Thing 23 - Wrapping Up

Well, this has been fun. I have been introduced to so many new things through the course of this challenge. It was a crash course, and I will need to go back and spend some more time with the things that I liked to get to know how to use them better. My favorite things from this challenge were WorldCat, del.icio.us and Google Docs. I have already used Google Docs several times, and have shared my new found knowledge and love of GoogleDocs with my kids and coworkers. I think Google Docs is a helpful tool that can be used by the various library committees. My least favorite things from this challenge were Technorati and RSS.

Thing 15 - Library 2.0

Libraries have already gone through changes and have done a good job keeping up with the times. So why shouldn't they continue evolving. I don't think that new technology will make libraries useless. Instead libraries can use the new technology that is available to grow, improve, and reach more people. I think that OCL is doing a great job dodging the icebergs mentioned in the first article, "Away From the Icebergs." Just the fact that we are doing this challenge shows OCL's committment to using new technology to be the best.

Thing 9 - Finding Feeds

I spent some time looking for feeds. I really didn't find anything that interested me. I don't see myself using this anytime soon.

Update: I went back the thing 9 to refresh my memory about what I did back in March. I remember I tried out Technorati and didn't like it. It was confusing to me and some of the things that came up from my searches didn't have feeds. (At least not any that I could tell.) It sounds like an interesting idea and tool, but I didn't find anything that interested me.
Today I went to Syndic8.com to see if I had any better luck with it. I am sorry to say I did not do any better. I am still confused. I thought it would be nice to have feeds about local events, but I got no results with any of my searches. If something did come up , it wasn't relevant to what I was looking for. I'll keep trying maybe some day I will get it. Like I said I like the idea of RSS Feeds.

Thing 22 - ListenNJ

I found an interesting young adult book by clicking on the new arrivals link on ListenNJ. The book is: Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natali Babbit. ListenNJ will be great to use when I get my MP3 player. Then I can listen to some of the many books on my list when I walk Ace, my dog.

Thing 21 - Finding & Listening Podcasts

http://www.wdwradio.com/podcasts/wdwradio065-05-04-08.mp3

Still have Disney World on my mind. Now I have a place to go for weekly Disney news. Podcast.com was easy to use, and I found some interesting things.

Thing 20 - YouTube

I had a fun time cruising around YouTube. The animal lover I am; I searched for animal videos and found found some really cute ones. My favorite was the lion hugging the lady that rescued it, but I choose a different link to put on my blog.



The following link will take you to a free monitor cleaner. Give it a try. It's my gift to all the wonderful people running oclwebthings.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMmjSE_d6J0&NR=1

Thing 10 - Technology

I have thinking about what to say about technology, and I decided to talk about cell phones. Three years ago I didn't think I needed one. I have only had a cell for just over 2 years. Everyone had a cell phone before me (my kids and even my parent's!) Now that I have one I can't live without it. I use it as an alarm clock, daily planner, and for reminders.

One day last week I had an appointment and was going to meet a friend afterwards, but I left my phone at home. I was lost with out it. I don't know anyone's phone # because they are programed in my phone.

Anyway, I guess what I am trying to say is that even though I am reluctant to admit it, I am very dependent on technology.

Thing - 19 Web 2.0 Awards

I spent some time at eventfull and think I will go back there, because I am always looking for something different to do. Looks like I will find some good ideas from that site.

Thing 18 - Google Docs

I used Google Docs this past week to make fliers. It was great! I like using Google Doc. I think our branch's Safety Committee could benefit from using Google Docs.

Things 16 & 17 - Wiki not so icky

I think wikis are a great way to keep everyone on the same page. Especially if they work at different locations or have varied schedules. I was first introduced to wikis last year as a member of the virtual branch committee. I thought it worked great and is a tool that could be used by more committees.

The like the idea of the Library Success wiki, but I think one might have to spend time sifting through irrelevant info to find something of use.

Thing 11 - LibraryThing

I like LibraryThing. Some of my books were popular. It was interesting to read what other people thought about my favorites.

Thing 14 - Technorati

I wasn't too inpressed with technorati. I did't see anything that I would want to go back to. I'll do a few more searches and see if anything strikes me.

Thing 13 - del.icio.us

I think del.licio.us is interesting. At first I thought, "why do I need it?" I can just add the sites I want to my favorites. Then I thought about my favorite list on my computer at home. It's huge and a mess. And I can only access it at home. I think del.icio.us might become one of my favorite tools.

Thing 12 - NetLibrary & WorldCat

I thought NetLibrary was easy to use. I found a book on knitting. Now I know where to go when I have a problem reading a pattern. I am confident that I could show a patron around NetLibrary.

I really liked WorldCat. I search a book that I had read a long time ago and found it. I couldn't remember the author, but I wanted to read more books from that author. I had tried searching for it on amazon once, but couldn't find.

THING 6 - The Garden at Manchester

This is the veiw I have while I am eating my lunch. I find it relaxing to watch the birds (and the squirrel) at the feeders. When the weather gets warmer, you will see me sitting at the picnic table. Kudos to everyone who help maintain this garden.

I tried to add this picture to my post using flickr, but that didn't work. So I used the photo that was downloaded to my computer. I used snipshot website to edit the photo. I have been using snipshot to edit photos for the online calendar and I have become comfortable using it.

THING 8 - RSS

This week I learned about RSS {Really Simple Syndication}. I didn't think they were really simple at first, but after my friend talked me through it and explained to me what I was doing wrong, I did much better. When I was searching for feeds I came across this very interesting web cam watching a mussel grow. The link is below. With a little more instruction and playing around with RSS, I think I might get the hang of it. Check back later to see if I am doing any better. In the mean time watch the mussel grow.


http://www.flexmussels.com/musselcam.html

THING 5 - Expedition Everest

WEEEEEEEEEE!!
This ride is at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
I can't wait to take my daughter on this ride.
She is going to loooove it! We're going to
Disney World in August. Yeah!!!!!!!

I got this pic from photobucket.

Thing 2 - 7 1/2 Habits

The 7 1/2 habit , play, will be the easiest for me. Everything is a game to me. I veiw challenges as puzzles waiting to be solved and solving the puzzle is fun.



Habit 5, creating a learning toolbox, might be the hardest habit for me to develope. Sometimes I can't wait to start something new, and I try to do the task with what I have or the the way I think it should be done. I still learn how to do it and gather the tools that must have to get the task done as I need them.

This is a first

This is my fist blog. Hope all goes well.
I think this might be fun.