Thing 19: Podcasts

This was a fun Thing. Although I have the first iPod to get unpacked from the truck way back when (2002? 2001? must find out when they went on the market), I never really jumped on the podcast bandwagon. It was interesting to see how much library stuff is actually out there (as well as any other topic you'd want to learn about). Who needs to attend a conference thousands of miles away when you can just stay home and download podcasts?

Each of the directories had their own little quirks. The exercise I created for myself was to find podcasts by Mary Ellen Bates, my library idol as previously mentioned. I didn't find much. The only one that was easy to search and where I found some immediately was the Yahoo directory. The EPN directory was frustrating since you can't search it at all - you just go into categories the old-fashioned way. Podcast Alley had all of Sirsi's podcasts available in it and I discovered a program called Library Geeks. I downloaded one with Gary Price's name on it, but it didn't give any kind of time code so I had no idea how much time I was in for with it. Not good. 

I liked the search capabilities of Podcast.net, especially since you can search by host on it. Podcast.com had lots of library stuff, too.

Listening to podcasts is a good way to pass the time when commuting, cleaning the house or your stuck waiting for something/somebody. I'd have to be fairly motivated to learn more on whatever the topic is since my head rarely has time to be hijacked at the same time my computer or iPod is nearby. Plus, I have the sneaking suspicion my iPod is so old that it probably can't handle podcasts anyway. Maybe it's finally time for a new one.

Thing 11: Tagging and Del.icio.us

Thanks to the Minitex webinar on del.icio.us that I viewed for an earlier Thing, I was able to hit the ground running on this one. And let me say that del.icio.us is quite possibly the handiest tool yet. I gave a tutorial on it for a non-librarian friend first thing this morning.

I began to tag earlier posts but it made Safari crash twice, so I will just tag from here on out. I also added Mary Ellen Bates' blog, "Librarian of Fortune" to the Minn23 del.icio.us account. She's my biggest librarian hero. I love her writing style and the way she presents information.

Del.icio.us is a great way to offer research to clients. (Mary Ellen wrote about it a few years ago, if my memory is correct.) A lot of times I just want people to be aware of certain websites for whatever problem they are working on and this is perfect for passing them on, along with why the sites are being passed on. But for non-researchers it is a good way to travel with bookmarks. That's how I sold it to my friend this morning. In essence, it's THE tool for the ultimate knowledge nomad.