Week 9: Thing 22: Downloadable Audiobooks

At the present time, my laptop is not functioning and I don't have an Iphone so I didn't actually download any audiobooks for this "thing". I did, however, explore the site Project Gutenberg just to see what types of books were available for download. I was pleased to see that many classics are available. This should prove helpful for students who are assigned to read these materials. Even though audio downloads are all the rage, I still prefer to pick up a book and read it the old fashioned way. I do enjoy listening to MCPL's playaway collection when I go out for a walk, however.

Week 9: Thing 21: Podcasts

The assignment for this "thing" was to look at one or two of the recommended podcast directories and to select a podcast(s), of interest, and add the feed to my Bloglines account. I was unable to access 2 of the 3 directories. Both Podcast.net and Yahoo Podcasts were no longer available. I, did, use the podcast directory "Podcastalley.com" to select 2 podcasts that I subscribed to for my Bloglines account. The first is called the Aloha Podcast Network and the second was the podcast for the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. In addition, I did a topic search for "libraries" and came up with about 34 hits of podcasts related to this subject.

Week 9: Thing 20: YouTube

I was able to place this YouTube video, inside my blog, using the copy and paste code for the Embeddable Player. Unbelieveable what you can train a little guinea pig to do!! I've searched YouTube, before, several times. Much of the content isn't of much interest to me, although if you've missed anything that's happened anywhere in the world, it's probably on YouTube, so I guess it's a valuable tool!!

Week 8: Thing 19: Explore

The assignment for this "thing" is to explore any of the site(s) from the web 2.0 awards list. I investigated 2 sites. The first site that I looked at relates to my love of travel. The site is known as Kayak. I found this site to be a very easy one to use. Price comparisons are made from all of the major travel companies. You can also filter your selections, by price, using a sliding scale. The hotel rating section is very informative. Detailed ratings are given for the various properties, based on traveler feedback. Photos of all of the properties provide a good idea of what each hotel has to offer.

I also looked at a site called Upcoming. This site is a guide to events and things to do. Searches are done by location. This is a great tool because you can choose locations, worldwide. I can see myself using it, frequently, while on vacation. Once a location has been chosen, you can narrow your search by date (there is a handy calendar widget) and by category. Once you've made your selection, you can purchase tickets and post the information to your calendar (Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook, etc.) and the calendars of others. Upcoming is, also, optimized to fit on any mobile phone. Very handy tool!!

Week 8: Thing 18: Online Applications & Tools

The assignment for this "thing" is to explore the web-based word processing tool called Zoho Writer, so here I am! This is the first time that I have used an online productivity web-based application. I have heard of Google Docs but I have never used it. I like the format of this application and it seems to be very user friendly. I'm going to try to post this to my blog. I guess we'll see what happens!

Success. I was able to post, my document, to my blog from Zoho Writer.

Week 7: Thing 17: 2.0 SandBox Wiki

I tried and tried to play in the sandbox for this "thing" but was unsuccessful. I went to the Maryland Libraries Sandbox and tried to set up an OpenID account, to log in, but it would not authenticate my account or let me into the workspace. After several unsuccessful attempts, playtime was over!!

Week 7: Thing 16: Wikis

This week, I became familiar with the "thing" known as a wiki. This term is derived from the Hawaiian phrase "wiki wiki" which means fast and quick. A wiki is a web site that is easy to build, maintain and edit. All users or members of the site are able to add and edit content at will. This makes such a web site an attractive and easy way to share ideas, information and knowledge among the people who use it. In a library setting, for example, staff can share resources, training information, best practices, programming details--just about any form of internal communication. A library wiki is a good resource to use for communicating information to customers, as well, whether it be about the "latest great reads" or advertising upcoming events and programs. As good as a wiki might be, the accuracy of some information may be questionable since it is easily edited by any user of the wiki and content can be altered at anytime.

Week 6: Thing 15: The Future of Libraries

The future of libraries...hmm...



Libraries = Buildings with Walls (what we've been used to up to now), filled with collections of printed material.


Libraries = Virtual Services (new services offered with the impact of new technology), by which information is accessed electronically.

Libraries = Buildings with Walls + Virtual Services or simply Virtual Services.

No matter what form they take, libraries have been and will always be, warehouses of information.

Week 6: Thing 14: Technorati & Tags

I spent some time exploring Technorati. I did numerous keyword searches and can conclude that for every topic that you can think of, there is a blog! I also did a keyword search for "Learning 2.0" in blog posts, tags and in the blog directory. I was unable to explore the Technorati popular section because it was unavailable.

Week 6: Thing 13: Tagging & Del.icio.us

The assignment for this exercise was to explore tagging. Tagging is a tool used to categorize "things" online. Users can assign keywords or "tags" and use these keywords or phrases to search for online content. Additionally, we were supposed to explore a site known as Del.icio.us. Unfortunately, the video tutorial for this site is no longer working. I did learn, however, that Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site which allows you to bookmark web pages, add tags to categorize them and be able to share them with others.

Week 5: Thing 12: Rollyo

My assignment for this "thing" was to visit the Rollyo site. This is a site which enables you to create your own search engine. Unfortunately, Rollyo is under maintenance at this time so I was unable to visit it and learn the how to's of constructing my search engine. If time permits, I will re-visit the site and hope that all maintenance has been completed so that I can become familiar with this "thing".

Week 5: Thing 11: Library Thing

I visited the "Library Thing" site, registered and cataloged several recent books that I have read. It's a quick and easy way to keep track of the books that I have read, all in one nice, neat and tidy location! My link is http://www.librarything.com/catalog/carolng

Week 5: Thing 10: Online Image Generators

I discovered the online image generator site,
"Tiltshiftmaker.com". This site allows you to upload your
photograph, select portions of the image and when complete, the photo looks like a miniature model of the
scene. Very cool!!

Well, here I am "Avatar-style", all ready for some warm weather vacation fun!!

Week 4: Thing 9: Merlin

MERLIN

I explored MERLIN today, checked out some of its' links and subscribed to the " Highlighted This Month" feed on the site. In addition, I subscribed to a technology blog on Washington Post.com. I also checked out Technorati.com and found it interesting and useful. I subscribed to the technology feed from this site, as well. Although, I tried to use Feedster.com to search for RSS feeds, the site was not working. I've enjoyed learning about RSS feeds but I still prefer my old "hunt and peck" method of locating sites of interest to me and just checking, periodically, for updates if I'm so inclined!

Week 4: Thing 8: RSS & Newsreaders

I, successfully, created my Bloglines newsreader account and subscribed to 10 newsfeeds. This was all new to me. I had seen the RSS icon on my computer but never knew its functionality so this was a beneficial "thing" for me to learn. Most of what I subscribed to were "news" sites. Although, it is definitely a time saver to have all of my favorite sites in one place for a quick update, I also enjoy a leisurely browse through web sites. I don't always need the "quickest" link to things. This, of course, is advantageous in a work setting but I tend to think that, at home, I'll continue to link from site to site as I always have.

Week 3: Thing 7: Technology This Week

This is a great day to discuss technology. Today, the new Apple iPad was released. I just watched the informational video for this product and it truly seems amazing. I want one already!! It's thin and the size of a book. It surfs the web, handles email, stores and organizes photos, stores music, has a calendar, address book, maps and can be used for games, TV, movies and functions as an e-book reader. It is unique because there is no right or wrong way to hold it. Whether you hold it horizontally, vertically or even at an angle, the screen will adjust. Screen resolution and battery life are also supposed to be very good. I look forward to experimenting with one myself.

Week 3: Thing 6: Flickr Mashups & 3rd Party Sites

I checked out some of the Flickr Mashups but really wasn't that wowed by any of them. I don't think that I would really have much use for them, personally. The site that I explored which I found the most amusing was the one for the Librarian Trading Cards. They were entertaining but, again, I can't see myself using this site. These trading cards reminded me of personal ads that you might see on dating sites!

Week 3: Thing 5: Explore Flickr

This is my first photo upload and the first time that I have used Flickr! This pelican enjoyed being photographed. I snapped this photo on a recent trip to Catalina Island.

Week 2: Thing 4: Blog Registration

I've registered my blog and will begin to track my progress.

Week 2: Thing 3: Blog

I've created my first blog!!

Week 1: Thing 2: 71/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners

Easiest habit for me. It's twofold, really. I use technology to my advantage and than enjoy teaching others what I know.

Hardest habit for me. Viewing problems as challenges.

Week 1: Thing 1: About this program

Well, I'm up to speed on the introductory information. Now it's time to get rolling!