Goodbye

It was fun learning the 23 things. There were things I haven't looked at before. It wasn't too hard to learn them and I think I'll explore later on and see what else it entails. I think if there is another program similar to this one I would take it. I haven't had many requests to use these 23 things at the library, but am glad I know about them.

Project Guttenburg

Today I looked at Project Guttenburg. It is a free site that has books to download and read or listen to. I like how you can search for an author and they have an article on that author. Then they have several sites that provide that book. I chose a small poem by William Blake. I was able to download and listen to it being read. I think most of the books don't violate any copyright law so have fun.

Podcasts

Today I explored some of the Podcasts available. Unfortunately I was unable to view or listen to most of them. I did hear a podcast of a children's program that the Denver library created. Podcasts remind me of radio programs that anyone can create. I will try to post a podcast to my bloglines soon.

You Tube

Today I explored the wonderful world of video downloads. People put lots of videos on this site. I looked at Star Wars parodies. I think the library could use this technology to have anybody submit a library program. A person could film their program, upload it to the library webpage, and presto, a library program a person can participate in anytime.

Google Maps

Today I looked at the award winning Google Maps. It won an award for the best mapping software. I typed in Glenwood Library. And it displayed all the Glenwood Libraries in the nation. Then I was able to select the one I wanted and I could look at the map by satellite too. It looked similar to the area, but may be outdated some. But from the map, I could get driving directions and have the directions sent to my phone. It looked a little more sophisticated than Mapquest.

Zoho

Today I looked at online production tools. These are tools that can be used for producing things like spreadsheets, databases, and word processors. The one I looked at at Zoho had all these things plus they incorporated tools for creating blogs, wikis, and some of the other things I have looked at. They have all the things a person would find in an office program. Perhaps the office program would have more business related software, but this is good for basic work.

Playing in the SandBox

This exercise was challenging. I tried to submit my blog to the favorite blogs, but nothing on that page made much sense. There wasn't a spot for Howard Participants. And I wasn't sure how to add the blog to the Wiki anyway. So I added a comment to the favorite's page. That was easier because I just clicked on the Comments tab and added my comment.

Wiki

Wikis are ways for people to submit articles on the internet. It seems similar to a blog, but it doesn't seem like a written response to someone's article as much as articles on a topic. I thought the idea of using the Wiki for book reviews was interesting. Anybody could write a review on any genre of literature. I think book reviews would be a good way the library could use Wiki. For example in the summer reading program, adults fill out written reviews, but using a Wiki, they could submit it electronically. Also reference articles like study guides or an encyclopedia, the library could use Wikis.

Web 2.0

Today I read about Library 2.0 and how the futurists think this will affect libraries. Web 2.0 is a way of incorporating many different formats into one place. Library 2.0 would be a library that was more online and geared toward users of the internet. The futurists are scared. Libraries that use such antiquated devices such as books will go the way of the eight track player and be obsolete. We need to change with the changing times before we're left by the side of the information super highway. But not all futurists are running around like Chicken Little, some think that what the library does right now, they do right. Libraries provide more than just materials. They provide a people element that computers can't duplicate. My thoughts are that the future will be somewhere in the middle. There will be people that want online information and there will be some that just want a person to speak to. And libraries will be ok.

Technorati

Today I explored Technorati, a website that searches blogs. Its similar to Google for blogs, videos, and other media. I searched the regular search, tagging, and the directory for "Library 2.0" For the regular search I received 25,449 searches. In the Directory, I received 644 searches. And in tagging, I received a variety of blogs, videos, and photos. Its difficult to find the directory and tagging search, but its located under advanced search. I explored the popular searches and found there was popular searches for blogs, videos, news stories, tagging, and movies. It was more information about movies than actually downloading the movie. But it was interesting.

Tags

Today we looked at Tagging. Its a way to categorize links online so they are easier to search. I looked at an account on Del.icio.us. There were several links and they had comments from other users who have used those links. I think this service will be helpful to librarians who love to categorize things. They could categorize the links they use day to day. And then other librarians could comment on those links. Other library systems could share those links too. Then there would be harmony in the library world and everyone would be happy.

Search Engine

I learned how to create my own search engine with Rollyo. This is the link to it. Rob's Search Engine
I created a TV Search that allows me to search the major TV studios plus some other cites for information about TV shows. It was easy to do. And could be used by librarians who only search a couple cites .

Library Thing

Today I learned about Library Thing. I was able to catalog books in a private library. I simply put in the title, and then the program searches Amazon for the book. Then I add it to my library. Here is a link to my library: http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=RobBLibrary&shelf=list

I can search my catalog and share my catalog with others. Its a fun program for any bibliophile.

Generators

I learned that there are many different generators. Some manipulate images, some words. I found one that allows me to put in a phrase on a cake. Its fun to play with generators. You can come up with many scenarios. All I have to do is input a phrase and then the program adds it to the picture or creates a new phrase or something.

There are also avatars. These are pictures that represent the person. Its like your very own cartoon person. I tried to do one program, Meez, but it always kicked me out of the program.

RSS Feeds pt. 2

Today I explored useful library blogs and news feeds. The Maryland Library service has a blog called Merlin. On this blog there is lots of useful information on how the libraries can use technology. I saw one posting on how libraries are using My Space to reach teenagers. I also looked at Technorati. This blog finding tool allows a person to search blogs and videos. All a person needs to do is type what they are looking for and it will search for it. An interesting tool was topix.net This provides local news. All a person needs to do is type in their zip code and it will search the newsfeeds for local news. So I think that a person can find anything on the internet now and there are specific tools to help you find it.

RSS Feeds

Today I learned about RSS Feeds. This technology allows a person to get up to date information from another web site. I enjoy this technology because its less searching on my part. I can go to one site and have all the information at my finger tips. I think libraries can use this technology to let people know what is new at the library. Also there could be a feed to update book clubs of their latest read or a feed that could alert people of specific programs the library offers.

Technology

So far I have seen the power of blogs and the wonder of Flickr, but the thing that amazed me this week is that someone created a program to organize photos according to color. I suppose a person would want to have an all red photo montage for that special red day. But it seems to be one shouldn't stop with just colors. They could have a program that organizes photos according to objects or people. Or weather. Think about it. Only sunny pictures here.

Flickr fun continued

Today I learned about Flickr mashups. That is when they take a little bit of Flickr and combine it with a different program. So a person can have the fun of photography with the joys of maps. How many times have you been looking at a person's photos and wondered, where is that taken? Now there is Mappr so a person can find out exactly where the picture was taken without the boring travel itinerary.

Week 5

Today I learned the joys of Flickr. There are a lot of amazing things people can do with pictures. For example, a person can make postcards of their favorite pictures. Here is a picture I found at Flickr from Yellowstone.

Week 1 & 2

Today I learned how to make a blog and learned all about the learning principles. Of all the learning principles, I think that beginning with the end in sight. This will be easy for me not just because I'll be happy to end, but also I like to see things come to completion. I suppose the principle that will be the hardest will be accepting responsibility for my own learning. Its going to be difficult to find the time to work on these 23 things during work. However I am sure you'll find many more great postings like this in the coming weeks.