tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274105722024-03-07T09:58:09.477+01:00librarytwopointzeroI am working in a university library. I therefore wanted to start this blog to talk about libraries and especially library 2.0. I also wanted to discuss web 2.0 with the blogosphere.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.comBlogger773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-64691237689441432232012-04-17T13:49:00.000+01:002012-04-17T13:50:32.129+01:00Quitting BlogI am closing down this blog. Nothing to add. Nothing to say.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-4288628154498864772011-12-06T23:29:00.002+01:002011-12-06T23:41:08.936+01:00Helibtech updateAs mentioned <a href="http://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/2011/12/helibtech-meeting-at-sconul.html">previously</a>, I've joined <a href="http://helibtech.com/">Helibtech</a>. As mentioned previously I said I would include the twitter hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23helibtech">here</a>. Also the editor can be found <a href="http://helibtech.com/editors">here</a> to.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-66554536862192218202011-12-06T23:20:00.002+01:002011-12-06T23:29:05.531+01:00Chrismash.....Andrew Preater styleAlthough I didn't make the <a href="http://chrismash.wordpress.com/">chrismash</a> event last saturday (mainly because I rarely keep up to date with my RSS feeds or <a href="http://www.twitter.com">twitter</a>). Anyhow, I had hoped to go as a person I work with <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/preater">Andrew Preater</a> discussing Towards ethnographies of the next-gen catalogue user. Anyway <a href="http://www.preater.com/2011/12/04/towards-ethnographies-of-the-next-gen-catalogue-user/">here</a> is a link to the talk. Sorry I missed it.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-58979963120544495192011-12-01T10:50:00.003+01:002011-12-01T11:27:10.572+01:00Helibtech meeting at SconulYesterday, I went to an <a href="http://helibtech.com/">Helibtech</a> meeting at <a href="http://www.sconul.ac.uk/">SCONUL</a>. Helibtech:-<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">aim of HELibTech is to provide a starting point for anyone interested in library technology in Higher Education. Its particular focus is UK but many of the issues will be relevant elsewhere.</span><br /><br />The meeting was arranged by <a href="http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/\">Ken Chad</a> to try and get more content editors on the Helibtech wiki. Therefore, at the meeting with some other members from <a href="http://www.plymouth.ac.uk">Plymouth University</a>, <a href="http://canterbury.ac.uk">Canterbury University</a> and <a href="http://www.uwl.ac.uk/">University of West London</a> amongst other places (I won't say who they are, as i'll explain why later).<br /><br />Anyhow, in the meeting we discussed what needed to be done. How to increase interest? What we would do? Organisational stuff. We also discussed creating content biographies to put on wiki (hence no names mentioned above. I'll do that on this blog at a later date).<br /><br />The good thing about it was the networking (even learning one month too late about <a href="http://chrismash.wordpress.com/">Chrismash</a>. Anyhow, we'll soon have more on this. Hopefully, we'll have a hashtag for the site.<br /><br />Any queries etc or any thing you might thing is of interest either mention here, or better still over on the wiki.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-13316046783103263382011-11-17T18:18:00.003+01:002011-11-17T19:29:52.478+01:00Congratulations to Gloucester and Somerset public librariesAs many of you may know, <a href="http://alangibbons.net/2011/05/friends-of-somerset-libraries-appeal/">Somerset</a> and <a href="http://foclibrary.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/high-court-judge-rules-gccs-library-cuts-unlawful/">Gloucester</a> have ruled library cuts unlawful. This means that both councils will need to look at the closures somewhat differently. It was interesting how <a href="http://communities.cilip.org.uk/blogs/update/archive/2011/11/16/campaigners-score-victory-at-high-court.aspx">Cilip</a>, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/16/court-challenges-against-library-closures?INTCMP=SRCH">The Guardian</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15752432">BBC</a> reported this. <br />Anyhow, congratulations one and all. Especial mention to for one campaignor who said this after the case:-<br /><br /><em>Gloucestershire residents should never have had to go through this stressful, upsetting and expensive process and serious questions now also need to be answered by the secretary of state Ed Vaizey. It is Mr Vaizey’s duty to intervene when authorities are not meeting their obligations to provide a library service available to all who wish to use it. Why were Gloucestershire County Council allowed to continue down this destructive path? In opposition Mr Vaizey was a vocal critic of library closures yet our many pleas for help have been ignored whilst library users were left to fight this alone – it is clear that he left his convictions at the door on entering office.</em><br /><br />Go get 'em........library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-47609471043251291542011-11-12T12:59:00.003+01:002011-11-12T16:13:05.923+01:00CPD 23 Thing 16: Advocacy, speaking up for the profession and getting published<a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-16-advocacy-speaking-up-for.html">Thing 16: Advocacy, speaking up for the profession and getting published </a> looked at what can be done to stop library closures and to underline libraries importance in an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_economy#">information economy</a>. <a href="http://woodsiegirl.wordpress.com/">Laura</a> discussed such area as the <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23savelibraries">#savethelibraries</a> hashtag, the <a href="http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/">Voices for the Library</a> and <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/advocacy/pages/overviewofadvocacy.aspx">CILIP</a> amongst others. Laura also pointed out:-<br /><br /><em>Unfortunately it's very hard for public library staff to campaign for their own sector without risking their jobs, so it's very important for people outside of public libraries (and within, where possible) to shout about the role of public libraries and talk about why they're more relevant than ever.</em><br /><br />She then looked at what might be needed to become an advocate such as a <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning-toolkit/pages/default.aspx">campaigning toolkit</a> amongst other things.<br /><br />She also looked at things to Do to become an advocate. Her recommendations where :-<br /><br /><em>There's plenty you can do to incorporate advocacy into your day-to-day life; the hardest part is working out how. For this Thing: <br /><br />Consider why it's important to advocate for the section of library and information sector that you work for or want to work in. <br />Have a think about what advocacy you've been involved in. Give examples so we can pool resources and inspire others to do the same. Or, give an example of some advocacy that you think has been particularly effective – library-related or otherwise. <br />If you haven't been involved in advocacy, reflect on what your skills are (or which you want to develop), what you're most passionate about and think about what you might be able to do. <br />If you're passionate about public libraries and want to help – let Voices for the Library know! We're keen to get more people involved with things like asking organisations and well-known figures for supporting statements, securing sponsorship, liaising with other campaigning bodies and representing us at events. <br />If you've got any potential content for That's Not Online! let Jacqueline know. <br />Think about where advocacy fits in with professionalism – maybe comment on Johanna's blog post about Activism, Advocacy and Professional Identity or if you can get hold of any, look at some job descriptions and identify where you think the advocacy might fit within the requirements of the roles. </em><br /><br /><br />Ihave done some advocacy. Very lazy advocacy. This was setting up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voices_of_the_library">voices for the library wikipedia page</a>.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-60785320299771029042011-11-10T21:05:00.004+01:002011-11-10T21:24:29.278+01:00Dorset Council wins motion close 9 public librariesA Motion to save Dorset libraries defeated<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-15677699"></a>. <br /><br />Libraries earmarked for closure<br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/burtonbradstocklibrary">Burton Bradstock</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/chickerelllibrary">Chickerell</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/colehilllibrary">Colehill</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/corfecastlelibrary">Corfe Castle</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/underhilllibrary">Portland Underhill</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/puddletownlibrary">Puddletown</a><br /><a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/stalbridgelibrary">Stalbridge Wool</a>.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-59259068209057605702011-11-09T15:04:00.001+01:002011-11-09T15:08:06.502+01:00Who was the greater economist? - A conversation with Robert H. Frank at NestaI am off tonight to Nesta to see Who was the greater economist? - A conversation with Robert H. Frank<br /><a href="http://roberthfrank.eventbrite.com/?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=event_reminder&utm_term=event_title"></a>. The event will look at:-<br /><br /><em>Economist and New York Times columnist Robert H. Frank will discuss his new book The Darwin Economy: Liberty, Competition and the Common Good, at NESTA on Wednesday 9th November.<br /><br />The Darwin Economy contends that Charles Darwin’s understanding of competition describes economic reality far more accurately than Adam Smith. For Smith, market failures were almost always rooted in attempts to suppress competition. In contrast, Darwin’s framework suggests that market failures are rooted in the logic of competition itself.</em><br /><br />Hopefully, will write it up sometime this week.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-56162761402554174802011-11-07T23:26:00.003+01:002011-11-09T15:04:40.476+01:00Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography book reviewAs I mentioned <a href="http://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/2011/10/possible-returnthe-passing-of-steve.html">previously</a> I was sad to hear of Steve Jobs passing. I've read loads on him (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insanely-Great-Macintosh-Computer-Everything/dp/0140291776/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317924026&sr=1-1">1</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Little-Kingdom-creation-changed/dp/0715638882/ref=pd_sim_b_2">2</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-Empires-Silicon-Millions-Competition/dp/0140258264/ref=pd_sim_b_24">3</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Woz-Computer-Getting-Apples-Inventor/dp/0755314085/ref=pd_sim_b_34">4</a>), so knew a fair deal about him. I had worked on a <a href="http://www.stage4.co.uk/film/">documentary</a> and knew about some of the Apple stories especially Steve Jobs. Therefore, I was quite interested to read <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Jobs-Exclusive-Biography-ebook/dp/B005J3IEZQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320704940&sr=1-2">Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography</a>.<br />In reading the story Isaacson gets to talk to Jobs at a pretty sad moment in his life. When he's coping with cancer. <br />The book does look at Jobs the man and his binary outlook (things are either great or crap). His <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_Distortion_Field">reality distortion field</a> stories are also covered extensively. One point of interest is the author feels Jobs could often fall pray to the reality distortion field in believing he did not have cancer as he willed it so.<br />For those who have read about Jobs previously, he really is not an endearing person. In fact he's pretty nasty. But, his ability to resurrect apple, his views on tablet computing and his success at Pixar making him interesting material to read about.<br />The main part I liked are near the end. When I went to the states I meet Jobs friend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Kottke">Dan Kottke</a>, Apple employee number 12. Kottke had gone to India (one of Jobs biggest influence on him was his interest in Asian culture and religion) with jobs and worked with Jobs but when it came to giving shares to staff Kottke got none. Kottke wasn't bitter (totally), but he was disappointed in his friend not recognising he was there at the beginning of the company. When we meet him, him and Jobs hadn't spoke for years. In the book, when Jobs was dying (2009 or 2010) Kottke spoke to him when buying an Ipad. Jobs stopped and spoke to him. I've heard also Kottke did meet him on other occasions. That alone makes Jobs a more approachable character.<br />In conclusion. If your an Apple fan, design fan or IT fan get this book. Obviously, Jobs is slightly sugar-coated in the book, but not greatly. So, if you want an <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/steve-jobs-insanely-great--1032073">insanely great</a> book, get this.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-76668936567283849152011-11-05T12:01:00.002+01:002011-11-05T12:55:01.920+01:00CPD Thing 15: Attending, presenting at and organising seminars, conferences and other events<a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-15-attending-presenting-at-and.html">Thing 15: Attending, presenting at and organising seminars, conferences and other events </a>. Oh dear. My favourite. The article looks at attending events. Why you should attend. What you get out of it. What you get out of it.<br />This then looked at <a href="http://www.joeyanne.co.uk">Jo Alcock's</a> article on this idea <a href="http://www.joeyanne.co.uk/2010/04/29/conference-advice/">here</a>.<br />Next, was speaking at events. Again, why? How? What you get out of it? Also presentation tips are included. There's also a link to Ned Potter's <a href="http://thewikiman.org/blog/?p=1536">article</a> on this.<br />Organising an event? Librarycamp and unconference etc.<br />I would point out that something might be added how do you find out about events? I check <a href="http://www.nesta.org.uk/events">Nesta</a> and the <a href="http://www.thersa.org/events/our-events">RSA</a> are two area's I look. I also keep an eye on <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/pages/default.aspx">cilip website</a>.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-76999495799109083952011-11-03T20:00:00.002+01:002011-11-03T20:33:37.499+01:00The Guardian article on decline library usage figures<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/03/library-usage-falls-branches-close">Library usage falls as branches close</a> so reports <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">the guardian</a>. <br /><br />In the article, <a href="http://alangibbons.net/">Alan Gibbon</a> says:-<br /><br /><em>"The great scandal is that opening hours are being slashed to ribbons," </em>library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-20952340532721401322011-11-03T19:36:00.003+01:002011-11-03T19:48:14.740+01:00Designing Research - A Seminar and Conference Series at the University of LondonAs I work at <a href="http://www.ull.ac.uk/">Senate House Library</a> I noted on Facebook the following event <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SenateHouseLibrary#!/SenateHouseLibrary/posts/10150369134284865">Designing Research - A Seminar and Conference Series at the University of London</a>. If your not a member of there facebook page, here's a link via <a href="http://senatehouselibrary.blogspot.com/2011/10/designing-research-seminar-and.html">there blog</a>. Worth checking. And i'll be there to........library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-26327023532207916132011-11-03T19:33:00.003+01:002011-11-05T12:00:01.636+01:00CPD Thing 14: Zotero / Mendeley / citeulike<a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-14-zotero-mendeley-citeulike.html">Thing 14: Zotero / Mendeley / citeulike</a>. I have accounts for both <a href="http://www.citeulike.org/">Citeulike</a> and <a href="https://www.zotero.org/start">Zotero</a>, but unfortunately have not really used them. This article quickly reviews what they do, what differences their are.<br />For Zotero, I'm looking to use it longer blog post. With Zotero I could look at say '<a href="http://www.librarything.com">librarything</a>'. I could utilise video's from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d5gHiCzN8k">youtube</a>, <a href="http://faerye.net/post/cage-match-goodreads-vs-librarything">reviews of librarything</a> and even <a href="http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1775785&show=abstract">academic approaches to librarything</a>.<br />I really need to look at this in more detail though. A really good read though.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-59609436851088074992011-10-28T18:45:00.005+01:002011-11-03T18:46:19.839+01:00Kindle review of Free Ride: How the Internet is Destroying the Culture Business and How the Culture Business can Fight Back<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Ride-ebook/dp/B00546DOA8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319824134&sr=8-2">Free Ride: How the Internet is Destroying the Culture Business and How the Culture Business can Fight Back</a> by Robert Levine was something I recently read on my beloved <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B002LVUWFE/ref=sa_menu_kdp32">kindle</a>. Anyhow, I know its been reviewed in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/14/robert-levine-digital-free-ride">other places</a>. Anyhow, here goes. <br />Robert Levine's book looks at the impact of companies like <a href="http://www.google.com">Google</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com">Apple</a> and <a href="http://piratebay.org">Piratebay</a>. <br />Levine discusses how these three companies (as examples) leverage there companies as platforms for music (Apple and Itunes) and Books (google and google news and google books). They do this without producing themselves, but making money via adverts or ipods.<br />Obviously, Bill Gates <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Letter_to_Hobbyists">Open Letter to Hobbyists</a> in which he wrote:-<br /><br /><em>Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share. Who cares if the people who worked on it get paid?</em><br /><br /><br />More recently Pete Townsend underlined this in the John Peel lecture, when call apple <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/oct/31/apple-digital-vampire-pete-townshend">'digital vampires'</a>.<br /><br />I found the book interesting, and far removed from people like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Lessig">Lawrence Lessig's</a> approach.<br /><br />I found the book a pretty good read and would certainly recommend it.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-40692203585221954852011-10-28T17:42:00.003+01:002011-11-03T19:32:18.256+01:00CPD Thing 13: Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox<a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-13-google-docs-wikis-and-dropbox.html">CPD Thing 13: Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox</a>. In this section of the CPD we looked at online collaboration. The use of <a href="https://docs.google.com/?pli=1#home">google docs</a> at my library has been mainly when i'm at home and working. I personally have used google docs for spreadsheet of our book collections. Whether we have the item, how many items we may have, if its available or if its available via <a href="http://www.copac.ac.uk">Copac</a> and then send to the subject librarians.<br /><br />Dropbox. I do believe we have used it for our document supply team, who will put scanned and paid for photocopy items in dropbox for clients to collect.<br /><br />Wiki's I have set up within my previous departments. I used these predominantly as training tools and as a personal intranet. I have used mainly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetpaint">wetpaint </a>when using wiki software.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-40177877550793364142011-10-27T23:27:00.008+01:002011-11-03T18:14:35.348+01:00CPD Thing 12: Mentoring : Puting the social in social mediaWell, here is <a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-12-putting-social-into-social.html">number 12</a>. Bit quick the other one. Part 12 looked at social media within the library and information roles. The article looked at how originally had gone from 100 participants to 750 due to social media.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">For Thing 12 I would like you to consider the role of social media in building up networks and a sense of community. Possible areas to consider are:<br /><br />are there any other advantages to social networking in the context of professional development than those already outlined above?<br /><br />can you think of any disadvantages?<br /><br />has CPD23 helped you to make contact with others that you would not have had contact with normally?<br /><br />did you already use social media for your career development before starting CPD23? <br /><br />Will you keep using it after the programme has finished?<br /><br />in your opinion does social networking really help to foster a sense of community?</span><br /><br />So, lets go through these one at a time.<br /><br /><br />1. are there any other advantages to social networking in the context of professional development than those already outlined above?<br /><br />Social networking can assist with work. For example, creating a work a wiki for depatments to provide how people do things at work (so a form of intranet).<br /><br />2. can you think of any disadvantages?<br /><br />The disadvantage with social media are many told. Social media can create people sign up for things and doing nothing with them. Examples, I have many. I have a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/plasticspam">twitter</a> and <a href="http://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>. The thing with signing up for both these is having to follow twitter feeds and other blogs to keep up to date. So investment of time is extremely important.<br />Also, the problem with social media is its easy to promise to do something and not do anything. Whilst if you promise to do something verbally you are more likely to follow it through (or should do in my opinion).<br /><br />3. did you already use social media for your career development before starting CPD23? As said above i've a blog and twitter account. I've also a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MegaLibrarian1">youtube channel</a>.<br /><br />4. Will you keep using it after the programme has finished? I certainly hope. Dependent on time.<br /><br />5. in your opinion does social networking really help to foster a sense of community? I think social media can help. Note the success <a href="http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/">Voices for the Library</a>.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-17116411490214330202011-10-27T18:29:00.006+01:002011-10-28T17:40:51.984+01:00CPD Thing 11: MentoringI have not done anything on my <a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/">23 things for professional development</a> since the <a href="http://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/2011/08/cpd-thing-10-graduate-traineeships.html">2nd of August</a>. So, i'm going to trying an catch up. So here goes for <a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-11-mentoring.html">CPD : Mentoring</a>. In discussing mentoring the article looked at what a mentor is an does, which is :-<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A mentor is an advisor who is usually more senior than you (ideally by 5 to 15 years), but does not have to be, and you can seek one out at any time of your career. </span><br /><br />The article discusses both formal and informal. Informal one's within my own career have included many the people I have worked with. I've also provided informal mentoring at work myself (talking to staff about courses, qualifications and stuff to read etc).<br /><br />More formal mentors may include a <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-get-involved/qualifications-and-professional-development/mentor-scheme/Pages/findingamentor.aspx">mentor for chartership</a>.<br /><br />The article also discusses what makes a good mentor and a mentoree.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-45877420021609711882011-10-26T21:06:00.004+01:002011-10-26T22:18:00.479+01:00Book review of Owen Jones Chavs: The Demonization of the Working ClassWhilst on holiday in Cornwall with shingles I bought Owen Jones <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chavs-Demonization-Working-Owen-Jones/dp/184467696X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319652589&sr=1-1">Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class</a>. Most of you may know him from his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5HAg7RTKk">'argument' on newsnight</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Starkey">David Starkey</a>.<br />Well. I really liked the book. Owen Jones (who looks amazingly young to have written the book) has researched the book. <br />The book looks at how the creation of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav">chavs</a> is really a way of having a pop at the working class. How we escapegoat them and laugh at them. Even though in many ways we are still working class. <br />Owen obviously looks the impact of de-industrialisation by the Thatcher Government in the 1980's. How the downturn in union power after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_miners%27_strike_(1984–1985)">coal miners strike</a> has meant that working class people have lost their sense of identity. Owen points out how even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Labour">new labour</a> said we can all be middle class. Owen looks how politically, culturally and socially we blame these peope. There scroungers (but as he points out they exploit £1billion per year whilst white collar crime accounts for £70billion but little said about this).<br />Owen points out how advantageous the middle classes are at an advantage with such things as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_capital">cultural capital</a> from there parents in helping them with housing, university and getting jobs.<br />Culturally, he looked at the chav film of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020530/">Eden Lake</a> inwhich all the chav stereotypes come to the fore (dogs, knives, parents with cheap hot tubs). All the fear of the middle classes are there. But there is a whole plethora of the films. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486670/">F</a>, where a middle class teacher starts killing hoodied (and faceless) students who are knocking off his teachers and family. Also <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/">The Descent</a> in which a middle class group of women are picked off by some blind, blood suckers in a cave (the under class). The middle class are trying to escape there consequences in the cave. The under class want to remain in there squalor. Just like the chavs then?<br />The thing I did not like is Owen talks about the book though is he talks about the 'homogenous' working class. But he only discuss the urban and industrial working class. I was on holiday and went to cornwalll and devon, In my home town in Devon of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Torrington">great torrington</a> two pubs had closed. 4 factories had gone. Its bloody sad. In cornwall I went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fowey">Fowey</a> and saw little evidence of any cornish people. Holiday homes and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Simm">TV stars</a> were there. The fishing village is no longer there (unlike the one in the detestable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Martin">Doc Martin</a>, with its contrived view of the area). The decline of fishing, farming, tin and clay is hardly mentioned).<br />Owen Jones blog is <a href="http://owenjones.org/">here</a>. I recommend the book. Also, i'm a socialist, so if anyone feels I am unfair to the Tories. Tough luck as they would say.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-22746230575269807252011-10-26T19:10:00.002+01:002011-10-26T21:06:26.317+01:00Returning from CornwallI have just returned from Cornwall after a holiday. Unfortunately, I got <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles">shingles</a>. Did make me think about catching up on blogging. So, lets try.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-42122752780374278042011-10-06T18:18:00.002+01:002011-10-06T20:17:05.802+01:00A possible return......the passing of Steve JobsI've not written for a long while on this blog. I have been bored with it to be honest. But I was touched to write about the passing of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs">Steve Jobs</a>. Christ, I bet everyone has haven't they. Anyhow, here is my piece.<br />It is quite weird when I found out. In the IT world he has (sorry, had) and almost god like following (well, for some). Like any god, they don't die. Steve Jobs did though. I was upset. Why? Well I like Jobs as I've has 3 macs in the last ten year (my first being the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G3">Imac G3</a> in 2000. Not the biggest machine, but for pure pleasure of use and aesthetics it was unbeatable. Also, this Mac had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_9">OS 9</a>. Not the easiest OS ever either. It is the only computer I really loved working on. The Imac G3 is seen as the first innovation that Jobs brought about on his return to Apple in 1997.<br />Not only that I've owned three Ipods (I lost one in a drunken haze). Therefore, I've had pleasure listening to music and using a computer, which on PC never happened.<br />I have also seen Steve Jobs in person as a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHxk5Czzb94">mac expo in san francisco in 2002 keynote speech</a>. For those who have never seen this, its quite amazing. People simply stormed for their seats. They hung on every word. He was like a god to them (btw, it was god dam scary to if you got in there way). But he did have an aura when he spoke> Even though I had no idea then what he was talking about (i'm a geek not a programmer). Whilst at the Expo I also went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Loop_(street)">Cupertino for drinks at Apple HQ</a>. I could understand beer and got drunk their (it was free booze).<br />I've also read many books about Apple such as <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insanely-Great-Macintosh-Computer-Everything/dp/0140291776/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317924026&sr=1-1">Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Little-Kingdom-creation-changed/dp/0715638882/ref=pd_sim_b1">Return to the Little Kingdom: Steve Jobs, the creation of Apple, and how it changed the world</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-Empires-Silicon-Millions-Competition/dp/0140258264/ref=pd_sim_b23">Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition and Still Can't Get a Date</a> and plenty others. All fascinating.<br />I also got to work on a Film about <a href="http://www.stage4.co.uk/film/">In Search of the Valley</a> in which I meet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wozniak">Steve Wozniak</a>, co founder of Apple. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kottke">Daniel Kottke</a> a friend of jobs in the 1970's and employee no.12 at Apple. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Draper">Captain Crunch</a> we phone phreaker Jobs visited to learn about it. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Kawasaki">Guy Kawasaki</a> who was chief evangelist for Jobs and Apple in the early 80's. The stories where fascinating. The guy was a great salesman and performer.<br />Another reason to admire Jobs was he was quite a nasty guy as well. For example, rejecting his first daughter Lisa, even when DNA results showed he was her father. His not paying Woz his share for making break out for Atari. And many other stories to.<br />I'm not totally a fan boy of Apple. I hate Itunes and the selling of single tunes for $0.99. I think it under sells albums and artist and media companies are losing out at Apple's gain (read <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Ride-Internet-Destroying-Business/dp/1847921485/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317928014&sr=1-1">Free Ride: How the Internet Is Destroying the Culture Business and How the Culture Business Can Fight Back</a> to get a better understanding). I detest the Ipad, and find it too expensive for what it does (there's a suprise. Apple. Too expensive?)<br />So, why was I upset at Jobs passing? Jobs was a genius. He had 3 successes. Apple. Next. Pixar. For most people, one would be good. But three? Christ, thats insane. Jobs was also a legend. His idea of design was groundbreaking.<br />Jobs was also a legend (sometimes in his own mind). His work on the popularisation of Tablet computers and Mp3 players and changing the record indusrty, just mind blowing.<br />But finally, his passing shows that he was admired. RIP Steve Jobs.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-51173635151940083972011-08-06T22:02:00.003+01:002011-08-06T22:07:45.266+01:00How depressing!!!!This article in The Guardian entitled <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/aug/06/libraries-will-rely-on-volunteers?INTCMP=SRCH">Libraries will rely on volunteers to survive, says report</a> incredibly sad. This comes from the <a href="http://www.local.gov.uk/web/10161/home/-/journal_content/56/10161/88908/PUBLICATION-TEMPLATE">Learning from the Future Libraries Programme Phase one</a>. Oh well. Another advancement under the great con/dem government.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-15151340893627517972011-08-04T17:08:00.002+01:002011-08-04T17:19:42.857+01:00How much for the book?With the <a href="http://www.mediageek.co.uk/blog/?p=343">rise of the kindle</a> and alleged decline of publishing, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">The Guardian</a> has an interesting article entitled <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/aug/04/price-publishing-ebooks">The true price of publishing</a>. <br />This looks at the argument of why hardbacks are so expensive in comparison to e-books, pointing out:-<br /><br /><em>publishing is a business that incurs high fixed costs. And it's this, to return to my initial question, that accounts for the high price of (indeed the very existence of) hardbacks. The publisher needs to maximise revenues in order to defray its outlay. Some people are prepared to pay top dollar to have the premium product – a hardcover copy that comes out, crucially, months before other versions. So it makes sense for the publisher to offer it to them.</em><br /><br />Anyhow, worth a look if you have time.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-33499720706459602992011-08-03T21:09:00.003+01:002011-08-03T21:16:35.216+01:00How do you quote from a kindle?Having had a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002Y27P46/ref=br_lf_m_1000523103_1_1_img?ie=UTF8&s=fiona-hardware&pf_rd_p=244196247&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000523103&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1NVZZVS433XKE1WHNF4H">Kindle</a> for a month or so I've been using it extensively. One, thing I have been wondering, is if used at University can you quote it for foot notes or endnotes. I did find this <a href="http://booksprung.com/how-to-cite-a-kindle-ebook">link</a> which says how its done though.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-26833106465152690772011-08-02T13:19:00.002+01:002011-08-02T13:29:09.787+01:00CPD Thing 10 - Graduate traineeships, Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation<a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-10-graduate-traineeships-masters.html">Thing 10 - Graduate traineeships, Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation</a> looked at Graduate traineeships which are :-<br /><br /><em>Graduate traineeships are usually 12 month long posts which start in August or September and are aimed at recent graduates who are thinking about going into librarianship. </em><br /><br />Masters degrees which are <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/accreditation/courses/Pages/default.aspx">accreddited</a> by <a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk">Cilip</a>. Which is what I have done.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/cilip-qualifications/chartership/pages/chartershipintro.aspx">Chartership</a> which CILIP describes as:=<br /><br /><em>Chartership is CILIP's professional qualification. It's more than earning the right to have MCLIP after your name. Chartered Membership opens up new career opportunities and gives Members the skills and approach needed to develop their roles and make good job applications. By honing evaluative and professional skills through Chartering, Members also add value to their organizations and can advocate effectively on behalf of their services. </em>library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27410572.post-5741051712678848992011-08-02T13:10:00.002+01:002011-08-02T13:18:31.474+01:00Thing 9: Evernote of 23 Things for Professional DevelopmentNow i've never used <a href="http://www.evernote.com ">evernote</a> (or heard of of it, even though I actually have an account). But <a href="http://cpd23.blogspot.com/2011/07/thing-9-evernote.html">Thing 9</a> was dealing with evernote which is described as :-<br /><br /><em>You want to be able to make comments on webpages and archive them along with your own notes so that everything is all in the one place and easy to access. </em><br /><br />It can also save photo's etc from conferences. Therefore, if your going to write a long post (thats not me then) this is your tool.library2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/14314466567893290603noreply@blogger.com0