Hawaii Dreamin'

Just trying another image generator. If you don't use it, you loose it.

Week 9, Thing 23: Summary

Two skiers atop the summit of Mt. Baker standing next to a U.S. flag, n.d.
Originally uploaded by digitalinitiatives

I thought the adjacent photo was appropriate to mark the ending of this particular journey. In regard to "23 Things," I feel like I've reached the mountain peak as well.

This has been an incredible learning experience. Early on in the program, I was going to give up as there were so many new technologies that I found it overwhelming. I'm so glad that I persevered. I think it's important to continue to learn as we grow, especially when the subject matter is out of our comfort zone. Web 2.0 technology was definitely out of mine.

The Journey Continues...
I plan to go back through all 23 Things in order to identify which web technologies I would actually use on a daily basis, whether personally or professionally, and then spread the news far and wide.

Week 9, Thing 22: Overdrive, NetLibrary and Project Gutenburg

I've had an MP3 player for several months and already have accounts with Overdrive and NetLibrary. So, I took a look at Project Gutenberg instead. Through Project Gutenberg, I was able to locate and download "The Three Little Pigs" to my work computer. What a wonderfully dramatic reading, particularly enjoyable is the huffing and puffing villainous wolf. Also included in the download was "Rumplestiltskin." I also took a look at the ebook, "Jokes For All Occasions." Not only is there a long list of jokes, in the form of stories, but there's an explanation as to how to effectively tell them. Here's an example that was listed under the subject of cookery:

The housewife gave the tramp a large piece of pie on condition that he should saw some wood. The tramp retired to the woodshed, but presently he reappeared at the back door of the house with the piece of pie still intact save for one mouthful bitten from the end.

"Madam," he said respectfully to the wondering woman, "if it's all the same to you, I'll eat the wood, and saw the pie."

Week 9, Thing 21: Locating Podcasts

I wasn't successful searching for podcasts using Podcast.net or Podcastalley.com as I was directed to install additional plug-ins. I decided to try Yahoo Podcasts instead and had no trouble listening to the podcasts available.

I found a few interesting podcasts when I searched for children's book reviews: BookVoyages and Booktalks Quick and Simple. BookVoyages is a podcast about children's literature from the point of view of a school library/media specialist. It features reviews of books as well as inteviews with students and authors. I listened to an interesting interview with children's author, Bruce Coville. In Booktalks Quick and Simple, you can listen to booktalks by one of the experts, Nancy Keane. I added this podcast, as well as, NPR Books and NPR:Story of the Day to my blogline's account at http://www.bloglines.com/myblogs. What a quick and easy way to stay in touch with topics of personal or professional interest.

Podcasts could be used in the public library in various ways: staff training, staff booktalks, etc.

Week 9, Thing 20: Exploring YouTube

Here's a short video from YouTube entitled, "A Battery Powered By Water." Particularly interesting is the possible use of the battery in emergencies. The theory is that just by licking the end of your flashlight battery that has gone dead, the moisture from your saliva can provide enough power to get the flashlight working again. It paints an attractive picture, doesn't it?

I prefer the videos that teach or entertain. The odd videos about identifying people from the neck down, for instance, are fairly useless - to me at least.
Applying this technology to library websites is fascinating. Libraries could provide video clips of program highlights, like the Harry Potter Party, as a marketing tool, or provide a video tour of the library, its services, book talks, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Week 8, Thing 19: Web 2.0 Awards List

I had fun exploring Backpack. What a great way to create and store all those lists that would normally be written on little pieces of paper that you can never lay your hands on when you need them. Customizing a calendar is also a handy feature. These are wonderful tools for personal or work use. It's the ability to share information that is so remarkable to me.

Google Maps was very helpful. Usually, I use Mapquest but I think I like Google Maps better as you can post maps to your blog, etc.

I also took a look at Medstory under the Health category. This would be a good tool to lead patrons to when they're researching health issues, as the websites listed are very reputable, like the Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute.

Week 8, Thing 18: Online Applications & Tools: Zoho Writer

I successfully opened an account at Zoho Writer and created a document. I was able to make it a public doc (BTR 2007 Titles)in order for others to view and edit if they so choose.

NEW TITLES FOR BEGINNING TO READ BOOKMARK 2007


Fiction:

Bess and Tess by Susan Blackaby

My Birthday Cake by Olivia George

Old Mo by Stacey W. Hsu

Pig Wig by Yukiko Kido

Dancing Dinos Go to School by Sally Lucas

Tiny Goes Camping by Cari Meister

Follow Me, Mittens by Lola M. Schaefer

Can You Play? by Harriet Ziefert

This should be useful as it's a bookmark that Deb Shepp and I are working on together. This web-based productivity application will make it easy for Deb and I to work on the list whenever or wherever we choose. This is especially invaluable given our different schedules. This is a great tool!

I ran into some difficulties when I tried to publish my document to my blog. The following message appeared: "Unable to connect your blog. Username or password may be incorrect." I checked the username and password; they were both correct. I think the problem may be that I never verified my email address when I first opened my blogger account. When you don't verify within a short period of time, it's a bit tricky to get it all straightened out. I'm still working on it.

Week 7, Thing 17: Learning 2.0 SandBox Wiki

I added an entry under 'What I Am Reading' in the Maryland Libraries Sandbox - which was easy to do. The sharing of favorite books is always fun as well as reading other people's entries. I'm forever on the lookout for good reads. I have to admit that I feel like a blind person wandering in a confusing maze. I hope the more I navigate and explore, the more I'll understand.

I agree with the other participants' confusion about being able to edit them. Why would you want to have an entry of my favorite [anything] and then have people edit and change it? Then it's not your favorites anymore, it's a group of people's favorites. But maybe that's the point - they're suppose to be fluid and malleable. Is that right?

Week 7, Thing 16: Wikis

Being a bibliophile, I took a look at 'Book Lovers Wiki' developed by the Princeton Public Library. Technically, I don't know how we would make it happen, but I think it would be a fantastic service if patrons could write their own reviews of the library materials they've read or used and be able to link to those reviews while searching our catalog. A Wiki sounds like a good tool to allow patrons the ability to share this kind of knowledge. I know when I'm searching for books at amazon.com, I like to read the public reviews, as well as, the professional ones. Also valuable would be the ability to connect to people who have similar reading tastes (similar to the service LibraryThing provides) as well as view a list of read-alikes... I could keep going as the possibilities seem endless.

Week 6, Thing 15: Web 2.0, Library 2.0 & Beyond

After reading the OCLC Next Space Newsletter - Web 2.0 Where will the next generation of the web take libraries, I'm amazed at people's ability to imagine what was once the unimaginable - their vision astounds me.
The perspective on the "just in case" collection struck a cord. I compare "building a comprehensive collection of materials that anticipates the user's every need" to a dog chasing its tail - most often, it's a fruitless task. The idea of collecting in a non-traditional sense is intriguing to a Materials Manager. Wouldn't it be wonderful to build a collection in which there are no "shelf sitters" - whether virtual or real? Wouldn't it be wonderful to satisfy every patron's request, whatever it might be? It sounds like the sky's the limit for libraries in the next generation of the web.

Week 6, Thing 14: Technorati

Using "Learning 2.0" as a search term, the highest results were from blog posts, then tags, and the lowest results were from the directory. I liked searching by blog tag because the search terms appear highlighted within the text. I found this a good way to evaluate relevancy. I found searching by blog directory more visually appealing. Maybe the folks at Technorati can combine the best of both methods.

Week 6, Thing 13: Del.icio.us

Not only does Del.icio.us provide an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed anywhere but it's also an invaluable tool to use for research. What a wonderful idea to create this level of detail to simple bookmarks-through the use of tags. I was so impressed that I created my own Del.icio.us account. I still have a lot to learn and explore but I've at least made a start...and I have to admit that it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Week 5, Thing 12: Rollyo

I created a search roll at Rollyo for homeschool resources - in preparation for another year homeschooling my daughters as well as to update the library's homeschool resources bookmark.

Week 5, Thing 11: Library Thing

Library Thing is a wonderful resource for book lovers. I was able to import my five book titles in my blog but I'd actually like to have it appear in the margin. I'm sure this location has a special name but I don't know what it is.

Week 5, Thing 10: Online Image Generator

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This is my avatar. Okay, here's another dream - to be able to belly dance. I'm assuming my avatar is a belly dancer - I could be wrong. (Note: Avatar outfit and background are subject to change.) I checked out a 'how-to' video on belly dancing about a year ago. I found out, within the first 3 minutes of the video, that one needs to be in excellent physical shape to belly dance. Perhaps training for the 'Iron Man Triathlon' may help.

I definitely need to polish this post. I don't know why two images appeared. Anyone have suggestions for me?

Week 4, Thing 9: MERLIN and Searching for Feeds

I had not heard about MERLIN but was glad to add the feed to my Bloglines' account.
I tried searching for feeds using Syndic8.com and Technorati. I found Syndic8.com easier to use - liked the way the search results displayed. I didn't find any library related sites of interest - yet, but I did find a few homeschooling sites that may be useful. Overall, these are helpful tools that I'll continue to use in future - professionally and personally.

Week 4, Thing 8: RSS Feeds and Newsreader

Creating a free online Bloglines account was a piece of cake - as was subscribing to feeds. There are a few news sites and several staff blogs that I frequently read; it will be convenient to go to one source (Bloglines) to keep up with "what's new." I may actually be able to keep up now that I've subscribed to Bloglines - time will tell.

Week 3, Thing 7: Anything Technology Related

I bought an MP3 player a few months ago for listening to audiobooks. I love it! I bought a Creative Zen V Plus because it has a bookmarking feature. The bookmarking feature is great. But occasionally, the player locks up when I try to use the fast forward feature. Does anyone else have a Creative Zen and experience the same problem? Now that I understand how blogs work, I'll search the web for technology blogs that discuss MP3 players - maybe I'll find the answer to my question.

Week 3, Thing 6: Flickr Mashups

As a child I dreamed of being in the movies. What a hoot to be able to create my very own movie poster in fd's Flickr Toys and place it right next to my posters of Clark Gable and Clint Eastwood.

This is also a great place to find gifts for those people who have just about everything.

I also enjoyed Flickr Color Pickr. I hope to go back and explore these mashups more in depth.

Week 3, Thing 5: Successfully Exploring Flickr

can't come to the phone right now
Originally uploaded by tilo driessen

Still dreaming of a peaceful getaway in Hawaii and still dreaming of uploading a Hawaiian Flickr photo into my blog. The question is which dream will be realized first?
If the photo of a hammock strung between two palms appears, then the latter of my dreams was miraculously realized. My Hawaiian getaway will just have to wait.

Week 3, Thing 5: Exploring Flickr

Success at last! I uploaded this photo from a file on my computer at home. I don't know where it was taken but I can envision kayaking around this rock formation on a cool day. My vision does not include a hot glaring sun, annoying insects or raucous individuals. All right, I freely admit I'm in need of a quiet vacation.

Enough Is Enough

Okay, that last post was not what I intended. I had a lovely Hawaiian photo all picked out with a funny caption to add some spice to my incredibly boring blogs. What happened to my photo? I don't know and folks - I don't think I care. I was going to try one more time but I think I'd rather walk across hot coals than try one more time. So, I'll just say, "Aloha."

Week 2, Thing 3: Set Up Your Own Blog

The instructions for setting up a blog at Blogger.com was easy to understand. However, coming up with a blog name took half the day. But once I realized it wasn't set in stone, I was on my way. I had no trouble posting blogs. I just don't know how interesting they may be to read.

Week 1, Thing 2: Pointers from Lifelong Learners

Reviewing the "7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits" tutorial before beginning this journey into the unknown was very beneficial. For instance, the necessity of play is stressed because it's important for learning and brain development. It's great to have permission to play!

Week 1, Thing 1: About This Program

I'm excited and a bit nervous to be participating in this online learning program in order to gain a better understanding of the emerging technologies on the web.

7 and 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits

"Habit #3: View problems as challenges" is the most difficult of the 7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits for me as I'm easily frustrated when I don't understand how to do something.

7 and 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits

Habit 7 1/2: Play! is the easiest of the 7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits for me as it's pure fun and enjoyment - no worries.