Wikis Part 2

I enjoyed this exercise and didn't find it to be too terribly difficult, except for the fact that I wanted to add more visual appeal to my Wiki page than time would allow! I always want to customize everything with different fonts, backgrounds, photos, and other "stuff," which can slow me down a bit, since I tend to get mired in the details and lose sight of the "bigger picture!" Of course, I had to try to add a photo of my adorable animal companion, Bilbo Baggins! (I couldn't seem to figure out a way to incorporate the photo into my wiki, though I was able to add a link to it from my Google Picasa account).

Wikis - Part 1

1).
While I did did visit some of the library wikis suggested in this week's assignment, I thought I would draw upon my recent experience with a specific library-related wiki. When preparing for the UK SLIS final comprehensive exam last semester, I frequently consulted the "Comps" wiki and found it to be very useful. The wiki contained listings of exam questions over the past ten years along with outlines from course notes, links and citations to relevant articles, page numbers in core texts, etc., all submitted by previous or current students in the program. SLIS faculty members also had access to the wiki, so information and suggested resources were reliable and relevant for study purposes.

2).
While I might not use more general wikis as "scholarly" resources for course-related work, I will admit that I have found some of their entries to be useful as "jumping off points" for more detailed research or information searches. One non-library related wiki which I have found to be helpful is "eogn" (Encyclopedia of Genealogy: http://www.eogen.com/Home), which was started in 2005 by columnist, lecturer, and genealogy educator Dick Eastman. Collaborators and contributing authors must set up an account (free of charge) if they wish to submit, add to, or revise an entry. On a personal note, I could also see myself using a private wiki at some point just to stockpile ideas, organize to-do lists, etc.

Privacy

Given how much I use the Internet, I am somewhat concerned about privacy, but not obsessed with it. I tend to approach these concerns with a keen eye on point #14 (CDT's Online Privacy Guide), "Use Common Sense."

Searching on Google by "Janice M. Mueller" returns numerous links on a University of Pennsylvania-based attorney, chemical engineer, author, teacher and patent law expert who shares my name. I don't even make an appearance (at least not on the first 6 pages, which is as far as I took the search). Taking another approach, I googled my preferred given name ("Jan Mueller"). Apparently, there are many male residents of European countries who also share my name. So, when it comes to cyberspace, I appear to be a void, which is just fine by me!

Actually, these issues came up often in course material and Blackboard discussions while completing my MLS. One professor assigned The Digital Person: Technology and Privacy in the Information Age, a 2004 publication by Daniel Solove. Overall, it was an interesting read. Positing that in today's Information Age, everyone has a "digital dossier" wherein shards of data from our everyday existence are being compiled and analyzed by business and commercial interests, the author also discusses new ways of viewing and protecting our privacy. He also makes the following statement, with which I agree: "Life today is fueled by information, and it is virtually impossible to live as an Information Age ghost, leaving no trail or residue" (p.8). With this in mind, exercising vigilance and common sense when selecting privacy settings for social networking sites, Internet browsers, or other online interactions seems to be the most effective and proactive approach to protecting our privacy in the Digital Age.

Avatar

Given that I am (and always have been) completely non-photogenic, I chose one of my favorite photos from the Independence Cemetery tour we (Kentucky History Department) conducted in May 2008--"Dot" the Pug!

We were not able to determine if the Brinks’ family pet, Dot, is actually interred at the cemetery with her human companions or if gifted stone carver S. C. Brink rendered the dog’s likeness in stone as a lasting memorial to his family’s much-loved pet. Brink's skillful and lifelike carving was executed with such detail that the curled tail, prominent eyes, small folded ears, very broad muzzle and wide chest leave little doubt that “Dot” (whose name was carved on the top of the lacy collar she wears for posterity) was indeed a Pug!

Many cemeteries contain such moving tributes to beloved canine companions. In the silent language of tombstone iconography—where symbols often speak volumes—dogs often represent the prized virtues of vigilance, fidelity, loyalty, and watchfulness. The poignancy of such monuments—which appear to be standing guard over their fallen human companions—is hard to overlook.

Taking the time...

Having just spent the 2009 holiday season celebrating with family, decorating cookies, and retelling old stories of Christmases past, I was reminded that these treasured stories and time-honored traditions are truly the warp and weave of our family's unique tapestry. For this reason, I am very grateful that I took the time in January '09 to spend part of a day interviewing my Aunt Vivian--the 87-year-old matriarch of my deceased Mother's Irish-Catholic clan.

My oldest sister and I brought along family photos, a list of questions, and a few frequently retold tales to prompt Aunt Viv's memory. Always vivacious and full of Irish mirth, Aunt Viv eagerly recounted her childhood visits to the farm in Foster, Ohio where the Daly family had settled and lived since their 1851 arrival in America. She giggled like a school girl as she recounted her fear of the sheep bustling past her at feeding time and commented on pictures of of her three "spinster aunts," Teresa, Delia, and Kittie! Aunt Viv also shared her still-vivid memories of Christmas with her parents and siblings many long years ago. My sister and I were thrilled to capture these stories, some of which we have never heard before that day.

Sadly, we lost Aunt Viv just 8 months after that interview. I am so glad that my sister and I took the time to sit down with her and record all those wonderful tales, reminiscences, and stories. I am planning to make a few more of these visits with my remaining aunts and uncles throughout the coming months. This year, bring along a digital recorder and take the time to sit down and talk with some of your family members--you'll be glad you did!

What Kind of Technology User...

According to the quiz, I am a "Digital Collaborator"

If you are a Digital Collaborator, you use information technology to work with and share your creations with others. You are enthusiastic about how ICTs help you connect with others and confident in your ability to manage digital devices and information. For you, the digital commons can be a camp, a lab, or a theater group – places to gather with others to develop something new.