Hi everyone, this is...

Hi everyone, this is the Digital Archives. I know I have not blogged a lot in recent days actually in recent weeks, I am still here I forgot some ideas I just having had much time to put thought on the paper or the blogger, so just hang in there bear with me and I will be back shortly. Thank you. listen

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OpenID OpenSocial??

I have not gotten all the facts yet, but the following made its presence known to me when I tried to comment on a Blogger posting. OpenID??

Broadcasting with Y! Live and uStream.tv

User generated content, and more specifically, user-generated live streaming content continues to evolve (and hog bandwidth, but that's another story).

I first came across uStream.tv a few months ago and now Yahoo! has started a service it calls Y! Live, still in beta.

Armed with a desktop PC or laptop, high-speed Internet connection, and a Webcam, one can broadcast live across the Web as though one's bedroom or basement were a TV studio. So the video and audio quality are not high-definition, but start-ups, like uStream.tv, and established companies, such as Yahoo!, are entering the live streaming, broadcasting arena, hoping to attract users and would-be Web show hosts.

In keeping with the Web 2.0 ideals of collaboration and community-building, these websites offer the opportunity for users to create and share their online content and build communities of viewers, who can participate and transform the production from a one-way street (I produce, You watch) to a two-way street (We produce, We watch).

Even if you do not consider yourself ready for Web Prime Time, visit these websites and think about what could they offer your projects, your professional field, your company, your institution.

Potomac Primary Fever

I have Potomac Primary Fever. Never heard of it? Let me explain the symptoms:

• Strong urges to vote in U.S. primary;
• Increase in viewing 24hr cable news networks;
• Uncharacteristic shouting and pumping of fist when viewing candidate rallies and speeches;
• Enhanced ability to remember campaign slogans;
• Uncontrollable blurting out of "I'm John McCain and I approve this message; I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message; I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message"

The illness, thankfully, is non-life threatening but it does interfere with small talk at parties or conversations with other sufferers.

The treatment, it seems, is the opportunity and ability to vote. But, alas, as a foreign national living and working in the Washington, DC area, I am not allowed by law to vote. Therefore, I must suffer, and sit and watch the evening news broadcasts, follow the daily and sometimes hourly polls, and wait and wait until delegates of both parties, Democrat and Republican, figure out who they will send into the jungle and bloodsport known as the the Presidential Campaign.

If you are suffering with this fever, do what I do and check out The Washington Post's very comprehensive Campaign 2008 website, with RSS feeds for each candidate, among other Web 2.0 thingys!

Japan: Culture + Hyperculture

The Kennedy Center for the Perfoming Arts launched its newest event earlier this month called, Japan: Culture + Hyperculture. To say Japan is a laid back country would be an understatement, as evidenced by the country's love of all things technological.

No longer satisfied with boring old humans, the Japanese are attempting to create robots that look and act like humans.

To view video, tilt your head to the side. Sorry.

A Twitter Tragedy?

I have TwitBin, a Mozilla Firefox add-on that allows me to view and post 'tweets' to Twitter. It is very convenient, and tucks nicely inside my browser window.


This morning, however, I encountered this error message: "Unfortunately you've exceeded Twitter's maximum hourly requests.Please check back in a bit."






Huh?!

UPDATE: It looks like Twitter limits the number of times per hour one can make requests to the system. And, during moments of Twitter maintenance, no requests can be made. So it was not TwitBin's fault. Thanks Brian Breslin!!

Departures and Starting New

The news is circulating around the office, so I feel it is now proper to share the news with readers of this blog. I notified my employer that I will not be renewing my contract with the institution. After much soul-searching and discussions with family and close friends, I have decided the time is right to take a long break from the archives profession. I will complete my contract and fulfill my contractual obligations, and will certainly miss the people I have been working with over the past 11 months, but will not pursue the archives field at this time.

There are several reasons behind this decision. But there is one central theme: A strong need to close this chapter, of life and of career, and to start another, completely different one, one that truly reflects my skills and knowledge and values.

My interest in and love of history and stories of the past remain as do my curiosity and involvement in web technology and content development and new media. But something new has materialized in an unfortunately still vague manner: A strong desire to learn, explore, chronicle, create, share, teach, and to help. I can honestly say that in my current contractual capacity I cannot achieve this level of authentic satisfaction without changing careers.

The DIGITAL Archive, thankfully, will continue to blog along with news and stories and tid-bits of interests, as it has done before when I moved on from my previous employers.

In the coming weeks, I hope to blog about my adventures in Washington, DC. A kind of retrospective look back at the past 12 months.

Do you Yahoo! / Microsoft?

When the news surfaced last week about Microsoft's massive $42 billion bid for Yahoo!, I was not completely taken by surprise. Call me psychic, but the night before the takeover bid was announced, I was thinking: "Whatever happened to that Microsoft/Yahoo! merger?"

I am serious. I did think that.

Well, overall, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Being both a long time Microsoft user and Yahoo! user (heck, I can recall sitting in the Concordia University's then rudimentary computer lab, plugging away at a Lynx browser, finding something called Yahoo!), I believe the 'joining of forces' would benefit both companies.

1. Yahoo! is a very popular website. Very popular. Its brand conjures up very little public negativity. But as of late, the company has floundered. It is innovative but lack s direction, spreading itself to thin in all areas (hence that infamous Peanut Butter memo to Yahoo! employees). Worse, it cannot seem to monetize on its massive traffic and content.

2. Enter Microsoft. The company is cunning and possess the killer instincts that could revitalize Yahoo's sense of direction. Moreover, Microsoft has admitted, mainly indirectly, that it has failed to capture the online world--search, advertising--like its rival Google. Acquiring Yahoo! would certainly position Microsoft in a better place than it is now.

Will this merger really challenge Google's dominance?

The other night I wanted to embed a Google Map on a website. I read about fancy APIs and other third-party services, but all I wanted was something simple and straightforward. I visited the Google Maps website and clicked a few links until I found an embed script, which I had not seen before. A new service, I thought. Wow!! It's as though Google read my mind, knew what I wanted.

Maybe Google is psychic. Maybe that is why Google is number one.

Retro Friday

Speaking of YouTube, ain't it sweet to find some gem of a music video from long ago?

For example, Halifax, Nova Scotia based band Sloan with "The other man."

Since You Asked...

A few people emailed me about my recent use of videos on The DIGITAL Archive. Well, actually, no one emailed me, but I think it is appropriate to talk a little more about the videos, or more specifically the video streaming services available online that I used.

Everyone knows about Youtube. I have a YouTube account and from time to time I upload a video or two.

However, I recently came across a new service called Viddler, which is like YouTube but without the clutter of copyright material. So far. Yes, for now, Viddler remains in a pure state: community-created content only.

But what really stands out for me in Viddler is the feature to comment on videos at specific frames along the video's timeline. One can post a text comment or video comment. A discreet overlay appears with either a text comment or video comment. Pretty neat. Plus, there is even an opportunity to monetize one's videos. Besides text and video comments, ads can appear as well. Like or hate it, ads on online content are hear to stay.

If interested, give Viddler a try.

Thief in the Archives

By now I am sure readers of this blog have read the sad and disturbing news about Daniel Lorello, a NY state archivist accused of stealing valuable historical documents from the archives where he worked and attempting to sell them on the online auction website eBay. For those who have not read the story, the gory details are available via the Associated Press (AP).

According to AP, Lorello was earning $71 000 + a year in the state archives. What was he thinking? Blaming his need to pay bills and his daughter's credit card debt, Lorello stole several invaluable items from the state archives, selling them online or at trade shows.

I guess Lorello thought no one would notice, no one would care if a few items went missing. A few documents here, a few documents there; no one would find out the items were gone. No one would notice a few missing papers and artifacts. How else can you explain his actions?

Working in an archives, one either naturally respects or learns to respect the documents in his or her possession. It is as simple as that. Apparently, Lorello lost that respect and somehow figured he could make a profit.

Thankfully, there was someone who did care and respect the value: a history buff who spotted some of the unique items on eBay.

In many ways, I am glad Lorello stole the items and was eventually caught. He must have thought he could have gotten away with these thefts.

His actions, while thoroughly deplorable, unethical, and criminal, shed light, once again, on the need for individuals, communities and governments, local and federal alike, to seriously look into the institutions resposible for preserving the past, lest the past that sustains our present and guides our future vanish - or be stolen by those whom society has tasked with protecting it.

Library of Congress and Apple iTouch??

Question: What does the Library of Congress in Washington, DC and Apple's iPod Touch have in common?

Answer: Check out these 3 videos I shot when I recently visited the Library of Congress' "Exploring the Early Americas" exhibit.

Weekend Reading and Contemplation

Where to begin?

Well, for one thing, congratulations are in order to Ed Bilodeau, who recently blogged about his promotion to Director of Knowledge Management at Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) in Ottawa. Way to go, Ed!! I recommend reading his post because he chronicles his path and career decisions from Carleton University to CFC. Very good reading, especially for my readers, since many are on a career path that stirs mainly mixed feelings.

What else?

I have been reluctant to blog about the future of archives or what does the future hold for archives purely because I am feeling less in tune with archives but more connected with other areas, namely web technologies and content development.

Thankfully, ArchivesNext has begun what I believe to be an excellent series: a focus on critical issues facing archives in the coming year(s). By all means, head on over to ArchivesNext to read more.

Librarians in Action?

Oh no! Please let this be a typo or something:

Librarian wins couch potato contest

Open Letter to 2007

Dear 2007,

Just before you walk out the door, 2007, I would like to tell you a few words. Yes, I see you want to leave and let 2008 fully take over. But I have a few things to say.

What a year you have been. You were full of ups and downs, good times and bad times, like most years, really. But, 2007, you were different in many ways, too.

I found myself in relocation mode in 2007, living and working in a different city, something which I had not even considered until, well, until 2007. The experience has been enriching, perhaps more personally than professionally. I had a hunch that this would have been the case, but I have taken the ride all the same, for the sake of, well, for the sake of second chances, a new start, a new path, perhaps even a new beginning.

But, 2007, a new beginning--those intricate tiny cautious steps down an untraveled road toward an unknown destination--often spans longer than 365 days.

And so that brings me to 2008.

Welcome 2008, you look brand-spanking new. You are a clean slate.

What resolutions should I impose on you? Better blogging habits (a post a day?).

While I think about New Year's resolutions, dear readers, what are yours?

Lost in the Archives: Funding

Thanks to Ed for pointing out this CBC News article to his readers. The story is about the case of several hundred missing items from the Ontario Archives.

The CBC story focuses mainly on a final report written by Audior General Jim McCarter concerning the missing items and on the painter, A.J. Casson, whose prints have gone missing - or, as the auditor general concludes, were stolen while the works were being moved.

But Ed brings up a good point, one that is far too often overlooked. While the auditor general finds fault with the archives operations, I wonder if the auditor general examined the staffing situation or the funding in the Ontario Archives?

Not being familiar with the Ontario Archives, I cannot make any direct comments. However, I can state that most archives I have known are usually struggling with inadequate funding and staffing. Materials pile up, overwhelming the staff. It is so typical a story that whenever I hear it told, I cringe and laugh a disturbed-ready-for-the-loonie-bin laugh.

It is not uncommon to have an archives staffed by maybe 2-3 professional archivists assisted by support staff or students. Nor is it uncommon to have the archives department low on the budget list. But these realities contribute to the problem of missing, uncatalogued items. And let's be honest, they are not just missing items - they are lost history, pieces of the past taken away from the public's right to see and explore and experience.

These realities are rarely discussed. Rarely. Policitians are more than happy to talk about preserving the past and digitization projects, but rarely talk about the people behind the scenes. It is as though the work gets done magically, overnight, like those Elves in that Grimm Brothers' fairy tale.

What will it take to change the discourse? Shall we lose more stuff, shall we let more go uncatalogued until things reach epedemic levels. Sadly, it is usually at that stage when the powers that be take serious notice.

It's Friday, It's Funny Friday

So the Annoyed Librarian is up to her/their freaky Friday blog posts. This time around, it is a humorous look at the five things she/they like most about being a librarian. You can read all five here.

For now, my personal favorite:

"Third, it's not busy, busy, busy all the time. If librarians were busy all the time, there wouldn't be so many librarian blogs, now would there? Busy librarians don't have time to blog so much. You can tell those librarians without much to do by the frequency of their blog posts. Show me a librarian who posts every day to two or three blogs, and I'll show you a librarian who's mastered the art of looking busy without working very hard. I'm not making fun; these librarians are to be imitated. Master that art, and your work life will be much improved." [Emphasis mine]

If you have been reading my most recent blog posts regarding the Social Web and Real Work (here and here), I think you would have to agree that this is one heck of a statement. And as the AL writes, imitate these librarians, "and your work life will be much improved."

Merry Christmas, Annoyed Librarian. I hope all three, four or five of you have a nice time off. Cheers!

Hills and Valleys and Your Career

Once again Steve Oberg, blogging over at Family Man Librarian, has posted a very candid and personal piece about librarianship, choices, decisions, and the hills and valleys that a professional naturally encounters on his or her career path. In his post, he cites--and is inspired by--a blog post written by Steven Bell, who discusses his ascent from librarian to director...while balancing family life and its hefty demands.

The theme shared by both authors is a general but poignant question: Am I where I should be professionally? In other words, have I made the right decisions, based on various environmental circumstances of the past, and am I happy with where I am professionally? Have I accomplished and achieved all that I could have? Their responses are surprising...and reassuring!

Regardless of the profession you find yourself in, whether librarian, archivist, or some other information professional, or whether you find yourself at the crossroads of life, the fact is we all start to ask such questions after a certain amount of years in the profession. Am I where I should be professionally? Did I envision something different?

We ought to expect peaks and valleys in our professional life, and incorporate them (as best we can, being mere mortals, of course) into our planning. There will be good times--moments of exhilaration, recognition--and bad times when the surrounding fluid sounds of success diminiss into a din of noise and static, where nothing seems to make sense.

Steven Bell, however, provides some insightful advice: Treat a career path as a runner treats a marathon. Plenty of pacing, planning, bursts of energy, moments to recharge.

I have been in this field since 2001, almost 7 years, and one thing I have gleaned, which I hope can be of value to anyone reading, is to keep one's short-term and long-term goals and objectives in mind, especially long-term goals and objectives. Never lose sight of those long term visions. There will be times when a short-term situation may seem to take precedence, like that lingering never-ending project, that contract extension, but never lose sight of the long-term. Keep running toward the longer-term goal. This is not a sprint, the fastest one past the finish line wins. No. This is a long run. Do not sprint toward the short-term, wasting precious time and energy. Focus your time and save your energies for the long-term.

To use another anology. This is a story, a book with many chapters. Some chapters last a long time, full of twists and turns. Other chapters, well, those we simply cannot wait to finish, to close, and move on.

Where ever you are in your career, if graduation day occurred a few months ago or several years ago, this is your professional career. This is a long run; it is a story with many chapters. Be ready to run the distance; be prepared to finish one chapter and start another.

Circular Entertainment

The consumer co-creates with the creator in creating a more perfect entertainment experience.

This story on CNET Blogs sure warms me up.

Social Web, Real Work: Feedback

I was very pleased to read the many thoughtful and balanced comments on my last blog post regarding the Social Web and Who is doing the real work.

To everyone who commented, thank you. I have not received so much feedback since, well, since I don't when, quite frankly.

Personally, I like the Social Web. I use a number of online tools and resources, including but not limited to Blogger, Twitter, Flickr, and Del.icio.us. I have a Facebook account, but sadly have not had much time to update it or really use it in a meaningful way.

I opened a Second Life account (created a simple Avatar) to see what the fuss was all about, and I opened several other accounts to services whose names have either vanished from my brain or vanished from the Web landscape altogether.

Truth is, the Social Web is valuable: I have learned from and shared knowledge with many out there, many of whom will never know just how much their blogging, flickring, or twittering has helped me.

However, working in an archives for many years and having faced the usual troubles of archives around the globe (i.e. limited resources, limited staff, low priority), attempting to adopt the Social Web as even a part of Real Work becomes a very, very difficult task.

By Real Work, take, for example, processing archivists. Their bread and butter--their Real Work, in other words--does not and will not entail dealing with the Social Web. Sure, on a personal level, they may check this account or that account. But their daily output (in meters/linear feet), their accessioning of boxes and files, their management of backlog, that is their Real Work, that is the stuff that for better or for worse keeps the department afloat. No records processed, no archives. And then nevermind opening up a shop on Second Life for reference services or for showcasing digitized material. Before material gets digitized it needs to be accessioned. And when there are deadlines to be met, reports to be written and submitted, a manager or supervisor does not want to hear about the Social Web.

The Social Web is awesome, as I explained beforehand. Make no mistake about it. I use it when I have the time, and then mainly for personal and professional development. But I feel it is important to speak for those whose work, the behind the scenes work, never gets noticed...and never benefits from the Social Web.

I read a blog post by David Lee King in which he said he had actually done library work on Facebook. He sounded a little surprised that he had done actual work using Facebook.

For those whose positions--or their bosses--allow for the use of the Social Web to conduct business, I tip my hat to you. Consider yourselves fortunate to be working in such an environment. There are some places where the Social Web is not a priority, for it cannot solve immediate and pressing needs.