April 05, 2004
Keeping Current: Advanced Internet Strategies
I remember the exact moment that I became interested in the potential of RSS for research. I'd been familiar with RSS for several years and played around with feeds a bit, but RSS just wasn't thrilling me. Then I read Steven Cohen's article in Information Outlook, "The RSS revolution: Using RSS: An Explanation and Guide." When he said that he monitored news on a particular company via RSS I was hooked. My only complaint? He didn't detail how to do so in that particular article. But that's okay....he wrote a book!
Keeping Current: Advanced Internet Strategies to Meet Librarian and Patron Needs is a relatively short book with a long title; and it's chock-full of useful information on how to find current information on the web.
The book includes suggestions on current awareness sources for librarians including how to keep up on search engine developments, as well as information on reading and/or creating a blog. As he points out, creating a blog is one of the best ways to stay current on the web: "Although reading weblogs alone may allow one to keep current, librarians who write weblogs may tend to get more out of the material in that they are spending more time collecting the content, analyzing the materials and putting down their thoughts about it." He's right on the money; I consider that one of the biggest benefits to blogging.
Particularly useful are the chapters on web site monitoring and RSS feeds. The details on using Moreover content to monitor news on a company are included, as well as information on Hubmed for keeping current on medical research.
Things are changing fast in this area, which makes print publications almost immediately obsolete. So act fast...though sources for current information are increasing rapidly, the information in this book is still current and valuable. You can also supplement it with Steven Cohen's blog, LibraryStuff.
Steven definitely deserves the title, "Mover and Shaker".
Keeping Current: Advanced Internet Strategies to Meet Librarian and Patron Needs
by Steven M. CohenDecember 07, 2003
Don't Make Me Think
Can you describe how you use the Internet? What catches your eye, how you scan pages, and generally how you seek information? I know I can't. But it's almost spooky how the author of Don't Make Me Think perfectly describes my surfing mannerisms.
This book should be required reading for anyone involved with designing web pages whether for Internet or Intranet sites. It's a quick read. Steve Krug tells you what you need to know, no more and no less. He offers very specific and sensible suggestions on such things as placement of various elements on the page, the art of writing for the web (remove half the words on your web page), the importance of intuitive navigation, and much more.
Perhaps best of all was the chapter on usability testing on 10 cents a day. According to Krug, usability testing doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. As he points out, testing even one user is 100 percent better than testing none. Doing something as simple as "Cubicle tests" where you show your page to the person in the next cubicle is helpful. He also includes details such as a sample script for more extensive testing.
In many ways, Krug has applied his ideas on web usability to this book, making it an interesting and concise introduction to the topic.
October 15, 2003
KM & the Smarter Lawyer
Spotted on excited utterances, there's a new book out on knowledge management for lawyers, Knowledge Management and the Smarter Lawyer
October 14, 2003
Get a Life
What a great book! Get a Life - You Don't Need a Million to Retire Well, is easily the best book on financial planning I've ever read. Ralph Warner disputes many standard financial planning assumptions and discusses the factors important to a happy retirement that have nothing to do with money. I'm going to start giving this book as a gift to my family and friends. (Just don't tell them!)
