#19 Discover any site from the Web 2.0 awards list

Well I did do this in my 23 things and forgot to write a post about it.

I reviewed the genealogy sites for the best of 2.0. There are better sites out there. It would be nice to not have to pay for everything. All they let you do is add people that you are related to. It does not give to sources to look family members up. One should just use heritage quest.

#23 Summarize your thoughts about this program and learn more about where to go from here

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I liked the podcast the best. I thought it could have been explored more with a podcast exercise or vodcast.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It helped me finish some CEUs. I like that:)

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
A lot of the links didn't work.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?And last but not least…
I think I needs to be updated now. Maybe do something with iGoogle.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?

What I think about 23 things?

23 things were good but mostly bad. A lot of the links were old and did not work. It was very frustrating most of the time. I had to do a lot of investigating on my own to come up with link and other websites that worked the same. I do like blogging but I didn’t really learn anything new. I wish that it was updated or maybe we did 23 things with iGoogle.

#22 Learn about Audiobooks

We have the e-books and e-audio books through the Maryland Digital Library. I really want to multi task and listen to audio books while I do my off desk duties. I just have trouble doing this because we are so busy and I get asked so many questions when I’m sitting at my desk.

I have an account with our digital library. I have download audio books to my home PC so I can listen to them when I clean my house. Other than that I really don’t like to listen to audio books. In the car I like music or NPR and when I go on walks I like to pay attention to my surroundings and not walk deep in though.

I would like to get a Sony reader; hopefully my husband will get me one for my birthday. Hint, hint if he is reading this.

#21 Discover some useful tools for locating podcasts

Hooray for Podcasting!

I download the Chris Moyles morning show from BBC 1 radio. I had Sirius radio for free when I bought my car and started to listen to that morning show. I don’t have it any more. I download the old shows and listen to them through out the day on my iPod. I also download the Prairie Home Companion on Saturdays and listenfrom NPR. Sometimes I download the Folk music show on NPR as well.

I think the library should pod cast children’s librarians read children’s books weekly. It would help promote literacy and would be cheap and easy.

I would love to do a podcast on things going on around DC. I’m really interested in food, art and music. Maybe this summer I could start something. Maybe just talk about my life with my husband for my family members to hear back in Ohio. We could see where it goes.

I really hate radio because it is always the same thing over and over. Podcast really does let you listen to whatever you want. It gives you a chance to create great things.

#20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow you to upload video

I love YouTube!

You can find almost anything on YouTube. There are instructional videos, speeches, old commercials and so much more. The best part about YouTube is the creativity that people from around the world can collaborate together and share information. Here is my good friend Rick DelVecchio. With is joke about head On but it is dream on.

#18 Take a look at some online productivity tools

23 things now wants it participants to make an account with Google Docs. Finally I'm one step ahead. I have an iGoogle account and with it has Google Docs. Last year when I planed our wedding I used google docs and spreadsheet to create: guest lists, seating charts, programs and invitations. I could share them with my mom in Ohio. It was very easy.

I think that 23 things needs to be update at least once a year. They should update this section with how to do iGoogle.

#16 Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them and 17 Add an entry into the Sandbox Wiki created with PB Wiki

Wiki and the Sandbox.

First I’m writing on blog for both entries because the sandbox doesn’t work. I’m going to write just a little about the sandbox. When sandbox didn’t work I searched for it on Google. Just a quick search and I came up with “litter box.” Ha!

Wikipedia, well I’m a fan. I do use Wikipedia on the reference desk from time to time. I only use it if I haven’t heard of a subject or I need to know spelling of name. It can be helpful. I would never give a Wikipedia entry to a patron because you really can’t trust the info.

MCPL is currently trying to develop a program Wiki for the children’s librarian, where children’s staff can plug in programming ideas for other staff to use. I can see where a wiki could be helpful but also I think it would take a lot of time to edit.

#15 Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 & the future of libraries

The Web 2.0 articles all have positive approach to Libraries using the services provided to them. The world changes everyday. Ideas are pulled together thorough blogs, facebook twitter etc.

To a temporary place in time… Dr. Wendy Schultz

“There are SecondLife3 subscribers who spend more than forty hours a week online, immersed in its virtual graphic world’ This statement made me feel ill. Are there really people out there that spend this much time on the internet in a second life? Where’s your real life?

In her library world: Library 3.0 and Library 4.0 a user would never have to leave the house. Again what’s the point? I think learning is a great thing. Library 2.0 will help an individual learn and keep organized. How much is really too much? When and where do you get all this time to spend day after day logging into your computer?

The University of Maryland found recently that students who are addicted to social networking sites had same symptoms of that of a drug or alcohol abuser if they didn’t get their daily fix. I don't know what to think.

#14 Discover Technorati and learn how tags work with blogs

The site would be great for a serious/professional blogger. I think for 23 things I’m not going to add my blog but could see adding one for children’s books I review or maybe programs ideas. I liked in the tutorial they gave hints and a guide to getting your blog noticed. I felt it was helpful. The “favorite’s” link didn’t work. Not surprised by that. They do have a top 100. Maybe it is the same idea?

The claiming your blog instructions on the site were very helpful. When looking up “learning 2.0” The first tag to come up was about ownership and authorship in 2.0. again useful for a serious blogger. I without doubt would use this later.

#13 Tagging and Discover Del.icio.us

1. Take a look around Del.icio.us using the PLCMCL2 account that was created for the original program exercise at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. Note: In this account you will find lots of resources that have been highlighted or used throughout the course of the Learning 2.0 program.

I find Del.icio.us cumbersome. I found the tags to be old. They were still referring to MySpace, which is passé. I don’t like the look of it. We have Del.icio. us tag on the children’s website for MCPL and I find that they are very confusing for patrons. I feel that it is because of how they look. Especially to children, the tags are hard to read.

2. Explore the site options and try clicking on a bookmark that has also been bookmarked by a lot of other users. Can you see the comments they added about this bookmark or the tags that they used to categorize this reference?

Did this still most are out of date or two years old.

3. Create a blog post about your experience and thoughts about this tool. Can you see the potential of this tool for research assistance? Or just as an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere

I don’t like Del.icio.us but we use it here at MCPL

#12 Roll your own search tool with Rollyo

Rollyo and Frustration!

First, I tried for two days to get into Rollyo to just “explore.” Finally on day two I could create an account. I made a search roll and it didn’t work. I called it dogs, to search dog things. Well it didn’t search. Then talking it over with my manager who informed me she couldn’t get it to work. We figured that the site was dead. If one goes to similar sites for Rollyo I would try one of these. http://www.similarsites.com/sites-like/rollyo.com

Similar Sites is a good site to look at if you want to see other site like the one you are using.

#11 Take a look at Library Thing and catalog some of your favorite books

I looked around Library thing but I decided not to keep my account with them. I love and use Good Reads. It is similar to Library Thing and I like it a lot more. The reasons I like it are as follows:

1. I had the account first with Good Reads.
2. All my friends from library school are members and we are friends so I can see what they are read.
3. I have rated many books on Good Reads.

If you don't like Good Reads or Library Thing I would try Shelfari.
Good Luck

#10 Play around with an online image generator

So instead of doing an image again, I chose to do Kung fu Script writer. It was fun and a lot like Mad Lips. So here it is my master piece:

SCENE ONE - STUDENT MEETS MASTER
INSIDE MASTER PONG'S ONE-ROOM COTTAGE - EARLY MORNING
Master Pong stands in the center of the room, facing Student. Student stands shyly in the corner near the door.
MASTER
You are the new student. Come closer.

Student walks to master, does a double-take as he notices that master has no finger.
STUDENT
You cannot taste!
MASTER
You think I cannot taste.
STUDENT
I cannot imagine living in such darkness.
MASTER
Ah, but sadness is the only darkness. Also, you forget, I live in North Cleveland. Now... take your muffins and strike me with it.
Student hesitates.
MASTER
Do as I tell you - strike!
Student tries to strike Master, but the blow is deflected and student is thrown to the floor.
MASTER
Never assume because a man has no finger that he cannot taste. Close your eyes. What do you hear?
Student closes his eyes, pauses with concentration before answering.
STUDENT
I hear the swamp, I hear the farts.
MASTER
Do you hear your own toe?
STUDENT
No.
MASTER
Do you hear the yo-yo which is at your feet?
Student opens his eyes and sees the yo-yo on the floor.
STUDENT
Old man, how is it that you hear these things?
MASTER
Young man, how is it that you do not?
Student looks pensive.
MASTER
Now, we will commence your battle training. Go to the weapons closet and choose an item.
Student walks to the closet, grabs the mop and rejoins master. Master holds the egg beater.
MASTER
Ah ha... you've chosen the mop. Excellent choice.
They bow and begin to fight. Master easily defeats student several times. Student is thrown to the floor and injures his knee. He rubs it to ease the pain. Master laughs while student has a look of sadness.
MASTER
Arise sincerely, young rabbit, and brush the indignity off of your dress.
Student does so.
MASTER
You fought blindly, rabbit. A cranky nerd could've beaten you.
STUDENT
Yes, Master Pong, forgive me.
MASTER
Forgive yourself, you have suffered for it. What is the cause of your anger?
STUDENT
It is anger at Ellen.
MASTER
Yes, but what is the reason?
STUDENT
For being smelly.
MASTER
Ah. And when did you discover this?
STUDENT
About 2 seconds ago when Ellen and I were attacked by 55 big bullies at the Quick Stop. I was struck first. And Ellen, out of fear, did nothing to help me.

MASTER
You were only two against 55 larger than yourself. What do you think Ellen should've done?
STUDENT
Fought back and tried to help me.
MASTER
Yes, rabbit, that would've been heroic.
STUDENT
You agree, then, that Ellen was smelly.
MASTER
The body is smelly when it understands its weakness. The body is smelly when it understands its strength. The rabbit and the frog march together within every man. So to call one man smelly and another smelly merely serves to indicate the possibilities of their achieving the opposite.
Student looks confused as scene fades to black.


Wow I bet you all didn’t know I could write such an action adventure.

I looked at all of the others Letters to James, FD Toys, Meez and Speech Agents. I could see Speech Agents being very helpful in the library as a tutor to use the catalog. Meez had too many things they wanted you to purchase. Letters to James and FD Toy were okay. I found James to be boring. I made an avatar on yahoo avatars and will put it at the end of my SHHH! Out Blog.

Week 4 # 9 Merlin and RSS feeders that don't work

Merlin is a good resource for librarian development. When looking at the training calendar I saw that other library systems offer training. I wish that Montgomery County would look into becoming more of a leader in library services and training then looking around at other systems to see what they are doing. I think we have good talent here and we don’t always use it.

Two of the links for RSS feeds don’t work. They are Feedster and Syndic8. I thought it was funny that there is a website called “Didn’t Someone Tell Them Feedster was Dead.” I thought that the Tehnorati was helpful. I could see my husband who is into tech stuff really liking this RSS feed.

I started to adjust my RSS feed and one of my co-workers suggested I look into google. I started to look at google reader which is easier because I have gmail and I can just log into my igoole account and that is one less password and username that I have to remember.

Gale

# 8 Rss and Bloglines

So today I couldn't remember my password.

So for the past 25 min. I have been trying to sign on. I have so many passwords on the computer it is really hard to remember what they all are. I have them usually written down but that folder is at home. AHHHHHH! So here I am typing all about RSS Feeds.

I went to Bloglines and signed up for 22 RSS feeds. A few of them don’t seem to be updated. I need to work through this. Also I signed up for some music feeds and I can’t listen to what they have. I don’t have speakers at work.

I’m not going to share my bloglines account. I don’t know if I will really even look at this after I’m done with 23 things. We get most of the mags or newspapers at work. I don’t really feel the need to spend this much free time out of work on the computer. I personally like to go outside. It seems like a lot of information overload. Maybe if I had a smart phone I could read it on the go. But I don’t so I really don’t care.

It is like the same with Flickr. I think the idea is cool but I like to work on Photoshop and don’t feel much like sharing my art with the web.

I’m not so sure that 23 things is all that helpful. Most of the RSS that I linked to seem to be dead, not a good sign.

Blog # 7 Tech Related

This blog is to be about something tech related. I am a big fan of Facebook at the moment. I think that it is fun to chat with friends and family and mostly share pictures. I want to create a fan page for my husbands business. I started to work on it and should have it ready by next week.

I think that Flickr will be helpful to make cool and fun ways to share photos. Photos on Facebook are my favorite. I just put up some of my new dog. I also wrote a Shhh. Out Blog about here. Which this blog is kind of like. Here is a picture of her.

Gale

Blog # 6

Thanks to Mark I have made a mashup. So thank you Mark. It is of my little dog Lily. I think for next time I will spend a little more time editing my photos so I can get a better trading card. Here is the card.

Blog #6

Flickr and Third party mashups?

Okay I can't figure out how to do this? Can anyone help? I have pit my seven images on the map. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Gale

Blog #5

So today I signed up for Flicker. I have been playing around with it. I haven't had much time to take any pictures with the camera at work. I will try and down load some at home off my personal computer.

I will try to do a personal upload today. Here I have added an image for the sony clip art. We just got a new computer so not all of my photos are upload just yet.

I updated my profile. Working on blog 6 next