Hello! I got a message from the Zotero server alerting me that you had subscribed to "follow" me; I'll try uploading something else to the library to see if it lets you know I've done something. As for the "Tag" feature, if you're in the group library and you click on a source, at the bottom it will say "Added by: laura.morris" or "Added by: mfrisch" and when it was uploaded, and when its last been edited. Laura

Hmm. Laura, haven't yet seen anything by way of following-ship status-- didn't know you'd uploaded anything until I saw the library itself. Also, notice that the Group Discussion didn't indicate anything new--all I saw was the initial post from me, but then I scrolled down and found your comment. Not sure if I'm missing something in re how notifications work. In any event, it's all pretty neat. BTW, some of the sources you added look especially interesting! mf

Laura, another "hmmm...." That feature recording who uploaded and when to the group library sounds NEAT-- but I can't seem to see it. If "at the bottom" you mesan at the bottom of the bibliog info in right column, I see "Date Added", but no "added by" listing. Is this where you are seeing the "added by?" If so, it would mean the info is in the database, and it's just not a field showing in my display. So how do I modify the display so this shows? I'll see if I can find that trick...

OK, last post in this discovery session: Laura, Mystery solved! And it leads to a nice discovery: You were referring to the "Group Library" as seen on the Group web-site, which posts changes, additions, and also the whole library. It is THERE that when you click on an item you get a nice full-page display (will be useful when there are notes, etc) and THAT is where the "added by" information appears. So this is a great feature and means we can always track WHO found and uploaded it, who modified it, etc. without us having to do anything ourselves to mark this. GREAT! NB, a number of the sources you've uploaded are dissertations and theses, but are listed here as books. That may be an artifact of the automatic download. Note that you have a vast choice of "item types:-- in the Zotero library window, just click on the listing next to "item type" and you get the whole list. I changed the Bratland, as an illustration, also added the SUNY-Buffalo in the University line that is nmow offered. Lesson--may be worth quick eyeball check and modification if needed on downloaded citations, to be sure we have the info we need entered in. Over and out for tonight! mf

OK. exploring a bit more: to see a bit how the notes gfeature works, I entered a new title, and also wrote a "note" about it. I then intereed it into the Group Library, putting it into the Uploads--MF folder. (we all should do this when uploading, to make it easier to see what's coming in, and to have it there for re-assigning as we develop a folder framework, etc. Anyway, interesting to see that on the "recent additions" page that greets you when you log onto group, each of these is listed separately, i.e. it shows two additions, one for the book (journal issue in this case) and one for the note. Seeing how it shows up indicates we should be careful (as I wasn't) how we write the top line of the note, since that's what shows up. Also interesting, and helpful, is that when you check the actual Group Library, or folder within it, that the item shows up only in consolidated form, i.e. as the basic item. Within THAT, the screen shows there is the note, or attachments, or whatever. Will be helpful to have each of these capacities-- keep the notes clearly linked within the item, but also indicate on the "recent additions" when there is a substantive note or attachment coming in, without having to open or check the item itself. This isn't complicated, will be even clearer as we all begin working with and inputting more and more stuff... mike

11/10/09 Hey folks, we notice that one weakness in the group discussion thread system is that there are no date or time stamps to indicate when comment was added. Another weakness is that new messages just trail along at end of thread, so that you have to scroll way down to see new messages; also that there is a not very clear notification of new postings here--just that indication of "last activity" by date, on the group discussion center, underneath the "recent additions" on the Group homepage. Anyway--simple fix for now, which will help: when posting any message to a discussion thread, just lead it with the date, as I have here. let's see what happens with this...

11/11/2009 From looking at when I responded to an older post, it looks like in addition to trailing down, the posts will become staggered as new people add. I wonder if someone else responds, if they can either reply to my post, or to your original post, and how that will be formatted. It will be interesting to see and play out. For now, as long as everyone remembers to date the top, that will be sufficient.

11/11/09 And I notice when Laura replied, the name on the front, the overview of discussions, didn't change, i.e. it is the name of the originator, not the most recent respondent. So the only way to know there is new message is to check the date on that overview, and the only way to find out who replied,about what, is to scroll all the way down to bottom and see. Not the worst thing in the world,but not optimal either. In contrast, folks, the inbox message system can send messags to everyone on the team, they're date stamped, and you can get a notification on your email (in fact it copies the actual message there with the notification). So that maybe better for some things. On the other hand, it;s not as handy for following a thread of back-and-forth comments/responses on something. We may end up using discussion groups short term, to open a new issue and qet quick back-and-forths on it, all neatly saved under the one thread head. (hmmm.. thread heads. Good term. T shirt possibilities. Obviously should be Grateful D. knock-offs...) And clear/delete them pretty often to keep the box from getting too cluttered...

So if the inbox might be more useful, and I want to forward my inbox to my regular old email, it it imaginable that we've concluded that for communication purposes, good old fashioned group emails are best, as long as people are mindful to copy everybody on them? This type of thing also exists in basecamp and is a lot more user friendly than this... but even there has issues as a mode of communication. Namely, everyone has to be bought into it...

EVERYONE-- This proves less useful than emails/ or Z-inbox messages, but anyways... We're ON for full team meeting w/ Mark Tebeau Weds, 12/16, let's say 9AM. Will discuss and decide whether better at Randforce or downtown Library--my hunch is out here, RF, may be easier. Mike

Will Gail and Joan be there? t

12/10 Yes, Gail and Joan should be there is they can make it. Gail is already OK, I think Joan said she could too, but will double-check. mike