Thursday, September 13, 2007

Thing#23 Summarize your thoughts about this program

I am thrilled to have completed this program. There were times when I was not sure if I would finish, but my husband told me, he never, for one moment thought I would give up. He was right. Help given by other staff was a joy, and I was so pleased when I could help someone else.
On this learning journey, I enjoyed Library Thing so much, also adding my YouTube video. Blogging in general was a blast. I know that learning as much as you can as you grow, is excellent and we need to always have well defined goals. The thing that surprised me was that I became very interested, and just could not put this aside after I got some momentum. If another discovery program was offered I would most likely participate. I think it would be nice if we could choose the areas of the program that we would most like to do.
This experience was good for me. I needed the challenge, and it helped me gain confidence.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Thing #22 Learn about Audiobooks

I went looking in Project Gutenberg and found some old books, but good ones all the same. I liked The North Pole, by Robert E.Peary, and The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. It was good to see that they were still so popular.

Thing #21 Discover some useful tools for locating podcasts

I knew absolutely nothing about podcasts,so I took advantage of the opportunity to learn. I could not believe the volume of information out there. I enjoyed using Yahoo Podcasts. I found my self listening to Longtown Sound, southern and country rock, not that it is my favorite choice of music, but a little fun all the same. It was different. I can see myself checking out some more podcasts, since you can find just about anything.


When we were in Labadee, Haiti this past July, we discovered this fun thing to do. You start out 2400 ft above the beach, get strapped into a sling, and slide down a zip line at speeds around 50 mph to the beach below. Traveling down over the water, and breaking waves, can only be an incredible experience. We watched from the beach, but now that I have seen this video, I would like to give it a try, if and when we go again. This excursion in Labadee is called the Dragon's Breath Flight Line,the longest flight line in the world over water.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Thing #20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow you to upload video

Well now. This is such fun. Can you believe I never went to YouTube before? The first time, I spent 3 hrs. looking up a lot of things, like travel spots and music that I have loved in the past and currently. I even had my husband requesting different subjects. This could be a fun way to spend some time. I haven't decided what to post yet since I can't seem to make up my mind what to choose,but I will. In the travel destinations, I went to places I have experienced, but not some of the tourist activities there. I was able to look at some of those, and now know what I missed, such as the zip line trip, platform to platform through the rainforest in St. Lucia.

Thing #19 Discover any site from the Web 2.0 awards list

I explored several sites from the awards list. My favorite was in the travel category. Under travel I selected real travel.com, a travel guide. It did not disappoint. I looked into travel destinations that I have already experienced, like Caye Caulker, off Belize, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Aruba and St. Lucia. The information was accurate and brought back some pleasant memories. I thoroughly enjoyed the blogs and photos shared by other travelers. If you are planning a trip, check this out. There is abundant information here.

Thing #19 Discover any site from the Web 2.0 awards list

I explored several sites from the awards list. I chose my favorite category of travel. Under travel, I selected real travel.com, a travel guide. The amount of information I was able to gather was abundant. I searched some of the places I have already visited, like Caye Caulker off Belize, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Aruba, and St. Lucia. I found the information to be accurate. The blogs from fellow travelers and the photos were fun. It stirred some fond memories. You could find out just about everything you might need to know. You might like to check this out if you are planning a trip.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Thing #18 Take a look at some online productivity tools

Imagine all that is possible using Google Docs. Free is for me, and I can see a lot of potential for use. I was impressed with the features. The ability to create, share and store, and best of all, it's available to multiple users, who can all edit the same file. It's great not to have to use installed desktop apps. Zoho Writer, and Google Docs, you definitely have your place.

Thing #17 Add entry to Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki

I added an entry to the Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki. It was certainly easy enough. I put my entry under favorite dogs, which in my case, was the german shorthaired pointer.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Thing #16 Wikis

I found this absolutely fascinating. The idea that anyone can add, or edit the content in a wiki has some appeal. Being a person who likes to maintain control in things being correct, I would hope to submit what I knew to be true, and of value to others. I guess we would all have to be aware of getting our opinions in there, and slanting a view. That is the thing I would worry about the most, information not being accurate. I can see value in using a wiki for a conference. Much information could be dispersed and maintained to benefit all participating.
I liked the Princeton Public Library wiki.

Thing #15 Future of libraries

No one can deny that change is inevitable in this life. The library as we know it today is far different than the library of yesterday. I can remember as a young person walking into the town library, of two rooms in an old victorian house. I was thrilled to be there, able to choose my books, sometimes with the help of one librarian--the only person working there. Today it has all changed, and tomorrow it will continue, and at a rapid pace. We have to move ahead without losing the heart of the library, caring and serving. We have to have something for everyone, and we must meet their needs as they expect us to , and in the way that is best for each individual. Yes, we are bold, and we are brave, and we will get the job done, because we absolutely must. I am excited about the future. I expecially enjoyed the perspective, Away From Icebergs.

#14 Technorati

Dare I say it, I went into this with a closed mind. However, that changed quickly. I will explore some more when I have more time. I know blogging is easy, and the number of blogs out there is hardly to be believed, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I can see myself using this. I do not spend a lot of time on the computer, since social interaction for me is best spent in person. I am wanting to learn more , however. I explored and found some information about the so called, 7 wonders of the Caribbean and that took me to info on the Pitons in St. Lucia. I've cruised around them in a catamaran, and they are a sight of incredible beauty.

#13 Del.icio.us

I have to say I have learned more about tagging than I ever knew before, which was very little. I could not view the first listed tutorial, so I explored the alternate choice. This was all interesting, and somewhat confusing. I will have to go back and learn more when I have more time, since I am naturally very curious. I need more time to be still and learn in a quiet environment. I can see value here, but do not, at this point, know if it is something I will use.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Thing #12 Rollyo

Very interesting, using your own search tool. My subject was whale watching. There are numerous web sites that can provide much info on this subject. I might use this on occasion, but not as frequently as some other people would. This was not complicated. I explored some other rolls, and was interested in the rare book library search.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

#11 Library thing

This is so useful, and the most fun so far. I will use this again and again.


http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php

#10 Play around with an online image generator

Yahoo! Avatars U.K. & IrelandI enjoyed playing with images. It was easy . My girl walking on the beach was a reflection of one of my favorite things to do. There can never be too much beach time, or water sport activities to enjoy.