Month: April 2015

Week 10 – Things 22 and 23

Thing 22 – memes

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/x-all-the-y?ref=related-entries

Wikipedia tells us: “A meme (/ˈmiːm/ meem)[1] is “an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture”.[2] A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate, and respond to selective pressures.“

Here is my  meme for Allie Broch’s image from her Hyperbole and a Half comic “Why I’ll Never Be an Adult”

I don’t have much to say about memes except that I appreciate them and those that can use their wit to create them.  It is difficult to be funny when you’re not in person.  So here is something (a little dated) from the New York Times that will give you a little more background. Internet Memes101  And this from YouTube …

Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to create a meme and post it on the 23thingsppl2015 blog – it doesn’t have to be funny.

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Thing 23 – YouTube / Ustream

YouTube

YouTube is probably the largest and best known video-sharing website, popular for entertainment and for educational purposes alike, but at the same time a powerful social media marketing tool. We do not need to explain YouTube to anyone reading this blog, but just in case you want a little background information, read about YouTube in Wikipedia.

On YouTube you can watch everything from vintage Ed Sullivan clips to a the bizarre “sport” of extreme ironing.

Before we become mesmerized by such irresistible entertainment, it is only fair to point out that YouTube is far more than an outlet for the time-sucking ridiculosity of Jackass wannabes.

So what has YouTube got to do with serious research? Plenty, as it turns out. Amongst all the fun and great music, there are hundreds of research orientated videos out there.

Take a look at this presentation on particle physics, for example:

On YouTube, the humanities are just as well-represented as the sciences.  Here is an example of a clever poetry slam performance, which even Sheldon might appreciate:

YouTube task

Step 1:
Go to YouTube and see what is out there.

Step 2:
Insert a video into your blog and discuss why you selected it.

ustream

Although YouTube is a huge forum for pre-recorded content, the site continues to develop and expand its services. For example, YouTube now offers a platform to enable broadcast and viewing of live events, from cricket matches to concerts to gaming.

Live streaming, a.k.a. webcasting, is not new but it is a growing industry. Live streaming technology makes it possible for video content to be played on the Internet in real time. Content can be viewed form anywhere with any connected device, including a smart phone.

There are numerous live broadcasting services, such as Ustream, where real-time streaming media can be created or watched. “Live is the future of the Internet” — Craig Jarvis, co-founder of CreativeLive classes, hosted on Ustream.

It is important to realize that these service providers normally offer free and fee-based services, and a user account may be required to watch programs. Ustream’s basic service is free and runs on advertising revenue, but its Pro Broadcasting service is not free.
Explore Ustream and tell us what you think.  Is live media truly the new model of Internet broadcasting or merely a fad?

Week 9 – Things 20 and 21

Thing 20 – Plug-ins and Extensions, or some of Terri’s favourite tools.

I found this really nice book 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web that you can read online.  I skipped the HTML and other coding pages, I’m not really interested in that stuff but I did learn why I don’t need to worry about my laptop getting hit by a bus.

Task

  1. Read Thing 8 and Thing 9 in that book link above for great explanations of Plug-ins and Extensions.

Where to find Plug-ins, Extensions and Add-ons

Google Chrome

In the upper right hand corner there are 3 horizontal lines.  Click those, got to more tools then extensions.  If you have any they will be listed here and this is where you manage them. At the very bottom of the page you can Get More Extensions.  Go ahead, explore!

Mozilla Firefox

Go to the three horizontal lines in the upper right hand corner.  This time, click on add-ons. Firefox has millions of add-ons, extensions and plugins.  Watch the video for more info then experiment!

Internet Explorer

Sorry, my experience is limited here.  Click on Tools in the upper right hand corner (I’m sensing a theme), it looks like a cog. Then pick Manage Add-ons.  In the lower left corner there are a couple of links to find and learn about toolbars and extensions.  I recommend following those links.

I use Firefox and Chrome. Some of my favourite add-ons include: Adblock Plus, Fire IE (sometimes a web page will only work in IE), and Email this!

If you downloaded and installed Feedly or LastPass they will show on your extensions page.  What about Pinterest, have you added a Pin-it button?  Go ahead, explore. Blog about your favourite plug-ins, add-ins and extensions

Thing 21 – LibraryThing

As a book lover, a student, or a researcher, you might have built a collection of your own books. But are your books hidden away on a shelf somewhere? Or still packed up in a box after moving? Do you enjoy discovering new and forgotten gems to read? If so, then LibraryThing may be just the tool for you. LibraryThing is a cataloging and social networking site for book lovers, including people like us who work in libraries.

Developed especially for book lovers, this online tool not only allows you to create an online catalogue of your own materials, but it also connects you to other people who have similar libraries and reading tastes. Simply add a book to your catalogue by entering title words, or other bibliographic details, and you will connect with individuals who share your reading interests.

There are many features to LibraryThing. It is an organizational aid, for example, that permits you to view your books on a virtual shelf.  You can also read reviews, participate in discussions, and learn about featured authors.

To get started, watch this short video that tells you about LibraryThing:

Now, why not create your own library online? With nearly 2,000,000 users and 90 million books already catalogued, you are bound to discover something new and worth reading!

Step 1:
Go to LibraryThing and create an account.

Step 2:
Add a least five books to your library.

Step 3:
Blog about your findings and be sure to link to your LibraryThing catalogue. How popular were your books? Did you find any discussions about your favourites?

Here are some useful LibraryThing links: