It's My Life

Well, with trying to find time with this busy summer. I'm attempting Thing 12 now. The nice thing about sites like Digg, Mixx and such is the fact that the news headlines are located in one place. No going to CNN, MSNBC, looking for your headlines.. .and like it was mentioned in the description for Thing 12, there are no editors picking the headlines. These are all average web users voting on their picks.

I'm not sure if these are a productivity enhancer or distractor. I really haven't used these to be honest and so other than seeing how benefically these are as a one stop for all sources is nice. I don't know about other things.

I looked around Mixx... that one I liked the best. Probably because of the whole general layout was pleasing and had a hip look to it.

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?
Both uses. I hadn't thought about as a research tool, but now that it is mentioned, I can see how del.ici.ous can be of use in that department. As for being able to bookmark my sites in one location, now I can be at work and not have to email myself a link to bookmark on my browser window. Ha!!! I don't have to do that anymore by using del.ici.ous.

San Mateo Library's Del.ici.ous, is really neat with what they did. They cataloged their sites by Dewey. Very neat. It looks as though they have basically took and created a library of websites. Out of the examples given to peak out, Menasha Library is done very similar, there is no Dewey, just sites cataloged by subject matter, I also like this, probably the most because I think in general patrons now are thinking when they come to a library, they want to know where dogs or computer books are. I think they are familiar with the Barnes n Noble theme of subject headings, and many expect to see that when they come to a library. Which I have no problem with either.

I edited the 23 things on a stick wiki. I made the short enter with the Happy Easter statement. I think many of these Web 2.0 features should be used with schools. It got me to thinking with a friend of mine who was a teacher, but recently was hired by the school she was working at as their IT person. She has mentioned to many staff there about using a blog or something to communicate about event planning, for example school dances, prom, etc. It provides another alternative to collaborating, especially when one is unable to attend.

As for schools baning Wikipedia as a source. I guess it makes since. However, shouldn't teachers be teaching their students to be selective in their research. Anyone can create a website and post whatever content they want, true or false. It is knowing what to look for and judging the source that makes effective researchers.

I just used the Google pages maker recently for a class. I created an online pathfinder on photography. I find that it is nice that everything is packed with Google, I have my blogg and email all through Google. It's kinda like a "one store has it all". Everything is available in one location. Now for Zoho, maybe I'll use that after I experiment more with it and see what it offers that Google doesn't and vice versa. The templates are cool, and I can add emoticons to content. I lean more with Google, but I'll give Zoho a try. I may find I like it better.

Here is the pathfinder that I created using Google Pages. I don't think anyone can edit the content, I'm not finding a specific setting to turn off or on. If it gives you this option, please do not edit. It is for a class. Photography Pathfinder

Wow!!! This is really neat and it took no-time to get my eFolio setup. I still want to do more tinkering with it, but this really is nice. I have an educator friend who in the past, mentioned this a lot, but I always thought it was specifically for high school age students, I knew nothing about it.

I spent a little time browsing through other eFolios. I so need to beef mine up...lol, add more content to it, and get rid of that icky background that is associated with mine.

My eFolio

I can see how using all the photo slide shows, mosaic maker and such can be used in the library setting. For example, my library is in the process of converting a meeting room into a teen room, so a number of the pictures showing the process can be created into a slide show and then placed on the teen myspace page.

As for LazyBase, I don't know what to think of that really. Not much for directions and I'm not sure how this site can be used. I'll just have to spend a little more time looking it over and all.

Email: Well as quick as it is to talk/send a message to the whole staff at one time, it doesn't get much use. One would think if there is some kind of even coming up or something that patrons are going to be coming in asking about, it would be important to keep the rest of the staff in the know, instead of just one or two. Communication is lacking at my workplace.

I think a lot of the other Web 2.0 communication tools would be so helpful. There have been many times that I had a question and needed only a quick answer, IMing would be a simple solution. Anyways, we are in search of a new library director, so maybe someone will be hired that has a fresh ideas and is open to implementing some of Web 2.0.

I happen to be the youngest employed at work, so I grew up using IMing services, and texting friends on my cell phone. So I'm no stranger to those forms of communication, the only thing I'm a stranger at is some of the shorten lingo that is used. I haven't searched the web for any cheat sheets yet. I'll have to do that someday.

Here's a couple of things I generated with some photos of mine. It is really nice that I can link my Flickr account to Big Huge Labs.

While your visiting my blog, scroll down to the bottom and click to listen to my personal playlist of music.

Click on the link below for a pop up of my Slashr presentation.


My Presentation

I never really knew these apps were around for us to use like this. I think it's a great way to showcase a collection of photos that belong to a group or series. Libraries can group their program photos together, teen events, present those in a slide show on the web, and there.. instant online photo album.

My posts are a little out of order as I set up my Flickr account so that I could post directly from Flickr to my Blog. Oh well. Anyways, what can I say about Flickr, I LOVE IT. I have all my personal photos setup for friends and/or contacts can view that are private and my public ones for all to see. As you can see from my avatar, I have a camera in hand. Even though in RL (real life), I don't always have my camera with me. Excuse me for the lingo there, I've been playing SL (second life) for a while now, RL is just a shortcut.

I also use Photobucket, but only for blinkies that I find across the web. Flickr is strictly my photos. Have a look: photosbytandy

Some things are tagged, some are not. I have some housekeeping issues to clean up. But tagging makes it easier to find your own photos and photos belonging to others. My groups, haha, I belong to too many. Hmm... my groups include: country music group, Pentax K100D, Kodak Z612 group, a group on Macro Photography, a B&W group, among a few others. It is to addicting, put I haven't been out taking pics in a month or so. I need a nice pretty snow fall to get me inspired.

This is one of my contacts photos, by Burning Rubber. I love the stories that is put together in this collection of the hamster. This is by far, one of my faves among the hamster collection. One never knows where or what the hamester (Erdmann) is going to be. Kinda like the traveling gnome. But this is way cuter.

Got my RSS feeds set up. I chose the Google Reader. It's just easier for me to keep everything with one company I guess. My email is with Google, blogger is Google's, everything is Google..lol.

Anyways, it was simple to setup the feed reader. The only little minor thing, I had to click around to find the search box for feeds that I was looking for. You have to click the "Add Subscriptions" under the white box about sharing with friends.

So, I added the following
The Shifted Librarian
Star Tribune
Kentucky Wildcats- Cat's Pause
WKYT- Sports First
WKYT-WYMT Mountain News
Reader's Club Latest

The nice thing, especially since I'm keeping things all within one account basically, log into my gmail account, then click to view the reader. Anyways, it is nice to have one central location to check on the news that only matter to you or want to keep up with.

Teachers and media specialists could use the RSS feeders to stay in the know of subject matter that pertains to their area of expertise.

Library 2.0, what an exciting time.

Finding time to blogg or explore what is going on in the world of Library 2.0, I don't have a time issue with that. In a couple of my classes, which are all online based, have me looking at websites, bloggs, I'm a Myspace and Facebook user as it is, to keep in touch with family and friends online. So finding time isn't that much of an issue for me.

I hope by participating in 23 Things on a Stick, I'll get a better idea of what is being used and how in the world of libraries in a virtual world. Also, to see what will work best for my own library.

The web has made much things easier for me. My classes for example, are all web based from the University of Maine @ Augusta. I'm not burning gas to drive to a college 2 hours away all to get a degree in Library related field. As for finding quick information, the web is a plus, but one needs to be aware of the sources, anyone can make a website.

As for my library being aware of Library 2.0 technology. I think we are dragging our feet on a few technology things. Though, I have been asked to suggest anything to make our site more interactive and such. One thing that our teen/reference librarian and I were in the talk with constructing, a teen Myspace page. So maybe we will get that up and running... start networking across the country.

But most importantly, I look forward to learning about all this Library 2.0 and ways to implement it into the library world.

Thing 1, which consisted of registering my blog was easy. Thing 2, creating an avatar was fun, but very frustrating. I think Yahoo was having issues as it took me 3 tries to get y avatar to save and on top of that, Blogger was acting on as well. Not a good night. Anyways, when things run smooth, it makes life a little easier, but when issues like those I mention happen, well... it's frustrating. Now this is my second attempt at posting this blog. Good Luck to me.

I just registered my blog to participate in 23 Things on a Stick. It's about learning some of the Web 2.0 applications that are out there. Like Flickr, social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook, LibraryThing, etc. Some of these I already use, but I'm looking forward to learn how to apply these apps in the Library world. Plus, I'm sure I'll find something useful and apply from both my classwork and this training. Should be lots of fun.