Summary - Today is December 12, 2007 and I can't believe I made it through the 23 Things! I started late, got behind and then had to play "catch-up" starting last Friday, December 7th. However, I was DETERMINED to finish because it would have looked REALLY bad if I didn't. As I said in my first blog post, I have to lead by example.
Although it was very time consuming, I have to admit I really enjoyed learning about the 23 Things. There were some "Things" I enjoyed more than others. For example, some of my favorites were creating a Blog and Blogging, Photos & Images, Playing with Online Image Generators, Library Thing, YouTube, Podcasts and Downloadable Media. I'm no expert by any means at any of these "Things" but I'm familiar enough with them to be "dangerous".
This program has certainly enhanced my learning and reduced my fear of some of the latest advancements in technology. This came as a very pleasant surprise to me! Although I don't own an iPod or MP3 Player, at least I know their purposes.
HCPL has so much to offer in its collection that I find it absolutely amazing. It's no wonder we're the number one library system in the state of Texas! Not only to do we have an amazing collection but we also have an amazing Web 2.0 staff that offers an amazing Library 2.0 service to our customers. I recommend that we continue to be innovative and before we know it, we'll be the number one library system in the country!
Grace and Linda, I did it!!!!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Week 9: Downloadable Media
Overdrive - Because I'm a huge fan of mystery writer, Jonathan Kellerman, I wanted to see what HCPL had to offer in its digital catalog. I was not at all surprised to see that we have quite a few of his books in digital format. Below is a link to our digital catalog listing some of Jonathan Kellerman's works.
http://hcpl.lib.overdrive.com/7FEB1D3A-4787-467B-AF6C-E9547E48616B/10/320/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=12191268
I know our customers love having this option available to them!
The Digital Media Guided Tour was very helpful and straightforward. It helps eliminate some fears that people may have about trying to check out and download digital media.
http://hcpl.lib.overdrive.com/7FEB1D3A-4787-467B-AF6C-E9547E48616B/10/320/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=12191268
I know our customers love having this option available to them!
The Digital Media Guided Tour was very helpful and straightforward. It helps eliminate some fears that people may have about trying to check out and download digital media.
Week 9: Podcasts
I just finished the Discovery Exercise where I was to locate an interesting Podcast. Since I selected an Obama YouTube video, I decided to stay with the "theme" and selected an Obama Podcast. The tricky part was trying to add the RSS feed to my Bloglines account. I know I successfully subscribed to the RSS feed but I'm not sure if it went to my Bloglines account. However, below is the link to the Podcast that I listened to.
http://obama.senate.gov/blog/index.xml
http://obama.senate.gov/blog/index.xml
Week 9: Video, Podcasts & Downloadable Media
YouTube Video - Today is December 12, 2007 and I just finished exploring YouTube. This was not my first experience with YouTube because iHCPL included many YouTube videos as part of our training. Beth Krippel did an outstanding job with the YouTube videos! I'm always amazed at our multi-talented staff. As I looked at the different YouTube videos, the one I was most interested in was "Obama and Oprah in South Carolina and Iowa". I selected this one because of its relevance and timeliness. I don't often get to watch the news so being able to see the YouTube video about Oprah's endorsement of Obama helped bring me up to date on the political front. I copied and pasted the link to the video and hope that it works. I'll see in just a few minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM9Wwc7G5eo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM9Wwc7G5eo
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Week 8: Web-Based Applications
Week 8: Web-based Applications
Today is Tuesday, December 11, 2007 and as part of my iHCPL Discovery Exercise, I'm creating a "test" Zoho Writer document. My goal is to see how similar it is to MS Office or dissimilar from MS Office. I'm clicking on some of the icons above just to spruce up my document. 
So far, it seems to be very similar to MS Office.
This test document will serve as my blog post and I'm going to try publish it to my blog. Let's see how successful I am at this.
Week 8: Online Applications & Tools
Social Networking - As I watched the Social Networking in Plain English video (pretty cool) and read about MySpace, Facebook, Ning, etc., I concluded that I probably would not be one to use any of them. However, if I were planning a class reunion or family reunion, I could see the value in using "LinkedIn".
Week 7: Wikis
Okay, I think I should receive my "Wiki" bling for no other reason than the fact that I was one of the "stars" of "As the Wiki Turns". That experience truly made me step outside my comfort zone. However, it was kind of fun.
After reading more about Wikis, I can see how beneficial they are but can also see their shortcomings. I don't like how anyone can change the content of Wikis and can add inacurate information. I think we already have enough inacurate information on the world wide web. I did visit the iHCPL Wiki and added my blog to the favorite blog list. Although I didn't add any other favorites, I especially liked the favorite music and favorite vacation spots wikis.
I was less than enthused about the "23 Things" when we first got started because I tend to be a "technophobe". However, once I got into it, I realized I don't have to excel at everything but just focus on the things that most interest me. I really like "Library Thing" and "Blogging" because though they are "technical", they are also easy, convenient and fun.
Grace and Linda, I'm on a roll. On to Week 8.
After reading more about Wikis, I can see how beneficial they are but can also see their shortcomings. I don't like how anyone can change the content of Wikis and can add inacurate information. I think we already have enough inacurate information on the world wide web. I did visit the iHCPL Wiki and added my blog to the favorite blog list. Although I didn't add any other favorites, I especially liked the favorite music and favorite vacation spots wikis.
I was less than enthused about the "23 Things" when we first got started because I tend to be a "technophobe". However, once I got into it, I realized I don't have to excel at everything but just focus on the things that most interest me. I really like "Library Thing" and "Blogging" because though they are "technical", they are also easy, convenient and fun.
Grace and Linda, I'm on a roll. On to Week 8.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati
I was already familiar with the terms "Tagging", and "Del.icio.us" but was unfamiliar with "Folksonomies" and "Technorati". The Tagging Video with the two little girls was a simplified way of explaining "tagging". It was really cute!
The Podcast tutorial that explained "Del.icio.us" in more detail was also helpful. I checked out HCPL's Del.icio.us account and found some bookmarks that I will definitely use in the future. One in particular was African American Bestsellers because I'm always looking for new materials by African American authors.
I didn't get a clear understanding of "Technorati" but suppose it's a useful tool for those who understand its benefits.
Web 2.0 & Library 2.0 - Web 2.0 is where we currently are and where we will continue to go. Those individuals who refuse to stay current with the latest advancements in technology will get left behind. As a result, regardless of your profession, you'll become less marketable. There is a cliche that says "people only change when they feel a need to change or are forced to change". When it comes to Web 2.0 & Library 2.0, I think we will change due to a need to stay competitive and we will be forced to change to get us out of our comfort zones. Once we get over the initial fear of learning new technologies like the 23 Things, I think we'll find that it wasn't so bad after all.
On to Week 7.
The Podcast tutorial that explained "Del.icio.us" in more detail was also helpful. I checked out HCPL's Del.icio.us account and found some bookmarks that I will definitely use in the future. One in particular was African American Bestsellers because I'm always looking for new materials by African American authors.
I didn't get a clear understanding of "Technorati" but suppose it's a useful tool for those who understand its benefits.
Web 2.0 & Library 2.0 - Web 2.0 is where we currently are and where we will continue to go. Those individuals who refuse to stay current with the latest advancements in technology will get left behind. As a result, regardless of your profession, you'll become less marketable. There is a cliche that says "people only change when they feel a need to change or are forced to change". When it comes to Web 2.0 & Library 2.0, I think we will change due to a need to stay competitive and we will be forced to change to get us out of our comfort zones. Once we get over the initial fear of learning new technologies like the 23 Things, I think we'll find that it wasn't so bad after all.
On to Week 7.
Week 5: Play - Library Elf
Now that I have some time to focus on the "23 Things", I'm really excited about some of them. I really like "Library Elf" and am looking forward to receiving my email reminders! Below is my link to my Library Elf account just to verify that I actually set it up. (smile)
http://www.libraryelf.com/SignUpConfirmation.aspx
http://www.libraryelf.com/SignUpConfirmation.aspx
Week 5: Play Week - Library Thing
I've just created my Library Thing catalog. This was pretty cool!
http://www.librarything.com/profile/MMitchell1205
On to Library Elf!
http://www.librarything.com/profile/MMitchell1205
On to Library Elf!
magazine6879788
Week 5: Play Week - I'm not the "Avatar" or "Comic Strip" type so I decided to go with the FDToys. I had fun with the magazine cover!
myphoto
I have just completed Week 3: Photos & Images and hope to receive my "Photo" Bling. Grace & Linda, I'm trying to play "catchup".
Marsha
Marsha
Friday, December 7, 2007
Week 3: #6 More Flicker Fun (continued)
Okay, now that I've read about mashups, portals, webabpps, etc., I realized this was "too much information" for me! In any case, at least I'm "familiar" with the terms.
Hopefully, now I can move on "Photo Editing Tools".
Hopefully, now I can move on "Photo Editing Tools".
Week 3:#6 More Flickr Fun
Today I resumed iHCPL at Week 3: #6 More Flickr Fun. I was somewhat confused at to what I was supposed to do once I read about "Trippermap". Once I figured out all I needed to do was see what I was able to do with "Trippermap", then I realized I just had to post what I thought about the tool. I can see how beneficial this tool can be to someone who enjoys travelling and wants to share the experience with family and friends.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My RSS and Blogline Experience
Today I created a Bloglines account without any difficulty. However, the Discovery Exercise asks us to subscribe to at least ten newsfeeds. I only subscribed to three because ten is too many for me to keep up with. Also, I was NOT interested in most of the subcription options.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
IMG_0273
Today I uploaded my picture into Flickr without seeking assistance from anyone. That was a challenge within itself. It was "trial and error". It took longer than I would have liked but I at least completed the exercise. I guess that's all that matters. I look forward to receiving my second "bling"!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Internet Safety
After reading all the information about Internet Safety, I'm even more paranoid than before. I've always been uneasy about the fact that the whole world has access to my personal information since the Internet became available to any and everyone. It truly "blogglesmymind" whats available on the Internet. One really does need to be extremely careful.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
My Blog Set-Up Experience
Today I set up my blog. I'm a week behind (I think) on the 23 Things but am determined to play catch-up! It's important that I lead by example and practice what I preach. Besides, my "Leader" told me this morning, "You WILL do this". If you don't know who my leader is her initials are "RLG".
I became a little frustrated because I couldn't figure out the difference between a "display name" and a "blog title". I decided to use the same for both to see what happened. It seemed to work because I didn't receive any type of message saying I couldn't use the same for both. I think it's pretty catchy don't you? That's about as creative as I can get. I'm not the creative type but have sense enough to have staff who are creative because they make me look good!
I became a little frustrated because I couldn't figure out the difference between a "display name" and a "blog title". I decided to use the same for both to see what happened. It seemed to work because I didn't receive any type of message saying I couldn't use the same for both. I think it's pretty catchy don't you? That's about as creative as I can get. I'm not the creative type but have sense enough to have staff who are creative because they make me look good!
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