Image from thewildernessdowntown.com
Most of the time the difference between one web standard and another isn’t obvious in day-to-day use, but HTML5 is different. It’s currently supported on many browsers, and will enable several features that will make (y)our Internet experience much, much better. Via CurrentCites, here’s the beginning of an article in Technology Review that goes over the details and explains what’s what. Drexel Libraries has access Technology Review if you want to read the whole thing, which I’d recommend.
One example of HTML5 in action is the experimental interactive video The Wilderness Downtown by Arcade Fire. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should check it out. It combines the video with information you provide, making it a custom video.
Some features pointed out in the Technology Review article:
You’ll be able to drag and drop images from web pages to email, and so on. GMail allows this now, but this will be ubiquitous with HTML5.
Video and audio will be easily embedded into web pages, eliminating the need for Flash.
There will be increased browser storage. This means that interactions with web sites will be much faster because your browser will have less constant back-and-forth with the server. This also means that more information will be stored in your browser, so even if you’re not connected to the internet, you’ll be able to send emails, or change your fantasy football roster and your browser will sync it up when you reconnect.
ReadWriteWeb has a post reviewing some of the advantages or disadvantages of using an iPad as a replacement for a notebook computer. Read it here. Are these things to consider when we’re looking at whether students would use these in the library?
A couple months ago, there was a short thread on the LITA listserv that caught my eye. A library school student was asking for suggestions on “tech trends” to investigate. There were several responses, and I’ve distilled some of the feedback below.
There were several practical skills suggested, but others suggested adjusting one’s approach toward newer ideas and skills — “becoming a lifelong learner” and getting familiar with ways to apply trends to the library setting. I think this is an essential skill for successful librarians, and for successful libraries.
The overview:
- XML
- XSLT
- Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web Services
- Cloud and super computing
- Relational databases and Indexing
- eInk and eReaders
- Digital preservation
- Copyright management
- Techniques in distance education technologies (i.e., Wimba, CMS, etc.)
- Assimilating new technologies into your work life
- Writing about your experiences
- Become familiar with how you learn technology and skills — becoming a lifelong learner
There were also links to two Library Journal articles by Roy Tennant that get at this point.
The recent issue of Walt Crawford’s Cites & Insights (which I admittedly don’t regularly read) has an interesting column on when Web 2.0 approaches are worthwhile. It includes impressions and opinions of various bloggers in library land, and calls some approaches into question.
For example, do we want to offer a service that people are unlikely to use, simply because it’s easy to create? What kinds of in-library services should we focus on, in order to bring our base level of service to excellent? Take a look.
I got this notice about an additional copyright workshop, if anyone is interested.
Only 20 online seats are remaining for the second workshop in the 08-09 Workshop Series; join us! Early registration ends next week on October
26th:
THE SECTION 108 STUDY
http://www.umuc.edu/cip/ipa/
November 10-20, 2008
Moderated by Laura (Lolly) Gasaway
Learn about recent legal updates that allow libraries to provide access to copyrighted works for faculty and students.
Please see linked website for a detailed description & course objectives
- http://www.umuc.edu/cip/ipa/workshops.shtml#section108
SIGN UP TODAY: http://tinyurl.com/6b5f9x [Secured Server].
Take 6 Package – $750.
Take 3 Package- $375.
*Individual Early Bird Rates $150 each.
