Looks like the open access policy movement is pressing onward. This time to it’s first public university – Kansas. I’m a Mizzou alum, but I’ll deffinately say “rock chalk jayhawk” to that! Now I just gotta somehow convince people at Drury and Mizzou to do the same.

I’m almost absolutely convinced of it.

Based off of the “23 Things,”  SLA’s Transportation Division is in the process of encouraging it’s members to try “7 Things.” That is, seven things that librarians should know about online tools and resources. I’m already familiar with them, but in the spirit of sharing I’m going to try and help others through the process by displaying my work.

Blogging - This is my blog. In case you are interested, I bought some server space last summer (2008) and installed WordPress using PHP and a MySQL database. WordPress is free open source software . My “microblog”  (Twitter account)  feeds into my “Currently” page. You can visit it separately for a more detail view.

RSS Feeds – Personally, I’m less interested in RSS feeds as a tool to keep updated with than I am in using them to build websites and other cool stuff. RSS stands for “really simple syndication” and is basically data formatted in XML. The cool thing about XML is that it is awesome for data interchange. My point? Well, not only does RSS let you update information using feed readers but it also lets you pull out information  from other RSS feeds… and manipulate it! My blog’s RSS feed is available here.

Photo Sharing – I have a mixed relationship with photo sharing. On one hand I like photos and they are an ideal media format for sprucing things  up (like my blog). On the other hand, since digital cameras are so easy to get a hold of many people just slap random content online. Case in point: here. Sorry Mr. Powell. You’re usually more photogenic.

Social Bookmarking – Social bookmarking is a handy tool for people “on the go.” Delicious lets you create an account, save hyperlinks, login, and share information from computer to computer. It also allows you to view items by popularity. As part of the “7 Things” I created a Delicious account (my second one in two years), but dunno if I’ll keep using it.

Social Networking – I am on Facebook. You can visit me there. You can also visit MoDOT too. :)

Wikis – For those of you unaware, “Wiki” is Hawaiian for “fast.” Publishing online usually requires HTML and other markup languages, but a wiki doesn’t even need that. Wiki’s simplified markup make it where almost anyone can use them. They’re also very useful for collaboration. The SLA Transportation Wiki serves as the SLA Transportation Division’s webpage, and I personally use a password protected one to document my daily work.

Working in the Cloud – Cloud computing refers to working with Web 2.o tools. Originally the web was static. Now, it’s much more interactive. Things that were desktop based several years ago are now online. This can be a little daunting, but once people realize that working in a “cloud” envrionment is a more transparent than most people seem to adapt.

I have to hand it to MIT. After seeing how much electronic publications cost to libraries – especially in the sciences – and keeping in mind that they’re usually licensed out. And, keeping in mind that libraries often lose access to back-issue publications if their contract is not renewed. In addition to the fact that most publishing conglomerates are taking free items from Universities and selling them right back. I’ve gotta say:

How do you like them apples?!