Re: [LM_NET] Virtual Librarian -with avatar - site needed

[Ann Ewbank <Ann.Ewbank@ASU.EDU>]

Dear Peggy and Colleagues,

I believe the "edgy librarian" avatar that you are referring to is Ms. Dewey, 
http://www.msdewey.com/

However, please be aware that this site is a viral marketing campaign for a 
Microsoft web browser, and has been documented as such in several places. I don't 
know if I would use it as an an example of how to teach students how to ask good 
questions, as it has a definite bias toward using one particular commercial 
product. And according to reviews, it's not a very good search engine, either.

From http://www.pandia.com/sew/298-ms-dewey-presents-a-new-sexy-search-engine.html :


"You enter your search term in a search form, as normal, and regular search results 
will appear in a pop up window — eventually, but first the lady will try to tell 
you the answer.

That often takes a lot of thinking on Ms. Dewey’s side. She looks bored, 
mischievous, sad, happy or embarrassed, which is all very funny. And the intros 
(which vary) can be pure entertainment.

However, as a search tool, we’re afraid this does not work at all. The response 
time is very slow, at times extremely slow. The results are close to unreadable. 
And there are no advanced search features."


See also 
http://www.scoutblogging.com/viral_marketing/



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ms._Dewey

Ann

Ann Dutton Ewbank, Ph.D.
President, Arizona Library Association
Education Liaison Librarian
Fletcher Library
Arizona State University at the West campus
P.O. Box 37100
Phoenix, Arizona 85069-7100
602.543.8527
Fax 602.543.6500



Date:    Sat, 8 Sep 2007 10:43:14 -0400
From:    Peggy Becksvoort <pbecksvoort@FPS.K12.ME.US>
Subject: Virtual Librarian -with  avatar - site needed

Collective Brain,

I thought that I had bookmarked a virtual librarian site with an edgy fe=
male librarian, but cannot find her anywhere.  She would tap her foot if=
 you took too much time. I want to use her with 8th graders in teaching =
how to ask good questions.  There are a fabulous number of virtual libra=
ry sites, but I need the one with the avatar.

Your help would be much appreciated and will post a HIT if desired.=20

Thanks,
Peggy


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