Montager

I played around with 'Montager' to create some fun mosaics. Fun to do!

23 Things

I enjoyed the whole process in the beginning; but, towards the end, I just wanted it to be over. I think it was a great idea that could have been of shorter duration. Having said that, I learned alot about what other people do with their time on the internet. Perhaps its a generational thing or a privacy thing, but I would never use a blog as a personal diary. I'm not interested in what other people had for breakfast, yada, yada. And, I don't suppose others are that interested in my every day activities. Or, maybe they are. Is television my blog? I do enjoy watching and getting involved; but, reality shows are too voyeuristic for me. The point of all this is that the internet can both desensitize and illuminate. What are its uses in a work environment? The bottom line, as far as I can see, is time and availability of computers. I know, my old mantra...time and equipment. But, seriously, how can I create an online communication scenario when I don't have an available computer at my desk AND most of my time is in the public arena? What I do feel is, that in a broader context ie communicating easily with other members of a committee or taskforce,that the internet gives us valuable access to instantanious ideas and thoughts. As to whether it saves us that precious comodity "time", I'm not convinced.
On the practical side of public service, patrons don't ask me how to create a blog. They want to print a document or set up an email account or make a site work that won't work. They often want the impossible and sometimes we give them just that.
I think this exercise has given me some tools I didn't have before AND a whole lot to ponder. Good job!

Moldy

I found Moldi alittle difficult to use. I tried to burn a cd and it wouldn't work.
I'm guessing it was because I was at work our equipment wouldn't permit it. I'll try again at home on my laptop.
The selection is not very exciting; but, it is free...

Gardening Podcast

I looked around some of the podcast directories and chanced upon a decent gardening one. It's called "A Gardener's Notebook".

Bluegrass!

I looked for some bluegrass bands on YouTube and found some familiar faces.

StumbleUpon

I tried out this web site of internet sharing. Wound up signing up. I'm just not sure how often I'll contribute. It seems like a fun site for interest sharing.

Etsy.com

A great shopping site of unusal artisans. There are workshops on how to sell your craft on the site as well as items to buy. Locally, they advertise a craft sale in Columbus which features many local artisans.

Google.doc

I played around with Google.doc and tried some of the different templates. Some of the more fun ones were listed under Cards & Certificates. There is a 4-sided card which would be fun for kids, etc.
The sharing of documents is a concept we already use. There are documents withing our v drive that all staff have access to upgrade or print off as a handlout.

Wiki Redeux

I posted in the sandbox. Did the tv favs and added my blog.

Wiki Tiki Tavi

Don't fall over; but, I like the idea of wikis more than I thought I would. Looking over some of the suggested wikis, I was very taken with the uses some libraries have made, i.e. subject guides. Granted its an updated version of having printouts on hand to give patrons; but, gathering everything in one place like the St. Joseph county one, is very useful. Also, it reaches the at-home user and helps further use of the collection, etc. One of our part-time librarians who is full-time at the State Library, uses his blog or wiki to store handouts for his students. Easy access when needed and with online availability.
Was this my first positve blog entry? I really like all the new stuff. But my mantra remains, for staff to make full use, they need easy access, aka available computers and TIME.

Library 2.0 nil

I read the articles and found them wanting in reality. The first one was written by someone at a university library. Whole different animal! Public libraries are 'open to all' so to speak. And the 'all' don't necessarilly come to the library to open blogs, etc. As communicating devices among a staff of library workers, total success and membership in such things as blogs and wikis depend on easy access to a computer and time. If you have an office with a computer you can leave on all day; then, you can perahps find the time to tweet. Our division has 8 part timers who are having trouble finishing the 23 things let alone enjoy them. Get real!

Deliciosa!

HFAR has used del.icio.us at our reference desks for awhile. We've tagged subjects like reading advisory, antiques, grammar, etc. Equate it to the info card file you used to keep at the desk which housed frequently difficult questions and answers.

Oh, My Stars! Did I just Twitter?

I don't get it! Why twitter? Oh, yeah, I can see the fun in talking with people of like thoughts or finding out answers to questions I'm pondering. But, who wants to be on their computer when they could be conversing with a real, live human being? Of course, this goes against the popular propaganda and we all want to be current. Or do we? I 'followed' a couple of gardening twits. Who knows when I'll get back to check them. I looked over the various discussions. I can see where some uses have validity; but, on the whole, nada.

ALA Imagemaker

Tyrone Power is one of my favorite old time Hollywood movie stars. He made such films as 'Black Swan', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Mask of Zorro', 'Witness for the Prosecution'.

Library Thing

Cataloged about five titles on Library Thing. It seems redundant with Shelfari; but, worth the exercise.

Outsource Never, Neverland...

Bloglines

I set up a bloglines account several months ago as part of a staff tutorial given by Rachel Rubin. With this new initiative, I've added a new feed by the name of newsmax.com. I've heard it mentioned on one of the local radio stations as an alternative news source. The process of adding a feed seems pretty easy. Time to read and keep up on all my feeds is another story.
I don't see the feasibility of blogging on work time. Maybe at home.

Take me to your leader

Take me to your leader
Originally uploaded by AshSLO

ARIZONA

ARIZONA
Originally uploaded by MikeJonesPhoto

Microsoft Photosynth

Check out Microsoft's new photo option. Photosynth allows you to take a collection of photos online and create a 3-d montage called a 'synth'. Google it!

Learning forever.....yada yada

There's something to be said for ignorance. You don't have to listen to people or politely weigh their opinions. You go by your gut and keep yourself safely cocooned. I see the attraction; but, I'd rather explore other ways of thinking. New ways and new information from the heads of all kinds of people. Who wants to always be right? Frank discussion, pros and cons, even arguments. Learning is a life-long journey, more yada yada...