Break.html This site has been created by noted wildlife documentary creator Vanessa Serrao to "bring together people who love nature." There are a variety of nature themed videos to watch, including a few that are "viral" on YouTube. I will let you all ask Karen why that is... :-0
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
LILI IT Interest Group Meeting Notes – September 24, 2009
Here we are back for a new semester. At the September meeting we looked at and discussed several very interesting tools/technologies:
1) Jim: started off the meeting by showing us the free Prezi presentation tool: http://prezi.com/ It is really very cool! This presentation tool can replace PowerPoint, but functions in a way that is significantly different. Instead of moving sequentially through a series of slides, Prezi presentations are created as one large "screen" that can be rotated and focused in on at varying levels of magnification as a way of bundling packets of presentation information. If that makes no sense, go to the site and watch the demo. The Prezi site also include tutorials. The entire package is slick, and artistically mesmerizing. Jim notes that the presentations can live on their servers, or you can also download the file.
2) Entire group: discussed smart boards in libraries. Jim notes that the MERIT library recently purchased two smart boards, and they look like they have a variety of potential uses in library instruction. Depending on the brand/type of SB, they function differently. Some require an external device (ie. stylus) to interact with the board, and others just use the touch of a hand. Jody (welcome!) notes that in the K-12 school environment they are in use already. She notes that some come equipped with built in keyboards. Jill and Bob both mentioned that they had seen museum displays (example: Art Institute - American wing) that used these tools. They can run/display the standard computer applications too. The group noted that this looks like a promising item that libraries could experiment with in public spaces.
3) Bob mentioned a very handy desktop set-up that he had been working with. This includes two monitors with a single PC. He has also been experimenting with Windows 7 since June, and he likes it. Phil mentioned that it is possible (it looks like for students) to get the Windows7 home version for $30 if you use a university email address. Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/5361767/students-get-windows-7-for-30 Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/5361566/get-windows-7-home-premium-for-30-with-a-college-email-address
1) Jim: started off the meeting by showing us the free Prezi presentation tool: http://prezi.com/ It is really very cool! This presentation tool can replace PowerPoint, but functions in a way that is significantly different. Instead of moving sequentially through a series of slides, Prezi presentations are created as one large "screen" that can be rotated and focused in on at varying levels of magnification as a way of bundling packets of presentation information. If that makes no sense, go to the site and watch the demo. The Prezi site also include tutorials. The entire package is slick, and artistically mesmerizing. Jim notes that the presentations can live on their servers, or you can also download the file.
2) Entire group: discussed smart boards in libraries. Jim notes that the MERIT library recently purchased two smart boards, and they look like they have a variety of potential uses in library instruction. Depending on the brand/type of SB, they function differently. Some require an external device (ie. stylus) to interact with the board, and others just use the touch of a hand. Jody (welcome!) notes that in the K-12 school environment they are in use already. She notes that some come equipped with built in keyboards. Jill and Bob both mentioned that they had seen museum displays (example: Art Institute - American wing) that used these tools. They can run/display the standard computer applications too. The group noted that this looks like a promising item that libraries could experiment with in public spaces.
3) Bob mentioned a very handy desktop set-up that he had been working with. This includes two monitors with a single PC. He has also been experimenting with Windows 7 since June, and he likes it. Phil mentioned that it is possible (it looks like for students) to get the Windows7 home version for $30 if you use a university email address. Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/5361767/students-get-windows-7-for-30 Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/5361566/get-windows-7-home-premium-for-30-with-a-college-email-address
Saturday, August 29, 2009
LILI IT Interest Group Meeting Notes – August 27, 2009
Hi Everyone!
This week we had a very "short" meeting. But, we still looked a a few interesting items:
1) Nancy mentioned that the UW-Madison Center for Visual Culture is moving into Memorial Library. They have an intersting web site: http://www.visualculture.wisc.edu/
2) Ian told us about the College Library "Helen C. House Party" on September 10th: there will be lots to do (and eat): http://www.college.library.wisc.edu/party/ Ian is working on the “Bibliodefenders” game (that will be played at the party) with some of the ARIS people: https://wiki.doit.wisc.edu/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=19300366
3) Nancy showed us the Mover iPhone app. It lets you move files from one iPhone to another very easily: http://infinite-labs.net/mover/ Cool!
This week we had a very "short" meeting. But, we still looked a a few interesting items:
1) Nancy mentioned that the UW-Madison Center for Visual Culture is moving into Memorial Library. They have an intersting web site: http://www.visualculture.wisc.edu/
2) Ian told us about the College Library "Helen C. House Party" on September 10th: there will be lots to do (and eat): http://www.college.library.wisc.edu/party/ Ian is working on the “Bibliodefenders” game (that will be played at the party) with some of the ARIS people: https://wiki.doit.wisc.edu/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=19300366
3) Nancy showed us the Mover iPhone app. It lets you move files from one iPhone to another very easily: http://infinite-labs.net/mover/ Cool!
Friday, July 24, 2009
LILI IT Interest Group Meeting Notes – July 23, 2009
Once again, amazing tools identified by the LILI-IT group members!
Ian kicked off the July meeting by showing an Amazing (with a capital A) video if an iPhone app that helps you to navigate the NYC subway system. Ian notes (and I agree) that something like this could be used to navigate a library or the library system. Very cool: New York Nearest Subway Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS from acrossair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6r2tIaRXU
Phil introduced us to the absolutely cutting edge Google Wave tool, yet to be released. It integrates IM tech into a sort of “conversation management” tool. Also it translates various languages (using the Rosy Robot – see below) in real time as you type! It is not out yet, but you can apply to be a tester.
Here are some notes about it that Phil sent to me via email:
The official Google Wave site: http://wave.google.com/
Highlight Reel: http://lifehacker.com/5285944/the-google-wave-highlight-reel (most of the videos I showed were from this page)
Rosy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOHwPgMXsNY (the Rosy robot feature wasn't on the lifehacker page, for some reason)
Google Wave Abridged Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itc4253kjhw (This is a chopped-down version of the official hour and twenty minute presentation - the first two video pages are all just reworked footage from this)
Karen showed us Locavore, a really useful iPhone app for identifying local produce. It tells you where to go, and what is in season! http://enjoymentland.com/locavore/
The Locavore site lists these functions:
Ian kicked off the July meeting by showing an Amazing (with a capital A) video if an iPhone app that helps you to navigate the NYC subway system. Ian notes (and I agree) that something like this could be used to navigate a library or the library system. Very cool: New York Nearest Subway Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS from acrossair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6r2tIaRXU
Phil introduced us to the absolutely cutting edge Google Wave tool, yet to be released. It integrates IM tech into a sort of “conversation management” tool. Also it translates various languages (using the Rosy Robot – see below) in real time as you type! It is not out yet, but you can apply to be a tester.
Here are some notes about it that Phil sent to me via email:
The official Google Wave site: http://wave.google.com/
Highlight Reel: http://lifehacker.com/5285944/the-google-wave-highlight-reel (most of the videos I showed were from this page)
Rosy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOHwPgMXsNY (the Rosy robot feature wasn't on the lifehacker page, for some reason)
Google Wave Abridged Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itc4253kjhw (This is a chopped-down version of the official hour and twenty minute presentation - the first two video pages are all just reworked footage from this)
Karen showed us Locavore, a really useful iPhone app for identifying local produce. It tells you where to go, and what is in season! http://enjoymentland.com/locavore/
The Locavore site lists these functions:
- Automatically detects which state you’re in (currently only covers the US)
- Food that’s in season near you
- Food that’s coming in season near you soon
- Farmers’ markets near you
- Browse all 234 fruits and vegetables to see where it is currently growing
- Links to Wikipedia articles and Epicurious recipes from each food detail page
- Browse all 50 states to see what’s in season in other parts of the US
Karen also mentioned the social cataloging presentation from earlier this summer, and that she had been trying out Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/ Karen said that someone from Turkey had contacted her regarding her excellent taste in reading choices. International Social Networking is Real!
Anne described the explosion of Twitter (http://twitter.com/) use on campus: UWDCC tweets about newly scanned images, then these are read by UW-Athletics, and then they tweet about their upcoming events. The images and athletics tweets are then read and tweeted on by UW-Communications... cool! as the twitter site says "you can stay hyper–connected." Yes, you can.
See you all in August!
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