I am done!!!!!!

Let me start by saying ... I did give myself a pat on the back. About half-way through I got a little burned out and thought I wasn't going to finish, but here I am task number 23 done! Overall I learned a great deal of useful things and some not so useful. As for things I learned that I can use on the job ... library thing, del.icio.us, wikis, and google docs. I also enjoyed learning about rss feeds, flickr, and alternative blogging though I don't think I will be using these for work.

I do have to admit that I was surprised at how much I learned. Several of the tasks I already knew a little about but never went into any depth on. I think it would be interesting to look back at this program in say 6 months to a year to see how many of the tasks I am still using.

My biggest complaint/frustration is the lack of plug-ins installed on our computers. There were several tasks that took me longer to complete because I had to switch back and forth between Internet Explorer and Firefox and sometimes giving up completely because I was unable to do something as simple as play a video clip.

I did like the explore and learn at your own rate. It was also nice to have some "fun" activities that didn't involve any real thought other than playing around. Everyone's brain needs a little break now and then. I would be interested in more programs similiar to this. I think it would also be useful to have a program that is not so advanced. We have several employees who could never handle the extent of this program but would benifit from some of the tasks. Is it possible to make a mini version?

Thanks web 2.0 team ... I learned a lot!

Alternative Blogging

I like micro blogging soooo much more than an actual blog. I am a person of little words. I made a twitter and a tumblr account. I messed around with both. I liked tumblr. It was simple to post. I like how I can take a photo or video clip from my phone and send it to my tumblr account ... awesome!!! I do a lot of text messaging and this feels the same. Who knows, I might actually keep up with this one.

As for libraries ... mmm ... I don't know how helpful either of these tools would be. In all reality it is just another version of what we have been doing throughout this program.

Audio/Video - - video

So I tried searching for videos on "bookmobiles". I wasn't surprised that the video sharing websites that were listed either came up with nothing or a few picks with the expection of youtube. However I did find a video clip of something that I had read in a magazine some time back. Here is a newsclip of a camel delivering library service that I found interesting library camel.


I think it would be great if on our homepage had a video clip or two about our feature. For example right now we are promoting National Library Week. I think we should have a clip of perhaps mini tours of our libraries. Or a clip of Libraries through the years.

Audio/Video - - podcasting

Typically the only podcasts that I have used is through itunes. I played around with the podcast directories in this activity. Playing around with podcastalley I discovered a podcast from a high school in which it is all booktalks. Its on my feed list. I have always found podcasts interesting. Sometimes they are very interesting and I get lost in them like a good book and other times I can only say WHY???

Music and other audio

I have never used any of the websites for this activity. I liked pandora because it was straight forward and easy to use. I think Gutenberg would be a great resource for libraries especially if our patrons were able to download from our internet computes. I was amazed at how many audio books were available on the website. And are CDs dead?... YES! I do have to admit they make awesome drink coasters.

Sketchcast

My artistic abilities are horrible and they don't get much better online. Take a look at my books on the go (right side bar).

Google Docs ... Wow! I wish this was around when I was in school. This could be so handy for students. Just imagine if there is access to the internet you have access to your research paper. I can't tell you how many times I didn't bring my laptop or save my work to a disk to discover class got out early and I had time to work on my paper in the lab. With this there is no need to plan ahead. You have spare time, go to any computer with internet access and magically your research paper appears. Even better I could allow someone access to help with proofing (always needed with me). Google thinks of everything!