#23 Is This Really the End?

It is interesting to me that in my last post I commented on wanting to retain the use of technology that I have learned and improve on it in 2009. If a course like this were to be offered again I would definitely use the tutor service more. Donna was so helpful, kind and patient plus a boatload of help. I have a couple of favorite lessons. The ones on Soho, pod casts and the audio books come to mind. It was unexpected for me to actually be able to navigate some of these sites AND enjoy doing it. I really am afraid of technology because I, for some reason, think I will break something beyond repair. I know that is not really possible but... For future courses, I would offer the course both independently or with a facilitator. The tutor was wonderful but maybe not available enough for some of us. Several things have occurred during the course. First, I have lost some of my fear of going into some of these sites and exploring. The second, is that I understand more technology terminology. Finally, I see the value of knowing these things. As it said in the 3 Icebergs article, if we want to keep the library relevant and helpful to ourselves and the public then we must use the technology to do so.

#22 Audio Books

The overview for Overdrive almost put me over the edge. I read it twice and still had to ask questions. I look forward to being able to use audio books. On a long trip or on breaks would be ideal times to be able to listen. I am slowly moving into the century with technology so I think that I should resolve to continue this process in 2009.

#21 Podcast

Please note that I have attached to my blog the NPR series Wait Wait Don't Tell Me to my blog. Now I can have the podcast of the most recent show or get one from a past show that I missed. This has been an awesome experience and one I am really glad to have had.

#20 You Too Can UTube

Who knew librarians were funny. I have seen the blond girl commercial before but it is still funny. I also think were should do dominoes with the books. All through the first floor we should make a pattern and knock them over. I like the knock them over part. This site is just fun but also full of useful material. I went to and ESL site that was just great. The teacher was teaching English to Japanese children and they were all having a great time.

#19 Web 2.0 Tools

I happened to land on the food topic. I went to IMCOOKED, Urbanspoon, and ifoods.tv. All really good and easy sites to use. I would have never known that any of these existed, let alone were fun, if it hadn't been for this exercise. I can actually see myself using this again.

Thoughts

I ♥ this.  I can see that is would be great fun to play with .  I could also see myself getting into trouble for doing this often.  I promise not to play with this at work.  I always wondered about all these wonder tools people used to spice up their comments. 

Cool Beans for Zoho!

 

#17 Sandbox

Sandbox is just fun. If you want to have a place to just check out others people ideas and thoughts, this is the place to be. I think you have to have a lot of time to do this but if hanging out on the computer is your idea of fun and relaxation, then this is the place.

#16 Wiki

Hurray for me! I actually was familiar with this site and have used it frequently. This is a good snapshot of broad and specific topics. To really understand a topic would take more research but it is a good place to start.

#15 Library 2.0

The 3 Icebergs article got my attention. The "just in case" collection portion was interesting. I still can't imagine libraries without stacks and being able to just wander the stacks. It is a pleasure not a chore. I think this also points out the change in our society. The "I want it all and I want it now" idea. The"reliance on user education" was very much to the point. If the search for the greater and greater amounts of information we must sort through is to be managed, then we must adapt. The one button flicker example was so very accurrate. I a point and click sort of person and if getting the information I need gets too difficult, I get frustrated. Finally, the"come to us" model of library services makes sense. You can download anything from GPS to the weather on your phone so it seems this is what people want more and more. To survive you have to give people what they want.

I also wanted to comment on the article "To a tempory place in time ...". I loved the comparisons of Library 1.0, Library 2.0, Library 3.0 and Library 4.0. To be forward and future looking is to stay relevant as an institution.

More tech ... less stoneage.

#14 Technorati

I decided against claiming my blog. I am not willing to take ownership of such a poor effort. For those who will really want to keep a blog active and participate in different forums, it would make sense to stake a claim. While I will probably keep my blog active, I don't know how shook up I would be if it were not.

#13 Tagging

I had trouble with this. I put math into the search and got wild and weird stuff. I think it gives more stuff than I am asking for.

#12 Library Gadget

Look for my JaxCat Gadget. I can now link to the library from my blog. This is a good thing.

#9 Finding Feeds

So, now there is finding feeds. I had seen that symbol but didn't know what it meant. I don't really think I would ever really use this. I don't seem to follow things that obsessively. It's always nice to know you can.

#8 Using Blogs

I have successfully navigated another bit of technology. I now can get updates at the speed of light. I don't think I'll ever follow 80 of anything but it is nice to know that I could if I wanted to.

#11 Library Things

http://www.librarything.com/home/KarenWishart

This my link to my Library List. As you can see I like trash and I like serious material. What I read depends on what mood I'm in. Try some of them.

#10 Image Generator

This is really a lot of fun. I will actually come back and use this one again. I can see lots of possiblities for this one!

#7 Technology

As far as technology is concerned I know I am a dinosaur. I want a phone that just rings and that I answer. I have no interest in additional bells and whistles. I still ask my children to help if there is more than one remote control that has to be used for the tv. This being said, I would like to join the twenty-first century and its technological wonders. This will be a slow process for me but I am moving as fast as a herd of turtles.

#6 Flowers

I went into Huge Labs to find all the tools that are available in it. There are bunches and bunches of cool things to do. I chose the picture frame icon. The picture came out SO much better than I thought it would.
These are flowers growing at the bottom of a giant oak in my backyard. I did not plant them there. They just grew there by themselves. I have Impatient in flower beds around the yard but these are my favorites. I think they are because they grew spontaneously.

#5 Turtle Philosophy

I chose the picture of the turtle because the grand turtle is my spirit animal. I have tow philosophies that go with the turtle. The first is: Slow and steady wins the race. The second is: I am sick of you all and I'm taking my stuff and leaving. After all the turtle is self contained.

I enjoyed working with Flickr because it is versatile and allows me options to work with my own pictures and pictures from the web. It does not particularly like me but I enjoyed the experience anyway.

random thought

He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.
~ Edgar A. Guest, It Couldn't Be Done

I included this little bit of poetry on my blog to remind myself that you can't use technology if you don't try to use it.

Day 1

I have found over the years that the easiest of the 7 and 1/2 Habits for me is to take responsibility for my learning. I have always considered it a good day if I have learned something new.