Thing #23 Wrapping Up

Since this is the "Wrap up" I have provided the presents. Hopefully, the MP3 player is what is inside of one of these gifts.

Just simply having a blog is something I would never have done. I will admit that I am looking forward to customizing it and making it my own once the challenge is over.

I think Flickr will be used the most--I have used U-tube and will continue to do so. I think that once I get my MP3 player, I will also upload some books from NJ Listen.

I enjoyed learning about the RSS and creating a page with frequently used websites.

What did I not enjoy? Easy--thing #15--was a little boring to plow through. I see my friends using Flickr and U-tube, perhaps podcasts. The Library can certainly use podcasts and delicious to keep track of good websites. Lots of things to take advantage of.

Thanks for expanding our horizons--would not have done this if you didn't set it up as a Challenge.

Ciao for now

Thing #22

I downloaded Pride and Prejudice on my sons MP3 player. I did this one because I currently watched the movies--both versions and would love to reread the book. I actually had my son help me--but pretty uneventful.
This is a great service for people to be able to access books and listen while they garden, do housework, etc.

Thing # 21 Pod Cast

http://www.comedy4cast.com/

This is a link to a comedy podcast. Like U-tube, you are able to listen at your leisure. If you miss the broadcast of something, you can catch it on a "pod-cast"

Thing #20 u-tube and you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MPhY8bZKXQ

Here is a link to a u-tube video I looked at.
American Idol David Archeleta--I enjoy finding things on U-tube. Have used it frequently.
If I miss AI, I like to see my favorites on there. :)

Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards

Well you piqued my interest with the music award winner Pandora--I definately will use that one--like having your own Juke box.

I also liked "Yelp" under City Guides and Reviews. It allows you to find good restaurants, shopping and whatever in many cities.

Lots of stuff to be used from that. Will explore further:)

Thing#18 Googledocs/zoho

That was really fun! I like the concept of being able to change the document without having so many copies of the old versions.

The spreadsheet in Zoho would be useful for updating the budget on the Diversity Committee.
In fact, that is what we are currently doing! Angela set it up for us to be able to adjust our spendings. Great tool.

Thing #17 Play in the Sandbox

It was fun playing in the Sandbox. Lots of cool things to do. As I said in the last Thing, this could be used if 2 or more people are working on a project together. Instead of so many meetings, they can work from the Wiki.

Thing #16 Wikis

The only thing I think I might use on the Library Success Wiki would be the readers advisory. It gives you authors that write like other authors--so you can refer customers to other authors they might like. Most of the other links I wouldn't need for my job.

I never did notice the tabs on Wikipedia--interesting. I can understand now why teacher do not want their students to use Wikipedia for research.
I guess the whole concept is great--more social ways to connect with other users--what I don't like is that the information is not necessarily true. I guess if you are working on a project with others in different locations, it is a good way to communicate and do the work together.

Thing #15

Web 2.0 is the new technological way to get the information to people faster. It is a way to have information more accessible to the average consumer. Libraries can set up pages, programs in order to assist customers in accessing the information more easily.

"Away from Iceburgs" brings up some very logical points. Younger people are computer savvy and they need their information at their fingertips. As discussed in the article, libraries had a monopoly on information--now everyone can access things such as NADA on line or stock information. It doesn't mean we should totally dump our collection, but we need to be in step with the demands of the new generation of customers, while still servicing those who would rather have a book or print document. There is a fine line which we need to walk in order to be able to service all types of learners/ users of the library.

"On the way to the library experience of the future" is quite interesting how libraries have/ will evolve over time in order to meet the needs of customers. First 1.0 as books, print, 2.0--making the library accessable to everyone--on line, etc. 3.0 for those who spend lots of time on the computer, and 4.0 the library for aesthetics. None of the above will be eliminated, but all will need to be incorportated in order to better serve all.

Thing #14 More Technorati

I looked at some of the "popular" blogs--it is just too much lingo for me. I would rather do my own search for what I am interested in. For example, Boing boing--how would I know what that means unless I was a computer geek. I just don't get it. I would use the site if I needed to find blogs about something specific, but otherwise, not too interested in it.
It uses too many technical terms.

del.icio.us Thing #13

Ok--I can see how this could be helpful for those of us who work in a library. This is a great way to keep url's handy at your fingertips instead of having them all in your favorites. You can organize them with the tags--which is handy. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, personally, I would not spend the time on the computer organizing such things. I don't spend any extra time on the computer than necessary and to me this would take a lot of time and organization for something that I frankly would not use very much. As I said, libraries can benefit from this--good way to pull in all that useful information for reference help, programs, whatever. But for personal use, I wouldn't use it. Sorry :(
The reading lists area super idea--will suggest we do the same. :)

NetLibrary/ WorldCat Thing #12

I am familiar with signing up for this service since I work the reference desk and have had to help customers sign up for it. I did create my own account, however, and had fun trying to read a book online. It really is a different experience. I can see how this would be helpful for research--you really need another source, can't get your hands on the book, but are able to get it on line. Great stuff. :)

WorldCat is a great tool. Now after all these years of doing the request for purchase, I know what World Cat is and how you use it to locate the books for our customers! I like the way that they show you the closest library where you can find the book and it goes further and further away.

Library thing #11

Here is the link to Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/connoryan

This is a great way to keep track of books you read or wish to read--perhaps books that are not on Horizon yet too. Good way for people who like me who can't remember what they already read. When I have more time, that is how I will use this great tool.

Thing # 10 Technology

I would like to comment on the GPS--we have one and use it all the time. It is great to know that when you are lost, this amazing piece of technology can get you back on track. I actually also experienced someone who was geocaching--I helped them locate a "cache". What a fun way for kids to learn about directions and such! This particular family does this on a regular basis.
There are "caches" right in LEH!
E-books--what a great way for those that are homebound to be able to read a book. Or if you are doing research and need to check on something, how great is that?
I commented on a few blogs--(A view/ Jedimaster/ and A's webchallenge.) I will continue to comment on other people's blogs :)

This is a picture of the Jersey Shore--we will be enjoying real soon!

A picture I love and have hanging
in my dining room

"Tooling around the feeds"

I looked around the various feeds suggested. I liked the Topix feed-found it more user friendly than the Syndic8 one. I wasn't quite clear how to use it--had to play around much more to see what it was all about. I prefer something that is much easier to use and apply. Tecnoradi was also pretty user friendly once I got used to it. These two are a good way to have topics you are interested sent directly to you. I think the purpose of this is to be able to subscribe to feeds more easily than going to the websites--but I think I would rather just go to the websites directly. I did add a few feeds from Topix and one from Syndic8 and will probably add a few from Tecnoradi.

Learning to collect "feeds"

This exercise was interesting. Once I was set up with the Blogline, it was fun to add new feeds. I can see how this can become addicting. You can access many different sites all in one place.
I might be able to organize different sites that I use to access them more expediently.
Libraries can certainly use this tool in order to gather information souces to one spot. Ta ta for now--I must go add more "feeds"

time to do the next "thing"

Flickr Photo

This is a photo from my Flickr account.

These beautiful quilts are on display at our branch--it makes the meeting room quite cozy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephduba/

While I was tooling around on Flickr, I came across this man's photographs. Above it the link that will take you to his photos. They are quite good, mostly things in nature and he shows a unique perspective of some simple items such as the icycle.

This Flickr site will be helpful to be able to organize all the photos I have stored in my camera still. Once I really play with it, I can send photos out to my friends and family via e-mail
I usually rely on my husband to upload the pictures--that is why there are still many still in the camera--hah.

71/2 habits

The easiest habit for me is the teaching/ mentoring habit. I find that I do learn more by teaching--reinforces what you already know. Sometimes I am surprised by how much I do know.

The most difficult habit is probably using technology to your advantage. Just don't seem to take the time to learn how to do some things which would make my life easier.