Fun with QR Codes

While looking for some inspiration for a QR Code project idea I came across this interesting site where a university library created a QR Code project for their library users.  There are some really great videos on this website to look at.

QR Code

Your QR Code must be linked to a website, therefore the previous one did not work out, even though on the QR Code generator website it stated that it could be a website or text that you could generate into a code. At least I am learning a lot, I have a better understanding of social media than I ever would have been interested in knowing since I am not a techno enthusiast. I would rather potter around in my garden growing herbs and vegetables. But I am in the library field afterall all, and I most definitelly do need to at least try and keep up to date with what is happening in the social media world. Many library users are into the latest technology, and in order to help them we too need to at least have an idea of what they are talking about. This is an extremely user friendly website to use to generate QR Codes from.

http://www.qrstuff.com/

QR Code for a possible project?

I have decided to try the QR Code for my project and since I have managed to add one to my blog, I think I should continue with it.

The QR Code project has proved to be a lot of work, but it is exciting to think that so much information
is stored in a little black and white block.

To Podcast or not?

It appears as if I may have to opt to do a podcast instead of a wiki. I will therefore try to recap some information on the subject of creating a podcast since I have not yet done so fully. According to Wikipedia, a podcast is a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of audio radio, video, PDF, or ePub files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device. The word is a neologism derived from "broadcast" and "pod" from the success of the iPod, as podcasts are often listened to on portable media players. An interesting video can be viewed at the following website on how to create a podcast.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hrBbczS9I0">

Wikis

Wikis were discussed in our last class.  It means super fast in the Hawaiin language and is a Web 2.0 tool collaboration.  It reminded me of another Hawaiin word I know "Keanu" which means cool breeze blowing over mountain. ;-)

It is a web application that allows uers to add content, but also allows uers anyone to edit the content.  This can be done because it is internet based.  They are also hypertext based because it is available on the internet.  Wikis use collaborative software, most of the wiki software is free of charege, and enables documents to be authored collectively using a web browser.  People are allowed to share knowledge and harness the collective intelligence.  Team members are able to share knowledge simply and quickly. 

If we create an open wiki anyone can view it,and if we invite people they can edit the information as well.  Users can track changes made to pages, and have alerts sent to them via email letting them know when others have made changes.

Talk pages can be used to discuss differences, while the user talk pages communicate directly with other users or leave them messages.

Some advantages of wikis over books are that wikis are updateable, information can be conveyed more easily through interlinking, and it is also more collaborative.  The main disadvantage is that quality control is an issue.

Overall, wikis are a great way of sharing, learning and adding to information.

Internet Filtering

Internet filtering was covered in the last class which was interesting since it is a form of censorship.  The filter is software loaded onto the computer. 

It is the controlling or supression of the publishing of information on the internet.  From preventing something from being viewed you are censoring it.  It does in a way defeat the purpse of a library which is to provide information.  Just because someone or company feels that certain information should not be made public does not give them the right to withhold it, but that is exactly what is being done through the use of internet filters.  For censorship to happen you must have a body of people who who make decisons about what must be censored.  They decide based on a certain criteria why certain information must be censored.  Many books were banned in the past, they were burnt, that was a form of censorship, information was not merely withheld it was completely destroyed.  Governments often use censorship as a means of covering up actions they know people will not agree with.

Internet filters are also installed in computers to prevent children from viewing inappropriate information.  They often find a way to to access the very information they are trying to be protected from.  The best way to protect them would therefore be to educate them from that wich they are being prevented from accessing. You can download free internet filtering software from the following websites


http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content-control_software