3 different popular software products libraries use for website creation and maintenance.

     1.       Dreamweaver It is very customization, if you are able to code. You should be                   proficient at coding when using this package otherwise you could be in trouble. It               offers wider controls on every aspect of your website. You need to obtain a 

        Web hosting service or your own server for the site to be live. Ultimately        
        Dreamweaver is the best if you have the knowledge and know how to use it to
        its fullest.

I couldn't find a library site but there are many sites out there use Dreamweaver, such as our Victoria University WebCT.

2.       WordPress is popular blogging software. It's benefits are you don't have to program. If you are comfortable with the default appearance you don't need support from other blogs and it's free.

Academic Library using WordPress
Stirling University http://www.stir.ac.uk/is/ 

3.      Google sites, once again is a very simple and easy website creation tool, it allows you to build a mini website. I found Google sites very easy to use as you don't need to know much about the html codes as it's all done for you. 

     I believed that there are few libraries would use it but I haven't come across any of them yet.  

An organisation might use blogging software to create a website.

      Using a blog could be the most simple and useful thing to create a website in a small organisation. As it convenient, free of charge. The blog can be updated quickly. They are   also easily accessed by anyone and update anywhere. Because they are an online service,    they have their own customer service department so it is very easy to get help and is low  maintenance. 

                     
                                        However, it doesn’t have the cooperation and tidy looks if too much details to be                                          added because the layout is very limit. The website could be out of dated or it might close                                  down. Therefore, it could be leaded to very unstable condition. 

         

5 different resources libraries could use when creating their own websites

When creating a libraries website people might use many difference resources. This is the list of the most five simple resource for a basic website creation:

1. Web 2.0 technologies can be used to vastly improve the user experience when searching the Library OPAC . Web 2.0 is described by Wikipedia as referring to “a second generation of services available on the web that lets people collaborate and share information online
2.   Video and YouTube offer visuals and instruction from a person who can run you through the steps
3.   The site Webdesign.com offers some tips for new people. This site is good because it has a lot of information behind it and caters to people that might not know much about this type of thing
4.  WikiHow is a good site because it has pictures and step by step instruction which has been made by anyone and there are hundreds of the WikiHow.
5.  LibShare – The library document sharing and collaboration platform.  

3 different popular software products

Google Sites

To many of us Google become one of can’t live without it. Of course it could be the most simple and easy website creation tool. It suitable for those people who want to create the mini website

Blogger

Blogger is probably the next simple and popular software to use for website creation. However, it's a blogging platform so.  It won’t give you strong and stable like a website offer. You can layer pages, so you can link it to other pages. Blogger would be the best thing to use to make a website, it is so easy.

WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time. The core software is built by hundreds of community volunteers, and when you’re ready for more there are thousands of plugins and themes available to transform your site into almost anything you can imagine. Over 25 million people have chosen WordPress to power the place on the web they call “home” — we’d love you to join the family.

Pros and cons of using free software

          

PROS

·         Free of charge is always appealing.

·         The coding can be flexible

·         It is great platform to share the information

·         It usually offer tutorial via YouTube or asking question online.

·         It doesn’t require much maintenance

CONS

·         It isn’t as good as paid software.

·         There isn’t much customer service provided

·         You have to follow some of their rules

·         The website might make you pay for certain benefits of the software.

·         It can be hard to master the software.

Embedded Youtube Video!

Blogging along ...: My five favourite library Websites

Blogging along ...: My five favourite library Websites: ALIA Australian Library and Information Association web site was recently redesigned with some significant changes. It is far simple...

What I think are the most important features of any library's website

After browsing various library websites, I found the good sites often include the following important features:

-               The catalogue is prominent, easy to locate, and the user can start their search right from the home page. Many library web sites require numerous mouse clicks and several attempts when navigating to the catalogue.  Sometimes the text is also too small and hard to read.

-               The layout should be uncluttered with simple wording and easy to look at colours. Too many colours and clutter are distracting and work against the user experience.  

-               There should be a simple way to look up an item, along with easy access to the ‘refine’ and ‘advanced’ search functions. This is often frustrating with some Library catalogues and doesn’t make them user friendly.

-               Clearly stated opening hours and location details should also be prominent and obvious to the user.  Travelling to a library only to find it closed, or arriving at the wrong branch to pick up an item is a negative experience, which poor web site design may be contributing to.

-               Clearly layed out telephone, e-mail and postal contact details are also essential and provide patrons with a range of communication options to make further enquiries, suggestions or complaints.  

My week ...

It is Friday night and I am at work!

I am not sure how much I love books but beside full time work at the Library, I found myself at school library again. Although, this is the only volunteer work I can do for my son’s school.

Otherwise every aspect of my life is just plodding along like sunrise and then sun set over and over again. My week was gone without saying good bye!

My five favourite library Websites

ALIA
Australian Library and Information Association web site was recently redesigned with some significant changes. It is far simpler to use and the lay out, design and colour look fantastic. The menus and search options offer comprehensive and flexible functionality.

Mooney Valley Public Library
I live nearby this public library and often make use of it. The website is very user friendly and simple to use even for children. However, the catalogue could be somewhat more visually appealing and it does take a few mouse clicks to search for an item.

State Library
State Library of Victoria is a Melbourne symbol and takes pride of space. I like the web site as the layout is straightforward, easy to navigate and simple to look at.

VALA
Victorian Association for Library Automation. VALA is an independent Australian based not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote the use and understanding of information technology within libraries and the broader information sector.

VU library
 Victoria University Library is within one of the few multi-sector Australian universities that offer both higher education and TAFE programs. I work and study here and use this library website every day.  I don’t consider it to be the very best web site and find it a bit busy, with excessive text and too much blue colour. However, despite the clutter I’ve become accustomed to it and familiar with the form and function of this site.

    

Something enjoyable and agreeableness

I can’t see myself doing a lot of Blogging. However, good to exploring the new platform of communication specialy it freely avalaible, simple, user friendly. I can unlease my creativity. Definitely, it is a good way to share the information.

My new journey

         

I was born in the year of the rat. According to the Chinese, a person born during the year of the rat represents an intelligent, fast and charming person. However I don't believe these qualities represent me. If anything I am opposite of these traits. It’s a little too late for me to learn about the new technologies but I am I believe it’s never late than never to learn. Finally I have developed my personal blog for my Library Studies. I will slowly be blogging along with my new journey.