How to make a podcast November 29, 2007
Podcasting–
Ida Barnhart has a story to tell. At eighty-nine years old, she’s seen a sleepy community grow to a bustling metropolis.
Capturing stories like hers are just one way to use podcasting to create unique content that could be archived in the library’s History Room. (Videocasting would be very impacting as well, but this is about podcasting.)
Below is a step by step recipe of how to create a podcast for your library.
But first, I want to relate what I did before jumping into how to’s.
I bought a microphone at the local office supply store for around fifty dollars. It connects into the USB port of my computer like a gamer would use. I knew from my reading that a headphone type set would be best for my purposes. There is less outside noise recorded, and the clarity is much purer.
I downloaded a free software called Audacity.
I was directed at that site to another, to download an mp3 converter, also free, called LAME.( the link is on the Audaciy site)
I downloaded both to the file where I keep such stuff, but you can put them anywhere you like, just make sure you remember where you put it. You will need it when you create your podcast.
Once I had both Audacity and Lame encoder installed, I opened Audacity and then plugged in my microphone.
I tried out a few test recordings. What you record is up to you. The sky is the limit. 
I added music from SoundClick, which I found through Creative Commons then saved my file. At that point, I chose Export as MP3 which locates your LAME and converts your new file into MP3 format. A small dialog box pops up where you enter meta data about the content.
Here’s the link.
Now you need someplace to host this music file. Yes it is still a music file because its not on a medium that can offer an RSS feed
Basics
Bandwidth-
Is bandwidth an issue in your library?
The answer is probably yes.
Do you have enough bandwidth to support large mp3 files?
The answer is probably not.
So, you will likely have to go to a paid hosting service. Fear not, they’re reasonably priced for the storage you get. I went with GoDaddy.com based upon another library’s use and recommendation of GoDaddy’s hosting service and pricing.
end part one
Check out my Slide Show of my LibraryThing books! November 9, 2007
I can’t put a widget in yet to LibraryThing, so I thought I’d play around and post some bookcover images from my LibraryThing account and give you an introduction to Slide.com
Slide.com is a FREE slide show site that allows you to create slides without joining or becoming a member.
It makes it easy to create slide shows with no needed software to download. It takes only minutes to do it and you get an interesting, sometimes exciting result.
The display results are changable and varied. I use Slide.com for our Library’s blog where I will put the covers of upcoming book discussion. It works very well, and its so easy to do.
Give it a try!
Google Presentation saved me November 7, 2007
I love free things on the Web.
I just do.
So, when I stumbled upon Google Presentation, I found how easy it was to create PowerPoint-like slides without having Microsoft Office. I got busy.
I was logged in to Google and clicked on More, then on Documents.
I’d used Google documents before so there was a reason for my poking around, and ah hah!
I found something. Google Presentation. Bingo
Here’s How
First thing is to have a Google account. Then log in.
At the main Google search page, click on More (top of screen)
then click on Documents
then on Presentation
Google Presentation is similar to PowerPoint slides.
Some neat features–
Your slideshow is Web-ready
You don’t need to save your files to a flash drive
You don’t have to worry if the computer you may be using has PowerPoint
You have an instant interactive class for students anywhere around the world.
Here’s How
Once you are finished with your slides, click on Start Presentation.
This makes the slides you created available on the Web.
You’ll see a meeting sidebar pop up on right, next to your slides.
There is a box at the bottom to type into.
The ensuing chat shows in the larger center box like any IM messaging window.
When your presentation is finished, simply close your file.
You can access the Presentation file from the Documents link under More
or under My Account.
All Google Document and Google Presentation files are stored there.
A few things to note:
If you click on Publish, you can get the URL for your slide presentation to put onto your blog.
If you are usuing an overhead and do not want to use the interactive chat feature, simple click on the separator bar between the slide and the chat window. The slide will expand to the right and the chat window disappears.
LibraryThing November 5, 2007
6 Reasons to use LibraryThing
- Insure your collection. You don’t have to remember what you have, since LibraryThing can keep your information safe.
- Know the value of your collection. Are you a FOL group? Earn money by selling books on E-bay. With LibraryThing, you will know exactly what you have in the collection, including first editions.
- Friends of the Library Bookstore. Become organized. Many Friends of the Library bookstores are manned by volunteers. Make location of books much easier by entering location details in the description tags.
- Small private bookstores. Run a more effective used bookstore by this easy online catalog. Your customers can see what you have from their own computers. Search your store with the easy search feature.
- Organize your personal library, and see what others are reading. Post your own reviews and read others of books you have in your collection.
- Chat with bibliophiles with similar book collections or interests.
I’m addicted to LibraryThing.
There it is, the truth is out.
Heartland Workshop Notes October 26, 2007
Web 2.0 is all about fun.
Try these applications below and join in.
I’ll post more on each of these with more detail in upcoming days, but here is a good list to get you started.
Flickr
photo storage and so much more
FUN with your pictures
click the link to find out about photo books, stickers, calling cards, calendars…
del.icio.us
A social bookmarks manager. Using bookmarklets, you can add bookmarks to your list and categorize them and keep them on the Web.
Meebo
Multiplatfrom Instant Message service that requires no download.
Meebo creates an IM widget for your blog, too.
YouTube
Go to Catagories to get a sense of what you can find.
Upload your video then stream from YouTube to your own blog by imbedding the link.
Literally a minute by minute social network. See a timeline of random moments.
A good site to get some information on Twitter, is:
here
LibraryThing
Catalog your own collection. A book collectors dream and easy to use. LibraryThing also offers a widget for your blog, which shows some of your titles, and links to your page. Cataloged through the Library of Congress and Amazon.com and more.
Widgets and Gadgets
I think there is a widget or gadget out there for everyone. The variety is staggering and very exciting. google gadgets yahoo widgets
Slide.com
Instant slides from picture files. Easy and fast with no logging in.
SlideShare
Share your PowerPoint Slides online. Slideshare takes some time before your slides appear so don’t upload your slides, so give yourself a day before your presentation to make sure your slides appear.
