Book Review Churches of Russia: Black and White Rob In Russia Volume 1

Book Review

Churches of Russia: Black and White: Rob in Russia Volume 1, by Robert E. Brown is a 36 page depiction of the beautiful Russian Orthodox Churches and

Cathedrals in Russia.  The description of the book emphasizes the culture, history, and architecture of the Russian Orthodox churches and Cathedrals.  This book contains unique images of many Russian Orthodox churches and Cathedrals.  However, the images do not include the name and/ or location of the church or cathedral and provides no additional information regarding the building.  Readers would appreciate a brief description, or, at the very least, the name of the structure being photographed.  This book is truly a bare bones pictorial sampling of a few Russian Orthodox Churches and Cathedrals.

In summary, if the reader is only interested in artistic pictures of Russian Orthodox churches and Cathedrals, then this book is a quick reference.  It's an easy book to simply flip through and pick up again and again for a quick browse.  If, however, the reader is seeking a brief description of the structure, perhaps a short history, cultural importance statement or a few notes on the architecture alongside the photos, then this book is not the source required.

Exploring with Interactive Technologies

Using Interactive Technologies to....go on vacation!

Our family traveled to the Grand Canyon this month.  We had a blast hiking, hiking and hiking some more.  With Google Maps, www.google.com/ maps, users can virtually explore anywhere on earth!  I used google maps to explore the Sycamore Wilderness Canyon and Parsons Spring Trail and surrounding areas in Arizona.  With Google Maps, it's easy to navigate and be immersed in the view and environment.  However, with a propensity for motion sickness, and some in my family have a tendency for migraines, virtual technologies and MUVES are used in our house on a limited basis.

Librarians using virtual technologies:

As virtual technologies move forward into more educational roles, libraries will be able to share stories in a whole new light.  Users will not only read stories and books for entertainment and information, but can actually participate in the story.  Patrons will be able to virtually visit landmarks, museums, historical sites and beyond.  Students can explore space with NASA apps and even control a robotic arm using their own arm.  In additional virtual environments do not take into account race, gender, nationality, etc.  The virtual environment allows all users to participate and explore.  For example, virtual tours of the library might engage a larger portion of the community and encourage interest in the resources.  Augmented reality using a camera in conjunction with software could enable a user to search a virtual catalog and a line would direct the patron right to their source. 

Looks- sharing photos on social neworks

Flickr v. Facebook

Many people know that Flickr is an outstanding place to share personal photos.  But, researchers and bloggers also use Flickr to host images.  Photo sharing is Flicker's main purpose and as such offers easy access to image editing and printing.  It has a sophisticated system of organization.  Users can access photos without having an account.  In August, 2011, Flickr reported over 6 billion images being uploaded daily.  That's a vast inventory for users to browse.  In order to upload images, though, the user needs to register.  From photographer's perspective, Flickr's image quality is lower than competitor's photo hosting/ sharing and the quality of the comments on Flickr are poor.  Some say photos on Flickr are in the old, style square format and appear with ugly black lines on either side of the photo.  Other's insist that with all the changes happening in Flickr, it's just a confusing mess.  But, still, Flickr is one of the most popular sites for photographers and photo sharing.

Users can upload photos to Facebook, too.  It's the biggest and largest social network.  Perhaps because it's not a photo sharing site, per se, it's image quality is low.  Facebook compresses uploaded images, which causes color banding and the noise is amplified.  However, because it is the biggest and largest social network, many photographers are still uploading images onto Facebook for the purpose of attracting clients.  Photographers can read a huge audience.  Also, the comments are more casual and feel more like a discussion on Facebook.

Photo sharing benefits libraries:

Libraries can utilize photo sharing networks to better serve their patrons.  With photo sharing networks, libraries can collect and organize images into tasks or groups and can easily share and create.  Images can be easily uploaded onto blogs and websites. Image resolution and size can be adjusted without owning photo editing software. 

In addressing reference needs, librarians can use Flickr to take a hi quality photo of an older image and/or text and other patrons can have access to it.  Slides shows can be created and embedded into blogs or website.  Photos can be shared of the library, community events, etc.  and used to encourage participation and interest.  Photo sharing networks can be used to create slides used for tutorials and staff training as well.

IUPUI uses photos in Twitter to encourage interest in the campus:

1. 13 beautiful photos of @IUPUI in the #fall via #JagFeed: http://bit.ly/2ec9JEr . #Autumn #IUPUIpic.twitter.com/QsHPj3yayg
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4. 0 replies 1 retweet 7 likes

Photo sharing is an important part of community building.  Photographers can attract clients, businesses and organizations can encourage customers and patrons, and friends can simply share important moments.