iSkills Web 2.0 training

A new wiki page has been created under 23 Things for staff undertaking the iSkills Web 2.0 training of customers...


"This page has been created for Web 2.0 trainers to provide feedback and comments about the iSkills Web 2.0 training for customers."

Please use the wiki to share with each other how the training is going, what works well and what the customer response is like, as well as any other helpful comments or feedback.

What is Web2.0 and Where is it Going?

Over at Nottherealworld, one of our own BCC 23 Things blogs, there is a fantastic post about what Web2.0 is and where it is going, currently being called Web3.0.

To go direct to the really good post and see the embedded videos, go to:

http://nottherealworld57.blogspot.com/2008/09/already-talk-of-web-30.html

It gives some good, clear explanations about how Web2.0 evolved and where it is now, and what is likely in the future. It's definitely worth having a look and watching the videos.

Want more HOWTO's?

If you are finding something difficult to do and can't find anywhere showing you "Howto" yourself, please leave a comment in this blog so we know we need to add another Howto!

HOWTO: Subscribe to an RSS Feed Using Bloglines

It's easy!

Here's a video I found on YouTube to explain it:



Remember! You will need to be logged in to your bloglines account to do it though.

How to Blog a Flickr Photograph

So you want to blog a photograph from Flickr?

And you've tried to save it to your computer and then upload it perhaps, using Blogger's upload image function. But all you get is either a broken image or a white box. "Damn Blogger, keeps ruining my images!" you think!

Ahh but does it?

This method of using images on your blog is considered stealing them, and Flickr is very carefully set up so that you cannot do this. If you try to copy or save any of the photographs on Flickr in this manner, it cunningly gives you a white box or broken image for your troubles.

But now you're thinking "But I saw Kath and other people have blogged images from Flickr! No fair!"

You can do this too, providing the owner of the photograph you would like to blog, has actually given permission for you to do so.

To do this, it is VERY easy. If a person has given permission for you to use their images on your blog, you will see a little link above the photograph, as per the example below, circled in red:

The first time you use this function, you will need to set it up with the Open Source settings, but once you have done that, it's very easy to use and is the legitimate way to blog and credit photographs from Flickr. It's very simple, it will take you to a page that shows the photograph, a title block and text box, you blog there, hit publish and voila, you've blogged the image.

There are other ways to share images/photographs in your blog, through such tools as Photobucket or Shutterfly etc, but Flickr and Blogger are designed to work together, so this is the first you should learn.

Mind Your Manners - Blogging Etiquette

I've had some emails and even questions on people's blogs about what kind of etiquette is expected in the "blogosphere". So I thought I'd share a few of the things I've learnt in my time as a blogger (about two years).

• Always credit anything you use that is not yours. If you use Flickr and YouTube embeds, they will automatically link back to the original owner. But if you use information from another website, provide it's name and a link back to it. Or if you quote an article, link back to an online copy of that article.
• If you want to offer critique of something, use a polite, constructive tone. Remember, people are very attached to their work (be it blogs, photos, videos, whatever) and it's ok to share constructive criticism, but openly bagging something is not cool. How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of that yourself?
• Give your blog a title, and tags (labels).
• If you read someone's blog, comment on it from time to time - all bloggers love to hear from their audience.
• Keep your blog clear, the paragraphs reasonably short and check your spelling!
• Don't assume your audience understands something as clearly as you do. Explain!
• Keep it upbeat. A raging rant just gets your readers cranky... and they're likely not to come back.
• Use pictures and videos to break up the text.
• Try to use a template or layout that is easy to read. Some of the grooviest looking sites give the reader a headache after two paragraphs.
• Variety is the spice of life. Don't post the same subject or same format every time you post. It makes your blog easier to read if there is some variety.
• And remember: Do unto others as you would have done unto you. If you wouldn't like something said about you, or your work not referenced, or criticism aimed at you, think twice about doing it to others.

Happy Blogging!

How to Embed Video in Your Blog

Kudos to Youtubes from Youall for finding this video on YouTube showing how to embed a video in your blog.



Lovely and simple, no need for me to reinvent the wheel!

HOWTO: Post Links in Your Blog

Want to post a link in your blog? It's easy!

If you want to paste just a straight up link, like this:

www.tametheweb.com

or this:

http://www.goodreads.com

Then just type or copy and paste the link into your blog. Blogger will automatically populate it as a link.

If you'd like to make a link that is behind some text like this:

Click here for link

Then highlight the text that you want linked, and then go and click on the little button in the format bar above your blog text box that looks like a little earth with a chain over it. If you hover your mouse/cursor over it, it says "Link".

Just type or copy and paste the URL address in the line that says URL (you don't have to have the http, but it helps) and click "OK".

Voila, your highlighted text is now a link!

Go on, have a go in your own blog.

Library staff blogging for 23 things.

Hi all,

The list of staff's blog sites has been moved to a page of its' own. The list was getting a little long for here (which is great news!). If you click on the link located on the right of this page it will take you to the blog list. There are great ideas and great blogging to be read.

Look forward to reading some more.
Leanne

Setting the Scene

Did you know that every single one of the Web2.0 technologies that we are using as part of 23 Things has personalised settings and customisations for each and every member? Yes, that's you!

For example, if you go to blogger and get all ready to post, you will see there is a button that says "Settings". If you click on it, it will take you to a whole bunch of things you can set up your blog to do, or alternatively, not do. Things like checking (moderating) any comments that are left before they are published. You can change how your blog looks, what bits can be seen, whether or not search engines can find your blog, the formats, the archives... you name it, you choose how it works!

In Facebook, you can click on the "Privacy" link (it's in the blue menu bar, on the right side of the screen) and change all kinds of things in there. Who can see your photos, which applications can be seen by whom, what parts of your profile can be seen, and even who can search for you! The same goes for MySpace.

Take the time to explore the settings, security and privacy features of each Web2.0 technology you sign up for, and set them up to suit your needs. How you share your Web2.0 technologies is up to you, and if you explore you can find LOTS of fabulous ways to customise your pages and accounts.

Happy customising!
Kath

Share a Link

Have you found something interesting/useful online in your 23 Things travels? It would be really helpful to share these links amongst us.

You can do so by clicking on the "Links to URL's" under the Accessories in the 23 Things training page. Once you are there, you'll see a little blue and white + symbol. Click on that, and you can add the details of your interesting/useful link and click on "save" and voila! You've shared the link.

Happy link sharing.

Share Your Blog!

Set up your blog? Want to share it with your colleagues? It's easy!

Go to the 23 Things learning page (that's the one with the green menu on the left hand side, where you do the training modules). In that green menu, under "Accessories" towards the bottom, you will find a link for "Links to Library Staff Blogs". Click on this link and it will take you to the share page for the library staff blogs.

As you will see, there are already some folks who have shared their blogs. Mine is the second one down on the list at the moment (it's called Kath Times 23). To add your blog, click on the little blue plus button at the bottom of the list. A window will open for you to put the name of your blog, it's URL and a description of what your blog is about. Enter this information, and then click "save".

Once you have done that, you will be able to see a link to your blog. As soon as one of the admin have verified your blog, it will be visible to everyone else.

Check the page regularly to see the new blogs and once you've done the module on how to subscribe to blogs using RSS feeds, subscribe to the ones that interest you. It's a really good idea to subscribe to this blog too.

Happy blogging and blog reading.
Kath

Instant Messaging in 23 Things

Hello it's Kath here.

I just posted a blog on my page that is relevant here. Rather than type it all out again, just this once, go to:

http://kathx23.blogspot.com/2008/09/instant-messenger-in-23-things.html

I'll add future tips and tricks here!

Happy 23thing-ing.
Kath

Getting started..

Hi all,

I know some of you have started on the 23 things journey and have you own blogs created. Don't forget that if you would like to have them added to this page so other staff can easily access and read your blog .. let me know and I will create your link on the viewing panel.

We will add some more sites and tips to this site as we progress through the sessions.

Regards
Leanne