Week 10: #23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning...

Web-Apps was very informative and useful to me. But the Library Elf is still my favorite discovery-- who knew that entropy had such a foe!

This program has also helped me see that there's always more to learn and to relearn and to try to remember to tell others about. I don't know about future web 2.0 applications--but after realizing that I only knew about 30% of everything in this training--there must be a lot more I'm missing!

I may have mentioned this in an earlier posting-- but podcasts (being free to publish) could be used in a number of ways in adult or children's programming.

Thank you guys for putting all this together...it really was a good mix of fun activities and useful information.

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

I downloaded the audio book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens-- It's read by Jim Dale! I also checked out Night of the Living Dead-- another classic holiday story!

I really like the idea behind LibriVox-- I hope they have quality readers.

Wowio has some interesting stuff as well, but there's so much already on HCPL's site, that it will take time to just browse through that-- like I just discovered there are a number of Newbery winners in audio format that we no longer have on cd or tape.

Week 9: #21 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

I found a feed for "Red Giant Radio" off of podcastalley.com which claims to have "the latest news in astronomy and theoretical physics, complete with quirky musical interludes". What more could you want! I went ahead and subscribed to it.

I also found "LibVibe" featuring "headline news from the library world".

The keyword and subject searches make the process of finding interesting podcasts very easy no matter how unique the interest.

Week 9: #20 Discover YouTube and other video sharing sites

YouTube is brilliant! I know there's going to be ongoing controversies over copyright law on video sharing sites like this one, but it's an incredible resource. I looked up a show my dad had seen as a kid--"Commando Cody" and they actually had several episodes on there like "Radar Men from the Moon"--it was a trip!

I also liked the "Contests" feature, which could be used in online YA progamming--Make your own video based on a given topic and then vote on the best.

Here's Commando Cody:










Try placing the video inside your blog using the copy and past code for the "Embeddable Player." Note: you'll need to use Blogger's Edit HTML tab when pasting this code. Added: If you have trouble seeing the embedded video, put in a ticket with the Help Desk. (optional)

Week 8: #19 Web-based Apps: They're not just for desktops

I had success publishing from Zoho Writer-- the HCPL logo came from that site, and I saved the information so it will be easy to post from there in the future. It did take some time to figure out how to access the blog from it.

These are excellent applications for remote access and I am pleased with all of the features that is has which I am already familiar with, like uploading and inserting an image.

And I can see how patrons can benefit from saving online so they don't lose their work when the computers logs off.

Week 8: #18 Social Networking: Making friends in the comfort of your own home

I registered with Facebook. I liked the Facebook site because it was started for college students, and I have a number of friends that I would like to catch up to who I have not seen since college--hopefully they are registered too. Facebook is a lot friendlier than the first networking site that I tried--"Classmates.com" Classmates took my info before I could look at anyone else's and then they required a fee to see anyone else's info, which I found rather underhanded.

I can see why social networking through these venues is really appealing, since time and spacial distance are no longer barriers, and I know these are popular with today's youth, but I bet it will catch on with older generations eventually.

Week 7: #17 Blog About Technology

The tricky thing about new technology is how well it will work with older technology. It's usually too expensive to update everything at once, so you pick the device that most needs it. The problems come when, say, you've updated your computer but the software (which was really expensive) gets an attitude with the new operating system. You can't afford to purchase all new software which usually costs more than the whole computer any way. And so next time you vow to get a Mac!

Week 7: #16 So what's in a wiki?

I spent the most time on Book Lovers Wiki, and I found the audio book section would be quite useful if had more use and more entries to it. There are many elements to audio books that go unmentioned in ordinary descriptions by publishers, but I found it strange that there were only two entries.

The IHCPL Wiki was simple but fun to use, and I could see how wikis could be used in libraries for programming as well because it sparks such specialized interests among the public.

Week 6: #15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

Under "To More Powerful Ways to Cooperate"--
I found the section entitled "Collect User Intelligence"--
to be both novel and necessary. In 2.0 the future is all about the user, and it just makes sense to incorporate the user into the very process of collecting and preparing for this future. And though this will in some ways cut against the grain of tradition, it will be worth it.

Week 6: #14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati

I searched for "Learning 2.0" and found that "Posts" and "Tags" drew the same results, but "Blog Directory" drew a different list.

Well you could spend a lot of time searching for useful blogs because it's endless for all intents and purposes.

I also realized after looking through some polical news feeds that this would be a much more efficient way to keep up the information around the world that you are most interested in.

There are also a number of truly strange blogs.

Week 6: #13 Tagging makes the web 2.0 world go round

I did create an account. This can be useful when I'm working in different locations as well, and I like the fact that you can export and import between the favorites on your IE browser.

It should save a lot of time and the tagging feature is nice!

Week 5: #12 The "Library" Elf will remind you!

Library Elf is very practical, especially when you're juggling a full class schedule with books checked out from all around town.

And the fact that it tracks hold requests too!

I like the text messaging feature as well-- but I'm still waiting for that to be complimentary with a basic service plan.

Week 5: #11 A Thing about Library Thing

Here's my library: www.librarything.com/catalog/badmintonatnight

This could prove a useful resource, as I am constantly making, forgetting and losing various lists of books.

I particularly like the suggestions function for finding new books!

Week 5: #10 Play around with Image Generators

mrd
Originally uploaded by badmintonatnight

I visited the Skeleton Bones Logo Maker at:

www.signgenerator.org/logos/

& I created this avatar.

Week 4: #9 Finding Feeds

Feedster was down for repairs or upgrades or something...

So I tried Technorati, which was nifty.

I liked the search features--basic but effective--keywords and such.

I subscribed to some Sciency newsfeeds because the right side of my brain is lagging.

Week 4: #8 Make life "really simple" with RSS and a newsreader

This was easier than I at first suspected.

But I'll have to wait to comment on how it's usefulness to me.

Week 3: #7 Photo Editing Tools--Using Pixer

bird2
Originally uploaded by badmintonatnight

Week 3: #6 Colorpicker Tool

This is a tool of useful design. Instead of aimlessly searching for a match to your scheming or schemless way of life, you can feel in control after all-- And that's what matters!