23 hops, skips, and jumps later, here I am with a lot more usernames and passwords (well ok, really just one of the former, but a lot of replicas in any case) and spaces to play (and work) in online.
I have to say, the most memorable 'thing' I learned about had to be RSS feeds. It goes a long way towards solving my tendency to happen across something nifty and frequently updated on the InterWeb, bookmark it with every intention of going back to it later, and promptly forgetting either that I had bookmarked something or where it was exactly in that jumbled pile of miscellaneous saved links. Now there's one spot to go to to look for updates. Ok, two, because I have Google Reader account also. And I still have to remember to log in. But still -- simplification! ::happy dance::
I'm a lot more internet savvy now and have new knowledge on Web 2.0. Really, it was kind of pleasant and instructive to have some structure and deliberateness imposed on my internet addiction. I tried a few things I wouldn't have on my own and found or rediscovered a few useful tools.
I have nefarious podcast plans for the future and Bloglines and its kin will stay with me for a while yet.
One quibble I did have with the 23 Things was that so many of the tutorials were audiovisual based. I do realize that these may have been better for others who prefer that learning style, but I personally find the written word much easier to grok. Also, it would made it more possible to work on 23 Things when in a situation where speakers and/or appropriate software were not readily available. A minor thing really , but I felt it worth mentioning at least.
I would definitely like to participate in another such program in the future though, so clearly it did not bother me too much.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, illuminating, and unexpectedly playful experience and I'm glad I signed up. And hey, new blog space to tinker with.
TTFN!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
# 22: Downloadable audiobooks
Conveniently, the PGCMLS website allows people with an account to check out OverDrive audiobooks through the site here.
I poked around and did find a few titles I would like to hear in audio format. If I spent more time near a convenient place to listen to them I would definitely try it.
I poked around and did find a few titles I would like to hear in audio format. If I spent more time near a convenient place to listen to them I would definitely try it.
Monday, July 30, 2007
# 21: Podcasting
Podcast.net has a wide variety of podcasts. I liked how they included podcasts recorded in different languages.
I subscribed to a science fiction and fantasy podcast called Escape Pod.
I also subscribed to Librivox, which is a collection of audiobooks in the public domain. That could be very useful/fun.
I subscribed to a science fiction and fantasy podcast called Escape Pod.
I also subscribed to Librivox, which is a collection of audiobooks in the public domain. That could be very useful/fun.
# 20: YouTube
Only with YouTube could I show you a 'Wild Parrot Pizza Party!' D'awwwww...
I chose this video
because I happen to own a parrot of this type in the clip above. She is
not wild -- she's lived a caged existence with me since she was 9 weeks
out of the egg and we've been housemates for 9 years. However, she is
every bit as cute as those rogue Quakers flying about the park
pilfering pizza. Not that I'm, y'know, biased or anything.
As for the use of YouTube in a library setting...
Well, it's certainly handy, but the audio part of the audio-visual might
present a problem in certain situations. I see it more as fun than
useful really. Not that those are mutually exclusive but it's hard to
imagine a specific use in the library of today at least.
EDIT 8/18/07:
Why, oh WHY does the text formatting go to hoolies (apologies to Jennifer Roberson) in a handbasket whenever I post a fancy bit of code or embedded thingamajig? Grrr...
I chose this video
because I happen to own a parrot of this type in the clip above. She is
not wild -- she's lived a caged existence with me since she was 9 weeks
out of the egg and we've been housemates for 9 years. However, she is
every bit as cute as those rogue Quakers flying about the park
pilfering pizza. Not that I'm, y'know, biased or anything.
As for the use of YouTube in a library setting...
Well, it's certainly handy, but the audio part of the audio-visual might
present a problem in certain situations. I see it more as fun than
useful really. Not that those are mutually exclusive but it's hard to
imagine a specific use in the library of today at least.
EDIT 8/18/07:
Why, oh WHY does the text formatting go to hoolies (apologies to Jennifer Roberson) in a handbasket whenever I post a fancy bit of code or embedded thingamajig? Grrr...
# 19: Web 2.0 Awards List
I have a little list...
Actually, no I don't, but this site did. Piles of them.
Listdump promised to be very exiting at first until you realized that most of the lists were centered around topics as mundane as batteries and diet pills. Great concept, boring execution. Also, the list of A to Z tags was misleading. You would try a promising sounding tag and find that little or nothing lay beneath it.
An improved version could certainly find a place in a library setting when an internet related question appears.
Actually, no I don't, but this site did. Piles of them.
Listdump promised to be very exiting at first until you realized that most of the lists were centered around topics as mundane as batteries and diet pills. Great concept, boring execution. Also, the list of A to Z tags was misleading. You would try a promising sounding tag and find that little or nothing lay beneath it.
An improved version could certainly find a place in a library setting when an internet related question appears.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
# 18: Online Productivity Tools
I began using Google Docs back when it was Writely. Writely was a cuter name but Google has kept the usefulness aspect of the tool and it is convenient to sign it to your email and also have your documents one click away, not to mention your calendar, photos, blog reader, and way too many other things...
So I thought I'd try Zoho Writer which really gets major cuteness points for for the colorful building block logo. You can see how easily impressed I am by minutiae.
I liked the interface, which reminds me of MS Word, except friendlier and less convoluted. My only quibble is that when I tried to post to this blog with the publish button it didn't work. Either I did something wrong or they are having a temporary glitch.
So I thought I'd try Zoho Writer which really gets major cuteness points for for the colorful building block logo. You can see how easily impressed I am by minutiae.
I liked the interface, which reminds me of MS Word, except friendlier and less convoluted. My only quibble is that when I tried to post to this blog with the publish button it didn't work. Either I did something wrong or they are having a temporary glitch.
#17: Sandbox Wiki
The glitch was fixed (hurrah!) and I was able to make the title of this place here into a link on the Maryland Libraries Sandbox.
I created this entry and edited this one.
I created this entry and edited this one.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
# 16: Wikis
For reasons that don't bear exploring at this juncture, I have decided to start numbering the 23 Things. Consistency is NOT one of my hobbies.
More than Wikipedia then. A good way to pool information.
I liked how the St. Joseph County Public Library system created a subject browsable wiki with such nice touches such as staff picks and a random page link.
Oh and the links to external webpages were also extra convenient.
I was very impressed with the BookLoversWiki done by the Princeton Public Library. Three words: Pooled book reviews!
A reference wiki would be made of AWESOME.
TTFN.
More than Wikipedia then. A good way to pool information.
I liked how the St. Joseph County Public Library system created a subject browsable wiki with such nice touches such as staff picks and a random page link.
Oh and the links to external webpages were also extra convenient.
I was very impressed with the BookLoversWiki done by the Princeton Public Library. Three words: Pooled book reviews!
A reference wiki would be made of AWESOME.
TTFN.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Library 2.0
After reading through the Library 2.0 debates on the OCLC website, I'm still processing. However, there are a lot of good points and valid opinions there, many of which I agree with, although not all.
I'm slightly conflicted in how I wish to take a stance on this topic. I very much enjoy and take advantage of the way the Information/Computer Age has revolutionized many lives. Websites, emails, social networking, online games, blogs, and other tools whose names currently escape me are a significant part of my daily existence. I have no objection to these types of things becoming more prominent in libraries.
However, I can also seen the value in maintaining the old tried and true infrastructure as well. As long as it continues to be updated as much as necessary to keep it streamlined and fresh, it would be folly to discard anything to hastily. The library serves many different needs and can certainly adopt new methods without abandoning the old ones. Let's try for a synthesis, shall we?
I'm slightly conflicted in how I wish to take a stance on this topic. I very much enjoy and take advantage of the way the Information/Computer Age has revolutionized many lives. Websites, emails, social networking, online games, blogs, and other tools whose names currently escape me are a significant part of my daily existence. I have no objection to these types of things becoming more prominent in libraries.
However, I can also seen the value in maintaining the old tried and true infrastructure as well. As long as it continues to be updated as much as necessary to keep it streamlined and fresh, it would be folly to discard anything to hastily. The library serves many different needs and can certainly adopt new methods without abandoning the old ones. Let's try for a synthesis, shall we?
Technorati
Technorati seems slightly more amorphous this time around. I toyed with the search engine for a bit with the term 'Learning 2.0' and came up with slightly different results for each.
The favorites consisted mostly of gadgets, blogger and business tops, and random silly/weird sites such as Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things.
The favorites consisted mostly of gadgets, blogger and business tops, and random silly/weird sites such as Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Delicious is tasty
Del.icio.us is a really handy way of keeping bookmarks organized with tags and also available from any internet-enabled computer. I've actually been using it already, but went ahead and made another account for this particular name. You can take a look at it here if you're interested. I don't have too much it yet but I'll be adding more.
I do especially like the way in which bookmarks can be shared (or not) with others. You can search on a tag and see what lies underneath. And you can also see who else has bookmarked your saved link and see what tag(s) were chosen for it. All in all, really nifty.
I dug around a little in the PLCMCL2 account and discovered that some libraries offer IM reference.
Hmmm, I say, and again, hmmm.
I do especially like the way in which bookmarks can be shared (or not) with others. You can search on a tag and see what lies underneath. And you can also see who else has bookmarked your saved link and see what tag(s) were chosen for it. All in all, really nifty.
I dug around a little in the PLCMCL2 account and discovered that some libraries offer IM reference.
Hmmm, I say, and again, hmmm.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Rollyo
Man, that was a headache to create. You'd think it would be simple enough but they make you jump through some weird hoops to make anything happen over there. But here it is (I hope):
Thursday, July 12, 2007
LibraryThing
Apparently I did do #9, but not #11. I can count, really, just not in order.
Ok. I'm torn about LibraryThing. Its a great concept and the database of book is vast and easy to search, but when it comes to actually adding the blasted things, each time you add a book it takes you to a whole new screen with several steps involved in getting back to the search and (possibly) a list of already found titles you had wanted to add also. There must be an easier way to do this. Perhaps there is and I simply haven't found it yet but there you go.
Ok. I'm torn about LibraryThing. Its a great concept and the database of book is vast and easy to search, but when it comes to actually adding the blasted things, each time you add a book it takes you to a whole new screen with several steps involved in getting back to the search and (possibly) a list of already found titles you had wanted to add also. There must be an easier way to do this. Perhaps there is and I simply haven't found it yet but there you go.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
(News) Feeds Search
I jumped ahead and did things #10 and #11 before doing #9. So here it is. Yeah, I'm a little behind.
After combing through Blogline's search tool, Feedster, Topix, Syndic6, and Technorati, I'm rather overwhelmed with information and potential blog reads. I've hit the 'Subscribe' button a fair number of times and have yet to experience just how this will change my daily, weekly,-reading routine.
However, I can see now how people can become addicted to this blogfeed thing. I've done this myself with Livejournal in a very specific sense, but not delved too deeply before into the 'blogosphere'
A quick breakdown of the search tools:
Bloglines:
Doesn't turn up a ton, but what it does is usually pretty cool.
Friendster:
It's like wading through MySpace.com or Fanfiction.net. A few good finds, but a lot of junk and irrelevance floats on the top.
Topix:
Neat idea. I'm waiting to see just how much I will enjoy reading local news. The internet is usually not the place I go to feel connected to where I live.
Syndic8:
Wider results than Bloglines, narrower than Friendster.
Technorati:
I have a good feeling about this one, not only due to the wry subtitle: "Zillions of photos, videos, blogs and more (Some of them have to be good).
The tags on the sides are a nice touch.
The MERLIN site is pretty comprehensive. I'm going to have to dig deeper there.
After combing through Blogline's search tool, Feedster, Topix, Syndic6, and Technorati, I'm rather overwhelmed with information and potential blog reads. I've hit the 'Subscribe' button a fair number of times and have yet to experience just how this will change my daily, weekly,
However, I can see now how people can become addicted to this blogfeed thing. I've done this myself with Livejournal in a very specific sense, but not delved too deeply before into the 'blogosphere'
A quick breakdown of the search tools:
Bloglines:
Doesn't turn up a ton, but what it does is usually pretty cool.
Friendster:
It's like wading through MySpace.com or Fanfiction.net. A few good finds, but a lot of junk and irrelevance floats on the top.
Topix:
Neat idea. I'm waiting to see just how much I will enjoy reading local news. The internet is usually not the place I go to feel connected to where I live.
Syndic8:
Wider results than Bloglines, narrower than Friendster.
Technorati:
I have a good feeling about this one, not only due to the wry subtitle: "Zillions of photos, videos, blogs and more (Some of them have to be good).
The tags on the sides are a nice touch.
The MERLIN site is pretty comprehensive. I'm going to have to dig deeper there.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Images, widgets, and memes oh my!
Any actual content of this post has been carefully removed and replaced with silly pictures and little bits of code. The first picture was made with the LOLCat Generator. The other two are live links to the links.
My bacterium classification is Thermodesulforhabdus Thermodesulforhabdus.
Take The Bacterial Name Generator today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)