Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Last Thing!
Overall this was pretty fun. I already knew how to do some of the Things, but I also did learn some new Things, too. My favorite Things were 5, 6, and 10. It was fun to play around with the pictures and see what I could do with them. I knew that websites like Flickr had lots of applications to play with, but I had never actually taken the time to play with them until I did 23 Things. I also already knew about blogs, but I had never taken the time to search through them for something I wanted. I already knew about most of the things we covered in the 23 Things, but had not actually taken the time to go more in depth to them until now. So, this was a good experience.
E-Audiobooks
It worked!
Downloading wasn't too hard. Although I had a hard time finding a book I wanted to download; each book I tried was either currently checked out or not in the system to download. I settled on 1984 by George Orwell.
I had to sign in using my library card number, add the e-audiobook to my account, download the needed software (Overdrive Media Console), upgrade my version of windows media player, and then download all of the parts of the audiobook (which takes some time). I'm guessing the first e-audiobook is the hardest because you need to download the software and make sure you have the right version of windows media player. After the first one, it should probably be easier and faster. Hopefully.
Downloading wasn't too hard. Although I had a hard time finding a book I wanted to download; each book I tried was either currently checked out or not in the system to download. I settled on 1984 by George Orwell.
I had to sign in using my library card number, add the e-audiobook to my account, download the needed software (Overdrive Media Console), upgrade my version of windows media player, and then download all of the parts of the audiobook (which takes some time). I'm guessing the first e-audiobook is the hardest because you need to download the software and make sure you have the right version of windows media player. After the first one, it should probably be easier and faster. Hopefully.
Podcasts
I know of at least one podcast done by a Harry Potter fansite (mugglenet.com) called 'Mugglecast'. During these podcasts, workers on the website have discussion about anything related to Harry Potter. The most recent one was an interview with the man who does the chapter illustrations of the Harry Potter books.
Now on to podcasts related to libraries:
On podcastalley.com, you can search for a podcast. So, typing in 'libraries' brings up a list of different podcasts about libraries, such as 'The Library Channel' and 'The Library Survival Guide'. Podcasts might be good for libraries if there are lectures; people who can not attend the lecture can still hear what the speaker has to say by listening to the podcast afterwards.
Now on to podcasts related to libraries:
On podcastalley.com, you can search for a podcast. So, typing in 'libraries' brings up a list of different podcasts about libraries, such as 'The Library Channel' and 'The Library Survival Guide'. Podcasts might be good for libraries if there are lectures; people who can not attend the lecture can still hear what the speaker has to say by listening to the podcast afterwards.
YouTube
Let me start off by saying: I love Youtube! I think it's safe to safe I'm probably on youtube at least once a day. I, personally, use it mostly for music. I use it to listen to music by bands I like, see those bands performing in concerts, see official music videos, and see random videos created by fans of those bands. Many bands are now using youtube to post updates. For example, two German bands (Tokio Hotel and Cinema Bizarre) upload what they call THTV and CBTV. They film short (about 5 minutes) videos of what is happening on tour or while they're in the studio recording, so fans can watch the videos on youtube and see what is happening with the band. Many lesser-known bands also use youtube to become more well known. They will post videos of their band performing songs, hoping more people will start listening to them.
I'm not sure how exactly libraries can use youtube. I see how they can use it for the video contest, but besides that....I don't really see library usage on youtube. If libraries make videos about something, then youtube would be great. Otherwise I'm at a loss for how libraries can use youtube.
The lower video was popular last year, and so he made a second one:
I'm not sure how exactly libraries can use youtube. I see how they can use it for the video contest, but besides that....I don't really see library usage on youtube. If libraries make videos about something, then youtube would be great. Otherwise I'm at a loss for how libraries can use youtube.
The lower video was popular last year, and so he made a second one:
Social Networking Tools
I find it slightly amusing that libraries are now using myspace and facebook. As a young person, I'm not a fan of myspace or facebook. I see many people come in to the library and use both, and I'm surprised at how much personal information people put up. I suppose it makes sense for libraries to start using them as well. Myspace allows users to post blogs, and libraries could use this tool to make posts about what is happening in the library. Other users can post comments on the library's myspace, maybe what they thought of an event or how the library could improve. Myspace also allows users to send out bulletins or announcements; libraries could use this to inform users about upcoming events or news.
As to microblogging, I know many bands now that are using Twitter. For example, my favorite band is currently on tour. Even though they may not have a lot of time to post a blog on a computer, they are able to send updates to their Twitter account by text message (using their phones) so fans know how the tour is going. Libraries could use microblogging to keep people updated on library news.
As to microblogging, I know many bands now that are using Twitter. For example, my favorite band is currently on tour. Even though they may not have a lot of time to post a blog on a computer, they are able to send updates to their Twitter account by text message (using their phones) so fans know how the tour is going. Libraries could use microblogging to keep people updated on library news.
Discovering Web 2.0 tools
I have already used some of the websites that won first place in their categories, such as Youtube, Yahoo! Answers, Delicious, Yelp, Google Maps, and Craigslist.
I tried looking at a website that won 1st place in the category of music, called Last. I've seen this website before, but have never actually spent time looking at it. It's pretty cool and useful to look for music. You can type in an artist's/band's name, and it will bring up music that is similar/in the same genre as the name you typed in. It also lists top tracks as voted by other users, and allows listeners to listen to music.
Unfortunately, I don't see much use for this website in a library setting. However it is great for an avid music listener; it is a great way to find other music you might like.
I tried looking at a website that won 1st place in the category of music, called Last. I've seen this website before, but have never actually spent time looking at it. It's pretty cool and useful to look for music. You can type in an artist's/band's name, and it will bring up music that is similar/in the same genre as the name you typed in. It also lists top tracks as voted by other users, and allows listeners to listen to music.
Unfortunately, I don't see much use for this website in a library setting. However it is great for an avid music listener; it is a great way to find other music you might like.
Web-based Apps
Zoho is really great! You can create documents online without having a word processing software. This website would be great for anyone who has to create a document, but is on a computer without a software like Microsoft Word. Even if the computer does have Word, a person may not have a copy of their document saved on that computer and so they can open it through this website. Instead of carrying around a flashdrive or emailing the document to yourself (which is something I tend to do very often), you can open and work on documents using this website.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
CCLS 23 Things wiki
I successfully added my blog to the 'favorite blogs' list. Fortunately, I already knew how to create hyperlinks. It was interesting seeing the other 'favorites' that people added (movies, music, etc).
Wiki
I think wikis are useful if you are looking for general information about a subject. Sometimes if I'm unsure of what a term or object is, I will look on wikipedia just to see what it is. However, wikis are not good for research. Since anyone can add information, you do not have a credible source. It is not always good to trust the information on these sites. For example, a few years someone told me that Fred Savage (actor) had died in a car accident and it was posted on wikipedia. It was indeed on wikipedia, but the information was not true. For general and quick information, wikis are good. For research information, they are not good.
For libraries, wikis might be a good way to get the younger generation involved.
For libraries, wikis might be a good way to get the younger generation involved.
Library 2.0
I really don't use the term 'Library 2.0"; I don't see the point. I suppose it means that libraries are staying up to date with current technology to help patrons. However, this does not seem like a big topic for me. Technology is always improving, and the use of that technology is always increasing. More technology is being seen in every day life, including in libraries. I think it is just natural that libraries go along with the wave of technology.
Technorati
I'm not a big fan of this site. I've tried clicking around, and come to the conclusion that it's just not for me. It's convenient that you can search for blogs based on subject, but nothing really caught my eye. I prefer coming across interesting blogs when I'm not expecting it, rather than looking for a blog and not being satisfied with the results. I tried typing in different keywords, and wasn't impressed with the results that came up. For example, I typed in 'photography' and the search came up with blogs about a 'cowboy bar' and a guy that some girl likes.
Delicious
This is really cool! I'm one of those people who has a LOT of things bookmarked on my internet browser (I personally use Firefox). Not only are there a lot of them, but I also obsess over having them all organized into folders; I hate having bookmarks just laying around. The only problem I see with Delicious is that unfortunately when it imported all of my bookmarks after I made an account, it did not import the folders everything was organized in. Now I just have a large list of bookmarks. It is cool though to see how many other people have the same pages bookmarked as me. It looks like a nice way to keep track of bookmarks though, without having to keep them on your web browser. It would be useful if you are using a computer besides your own personal one.
Edit: A few days ago at my university, I attended a class about SMARTboard (interactive whiteboard) technology. The instructor of the class showed us Delicious and explained how teachers and educators can share bookmarks with each other. I now think that Delicious is very helpful, and I will probably use it when I become an elementary teacher. Many teachers of have posted bookmarks that will help other teachers create lesson plans that will interest students.
Oh, and now I'm over halfway done with 23 Things!
Edit: A few days ago at my university, I attended a class about SMARTboard (interactive whiteboard) technology. The instructor of the class showed us Delicious and explained how teachers and educators can share bookmarks with each other. I now think that Delicious is very helpful, and I will probably use it when I become an elementary teacher. Many teachers of have posted bookmarks that will help other teachers create lesson plans that will interest students.
Oh, and now I'm over halfway done with 23 Things!
LibraryThing
I made my library!
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/riostclaire
My books include:
Mistress of Mellyn
The Aeneid
Frankenstein
Into the Land of Unicorns
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
and The Witch of Blackbird Pond
I never knew about this site. At the library where I work, I keep a list of books I plan on reading eventually. Now I can keep my list electronically using this site!
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/riostclaire
My books include:
Mistress of Mellyn
The Aeneid
Frankenstein
Into the Land of Unicorns
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
and The Witch of Blackbird Pond
I never knew about this site. At the library where I work, I keep a list of books I plan on reading eventually. Now I can keep my list electronically using this site!
My Feeds
I forgot to make a post about Thing #8! I made a blogsline account and currently have 12 feeds:
Half of them are music related :)
Half of them are music related :)
Image Generator
I did this on http://www.tagsmaker.com/, although I inverted the colors in the picture using photobucket. On this website, you upload a picture, type in what text to add, pick a font (there are 60 choices), choose a text color, choose text size, and then decide where on the image you want the text placed.
Finding Feeds
The hardest thing about finding feeds is just that, finding them. There are multiple websites I check on a regular basis, but not all of them had feeds I could add to bloglines. After searching around a bit for feeds to add, I came to the conclusion that blogsites like Postsecret and music/band websites usually have feeds that are easy to add.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Technology
I was just talking to someone recently about how amazing and huge the internet is. You can virtually do almost anything now. You can use the internet to communicate with others (anywhere in the world), go to school, write a diary (by using a blog), purchase items, plan a trip, watch movies, view store inventories, edit pictures, and so much more. You can do so many things now that a few decades ago would have taken much more time. It's hard to imagine what would happen to all of us if the internet suddenly stopped working.
Flickr Mashups
An API on Flickr that I find particularly interesting and fun is called Retrievr. With this, you use a small paint program online to draw a picture, and then Flickr will bring up images that are similar to what you drew, based on color and shape. It's really fun to draw pictures and see what comes up!
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-lucie-/2223392941/I found this picture on Flickr. It was taken by someone at the Isle of Skye in Scotland. I'm very interested in photography and that is the main reason I plan on going to Scotland; I hope to be able to take pictures like this one while I'm there. I just think this picture is so beautiful; I love how you can see the shadows, and the interesting terrain of Scotland.
My first post!
My first blog post; how exciting! I wasn't originally going to do the 23 Things, but I decided to give it a try.
After looking at the 7 1/2 habits, I've concluded that the easiest habit for me personally is "beginning with the end in mind" (habit 1). I often times decide I'm determined to do something, and then develop the plan. For example, I've recently decided I am going to study abroad in Scotland. The first thing I thought about was not whether or not I could go (or how), but that I AM going to go. Then the planning came after.
The hardest habit for me would have to be "viewing problems as challenges" (habit 3). If I find myself with multiple problems, I often times get upset and frustrated. It is sometimes hard for me to think something will help me in the long run when I'm upset about it in the present.
After looking at the 7 1/2 habits, I've concluded that the easiest habit for me personally is "beginning with the end in mind" (habit 1). I often times decide I'm determined to do something, and then develop the plan. For example, I've recently decided I am going to study abroad in Scotland. The first thing I thought about was not whether or not I could go (or how), but that I AM going to go. Then the planning came after.
The hardest habit for me would have to be "viewing problems as challenges" (habit 3). If I find myself with multiple problems, I often times get upset and frustrated. It is sometimes hard for me to think something will help me in the long run when I'm upset about it in the present.
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