Wow! no fines! they automatically get cut of from the book as soon as their time is up! I Love it - I think this is why I loved Conan the librarian. How may times have we all wished that we could chop someone in half when they have late returns! eBooks has potential - I know it is just starting out, so the list is small, but think where the internet was 10 years ago!
This has been a fantastic mind expanding exercise and a lot of fun. It has been hard at times to find the time to play and it has not been helped by extremely slow internet access, (I'm quite a pro at playing a game of Free Cell or Solitaire while I wait for a site to load!) but I am really glad I have now completed the course. I have del.icio.us'ed quite a few sites and plan to go back and explore some more whenever I get the chance.
My language skills have improved and I can now talk a little like a techno savvy!
I guess for me the biggest thing has been the opening of my mind to a lot of new and exciting sites that I had no idea of before I started and how the web is infiltrating into every small area of our lives.
I have marvelled at the time that some must have to create and then get published in whatever format they wish - Oh how I wish I had some of their time to do all I would like to! It certainly wouldn't involve sitting at the computer for hours on end!
I think Wikis have the biggest potential for libraries right at this moment, but I believe a lot of what we have learnt will eventually become the norm!
I have enjoyed it all, and will definitely go back and explore image generators some more. The artistic side of me is fascinated by these!
Thanks to all for the experience - I have bookmarked the Learning 2.1 site and would like to have some time after the festive season to continue playing and searching and on that note, I shall wish you all the very best for the festive season and 2008! Bring on the rains and the crops!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
YouTube & Pod Casts
Well, it has taken a little while, but I am back here and determined to finish tonight! Had another quick look at YouTube - the kids had already introduced me to some of its pleasures.
I like the way it suggests other videos of the same genre - helps if you are not quite sure what you are looking for. There must be thousands and millions of videos there just waiting for someone to find them! and one wonders why on earth some have even bothered.
A personal favourite of mine is the following
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c22JCnMiq4
It is about a young lady who has become a Life member of Weight Watchers, so it sort of blended in my 2 work interests!
I guess with a library perspective, the scene could be set for staff to make videos for patrons - how to............, book reviews, etc, etc
I guess for me the biggest downside is the playing quality - I wish we had better internet facilities at home! Quicker, Faster, Clearer and on and on...........
Again with Pod casts, the time taken to search has been a little prohibitive, but I did find a song sung by Jean Nidetch the founder of Weight Watchers! Pretty crummy really! The fact that the normal person can actually put something on here is pretty mind blowing and I guess for libraries this is another great way of communicating with the public in a way that the young ones can identify with and this is where we have to start if we want to see our libraries moving into the future.
I do like searchng by tags! Only problem is when i want to tag something - I run out of word ideas!!!! I had audio issues with podcasts, so have not been able to include a feed.
I like the way it suggests other videos of the same genre - helps if you are not quite sure what you are looking for. There must be thousands and millions of videos there just waiting for someone to find them! and one wonders why on earth some have even bothered.
A personal favourite of mine is the following
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c22JCnMiq4
It is about a young lady who has become a Life member of Weight Watchers, so it sort of blended in my 2 work interests!
I guess with a library perspective, the scene could be set for staff to make videos for patrons - how to............, book reviews, etc, etc
I guess for me the biggest downside is the playing quality - I wish we had better internet facilities at home! Quicker, Faster, Clearer and on and on...........
Again with Pod casts, the time taken to search has been a little prohibitive, but I did find a song sung by Jean Nidetch the founder of Weight Watchers! Pretty crummy really! The fact that the normal person can actually put something on here is pretty mind blowing and I guess for libraries this is another great way of communicating with the public in a way that the young ones can identify with and this is where we have to start if we want to see our libraries moving into the future.
I do like searchng by tags! Only problem is when i want to tag something - I run out of word ideas!!!! I had audio issues with podcasts, so have not been able to include a feed.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Web based apps & 43 Things
Have signed in to Zoho and promptly lost the page I was working on! I loved the emoticons, but there weren't enough for me! I like to try and express emotions as I write and they were cute!
I don't think Zoho or Google apps will take over my love for Office applications at this stage as my Internet is so slow that whenever I tried to make a correction or change something, I was able to make another cup of coffee while I waited for it to load! I am now floating in a caffeine induced coma and really should be in bed!
I started out looking at the winners of the visual arts section of Web 2.0, but they were a little beyond me, so I went to 43 Things. I think this is a site for me - I need to set some goals and be able to mark them off - the first one is to stop procrastinating, the next to clean out my wardrobe and be really ruthless and the third would be to start spring cleaning the house!
Then again a fantastic saying that I found in a magazine yesterday is
Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever
Perhaps I should follow that motto and get on with my stitching. No - time for bed and a think about what goals I could enter into 43 things - there's my stamp collection, my photos, my knitting, my garden...............(what garden!?) my ...............
I don't think Zoho or Google apps will take over my love for Office applications at this stage as my Internet is so slow that whenever I tried to make a correction or change something, I was able to make another cup of coffee while I waited for it to load! I am now floating in a caffeine induced coma and really should be in bed!
I started out looking at the winners of the visual arts section of Web 2.0, but they were a little beyond me, so I went to 43 Things. I think this is a site for me - I need to set some goals and be able to mark them off - the first one is to stop procrastinating, the next to clean out my wardrobe and be really ruthless and the third would be to start spring cleaning the house!
Then again a fantastic saying that I found in a magazine yesterday is
Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever
Perhaps I should follow that motto and get on with my stitching. No - time for bed and a think about what goals I could enter into 43 things - there's my stamp collection, my photos, my knitting, my garden...............(what garden!?) my ...............
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Another week and a look at Wikis
I was supposed to be looking at Wikis, but as I usually do before I get stuck into the weeks work, I have a browse around other blogs and things! If you have ever wondered what exactly is going on in your brain, then you could use this extremely useful tool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brainscannr
Not sure that the brain activity portrayed me in a positive light, but it was fun to enter other's names!
Finally explored Wikis and I can see fantastic potential there for libraries. This is perhaps the one thing we have learned about that really has a place in our libraries NOW.
A Wiki for a specific area (ie ILL, children's services, BOW, etc)- all librarians have ideas on what could be done - instead of waiting for a meeting, instead of talking one-one, a wiki would unite all the librarians from the different 7 distant branches and allow pooling of ideas before the actual meeting, less phone calls, less shared emails and less mixing up of ideas, - perhaps less meeting hours wasted in sharing ideas - it has already been done and all that is needed is the decisions to be made! Dream on.............
As we approach the building of our new Library within the Community Hub, think how fantastic it would be to have an Echuca Wiki! It could be started by the library, added to as we find different attractions, services etc, etc and then I am sure that the community (great marketing would be needed) could basically take over and add as much or as little as they require.
On holiday and need a doctor? I'm sure visitors would love to leave their positive and negative comments.
Need a church service time - have a look at the Echuca Wiki! All the churches would have access and it would be up to them to update their own changes and services - too much for one person to co ordinate, but able to be collaborated on via a Wiki. I guess control would be an issue, but if identity checks were used as I saw on some sites, hten this could be alleviated.
In words that I read somewhere today!! -.........at their best, they can become true community resources that can position the library as an online hub of their local community.
Travelled to the Peanut Butter Quickie (PBWiki for those still not there - although I fail to see why you aren't as I am so far behind) and I'm pretty sure my Blog is now officially there as #3 for our library!
brainscannr
Not sure that the brain activity portrayed me in a positive light, but it was fun to enter other's names!
Finally explored Wikis and I can see fantastic potential there for libraries. This is perhaps the one thing we have learned about that really has a place in our libraries NOW.
A Wiki for a specific area (ie ILL, children's services, BOW, etc)- all librarians have ideas on what could be done - instead of waiting for a meeting, instead of talking one-one, a wiki would unite all the librarians from the different 7 distant branches and allow pooling of ideas before the actual meeting, less phone calls, less shared emails and less mixing up of ideas, - perhaps less meeting hours wasted in sharing ideas - it has already been done and all that is needed is the decisions to be made! Dream on.............
As we approach the building of our new Library within the Community Hub, think how fantastic it would be to have an Echuca Wiki! It could be started by the library, added to as we find different attractions, services etc, etc and then I am sure that the community (great marketing would be needed) could basically take over and add as much or as little as they require.
On holiday and need a doctor? I'm sure visitors would love to leave their positive and negative comments.
Need a church service time - have a look at the Echuca Wiki! All the churches would have access and it would be up to them to update their own changes and services - too much for one person to co ordinate, but able to be collaborated on via a Wiki. I guess control would be an issue, but if identity checks were used as I saw on some sites, hten this could be alleviated.
In words that I read somewhere today!! -.........at their best, they can become true community resources that can position the library as an online hub of their local community.
Travelled to the Peanut Butter Quickie (PBWiki for those still not there - although I fail to see why you aren't as I am so far behind) and I'm pretty sure my Blog is now officially there as #3 for our library!
Friday, November 2, 2007
I know - I was going to bed, but...............
It's quite addictive isn't it! I found a handle generator and wondered what my new handle could be - when "Peeping Quickly" was offered, all I could think about was the many hours I have consumed "peeping quickly" at everyone else's blogs! It seemed so apt!
Have a look and see if you can get yourself one
http://nine.frenchboys.net/handle.php
I also saw Valeie giving her blog a fancy heading, so had to join the fun - I love the Glitteratzi machine and my pink carnation glittering heading!
Have a look and see if you can get yourself one
http://nine.frenchboys.net/handle.php
I also saw Valeie giving her blog a fancy heading, so had to join the fun - I love the Glitteratzi machine and my pink carnation glittering heading!
Technorati and Thoughts on Library 2.0
Have had a bit of a search on Technorati, but time has meant that it has been shorter than I would have liked! It looks to be a good tool for searching Blogs, as I had already tried this on "Blogger" but had difficulty finding anything other than pornographic blogs - there seem to be plenty of those! At least Technorati allows you to search in a couple of different ways to find Blogs with a similar interest base.
Library 2.0 is a little scary when you think that there is to be a new library built within the next couple of years and probably based on the libraries of yore. Who knows what the libraries of tomorrow and 2.0 will look like and how we can change what we already have to encompass what I see as a huge revolution.
Rick Anderson talks of the "just in case" collection - and we have one of those!
He also talks of our reliance on user education. This is a massive undertaking and there has to be some way of educating in the areas we are learning about so that everyone is on the same wave length and can use the ever increasing, mind blowing tools that are popping up daily. Just to get Librarians educated is a huge undertaking, let alone trying to teach my mother!
He also talks about the "come to us" model of the library and we have just seen a great example of this not being our only model on the local level with the introduction of the YourTutor website for our students. Sure they have to be a member of the library, but they can access this marvellous tool from their own homes.
Must be time for bed or some embroidery! Oh God is that the time! I knew I had spent a lot of time investigating others blogs, but this is ridiculous! Good night!
Library 2.0 is a little scary when you think that there is to be a new library built within the next couple of years and probably based on the libraries of yore. Who knows what the libraries of tomorrow and 2.0 will look like and how we can change what we already have to encompass what I see as a huge revolution.
Rick Anderson talks of the "just in case" collection - and we have one of those!
He also talks of our reliance on user education. This is a massive undertaking and there has to be some way of educating in the areas we are learning about so that everyone is on the same wave length and can use the ever increasing, mind blowing tools that are popping up daily. Just to get Librarians educated is a huge undertaking, let alone trying to teach my mother!
He also talks about the "come to us" model of the library and we have just seen a great example of this not being our only model on the local level with the introduction of the YourTutor website for our students. Sure they have to be a member of the library, but they can access this marvellous tool from their own homes.
Must be time for bed or some embroidery! Oh God is that the time! I knew I had spent a lot of time investigating others blogs, but this is ridiculous! Good night!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Del.icio.us
Have had a look at Del.icio.us and can see some major benefits of having this installed - particularly for those who search a lot at home and would like an easy way to access favourite sites for updates at work and vice versa.
I had a little trouble installing the buttons, but when I went back to have another go, I decided to install them using the Yahoo tool bar and everything went like clockwork. It will take a little while to get some of my favourite sites on there and I guess we will have to install the buttons on the library computers, but at least whenever Damien decides to do something to the work stations at work, we won't lose all our Bookmarks and they will all be accessible on whichever computer we are needing to use at any one time. I am thinking that we will all have to use the buttons that have been set up on the library workstations - another user name and password!!!
Perhaps they could be used on the library website in some way - I am really not up with all the technicalities there!
I had a little trouble installing the buttons, but when I went back to have another go, I decided to install them using the Yahoo tool bar and everything went like clockwork. It will take a little while to get some of my favourite sites on there and I guess we will have to install the buttons on the library computers, but at least whenever Damien decides to do something to the work stations at work, we won't lose all our Bookmarks and they will all be accessible on whichever computer we are needing to use at any one time. I am thinking that we will all have to use the buttons that have been set up on the library workstations - another user name and password!!!
Perhaps they could be used on the library website in some way - I am really not up with all the technicalities there!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hmmm........!
Have started wondering what tools we are learning all about that I could use to keep track of all my user names and passwords!
I am trying to use the same ones as much as possible, but every now and then, the name has already been used, or the password required has to have something different - either a different configuration of letters & numbers or my password is too short or too long or too old or too something else.If I keep a list on the computer somewhere, then someone is likely to be able to hack in and use them!
Nothing like a bit of paper and a pen sometimes!
Also while I was searching around, I found the tool to change the time zone to the Eastern Australian seaboard. Now you won't think that I have been up working after midnight at some ungodly hour.
I am trying to use the same ones as much as possible, but every now and then, the name has already been used, or the password required has to have something different - either a different configuration of letters & numbers or my password is too short or too long or too old or too something else.If I keep a list on the computer somewhere, then someone is likely to be able to hack in and use them!
Nothing like a bit of paper and a pen sometimes!
Also while I was searching around, I found the tool to change the time zone to the Eastern Australian seaboard. Now you won't think that I have been up working after midnight at some ungodly hour.
Library Thing
I can see how this would be great if you had a huge library to keep in order, but one of the things I have sacrificed over the years, is books of my own. I very occasionally have a book given to me, and I used to frequent the used book shops and sell them all back, but I would very rarely actually buy a book for myself!
I occasionally buy craft books if I see something that tickles my fancy!
I am going to have to ask Vic how you actually list the books down the side of my blog. I will have another go before I log off, but can't waste any more time trying all sorts of things. I have copeied the html and know that it will paste into my blog space, but that's not what I want!!!
15 minutes per day!!!!!!!!!!!!! It takes me that long to log on and remember what I was up to!
PS Just had to add - a little scouting aroungd the site and I was able to add my Library Thing. Just shows what you can do when you really try!! I'll keep Techno Toria for the next thing I can't do
I occasionally buy craft books if I see something that tickles my fancy!
I am going to have to ask Vic how you actually list the books down the side of my blog. I will have another go before I log off, but can't waste any more time trying all sorts of things. I have copeied the html and know that it will paste into my blog space, but that's not what I want!!!
15 minutes per day!!!!!!!!!!!!! It takes me that long to log on and remember what I was up to!
PS Just had to add - a little scouting aroungd the site and I was able to add my Library Thing. Just shows what you can do when you really try!! I'll keep Techno Toria for the next thing I can't do
Friday, October 26, 2007
Image Generators
No stopping me once I start - I've always wanted to see my name in lights, so I included my hubby as well! He's wondering what on earth I am doing at the moment, so will suprise him with this - our names in lights for ever! Not sure about the drink in hand, but the cockie is certainly apt for a farming family.
Did think I would make a movie of us dancing as we have never danced before, but the computer was so slow, it wouldn't even open the previews! There are some downsides to living out in the country with dubious satellite broadband. The other thing with the movie was that it cost money and I sure wasn't going to dpend any of that at the moment.
I just went to copy the URL of my generated image and dang blast it - that particular window has frozen - I couldn't even close it, so if this all gets frozen too there will be hell to pay!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll post now before it all disapears and I have to start again - must be bedtime anyway.
I'm baaaaack! and RSS
When I saw the date of my last blog, I realised just how silly my life has become! I just have not had time to get a handle on RSS and so it just kept getting pushed aside.
But luckily, I have now had the time and spent my Friday evening adding my colleagues blogs and a couple of other things onto my Bloglines account.
I can see how this would really help if you were spending a lot of time researching something on the net - you would only need to go to the sites when there was new information posted. I had been visiting each of the library girls posts and it was time consuming and disappointing when there was nothing new there. Now I don't have to do that! I will know when you have posted something new! That is of course if I can work out how to get back into my bloglines account!
Ain't technology grand!
But luckily, I have now had the time and spent my Friday evening adding my colleagues blogs and a couple of other things onto my Bloglines account.
I can see how this would really help if you were spending a lot of time researching something on the net - you would only need to go to the sites when there was new information posted. I had been visiting each of the library girls posts and it was time consuming and disappointing when there was nothing new there. Now I don't have to do that! I will know when you have posted something new! That is of course if I can work out how to get back into my bloglines account!
Ain't technology grand!
Monday, October 1, 2007
I decided that there is more than one way to kill a cat and there has to be more than one way to deal with technology. If you can't bring Mohammad to the mountain, then bring the mountain to Mohammad! I have tried all sorts of things to get this picture in my blog from Flickr and at this time of night I am just about ready to call it quits, but I hate being beaten! so if anyone is at all interested you can click on the link below (hopefully) and see the flower I chose! As if you all have enough time to do that!?!?!
In lots of ways technology has changed my world. I enjoy doing calligraphy - have done classes with top rated calligraphers from Melbourne, but guess what! Not many jobs come our way now as the computers can all design and produce a certificate/invitation/thank you/card etc and make them look very professional. I also now love designing and using the computer for producing all forms of communication and now consider it a type of art form! One thing I learnt from the master is that the white areas of any piece of work are as important as the writing and pictures!
Where would we be without email! I find that some days, I am checking it at every opportunity, just to make sure I haven't missed anything! At least I can communicate at a time when most others are tucked up and snoring. I hate telephones, and acknowledge their usefulness, but email is so unreliant (is that a word?) on the person on the other end being available at the split second that you require to get a message to them!
Advances, advances, advances. New technology today is old hat tomorrow and I wonder how we will ever keep up with or even find the need to keep up with all that is available at any one time!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/8/6482893_90d2fc9dd2.jpg?v=0
In lots of ways technology has changed my world. I enjoy doing calligraphy - have done classes with top rated calligraphers from Melbourne, but guess what! Not many jobs come our way now as the computers can all design and produce a certificate/invitation/thank you/card etc and make them look very professional. I also now love designing and using the computer for producing all forms of communication and now consider it a type of art form! One thing I learnt from the master is that the white areas of any piece of work are as important as the writing and pictures!
Where would we be without email! I find that some days, I am checking it at every opportunity, just to make sure I haven't missed anything! At least I can communicate at a time when most others are tucked up and snoring. I hate telephones, and acknowledge their usefulness, but email is so unreliant (is that a word?) on the person on the other end being available at the split second that you require to get a message to them!
Advances, advances, advances. New technology today is old hat tomorrow and I wonder how we will ever keep up with or even find the need to keep up with all that is available at any one time!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/8/6482893_90d2fc9dd2.jpg?v=0
Trying - very trying!
Tried again - but I don't think my pink flower is ther - oh well - time for bed!
Flicr Color Pickr
I loved the Flickr Color Pickr! I picked a color that would match my website and chose this flower to insert! then again now that I come to edit this post - there is no flower! It seems technology has beaten me again. Ergh!
Also attached to that site was another one to make a kaleidoscope. My kaleidescope was my favourite toy when I was a little girl - many decades ago - and I really loved the effects that were shown here - just magic! What a way to waste some time!!!!!!!!
Try it yourself - http://www.krazydad.com/makeyourown/index.php
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Trigger
We have a very intelligent dog. Trigger is his name and he is a great help around the farm! I now have his photo after some trials and tribulations - he is now a cyberspace star!
Technology malfunction & Flickr
Grrrrrrrrrr................ Technology! I just had an award winning post all ready to publish and guess what - the computer froze! I hate these things at times - but mostly it's a love affair! Now i have to do it all again
I was so proud of all I had done and now of course I don't have the time to do it all as I had it before.
Time - my enemy - not enough of it. Make use of all of it - there's not a minute to spare.
Have been exploring Flickr all afternoon and have wasted a lot of time - thanks a lot!
I am going to publish this before it too disappears down the gurgler.
I was so proud of all I had done and now of course I don't have the time to do it all as I had it before.
Time - my enemy - not enough of it. Make use of all of it - there's not a minute to spare.
Have been exploring Flickr all afternoon and have wasted a lot of time - thanks a lot!
I am going to publish this before it too disappears down the gurgler.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Another Attempt
I can't believe the number of people who are publishing their thoughts on these Blogs! Who has the time to read it all!?
Interesting to note than when you click on one of your hobbies or interests, a list of other Bloggers appears who are interested in the same thing. I guess that saves a bit of time searching through all the sites to find ones of interest.
Not much on the telly tonight, but Go the Pies! I want to see an all Victorian Grand Final this year. I don't want any Mexicans crossing the borders! Now that Essendon is out of the running, I'm barracking for the Cats!
Interesting to note than when you click on one of your hobbies or interests, a list of other Bloggers appears who are interested in the same thing. I guess that saves a bit of time searching through all the sites to find ones of interest.
Not much on the telly tonight, but Go the Pies! I want to see an all Victorian Grand Final this year. I don't want any Mexicans crossing the borders! Now that Essendon is out of the running, I'm barracking for the Cats!
Monday, September 10, 2007
My Nearly First Ever Blog
I can tell you right now that I would never have started a blog site if it wasn't for the Learning 2.0 training! I am struggling to find time in the day to do all that I want to now, let alone writing about it on the net!
And I aslo need to say that you are never too old to learn and I look forward to the journey of finding out about what is available on the net.
I'm not sure how you are tracked in doing all the things required in the training as most of mine will be done from home, but it will be fun to find out.
My first ever blog got lost in cyberspace somewhere, so I hope this one gets posted!!!!!
And I aslo need to say that you are never too old to learn and I look forward to the journey of finding out about what is available on the net.
I'm not sure how you are tracked in doing all the things required in the training as most of mine will be done from home, but it will be fun to find out.
My first ever blog got lost in cyberspace somewhere, so I hope this one gets posted!!!!!
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