This 'thing' really made me think. I actually even took notes! I enjoyed the article 'Three Hard Things'. There are a lot of things I want to learn (hard thing #1), especially about my job - the graphics programs I have access to but don't know well, web design, library information in general since I don't have that background. I realize I can easily try something new (hard thing #2) by working, working on Playtime, and thinking about when I can make time. Hard thing #3 is REALLY hard - stop doing something. I've done this before, but I usually want to be involved in EVERYTHING so that I know what's going on. Maybe that's one way blogs and RSS feeds can help - I can stay informed without being so physically involved...
I visited the OPAL site, and since I hadn't been there before, I was a bit confused so went to WebJunction where I'm a bit more comfortable. I already use the L2 site to register for DLS Marketing Roundtable meetings, and I get email updates on Marketing issues and general announcements from the DLS site.
I had already used WebJunction to sign up for a photoshop class (FREE!!), and signed up for a free, 3 hour general web design class because that's one of the areas I'd really like to learn more about. I can then sign up for more web design classes, both general concept-type classes and some program-specific, once I know what I would want to use. This is a great opportunity and really counts as an employment benefit by working in an Illinois Library.
I would definitely be up for taking a group class in a meeting room if the class is of interest. We all have so many people doing so many different things that I'm not sure that my interests would be similar to others, but I'm sure out of all the employees, SOMEONE is sure to overlap SOMEONE ELSE. Again, it's a great benefit of where we work!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Thing 8: Online Apps
Wow, this is cool!
I really like the premise of this. I've got a friend who works at Google and set up some apps for our church, since some of us are using Office and some OpenOffice (free software) that never seem to be as compatable as advertised. This obviously won't completely replace Office software, since there isn't a graphics or database program on google (yet). However, for what it has, this is a great way to share documents.
My concerns would be that a) Google's servers are secure, and b) that my computer/internet service are strong enough to let me be online for periods of time, with other applications/sites open and running, to let me create/edit documents. I have never had an internet connection with enough memory that I'm not hanging for a while...my processor on my hard drive (with enough RAM) might be faster.
I think this application might work better for my husband's data/photo sharing issue that I mentioned in Thing 7:Wikis. This might work better - it is probably more secure, and everything could be loaded into a document, downloaded to each computer as needed and deleted if information is no longer needed. I'll have to look in to this more...
As far as the library goes, I think this is a great option for not having to purchase software licenses (at least as things are set up today) and to offer these programs from all internet computers. However, then each computer must be set up for internet access (unless they can ONLY go to the application site, like our catalog computers) and longer time limits may be needed.
I DID play Excit, and got stuck on level 6. Addicting, to be sure...
I really like the premise of this. I've got a friend who works at Google and set up some apps for our church, since some of us are using Office and some OpenOffice (free software) that never seem to be as compatable as advertised. This obviously won't completely replace Office software, since there isn't a graphics or database program on google (yet). However, for what it has, this is a great way to share documents.
My concerns would be that a) Google's servers are secure, and b) that my computer/internet service are strong enough to let me be online for periods of time, with other applications/sites open and running, to let me create/edit documents. I have never had an internet connection with enough memory that I'm not hanging for a while...my processor on my hard drive (with enough RAM) might be faster.
I think this application might work better for my husband's data/photo sharing issue that I mentioned in Thing 7:Wikis. This might work better - it is probably more secure, and everything could be loaded into a document, downloaded to each computer as needed and deleted if information is no longer needed. I'll have to look in to this more...
As far as the library goes, I think this is a great option for not having to purchase software licenses (at least as things are set up today) and to offer these programs from all internet computers. However, then each computer must be set up for internet access (unless they can ONLY go to the application site, like our catalog computers) and longer time limits may be needed.
I DID play Excit, and got stuck on level 6. Addicting, to be sure...
Thing 7: Wikis
I'm not sure that I'm a huge fan of Wikis, at least how I've seen them used in the past (like Wikipedia). Even though some sites make you take responsibility for your edit, some do not, and I can't tell if the info is accurate or not. I did enjoy the video explanation, however, and thought of some uses for a wiki for my husband with his camping trips with the kids, coordinating so many people and equipment. I'd like to look into that option to make sure that only the people he wants to see it can, especially if he's able to post photos or a link to flickr since it deals with dads and their kids (most wouldn't want their kids pics floating on the web). I'll have to look in to that option.
I'm not really sure about the point of a wiki, though, when it comes to a large or 'secure' entity, like Wikipedia (the information is often not correct when dealing with biographies) or our library. I would think that the information about the library is 'static', and that we would want control of the facts/information circulating. To me, the conversational tone of a wiki is best served in a chat room about a topic or even a blog, if you want a one-sided conversation, like this is (heehee!).
I'm not really sure about the point of a wiki, though, when it comes to a large or 'secure' entity, like Wikipedia (the information is often not correct when dealing with biographies) or our library. I would think that the information about the library is 'static', and that we would want control of the facts/information circulating. To me, the conversational tone of a wiki is best served in a chat room about a topic or even a blog, if you want a one-sided conversation, like this is (heehee!).
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Thing #6: IM
I'm not a fan of IM in general. I like it in Facebook and when talking to people about quick stuff, but I tend to be wordy and don't like to abbreviate (see my 25Things on Facebook!), so texting and IM'ing are really not my cup of tea.
As far as the Library is concerned, I like the idea about asking reference/homework questions and it's more immediate. However, in the article link, some libraries specified patrons were asking circulation questions, which I think is just teaching people to be lazy. It's very simple, if you're already on a computer or other texting device, to go online and check circulation information for your account, search for titles, authors, etc., without calling or texting and asking someone else to do it for you. It just seems like in this age of immediate gratification, someone is on the loosing end - namely library employees, so they will be doing all of the work. Maybe that's petty, but as we're educating people about technology, if the answer is in the computer somewhere, teaching them to find it on their own makes more sense than teaching them to IM someone who then finds the information for them.
That said, I did set up an account with Google Talk, and am not happy with it. Granted, I don't have anyone elses email addresses to add to the system, which makes it difficult. I IM'd with Lynn via the Playtime blog using Meebo, and since that works with everything I set up an account there. It's something I doubt I'll ever use on my own, but if a site/blog has an IM area to IM the reference desk or someone with a question, I'm sure I would use that.
See? Too wordy for IM or texting!!
As far as the Library is concerned, I like the idea about asking reference/homework questions and it's more immediate. However, in the article link, some libraries specified patrons were asking circulation questions, which I think is just teaching people to be lazy. It's very simple, if you're already on a computer or other texting device, to go online and check circulation information for your account, search for titles, authors, etc., without calling or texting and asking someone else to do it for you. It just seems like in this age of immediate gratification, someone is on the loosing end - namely library employees, so they will be doing all of the work. Maybe that's petty, but as we're educating people about technology, if the answer is in the computer somewhere, teaching them to find it on their own makes more sense than teaching them to IM someone who then finds the information for them.
That said, I did set up an account with Google Talk, and am not happy with it. Granted, I don't have anyone elses email addresses to add to the system, which makes it difficult. I IM'd with Lynn via the Playtime blog using Meebo, and since that works with everything I set up an account there. It's something I doubt I'll ever use on my own, but if a site/blog has an IM area to IM the reference desk or someone with a question, I'm sure I would use that.
See? Too wordy for IM or texting!!
Thing #5: Podcasting & VideoSharing
Wow, this one took a while...
I completed this a few weeks ago, but realized I didn't really understand the difference between an RSS and a podcast...still don't, but I'm guessing that an RSS is a stream on your computer, while a podcast can be a stream to the computer or received/loaded to your mp3 player.
YouTube is so overwhelming that unless I'm looking for something specific or someone sends me a link, I'm just lost. So I clicked on the "dumb blonde at the library" link and liked that one, so I posted it on my Facebook page. I'm also currently, as I write, watching Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie on Hulu. The resolution and sound are surprisingly good, except for the speed of our internet, which is probably related to the fact that it's a network and not a direct line from my computer.
I found a podcast called Tranquility du Jour and subscribed to the RSS feed through Google Reader instead of Bloglines - I've found that accessing everything we're doing (blogger, RSS reader, email, etc) through one access point is much easier and I'm more likely to use the accounts after Playtime is over.
As far as Library usage...creating cool videos, like the one the teens did for our library, could be cool so links to YouTube make sense. But for our library to create a podcast doesn't make sense to me simply due to the size/capabilities/offerings of our library. However, to offer a podcast we subscribe to, like our databases, makes sense, if this is an option...like an emailed book list, we could direct people to podcasts of book reviews, research info, etc.
Here's my YouTube link - it's the blonde joke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYkiN4-gl8, and here are two ice skating videos that I never tire of watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRyaaU9LuZc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI0cdc9tqCs
I completed this a few weeks ago, but realized I didn't really understand the difference between an RSS and a podcast...still don't, but I'm guessing that an RSS is a stream on your computer, while a podcast can be a stream to the computer or received/loaded to your mp3 player.
YouTube is so overwhelming that unless I'm looking for something specific or someone sends me a link, I'm just lost. So I clicked on the "dumb blonde at the library" link and liked that one, so I posted it on my Facebook page. I'm also currently, as I write, watching Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie on Hulu. The resolution and sound are surprisingly good, except for the speed of our internet, which is probably related to the fact that it's a network and not a direct line from my computer.
I found a podcast called Tranquility du Jour and subscribed to the RSS feed through Google Reader instead of Bloglines - I've found that accessing everything we're doing (blogger, RSS reader, email, etc) through one access point is much easier and I'm more likely to use the accounts after Playtime is over.
As far as Library usage...creating cool videos, like the one the teens did for our library, could be cool so links to YouTube make sense. But for our library to create a podcast doesn't make sense to me simply due to the size/capabilities/offerings of our library. However, to offer a podcast we subscribe to, like our databases, makes sense, if this is an option...like an emailed book list, we could direct people to podcasts of book reviews, research info, etc.
Here's my YouTube link - it's the blonde joke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYkiN4-gl8, and here are two ice skating videos that I never tire of watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRyaaU9LuZc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI0cdc9tqCs
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