Alright stop, collaborate and listen

THING 13: GOOGLE DOCS, DROPBOX & WIKIS

I see this, I see beer...

I've been using Google Docs/Drive for a while now (since my laptop at home is so old it cannot handle the thought of word-processing, let alone spread-sheeting or power-pointing) and have only just noticed it's changed to Google Drive.  I like using it for personal use (you can keep things private, as far as private on the internet is concerned...) and I have been able to download documents people have shared on the internet, which are saved so you don't lose them.  It means I get to access a spreadsheet (when I don't have Excel at home) anywhere and on any computer and if I really, really wanted to, I could show someone how awesome it is (as far as spreadsheets go).   Although I see no need for it at work (we have shared networks, remote access, multi-editing in Word, and a collaboration portal which I've just discovered...) but if I had to do a group project if I went back to uni, for example, I would definitely be encouraged to do a power point presentation this way.  It also has 5BG free online storage (better than Dropbox I think) and is perfect to point library users in the direction of if they have forgotten (or don't have) a USB and need to save their work - and then not lose the work they save if they misplace their USB, or do what I did every year at uni, and that's somehow find a corruptible USB and lose... EVERYTHING!   [EDIT: When I suggested using Google Docs to a user they asked if it's the same as SkyDrive.   And although I had used it before (unknowingly) I had no idea... However, it's basically linked to hotmail.com  email accounts so you can download and edit documents without having the necessary programmes, there's a 7GB limit and it can be viewed across different platforms including smartphones (via the app)].  A worthwhile rival perhaps, if anyone is still using hotmail and hasn't jumped on the gmail bandwagon too!]

The first time I came across Dropbox was when a colleague of mine sent me a link to some  photos we'd taken on a visit to the National Art Library.  I found it a little complicated (how embarrassing) and would of rather they'd be put on a shared drive somewhere, but I can see the value of this free online storage as much as Google Drive, and after a little playing around with it can't see it being difficult to navigate in the future.  It's a bit like the Apple Cloud isn't it?  Great for those of us with no external hard-drive to save a back-up too. Last year, all staff were invited to a seminar called Everything you ever wanted to know about Wikipedia but were afraid to ask where we were asked to consider what Wikipedia is ("a knowledge reference, or a powerful means of information dissemination") and how organisations should be working in collaboration with Wikipedia to ensure information is valid and valuable, to promote, to publisise, increase engagement to wider audiences etc.  It was also the first time I ever heard the term 'Wikipedian' (in relation to this project) - which in itself is pretty awesome.  [EDIT: I recommend catching this if you can: http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/inrrooms/stp/workshop/workshops.html#wiki).
So Wikipedia we all know about (pretty dubious, do not by any means cite it in an academic reference!) - a free, public, multi-collaborative and editable hub of all knowledge.   But what about in the library? I'm very fortunate to work somewhere which is pretty in tune with technologies: We have not one, but two wikis!  The first is a staff-wide wiki (in the style of Wikipedia, and looks a bit like the Library Routes Project one) which is a more informal place to share info, resources, ideas and guides across all teams and departments and of course, it's designed to be collaborative to keep it up-to-date and refined.   The other is our very own pbworks Library wiki, which I have to admit is an absolute life-saver - it contains super up-to-date information, guides and trouble-shooting tips - is easy to navigate and holds all the information you'll ever need if faced with a tough enquiry (or just need a quick refresher of training).  It's not massively collaborative (there are specific editors for each department within the library, and I am very lucky to be one of them) but encourages feedback and comments so it can be continually improved.  It's my go-to guide if I face a problem in a pressured situation (IT problems, normally), if behind the scenes project affect certain aspects of the service (digitisation, for instance) or, wonderfully for me as a relatively new staff member dealing with enquiries, there are cribsheets and thematic pointers for the ever growing e-resources collection.  I genuinely don't know what I'd do without it, and how I'd functioned before knowing it's existence!