Friday, August 3, 2007

Thing 23...

It is over, truely over.

I kind of have mixed feelings about the program. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to be exposed to different tools, and toys that are available on the internet. Even if I did not like a thing, the exposure to it was valued. I am sure everyone has mentioned, and I have to agree time was a factor. But, since most of the things were enjoyable to me once I had the time I enjoyed participating.

One thing I would say is to find a way that we can continue using the "things" we learned even after this program is over.

My favorite things were making the avatars and flickr.com.

I would like to participate in another training like this if one comes up.

Thanks to those who made this possible!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Week 9...22

Netlibrary/Overdrive

My library has these two resources. I have practiced downloading on both sites, in hopes it would be easier for me to explain how to use them to customers. I still have a bit of a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I think this is because I do not use MP3 players regualarly so it does not sink in. The concept of ebooks and eaudiobooks is great.

We recently subscribed to Recorded Books's downloadable videos. I have not heard much patron feedback yet, but I had fun watching Antiques Road Show!!!

Week 9...21

Podcasts...

I am not sure about this either. I do not know how this could really improve my life. I searched the three listed websites and nothing jumped out at me.

I did go to the ala wiki and there were some podcasts there. This might be useful in the future, especially YALSA podcasts.

Week 9...20

You Tube...

I really, really, really want to love this. It seems like a great idea and I hear so much about it. But, I am still not crazy about it. Some of the stuff on the is ridiculous crap. Some of it I find interesting and cool. I was able to see Faith Hill yelling at a fan at a recent concert. That is something You Tube helped me accomplish.

This could be neat, but is definitly something I could live without. Who has time to sit around and just talk to a camera and post it on the internet?

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Week 8...Thing 19...45 minutes later

Just kidding. I did not have a lot of fun with any of the Web 2.0 winners. Youtube was not as fun as I thought it would be. Maybe I need more time to play. I went to cocktailbuilder.com and esty.com and did not go crazy over them. I have used zillow before and like that site.

Some of these sites are interesting. But, for me it would be just as easy to Google whatever I was looking for and go from there. No need for a Web 2.0 site.

Week 8...Thing 19

Oh my goodness, this thing looks like so much fun!!! I have heard of a lot of the sites before and gone to a couple of them. I did not even know I was particpating in Web 2.0. I have to say I have never been to YouTube. I think that is where I am going to play first.

Week 8...Thing 18

Wow, this is really interesting!!! Instead of having my files all on a flashdrive or floppy I can upload them here and take them with me anywhere. I go to different branches two times a week. We have been assigned personal logins that can float our files, but that has not been working for me. This could be really helpful!
I published this to my blog from Google docs!!!


It took me several tries to get my Google doc sent to my blog. The process was really easy, but it kept sending to the wrong blog. Once I took a deep breath it worked fine. I just went to Google because I already had an account set up.

I think these tools are really interesting. Maybe a tutorial on how to use them could be helpful to those not to familiar with Excel, or even Word.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Week 7...Thing 17

Sandbox Wiki...complete

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Week 7...Thing 16

Wikis...

Let's see. My main experience with Wikis is dealing with Wikipedia. When I first started to use the site I was a little to critical of it. I would not rely on it at all. With using it a little more it grew on me. As much as you need to be cautious that anyone can add information to wikis, it is nice because you can get so many points of view and influences.

My LATI group also used a wiki. That was very confusing. It was hard for us to find the site and then posting on it was not hard but it was not as easy as I thought it should be.

I do not know if I missed something, but how can I create a wiki of my own? It would be a great tool for me in helping plan programs and projects with people that I do not see all of the time.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Week 6...Thing 15

Alright, I think I am done being a Negative Nancy.

Library 2.0 articles were very informative and they put me back on the right path.

Libraries (and the world) are changing and I am glad I able to have time to learn and play with the new tools.

I can see some of the changes and they are not easy for everyone. I am of the Millennial Generation so I am more used to computers and technology. I still have patrons that come up to me and tell me that it was so much easier when we had the CARD catalog.

As much as those working in libraries need to be ready for the future, we need to realize that many of the people we serve (and even work with) are not ready for so many changes.

Week 6...Thing 14

Technorati

Alright, I do not love this.

I believe that there are a million, billion, zillion blogs. I have 4!!!

It is kind of neat that I can see what other people are into and are doing.
But, unfortunately I barely have time to even think about what I am into or am doing.

Sometimes I wonder what all of these bloggers and taggers do for a living.

It is good to know that this exists, though.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Week 6...Thing 13

Mmmmm, mmmm, good. Alright, sorry I do not get it. Why do I want Google reader or bloglines and Delicious?

I set up a delicious account. It was neat enough. But, it was just bookmarking my favorite sights right? Kind of like I already have on my toolbar.

My tags connect me to people all over the world? I do not know if that interests me.

Am I missing something?

And, I did not love Technorati either.

I love learning all these new things, but I do not see the need to have 5 tools that perform almost the same way.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Week 5...Thing 12

I could not, could not get into the Roll or Rolling or Rollyo. I am not sure why. This may be silly, but I think the colors distracted me from the page and made it unappealing. Also, I did not quite see the point of it. I am just going to stick with google myself.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Week 5...Thing 11

My own catalog? At first I was unsure that this would be useful. But, then I decided it could be.

I am starting my own little library (or stash of books) at home. This is a great way to keep them organized. I can also see what other people thought of the book and like titles.

Other libraries are using this site on their webpage. I went to one of the webpages. It was a neat idea. You could see some books that the library has available, along with like books, and reviews of other people.

Here's a link to my library.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/jnhem

Week 5...Thing 10

Oh man, this Thing was really fun.

I turned photos into sketches and put a message on the side of a plane.

And, I added the RSS to my googlereader account.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Week 4...Thing 9

It turns out the delay with getting the MERLIN password was with the webmail account, not MERLIN.

I logged into it. I do not have much time now to work on exploring. But, I did browse through the Learning Links and I think that will be very helpful. I am attempting to gain some more information on gaming and gaming programing for teens. Hopefully this will help.

Week 4...Thing 9

I went to MERLIN. I looks like a really neat site. I am still waiting for my password to be sent to my email before I can login.

Week 4...Thing 8

RSS feeds. I have heard about these recently and honestly had no idea what they were. Now, that I have explored them a bit I think they are great. I was discussing RSS feeds with Michelle before I had a chance to look at them and she said I would love them. And I do. I have a couple websites that I like to go to everyday to read my horoscope and to catch up on news and celebrity gossip. Now, all these sites are in one place for me.

I first went to Bloglines and tried to set up a page there. Actually I did, and I did not love it. There is no specific reason why Bloglines did not capture my enthusiam, but I was not excited about it. Then, I went to Google Reader. I love this site!!! I did not have to set up a separate google account, which was nice. I added 3 feeds and they were really easy to look at and add.

I still have a lot more playing...I mean learning... to do with this Thing.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Week 3...more

I just got done talking with Amanda W at Caro and she mentioned a fun site that I will have to play with me. It was FD toys. I haven't had a chance to go there yet.

Also, with the Library Trading Cards. They are fun to make. I had to make one with LATI. Some people can really display their creative side with these.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Week 3, Things 5-7

This week was FUN!!!

I hope I can retain the information I learned and played with.

I went to flickr and looked around with that. We actually had to explore this with LATI, but this time I actually set up an account. It was not hard at all. But, I had to set up a yahoo account also, convient for yahoo.

I have to admit the mashups were a bit confusing at first and only a little less confusing now. I went onto wikipedia and the links and explanations there were helpful. There is one site that picks keywords out of articles...http://www.wordsfinder.com/ I have to admit I still do not quite get this site though....http://us.keegy.com/ It is a bunch of blogs put together in some kind of way, I don't know.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Week 2 Thing 4

Registering and Tracking the blog...

I just registered a few hours ago, I think!?!

Week 2 Thing 3

Settting Up a blog...Looks like I accomplished this!!!

Week 1, Thing 2

Pointers from Life Long Learners...

Setting Up a Learning Contract...My computer Couldn't open the Contract

7 1/2 Habits of Effective Learning
Easiest Habit for me: Of Course Playing
And, Beginning with the end in mind. It is important for me to have a goal and to understand what I am working for.
Hardest Habit for me: Viewing problems as challenges. I am getting better with this habit, but it is still hard. But, what fun would life be without problems or challenges?

Week 1: Thing 1

Reading a blog and learning about the program

This program seems interesting. Hopefully I will learn a thing or two!!!

I have to say I just completed LATI a few months ago and this program may be repeating some of the things we went over with that.

The Beginning

Our adventure into "23 Things" has begun.