Easy as 1-2-3!

Simplicity

As a student, do you often feel like you're drowning in assignments and deadlines? It can become very hard to "keep your head above water" when it feels like everything is piling up and you're struggling to cope with everything you need to do.

Creating quality work within a limited time can be very stressful. Thankfully the web is designed for convenience and we have come across some useful apps and websites that are geared towards making your life a little simpler!

For Students...

How often have you wished to have someone to talk to about those tricky questions you just don't quite grasp? TodaysMeet is a great platform for students to login and discuss assignment questions, homework activities and any topic of interest that you wish to learn more about. 

If you are like me, you probably saw this icon a million times... You may have even wondered what it was for, but you probably never opened it to actually check! This nifty little tool is the perfect way to crop or cut out segments of information that are of interest to you. Very useful for capturing that snippets without the fuss of having to screenshot the entire page and then edit later.

This site is extremely valuable when searching for information on a specific topic. SlideShare gives you access to the presentations and information of other academics. A platform for retrieval and sharing of information in a user friendly manner.

For Researchers...

Survey Monkey is a quick and easy way to design a multi-faceted questionnaire that can be emailed or printed at your convenience. Offering you a range of options from comment/text boxes, rating scales, multiple choice, and many more options to ensure you get the correct type of information you require. The cool thing is that this site provides you with templates that have pre-loaded questions to help guide you, but you can also start from scratch if you know what you want. Simple, huh?

For Instructors...

Jing is the new quick and easy app that gives you a number of options when it comes to either capturing information or creating an instructional video without all the fuss! This tool is great for tutorials and demos. The cute little sun icon gives you quick links to capture images or make videos, check your history, and access your settings. Very useful especially when you don't have hours to spend on compiling your own video or editing images to highlight certain areas of interest.

MS PowerPoint is soooo last generation! Prezi is the new creative and innovative way of designing amazing presentations with the click of a button! There is a catch though, since this is online, it would be wise to create a PP backup just to be on the safe side!

For Designers...

These days, almost everyone is an aspiring entrepreneur and many rely on websites as a primary way of promoting their work. Designing a website can be pretty tedious if you have to think about going the ancient route of using NotePad! Luckily I've got your back! With sites such as Google sites and Wix, the internet has introduced a quick and easy way to design those simple, professional websites that will wow your audience! They have templates for your convenience but you also have the creative freedom to choose a blank site and start from scratch. Alternatively, is also a free, quick and easy way to save the day! So what's stopping you...?

For All...

Google is one of the most common terms doing rounds all over. Many people think of Google as a search engine that provides quick and easy access to a vast amount of information and resources available out there on the world wide web. Well...true as that may be, Google offers much more than just quick links and info sources.

These are just some of the many great benefits that comes along with Google...and this is just the tip of the iceberg! The amazing thing is that all of these apps are quick and easy to use and can be linked to your phone for a quick complete ease of access.

Say Goodbye to Lengthy URLs!

Nothing is more annoying than receiving a link that has 3-5 lines of characters. This gets messy and many times, links get copied incorrectly which means that sites become inaccessible. Luckily there is remedy for this! With TinyURL you can quickly shorten your lengthy address to a number off 20+ characters. The great thing is that these links do not break when emailed and they do not expire!

So, you see, the we can be friend or fiend depending on how we utilize it. There are loads more opportunities out there, and if you can think of any more, please do share!

Library QR Code Quest (Project 2)

Seek and You Shall Find!

Welcome one and all to the Library QR Code Quest! You might be wondering what on earth that is?? Let me try and make it simple. We spoke about QR Codes before, but just as a refresher, QR codes are barcodes, comprising of tiny squares, that have been encrypted with information. QR codes can only be "read" using a QR scanner which is quick and easy to download on your smart device from your app store.

So what is a QR Quest?

The QR Quest is an activity whereby students have to search for and locate a number of QR codes that have been hidden in specific places. Each code will either link you to a clue that you have to figure out and then locate the item requested. These quests (scavenger/treasure hunts) are great activities for small and large groups and can be used as an icebreaker or team building activity. The great thing about this activity is that it can be adapted to suit your specific needs, i.e, codes can be encrypted with website links, plain text, images, videos, and loads of other items! It is quick and easy to setup and can be great fun! QR codes can be generated from QRstuff or ClassTools. 

Library QR Quest

There are seven clues hidden throughout the library. You have 7 minutes to find and unscramble these clues.

 Instructions are as follows:

1. Ensure that you have a smart phone (or other relevant device)

2. Download a QR scanner from your app store (if you don't already have one

3. Once installed, scan the first "introduction" code and follow the instructions.

Introduction

Clue 1

Clue 2

Clue 3

Clue 4

Clue 5

Clue 6

Clue 7

How many do you think you can find in 7 minutes?

The Debate of Internet Fate

To Censor or Not to Censor? That is the Question

Like fire, the internet can be your friend or foe. Availing information that might otherwise have been unattainable, the internet has become a global sensation and has become a popular medium for information and communication purposes. Many government bodies around the world are becoming fearful of the nature of information that is made available and are beginning to clamp down on what we share over the net by filtering the information that is allowed and censoring that which is not.

Many fear that with the implementation of censorship internet freedom is at jeopardy. Those fears might be more of a reality than many realise.  Censoring of internet freedom of speech is approaching at a breakneck speed, and is causing an outrage in the path it is now forging. In 2012, there was a huge outcry among the inhabitants of the cyber world, caused by bills SOPA and PIPA. The purpose being to prevent piracy and the online distribution of counterfeit goods. Critics of this legislation include Google, Facebook, Twitter, Wkipdedia, Yahoo, eBay, LinkedIn, AOL, among others. Google even blacked out their logo for the a while and included a link to the anti-censorship petition.

When internet censorship is mentioned, the first point of reference is often the infamous Great Firewall of China, as they have been very vocal about their limitations and restrictions they have placed on internet use. However, internet censorship legislation already exists in several nations around the world...and the number is still growing! In countries such as China, Japan, USA, South Korea, Australia, the UK, Canada and recently 22 additional members of the European Union have signed the ACTA, which threatens to alter the internet as it has so far existed. With this new agreement, ISP's will be forced to monitor each and every data package being shared over the net and if you are found in violation of ACTA on several accounts, you will either be disconnected from the internet or face criminal charges. This is taken a step further by sending the unauthorized data to the publishers who may then take further action which ranges from penalty fines or criminal charges. Offenses include being in possession of and distributing copyrighted material such as quoting newspaper articles, sharing a video on social media that may contain a copyrighted song, to name a few.

Are these ACTS just acts?

The notion that censorship is merely a concern for the protection of copyrighted material is a well-debated topic. Due to popular belief, many claim that copyright infringement laws are a smokescreen for what the government is really doing. It is said that free governments are afraid of the ease of access of information by any average person and fear that information that contradict government narratives may cause people to question what they are being told to believe and accept. The government is also becoming more vocal about their real concerns, especially in the USA where they desire the same control as China as they feel that internet freedom significantly threatens the government and have been quoted to say "...it may have been better if the internet never existed".

...What are your views? 

Internet Filtering

Filters and Folly

With today's "digital age" most people spend their lives online, for personal, academic and professional reasons. Children are exposed to the internet at an all younger age and what they come across could be anybody's guess! Considering the freedom of the internet, it is sad to say that it is little surprise that as much as the internet has been a huge benefit to the world of information, there are many people who misuse this platform for ill-gain and to spread folly! And who are the ones that are most at risk? The children! Therefore, it becomes important to monitor what content is being viewed so that a certain level of control can be exercised, to ensure that the internet is being used to it's full potential in a way that is beneficial and wholesome to everyone. One way of achieving this is by applying internet filters.

 

What is internet filtering?

Have you ever tried accessing a website only to get an error message instead? Internet filtering refers to the means blocking the access of certain websites and information deemed harmful or sensitive. Filters work by interrupting the internet connection when trying to access this banned content on the world wide web. Content is filtered for various reasons, some of which include political, religious, or moral dilemmas. Since filters can be applied to certain websites, topics, or keywords, the problem with internet filtering becomes finding a balance... In many cases there is either an over-blockage, in which case the information being sought have super sensitive filters, or an under-blockage, in which case the filters are not stringent enough and finding loopholes are more obvious. When considering the application of internet filtering, it is important to follow guidelines that will help make the internet an informative yet safe space for all.

 

 

Internet filters

filters are the software that is installed that is designed to censor offensive, harmful or sensitive information by denying access to websites or information that has been banned. Leading filters include CleanFeed, NetNanny, SafeSearch, and CyberSitter. Some home security software (antivirus software) also include filters as part of the package.

Internet filtering and libraries

Internet filtering can be tricky for libraries, whereby librarians have a duty to avail information to the users without passing judgement on what the information is that the user seeks. Many public libraries restrict access to information deemed inappropriate in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act. This can be done by using a formula of trigger words, images, links, and certain file types, and URL's where a blacklist is created. However, filters are only up to 80% accurate for text and 50% for images, thus there are many loopholes and workarounds. It is argued that by filtering the internet, "libraries risk jeopardising the community they service from competing in a modern information economy based on the fact that the internet is generally designed to be unfiltered, unfettered, and ever-changing" (LibrarianInBlack)

 

 

...Next, we'll be looking at internet censorship. Watch this space!

Digitization and Preservation of Information for the next Generation

From Rocks and Clays to Cyber Space

Considering the state of the world today, knowledge is becoming an even more rare and precious gift. Journeying back to the past, we note that our predecessors used whatever was available to them to scribble down bits and pieces of their lives and what they knew so that their knowledge could be preserved, their story told, and their legacy built. Back then anything from rocks, to clay tablets, parchment and papyrus, and eventually paper was used. People always sought new and improved ways of recording events and preserving the knowledge they had with the generations to come. The problem with these forms are that the are relatively fragile. Though people would locate these ancient wisdoms, over time these items would fade, become brittle, wilt, and fall apart, which ran the risk of losing this ancient knowledge and erasing history. Thanks to technology, this is no longer the crisis it once was!

...Lets go Digital!

With the process of digitization, technology is able to create a pretty much "immortal" copy of ancient and also newer works. With technology, fading pictures can be enhanced to create clearer and sharper images, and improve the overall visual quality of the items being digitized. Items for digitization are selected based on the content and on the demand for that item.

What is Digitization?

Digitization is simply the conversion of printed material into an electronic version by means of scanning it (via a scanner) so that it can be read on a device.

Items that can be digitized include, but is not limited to:-

• Printed books
• Images
• Manuscripts
• Paintings
• Prints
• 3-D Objects

Digitization has fast become a favourite way of improving the preservation of, especially, fragile originals that cannot be handled due to the poor condition it is in. It also improves access to that item as e-resources are available online. 

Benefits:

• Quick and easy access to items in high demand
• Display of materials that are otherwise inaccessible
• Allowing dispersed collections to be united
• Enhancement of images that have otherwise faded or damaged

Watch this Video to find out more about the process of digitization

"In order to know where you are going you need to know where you've been" - James Burke

With the process of digitization, this will be possible for years and years to come!

E-Books

Welcome the New E-rivals

When it comes to weighing your options, it is easy to see why e-books became the more popular choice among so many. E-books refer to the electronic version of a book that can be read on a variety of devices, including but not limited to an e-reader, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. 

Benefits of e-books

There are numerous reasons why e-books are beneficial for individuals as well as institutions. Some of the most popular reasons include the fact that they are space savers - because they do not take up physical space, they are easy to store at the convenience of the user. An entire collection of books can be housed on a single device. E-books are searchable - locating information can be quick and easy. With a multi-user license - there is no need to wait ages to use a book if someone else is using it. Multiple users are able to use the book simultaneously. Some e-books even have interactive features which include the use of audio-visual material such as music and animated images, as well as videos, which can enhance the message being portrayed in the book and make available various resources within a single item, some of which may include links to other related and relevant information. Best of all they are environmentally friendly so no trees need to die in order to produce them!

E-books are no doubt very useful and convenient, but as the old saying goes, "everything that glitters is not gold" and e-books are no exception.

Challenges of e-books

• Not all titles are available in electronic format
• Many licenses require repeated payments
• If links are damaged, the books are inaccessible
• Can be pretty costly as you need to acquire the correct hardware to gain access to the book

No Right or Wrong

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to digital vs printed books. People prefer various formats for a variety of reasons. As for myself, when it comes to having to choose between a hard-copy of a book and a soft-copy, I am still one of those old school people who enjoy paging through a book and discovering the secrets they contain within their pages. I read to escape from an otherwise "online" life and I enjoy not having to worry about my book running out of power :)

Open Access to Knowledge

Open Sesame!... Knowledge is the Key!

Once upon a time, there were a group of scholars and researchers who set out to make the world a better place by making new discoveries, developing new theories, and advancing existing knowledge. They were not interested in being famous or making lots of money. They done what they done for the love of learning and sharing. Unfortunately, getting their work out there was not an easy task. They had to go through publishing companies who agreed to put their work out there for others to access. However, these publishing companies had a different agenda. Their aim was to make money. Though they do not do much to add value to the research they publish, they make a huge profit which, ultimately, benefits only them. Although they kept their word about putting the research "out there", they charged fee upon fee for the access and reuse of the research they now owned. Since most publishing companies own all rights to the research, they alone made the rules and researchers had no say. This began to trouble researchers as it thwarted their initial intentions and goals.

As these complaints continued to pour in from researchers and students, and as the internet continued to grow and make things more widely available to anyone and everyone, the cry of the people were heard and a new movement began! The movement of Open Access! This movement had two leading fronts, namely:

Gratis and Libre

Gratis who agreed that people should not have to pay to access research, but should be able to access the information freely as was the intentions of the researchers who produced the research. However, gratis did not give people freedom to use the research as they please, but maintained restrictions in terms of distribution, making copies, and modifying the research in anyway beyond that of fair use. Libre on the other hand, felt that research should not only be free to access, but also took it a step further by granting people additional rights and privileges by applying the Creative Commons license so that people could reuse and remix the research as required and the dreams of the researchers could be fulfilled, by sharing knowledge for the good of all the world!

Benefits of Open Access

Open Access also holds a number of benefits for libraries, institutions and students, where for libraries, resources will be accessed more often, institutions will have quality, credible information available to students, and students will have unlimited access to reliable research and resources at no cost to them.

BBB...Leaders of the Open Access Movement

Budapest OA Initiative: Literature that should be free to access should be those used by scholars not seeking payment for their contributions, including peer-reviewed journal articles as well as any un-reviewed pe-prints they wish to share online. By making this open access, it means that anyone wishing to use the research would be free of any technical, legal, and financial barriers that may previously have hindered them. The only limits remaining would be that granting authors control over the integrity of their work and the right to be acknowledged and cited.

Budapest also proposed two methods of achieving open access namely:

1. Self-archiving
2. Open Access Journals

Bethesda Statement on OA Publishing: Extending on the definition of OA, some key points raised in this statement are that authors and copyright holders grant users free, irrevocable, worldwide perpetual rights to access, copy, use and distribute the work in a digital medium for any legal purposes, provided, again, that authors be correctly acknowledged and cited when their work is used.

Another point states that a complete version of all research and supplementary materials be deposited in at least one online repository, in a standard electronic format as soon as it published. The repositort should be controlled by a tertiary institution, governmental agency or well established organisation.

Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Science and Humanities: There are minor differences between the Berlin Declaration and Bethesda Statement, but they essentially say the same thing. 

To implement the Berlin Declaration at institutions a policy should be implemented

1. Requiring researchers to deposit a copy of all published articles in an open access repository.
2. Encouraging their researchers to publish research articles in suitable open access journals, where possible.

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