23 Cosas Nuevas

Thing 23: The End!

2010-05-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished this 23 Things training. AT LAST!!!

Overall, I did learn a lot and got a better feel of the different tools available through the information highway.

My favorite was Thing 18 followed by Thing 12. My least favorite thing was Thing 15 (reality hurts!). Followed by all Things that had sites that I had to signup to use(I'm already swamped with passwords and usernames!!)

If you haven't done this training, do it. You may surprise yourself at learning something new or clarifying something that you may not have fully comprehended before.

As to the future, I need to take it upon myself to stay informed and up to date with the latest trends in technology. I may not purchase everything out there, but at least have an understanding of what it is, how it works and how the library may or may not benefit from the latest technology.

In summary, it was interesting, informative, and a little fun.

Thing 22: Downloadable Audiobooks

2010-05-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

I looked at Project Gutenburg and found out that they work with librivox and Literal Systems . Both ask for volunteers to read books. Thought that was an interesting idea! Who knows...? Maybe I'll volunteer to read a book...could be my new career! LOL!!
Seriously though, if you haven't downloaded an e book at least listen to a book on CD. Some of the readers are fantastic--they have wonderful accents. Once you begin, you may not go back to reading!

Thing 21: Podcasts

2010-05-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Podcasts are like radio programs: they can be music or talk or cominbation. The directory I looked at was podcast directory. It offers quite a range of topics. I found a few under BOOKS which offered podcasts of actual books..interesting.

Thing 20: You Tube

2010-05-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

I've been to this site before and it's true--there are LOTS of videos not worth watching. However, evey now and again you find some that cause you to chuckle or smile. Take a look at the most recently watched videos and decide for yourself.

Thing 19: From Web 2.0 Award List- Im Cooked

2010-05-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

Sooo many sites to choose from. I had been to quite a few sites but one that caught my eye was Im Cooked. Here, wannabe chefs video themselves cooking up their recipes. This is great for wannabe chefs to show other foodlovers what their cooking. Only downside, you have to join to get the recipe! I hate joining everysite! Too many passwords and usernames.
For those who like to shop one of a kind type things, try Etsy for handmade items to purchase or sell.

Thing 18: Online Word Processing

2010-05-21T11:09:00.001-07:00

Zohowriter is fantastic! Didn't realize they also offer templates. Had to use the Leave Request template...summer is almost here!!

Leave Request Form

Leave Information

Employee Name:____Teenfiction2day___________________________________________________________________________________________

Employee Number:_____ABC123______________________________________Team:________Teen_____________________________________

Manager:____YA_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Type of Leave Requested (Please tick on the appropriate option)

Sick
Vacation

Bereavement
Maternity/Paternity

Compensatory Off
Privilege Leave

Leave Without Pay
X Other

Duration of Leave

From Date:________5/21/10_________________________________ To Date:_____________5/22/10_____________________

Reason for Leave : (Optional)
I found that zoho writer also has templates--and a variety too! Excellent! Had to put in my leave request ;-)

I'm hoping to post this to my blog...wish me luck!

Note: You must submit request for leaves, other than sick leave, atleast two days earlier.

Employee Signature Teenfiction2day

Date 5/21/10

Manager Approval

Approved - Yes/No

Rejected - Yes/No

Comments:

Manager Signature

Date

Thing 17: Learning 2.0 Sandbox Wiki

2010-05-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well this was a total disappointment. I tried unsuccessfully 3 times this week on different days to sign up on Sandbox. I've come across other blogs who were unsuccessful with this site-I'm glad I wasn't alone!

Thing 16: Wikis

2010-05-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

I've used wikis in the past and know how they're used. The concept is great IF you have a good established community. Meaning: a core group of people who will contribute on a regular basis. Otherwise, it will quickly fade. Having said that, I think that with a dedicated community, it would be great use for libraries and librarians. I think the book reviews and suggested readings for one, would be a great help to librarians as well as our customers. Actually, any type of pathfinder would be helpful--as long as it's kept current!

Thing 15: Future of Libraries & Librarians

2010-05-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

I read a few articles on the future of libraries and librarians. In a nutshell, librarians need to change/adapt to new technologies so that these new tools of the trade will help with the original intent of this profession: getting information to a customer. As for the building itself, libraries may want to include a business model approach. Or at least "brand" or market itself to show not only the improtance of libraries but also how to use them (the various databases and such). Bottom line: change is here, change will continue. We need to adapt to survive. Unfortunately, traditional libraries are becoming a thing of the past. Digital librarians and libraries are becoming a thing of the future.

Thing 14: Technorati

2010-05-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

So I looked over Technorati and found that people blog about EVERYTHING! You can find out which tags were the most used in the past month; you'll appreciate how to use tags to make your blog more visible in the blogosphere; you can search through a vast number of blogs regarding a specific topic; as well as advice to make your blog a the best it can be!

Very interesting site. To be honest, now that I know about it, I'll be going back to check it out often:)

Thing 13: Del.icio.us

2010-05-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the Del.icio.us tutorial, the Us.ef.ul: A Beginner's Guide to Del.icio.us, AND
Several Habits of Wildly Successful Del.icio.us Users were not available!! (Pages no longer exist). Could it be the number? This IS thing 13!!!! Oh, well...life goes on (thankfully!).

My comment is: I can't believe all of this technology stuff actually exists! It does make life on the Information Highway just a tad bit easier!

Thing 12: Rollyo

2010-05-15T07:14:00.001-07:00

This is great! I can see why anyone would want to create their own. Instead of searching a few search engines (one at a time), you can set it up so that you search them all at the same time. Whether for work or for personal use, it's a wonderful idea and very easy to set up. I created a rollyo about crafts. I may go back and edit some sites...

Thing 11: Library Thing

2010-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Signed up on Library Thing which I've seen before and think it's great to keep track of what you've read or what you want to read. (It's so true: Sooo many books! Sooo little time!)

Thing 10: Online Image Generator

2010-05-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Had fun with this one! Looked at quite a few image generators and this one caught my eye. Why? Because you can customize the pictures and even send it as an e-card. I wrote what I'm feeling now that it's getting close to summer and I can't wait to go on vacation. Wish I were there NOW:)
It's on letterjames.com. Enjoy!

Thing 9: Library related Blogs/News Feeds

2010-05-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

Checked out Merlin. Very interesting. The calendar is very useful: it contains all shared statewide training events. Tried to sign on to the RSS but kept getting a window with this message: "Internet Explorer Cannot Display This Feed." Will try again in a day or two. Hope to have better luck then!

Thing 8: RSS & Bloglines

2010-05-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Just looked over some RSS feeds and signed up for some bloglines. Very interesting! I like the fact that you can get all the latest in one place--like one stop shopping! It's quick and easy and I can see why online businesses would offer it. It's an easy way to get the word out on what's new to your customers. And as a customer, it's an easy way to see what's new & interesting without having to go to each individual business that's of interest.

Thing 7:Technology

2009-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot about Google's newest item: Wave. WoW! Right now you can only use it if you're invited. But you can take a look on their website. For those who don't know, the wave is about real time communication using conversation and documents. So, a group can work together on a project online and work on the document at the same time. That means that you can edit the document at any point on the "wave" or rewind the "wave" to see previous comments. You can also use it for fun: photo sharing or gaming. It's not just for work or school. It will be interesting to see how this works out (Will it be as user friendly as it seems right now? Will it be slow or real time like it promises? And will the workplace embrace this new technology?). It actually seems like it will be fun! Can't wait!

Thing 6: Flickr Mashups

2009-12-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed looking at Big Huge Labs and Bing. There are so many things you can do with pictures--amazing! I enjoyed looking at a few of the librarian trading cards but to be honest...I'm not ready to make one! When I first looked at Flickr's APP Garden, I didn't get it. After looking at Big Huge Labs and Bing, I got it! Basically, you use Flickr's API's (Look at App Garden) to create a third party tool using Flickr images. I felt like saying, "Eureka, I think I FINALLY got it! (At least I hope I do!)"

Thing 5: Flickr

2009-12-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Wonderful World of Flickr!
I didn't realize all of the things you can do on Flickr. Besides uploading your own pictures,you can also edit and organize the pictures. Editing is great if you don't have photo editing on your own PC. Organize pictures by grouping the photos into collections or sets and by writing tags. You can also get creative and make things like personalized cards and calendars. I got a kick out of this because I'm kinda of crafty! The picture you see is one that I had on the computer-not one from the Flickr website. I tried several times to upload a picture from The Commons (thru Flickr) but was unsuccessful. So I ended up with this one from the hard drive. It is a beautiful image though. What a sunset! Which I were there now!!!

Thing 4: Learning 2.0

2009-11-20T13:17:00.000-08:00

I was surfing the web and came across 2 bloggers who were responding to a blog posted by John Blyberg: Library 2.0 Debased.
http://www.blyberg.net/2008/01/17/library-20-debased/
I found his blog to be very interesting and the responses that the other two bloggers had as well.
One had concerns with some of his issues
(http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/)
while the other
(http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/the-essence-of-library-20/)
seemed to advocate what he was saying. I thought this was very a timely issue since we're learning 2.0. Read their blogs. They are interesting but WARNING: they are also long winded!

All made valid points. Who do I agree with? Well, that's only for me to know! LOL!!

Thing 2:Pointers from Lifelong Learners

2009-11-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

I found the 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners to be interesting.
I'm also surprised that I do these habits fairly easily. The problem I have is something that wasn't mentioned: how to stay motivated for the long haul, especially when other things happen to cause you to slow down and eventually stop without realizing it (like dieting!!!). I've heard and tried doing mini or short term goals when you're learning something that will take a long time to achieve. It's worked for me on occasion but not all the time! So I guess, whatever I'm learning has to be something that I'm really interested in or else I may (or may not!) lose interest in it!

Things 1 & 3

2009-11-18T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Well I've just finished these first few baby steps of the social networking tools that I'll be learning. It's not too bad. I'll keep you posted....Ciao for now