Week5Thing11-LibraryThing

I like LibraryThing. I had previously used it to find read-alikes for reader's advisory work. It's a lot of fun to mess around with. I hadn't used the personal list/catalog feature before. It was interesting. I realize that all the info I love finding comes from the people who have time or make time to post and update. I would like to thank them for that. They make life just a little bit easier. How does the book suggester and un-suggester work? Does it go by tags? I'm going to read more and see if I can figure it out.
My list is at http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php .

Week5Thing10-Avatars

I loved this Thing. I had seen all of the other wonderful librarian pics on the blogs during staff day and I had been curious as to how they were made. I had to stop myself from going too far and creating way too many images. It's a blast. I think kids would really like to play around with this type of thing. I'll try it out with my cousins. It's like having a makeover done without the risk. This feature is very appealing.

Week4Thing9 Merlin and search tools

I spent the most time playing around with Topix.net. The page seemed neat and orderly. A plus in my book. The search box was easy to find. One search went well. The second search I did involved more words and then the search results became less and less relevant. I accept that, it happens. Feedster looked easy enough to use. Syndic8.com looked less friendly. The search box was sort of hidden among all sorts of other stuff. Ehh.

I subscribed to the Merlin page and who did I see. Maurice. He's famous.

Week4Thing8-RSS feeds

All this new technology. AAHHH! Okay. I'm not upset, really. I think it's very interesting. I'm just glad I didn't have to invent these new options. I like the idea of RSS. The news I want, coming to me. I don't think I'm lazy. I'm just conserving myself for the more important tasks.

Back on track.

RSS and Bloglines newsreader can really cut down on wasted time. If you wasted a lot of time hunting before. For some, it may just be one more thing to check everyday, like my many e-mail accounts. Yes, I know there is a way for all my mail to be sent to one service, but ehhh. Laziness.

23 things is making me feel more knowledgeable now. I worry less about what a patron might ask me now. I might not be able to help them, but I won't look like a deer in headlights.

Week3Thing7TechnologyChat

I'd like to share my feelings about Google Maps. I love playing around with the satelite images that are available. I learned about this application about two years ago in one of my MLS courses. What fun. I looked up my old neighborhood and I got to share the image with a friend who hasn't been there. I also got to see where her parents live.

This tool was handy when I was planning my move to my current home. I wasn't able to visit the area, but I got to see the area using the computer. It also gives me the opportunity to ?visit? someplace without making a trip that I can't afford. Look out Ireland, here I come.

week3thing6Flickrmashups

I have been playing around with the Flickr Color Fields Colr Pickr http://www.krazydad.com/colrpickr/. I like it, but that doesn't surprise me. I like to play around with the boxes of different font colors and the choices for colors when i'm creating a web page. I've never been artistic, but I like to color and I loved my big box of crayons. This tool also reminds me of that television home makeover show where the home owners are given a palette of colors to chose from that are made up of different items not paint swatches.

I'm not sure what this tool would come in handy for. It searches photos in Flickr, but why would it be useful? To find that green photo you saw that belonged to someone else? It's just a toy for me so far.

week3thing5Flickr

I have been exploring Flickr today. I feel that the searching capabilities are a little clunky, but I think that I'll feel more comfortable with time. I decided to search for images from back home in Grand Forks, ND. It's been more than a year since I've been home and I don't know when I'll make it back. I am excited to find that by viewing images of GF I can still feel connected.
I came across an image posted by Crystal Ann of Pinkdream Photography. The web address is http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkdream/1282261400/ .The photo is of a thunderhead cloud. It's a breath taking photograph. The colors are just amazing.

Week 1 Thing 2: 7 1/2 habits of lifelong learners

After my lifelong learning tutorial, I have realized that most of the 7 1/2 habits are difficult for me. I have decided that the hardest habit for me to develop is "Viewing problems as challenges".

The easiest habit is "play", but "Using technology to my advantage" comes in 2nd place.

I found that I have some things to work towards.


P.S. I had difficulties opening the Learning Contract Attachment. I was unsuccessful.

Hello 23 Things

I've just started my 23 things. A little behind the pack, but I'll catch up.