Job hunting and blowing your own horn

I read an interesting blog found called blowing your own horn. Ahmed Bilal writes:-

Self-Promotion is something most of us are uncomfortable with - and it's not just the prospect of 'selling' that turns us off, in reality its insecurity (cleverly dressed as modesty) that holds us back.

Whether by nature or by society, we are programmed to sell ourselves short.

I was interested in this, as i have just finished my course, and working through my last few weeks at my present job. Therefore, application forms are presently my main source of reading material. Not the most interesting thing to do.

Therefore, when re-reading through a job application, how one needs to do it not only within application forms but also when working within a library.

In this point I mean the idea of advocacy. In the last few weeks I noted Meredith Farkas discussing the Mudflap girl,
who is now being used as an icon for Wyoming's libraries to indicate they 'are as expansive as the state, and as close as down the street.' I always find it interesting how libraries blowing there own horn.

Librarian movie

Via Lisnews about the documentary Hollywood Librarian. There is a review of the film of it in the Journal Times. I have talked about this film before, but it only seems to have a USA release. Any idea when it will be released here guys?

Siva Vaidhyanathan project

Siva Vaidhyanathan has written on his blog, about his new book and blog that will go with it, called The Googlization of Everything. This will look at the effect of Google on society. It seems to be a long way from completion, but sounds an interesting book. Siva say in his new blog:-

On occasion, I will post an open question on this blog. Please answer it.

So, check it out if you have time.

Dissertation is now freely available at my website

After constantly talking about my dissertation entitled Blogging and its impact on libraries and librarians I have published it here on my personal website. It has both my dissertations, but the blogging one is at the bottom. It is yet to be marked, so please don't inform me it not very good. Also my lecturer said wait for it to be marked, but I wanted to put it up. Anyhow, thanks again for all those who answered by questionaire and a special thanks again to Sarah Houghton and Meredith Farkas (the first for helping me get people to know about the questionaire, and the second for her research).
Anyhow, for those who want to read 80 pages of a pdf, enjoy.

At last.....the dissertation is done

I finally completed my dissertation today. I just have to hand it in. Its been a hard slog, but thankfully its done. I know how some other library bloggers have felt when jobs on top course work have made for a lot of work (1 & 2). I have sent this out to the people who took part before I put it up on my website for others to read (if reading 80 pages on blogging is your interest).
Anyhow, I would like to give a huge thank you to some people's whose research certainly helped. They are Michael Sauers and Meredith Farkas. I would also like to thank Sarah Houghton again for getting people to answer my questionaire.
That means I can start blogging more regularly. On top of looking for a job.

How addicted?

I found this via Thoughts from a Library Administrator, which is a test to see how addicted to blogging. I'm only 64%. I'm feeling a bit disappointed.

i am back

Well. Kind of. Just reached 10000 words on the dissertation, 5000 to go. Not really that happy with it, and might just ask if it will past. On top with job hunting and less than a month keeping up with my bloglines is a nightmare. At least an interview for a research job.

Great film and blogging

Just watching High Fidelity and as a Nick Hornby fan and reminded me of some of the best idea for blogging. The idea of list. I also like it cos its funny and very soppy and reminds me of my own girlfriend.

Affections and families....the social networking way

I was speaking to a blogging friend the other, who has taken on another blogger for his blog (I am not going to reveal the blog). Anyhow, I occasionally Digg. In passing he told me his daughter sometimes enters his stories on digg, because its his new job. How social networking sweet? How these digital natives show affection can be quite endearing?

The backroom boys and The Good, the Bad, And the 'Web 2.0'

I recently acquired The backroom boys as I had read a review of this book back in 2003. The book deals with the british boffins and 6 different invention after the war, that changed society. the chapter I was interested in the story of the BBC game elite, that was created in 1984. In the book it discusses the beginning of the UK computers and computer industry. One line struck some resonance, which was the following:-
It was going to be a future of shrink-wrapped software products far too complex to be written at home by amateurs : a world of mass marketing, not mass participation.
This reminded me of the article in the wall street journal that other bloggers had been talking about (1,2). This was a discussion between Andrew Keen, writer of The Cult of the Amateur, and David Weinberger, author of Everything is Miscellaneous. Having read some of Keen's book, he don't really appreciate the amatuer. When he says of blogger's :-
The simple ownership of a computer and an internet connection doesn't transform one into a kitchen makes one into a serious cook.
Both instances underline the role of the amateur in society. From the 1980's to today, amateurs help assist and history always shows this. Keen seems to refuse any idea of people needing non-experts to make scientific discoveries. People like Luke Howard, who gave clouds there names. Its a shame Keen seems to quick in his condemnation of the web 2.0 world.
Anyhow, I would highly recommend The backroom boys.

Meredith's questionaire

Meredith Farkas has a questionaire over on her blog. Its an update of one she had done previously on the biblioblogosphere in 2005. Its only 30 questions and really quick and easy. Funnily enough it might be used on some of my dissertation. Thanks to Walt for pointing me to this on his blog.

The history of tagging

Stephen's lighthouse has an interesting blog on the history of tagging . Well worth a look. Anyhow, I gotta pack.

55 articles for bloggers

Via lisnews, a list of 55 articles for better blogging. A really should read list (if you have the time). I'll unfortunately be in Germany with my girlfriend to see her parents and go to the beer festival. Nice.

Global services.......Whats the impact on booksellers and book swap sites?

Global services, have gone on a major increase on the 14th of may of this year. The impact of this is being felt within the book swapping industries (bookmooch, swapsimple & swapthing to name a few. This has meant that many users in America are finding it hard to be able to send out books. I reckon this might seriously affect the business model on these companies.

The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture and assualting our economy response

Having written previously about acquiring a copy of Andrew Keen's new book The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture and assualting our economy, it seems he's not really enamoured himself to many people. First up, Michael Sauers of travellin librarian fame (and the writer of the wonderful Blogging and RSS: A Librarian's Guide informed me that he had read it. He also gave me a link to his review of it, which was an interesting read. I'm still looking forward to getting it though, as it'll assist with the dissertation.

Jared Diamond's 'Guns, Germs & Steel'

I recently went to Borders and got a copy of Guns, Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond. Now, I had heard of this previously, and especially last year when the The Ubiquitous Librarian was discussing it.
Well, its an interesting read so far. It discusses why certain regions in the world advanced and others didn't. If your looking for a book that looks at history, geology, biology, this book ticks every box.

Clay Shirky at Supernova video

Clay Shirky has a great video presentation from his speech at Supernova. He discusses the impact of 'love' when we share our resources on perl problems, linux and the London 7/7. It is so worth a look, as librarians (or whatever) satisfaction is increased when we work as a team and to help others.(This article is linked via Peter Morville's blog).

New book on the way

Seeing I have started my dissertation on blogging (and it going very well, thanks very much), I have needed to find some anti-bloggers or at least anti-social networks. So whilst reading Information world review, I noted Andrew Keen's new book The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture and assualting our economy. Looks a fun read from the usual web 2.0 love in. If I hear one more feature has been added to facebook I might just scream.

What I have learnt as a blogger

Having reached 1 year and promised to write about my experiences as a blogger over that period I thought I would do that now as I've been relatively quite lately (I blame my dissertation).
1. The first thing I learnt in this year is to read before you speak. Having read Rebecca Blood's book, it gave me a basic idea and history of the subject. After that I needed to gain some people I enjoyed reading. Bloglines has really helped.
2. Always answer comments. Obvious. But many people do not. Its polite and keeps the conversation going.
3. Try and keep your post regular, but only if have something to talk about. Also, look at other blogs and extend or trim your your remit. Although my blog started off as predominantly as a predominantly library 2.0, but the remit has changed to looking at my job and dissertation.

This is just part of a series of short idea. My next post will be how to gain users to your site. This is no that i'm oh so popular, just some idea's I have learnt from other blogs and bloggers.

a quick thanks

To Sarah Houghton (aka Librarian in black) for point out my questionaire. Ning I thought might have helped, but Sarah's comments meant I got some feedback on the questinaire itself already from New Zealand.