Michael Pate points out the new Bibliocasting listserv.
Let me preface all subsequent comments by saying: this is a great thing. But I do have a question or three.
Bibliocasting, eh? Is this going to be the term of choice? Not my first choice. Or my second. Is it too late to suggest alternatives? LIScasting? LIS Mediacasting? Libraricasting? Infoscicasting? Or really anything that doesn’t implicitly suggest the broadcasting of books (not that there’s anything wrong with that concept).
“The bibliocasting listserv (bibliocasting@…) is
dedicated to a discussion of streaming media in the library
environment.”
Is this the correct application of the term ’streaming media’? I thought of podcasting as being an alternative distribution avenue to streaming, not an example of it, but perhaps I’m mistaken.
“So what to post on the list? Examples of how libraries can build on the growing excitement of Podcasting; Questions on how libraries can use podcasting and other multimedia information they create to promote themselves and provide better service; Questions on how to podcast and other technical questions on streaming media including QuickTime Streaming, RealProducer, and others. In addition, the list will include postings of key articles, reports, and news about podcating and other streaming media in general and in the the library context.”
I’m still under the impression that this is mixing terms, but OK. My question is “Are we talking about multimedia content or are we talking about syndicated multimedia content?” Since you read this blog, you probably believe that all media content should be syndicated and thus it is a pointless distinction. Here here. I just think it’s good to have a clearly-defined scope for a forum.
“Bottom Line: We are looking to build a community of individuals
interested in the application of multimedia in the library
environment.”
Very good. That’d be me, ready to advocate for syndicating the potential offerings.
“We have also set up a podcast for the list…that’s right, you can listen to the list. Each post is transformed from text-to-speech, and syndicated using RSS. The RSS feed (podcast feed) for the list is at:
http://drew.syr.edu/iis4/pod/pod.xml“
Very, very cool. It’s almost listenable too. Almost. Sorting out the actual content from all the header info is a bit confusing, but I imagine I’ll get better at it with time. Actually, the best aspect is getting a little insight into the experience of someone who relies on a screenreader (of course, without all of the heinous web navigation obstacles that accompany browsing with a screenreader).
On the whole, I’m enthusiastic about joining this discussion. I’m not all that excited about the listserv approach, but I think with a narrow, clearly-defined focus, it can be effective for discussion and resource sharing. I plan on adding my two cents.
