QR Code

For my reference source review paper, I used The Contemporary Thesaurus of Search Terms and Synonyms: A Guide for Natural Language Computer Searching, Second Edition by Sara D. Knapp.

The three brief tips I developed for my reference source review paper are:

How to use it – This is a ready-reference book and used very much like a standard thesaurus. It should be noted that the introductory text is of high value to both users new to search and experienced searchers who are looking for a refresher.

When to use it – Use this book when you need to identify alternate words or phrases for a search term.

How it relates to another resource (hardcopy or digital) in the collection – This edition covers humanities, social sciences, and business. The first edition only covered social sciences. The book is not a part of a collection.

For this assignment’s QR code reference tip, I selected a modern, web based version of the standard paperback or hardcover thesaurus – the Visual Thesaurus by Thinkmap (Thinkmap). The Visual Thesaurus is a 3D interactive reference tool that, using visualization technology, presents users with an animated display of words and meanings — a visual representation of the English language (Thinkmap). It’s a highly engaging experience and delivers a tree or mind map visual of the word or phrase searched that gives users a comprehensive view of words and phrases linked to the users search term.

The QR code I created takes the user directly to the Visual Thesaurus website (http://www.visualthesaurus.com/).

My tip associated with the QR code would be: Try a 3D word map to explore meanings and words and phrases linked to your search  term.

References

Thinkmap. (n.d.). ThinkMap Visual Thesaurus. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Visual Thesaurus: http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Thinkmap. (n.d.). Visual Thesaurus. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Thinkmap : http://www.thinkmap.com/visualthesaurus.jsp

(This is a project I worked on with several other students as part of the requirements for 511)

The last year has been extremely difficult for school library programs. School districts across the nation are facing budget crises and are resorting to cutting “nonessential” programs. In most states, school libraries and qualified school librarians are not mandated, so they are extremely vulnerable to cuts. In order to survive, school library programs must enter into a new era of librarianship, organization development, social expectations, and infrastructure. Gone are the easy and breezy days of low expectations and decisions based on historical data. This new culture brings a new vocabulary and set of rules — contemporary operations must embrace less resources and fewer options and work within those confines. The mix of positive and negative news about school library funding clearly heralds this new generation of passion, knowledge, structure and service in school librarianship.

Continued…

Epic Sunrise over Angkor Wat

So I started this a couple weeks ago, and sat on it. Got re-inspired (not sure that’s a word) in 511 to finish it, and sat on it. So now instead of pumping out internship or fellowship applications (more will be posted on this later), going deeper into XML or getting intimate with Netflix, I guess now it’s time to get reflective.

One semester down. For obvious reasons, being a career changer after nearly 15 years in the workforce, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to get things right. There’s not a whole lot of time to fuck around with in general and I really want to be doing what I’m passionate about, and maximizing my future opportunities. I’m fine with the reinvention of self and, for me, it’s in my DNA, so I’m comfortable with it, and will continue to do it in some way, shape or form as the years tick on. However, that time is ticking fast. REALLY fast. It’s comforting knowing you’re in the right place and that’s exactly where I am. Continued…

One Angry Kitty

NOT! Why do I even bother? No  service for almost all of a Saturday, plus some spotty patches throughout the month. Most of which I contacted TWC about. They apologize and tell me to expect to see a reduction in my bill. My bill comes. No reduction. I spend way too long on customer support chat trying to get this sorted out. What do I get? $2.92 off my next bill.

Really?

How about you just tell me never to contact customer support again?

That would be a lot more valuable to me than the wasted time talking to TWC Support plus the $2.92. Sadly, when you’re the only game in town you can do what you want…Below is the transcript…Read it and weep…At least it gave me something to write about…I guess Continued…

Awesome pierogies. Just awesome. Get a bite. Here.