Thing # 17 - Wikis - Practice

Hi all,

This was an interesting item. I completed the assignment and have, in addition, created a page in the BCL wiki. The link to that page is http://bcltlc.pbwiki.com/moonrocker's+page. I created this page because, as you know if you read my first blog entry, I am a patent and trademark depository librarian. What that means is that part of what I do is to guide people in doing their own patent searches. One of the handouts I produced for such a task is a set of procedures for doing a patent search at the US Patent and Trademark Office website. So, I wanted to see whether I could post this information on the wiki, with the links. And, the answer is yes! So, if you click on the above link, you can get to the page and you can follow the instructions and click on the links and by the time you get to the end of the page you would have completed a patent search. All you need to start with are the key words that you have come up with to describe your invention and its aspects, such as what it is, what it does, etc.

This is just one handout. Imagine having all handouts produced this way. If steps change they can easily and immediately be updated from any computer anywhere where an Internet connection is available. This can be a powerful tool for librarians indeed.