I think this was, overall, a good learning experience. Some of it was beyond my personal comfort zone and interest, like Rollyo. Others, like Library Thing, are useful and might actually get more use from me.
I think was worth the time.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thing 17, the Sandbox
A dead link, so I explored what "Cloud Computing" is.
http://www.20thingsilearned.com/ offers a concise, humorously illustrated e-book-like explanation of many web things, such as cloud computing, web apps, and javascript.
I still don't really understand it all, and probably won't but I do understand that Gmail and google documents are ways of doing cloud computing. I am not tied to a single computer, rather can access my email and docs anywhere.
http://www.20thingsilearned.com/ offers a concise, humorously illustrated e-book-like explanation of many web things, such as cloud computing, web apps, and javascript.
I still don't really understand it all, and probably won't but I do understand that Gmail and google documents are ways of doing cloud computing. I am not tied to a single computer, rather can access my email and docs anywhere.
Thing 15
I think everyone should read "Away from the Icebergs". It is true. We can't hold on to all of our old ways of doing things, every print reference book, expect people to come to us in our buildings during our open hours if they don't fit people's info need hours BUT we are also a business and must remind the public of that.
I never cease to be amazed by people who are regular, life-long library users, who are just in awe of our resources when I show them the databases we have and how they work. We have to find a way to promote this more, not just by having them available, but through demos, on the website (highlights), or even through outreach PSAs ( in better financial times).
I never cease to be amazed by people who are regular, life-long library users, who are just in awe of our resources when I show them the databases we have and how they work. We have to find a way to promote this more, not just by having them available, but through demos, on the website (highlights), or even through outreach PSAs ( in better financial times).
Thing 13
Del.icio.us
Some of the links no longer work, so I played a bit on the Del.icio.us
site itself and also went to some of the featured libraries using tags. The Thomas Ford Memorial Library (Illinois) offers a nice, simple layout and way to use tags. I know that we (MCPL) also have tags on the Teen Site and have explored that, too.
I can see how using tags instead of "official" subject headings or terminology is so much more user friendly. But can also give the user some overload at first.
Some of the links no longer work, so I played a bit on the Del.icio.us
site itself and also went to some of the featured libraries using tags. The Thomas Ford Memorial Library (Illinois) offers a nice, simple layout and way to use tags. I know that we (MCPL) also have tags on the Teen Site and have explored that, too.
I can see how using tags instead of "official" subject headings or terminology is so much more user friendly. But can also give the user some overload at first.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Thing 5
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annarussell0713/2950419830/in/gallery-terriek-72157622468701648/
A beautifully composed photo from Flickr. My former next door neighbor is a fan of photography and would love the use of color in this one.
A beautifully composed photo from Flickr. My former next door neighbor is a fan of photography and would love the use of color in this one.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thing 14
Technorati is a huge time sink! It's purpose is to index blogs and posts, through searching tags (words, subjects). I have to say, I'm not so sure how someone would use it, unless they are just toodling around looking for a blog to follow. The info on the site about the site is great--easy to find, read, understand.
I know I have done some of the "Things" but not blogged about them. Like Thing 10, I know my kids had a blast goofing around with the image that is supposed to be me.
I know I have done some of the "Things" but not blogged about them. Like Thing 10, I know my kids had a blast goofing around with the image that is supposed to be me.
Trying to finish this up and get my CEUs!
Yes, I am back and determined to earn my 18 or so credits. Having been away so long, I have forgotten how to do things and I've also seen how bland my blog looks, compared to some fabulous ones I've been reading lately.
I love Nancy Pearl's blog and her monthly appearances on KUOW, which I listen to on podcast. (Thing 21)
I know I have done many of the "things".Here are some comments:
Thing 7: I enjoy David Pogue's podcasts, columns, and blog. He's terrific at making the technical understandable. The Nova series "Making Stuff" was another great display of his communication talents.
Thing 8: I thought I did this awhile back and now I see that Bloglines is no more. The following link from Mashable was good to read for an alternative:
http://mashable.com/2010/01/25/google-reader-custom-feeds/#
I can see that for people who have their internet access going nonstop, this kind of a thing is good. The Mashable article on the demise of Bloglines cited the popularity of Twitter and Facebook as reasons to take Bloglines down. I guess that is the thing about social media and instant access: it changes and starts and ends when superceded.
Thing 9: I thought I did this, too. Mel's Desk
http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/ is a nice children's services site and linked me to a flannelboard wiki that I signed up for. I have to explore that a bit more. That is Thing 16.
I am a regular podcast listener (Thing 21) and find most of mine either by browsing by subject on iTunes, or from NPR.
Thing 22: I have been showing patrons how to access Overdrive and NetLibrary both for audio and e-books. There is growing interest and demand. Unfortunately, the selection is still spotty. I have discovered that DCPL has a different subscription to Overdrive, as does Arlington Co. PL and you can get cards online from both (although DC's is a temp number and expires in 30 days unless you go in to a branch and get a physical card. Arlington mailed me mine.)
I love Nancy Pearl's blog and her monthly appearances on KUOW, which I listen to on podcast. (Thing 21)
I know I have done many of the "things".Here are some comments:
Thing 7: I enjoy David Pogue's podcasts, columns, and blog. He's terrific at making the technical understandable. The Nova series "Making Stuff" was another great display of his communication talents.
Thing 8: I thought I did this awhile back and now I see that Bloglines is no more. The following link from Mashable was good to read for an alternative:
http://mashable.com/2010/01/25/google-reader-custom-feeds/#
I can see that for people who have their internet access going nonstop, this kind of a thing is good. The Mashable article on the demise of Bloglines cited the popularity of Twitter and Facebook as reasons to take Bloglines down. I guess that is the thing about social media and instant access: it changes and starts and ends when superceded.
Thing 9: I thought I did this, too. Mel's Desk
http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/ is a nice children's services site and linked me to a flannelboard wiki that I signed up for. I have to explore that a bit more. That is Thing 16.
I am a regular podcast listener (Thing 21) and find most of mine either by browsing by subject on iTunes, or from NPR.
Thing 22: I have been showing patrons how to access Overdrive and NetLibrary both for audio and e-books. There is growing interest and demand. Unfortunately, the selection is still spotty. I have discovered that DCPL has a different subscription to Overdrive, as does Arlington Co. PL and you can get cards online from both (although DC's is a temp number and expires in 30 days unless you go in to a branch and get a physical card. Arlington mailed me mine.)
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