Monday, November 26, 2007

Thing #17

Sand box: I've added a piece to the HCL 23 Things wiki and to the Maryland sandbox. And here endeth 23 Things for this year. It has been an experience. See the previous entry for my parting words.


http://marylandlibrariessandbox.pbwiki.com/Mountains%2C%20mountains%2C%20and%20more%20mountains

Thing #23 -- or That's All Folks

Actually it's not quite all. i have one more question to finish when I get to work and can find out about sandboxes.
Another substitute librarian chided me for doing this program without getting paid for it. And I do understand her viewpoint, but I know how much I don't know about this Brave New World.

It was worth doing this on my own because I really needed to stretch and to learn a bunch of this stuff. I'm not sure what tools I will really continue using, but at least I won't look completely dumb when the customers start challenging us with this new material.

I agree with several other folks who believe that we could have used some group help. The assumptions that many of these sites make are mind-boggling to us folks who do not have the lingo or the experience. Although this is a self-learning experience, it is the wise person who can admit she doesn't know something and look for help. "Help" is not helpful on these web sites.

Many thanks to Jaye who helped me get into Flkr and import one photo. I did much better when she said I could use my own Kodak Gallery as well. Big thanks to Sarah at Glenwood, she kept me from quitting the whole project by helping me get my online image.

May I never stop learning, but I think I will take a break before I launch into another monster project like this. I look forward to going back to several sites and spending time in them. And I look forward to being around for Web 3, whatever it evolves into.

Thing #22

Don't throw me in the briar patch!

I have been aware of the Gutenberg project and others for a long time, but until "forced" to go exploring I have left it at that. It sounds like a fairy tale come true for a bibliophile.

It was interesting to scan the lists of books in the public domain; as a some-time writer, an editor, and librarian all in one, I have more than a passing interest in public domain and copyright issues.

At 6 am today, I also discovered that I can volunteer to do proofreading for the project.

Don't throw me in the briar patch! or Anywhere but Nineva.

I need to do some more exploring at the library to check out the other sources.

Thing #21

Now I have some sense of what the NPR stations mean when they offer podcasts of shows.

The search tools for podcasts are very much like all the other search tools. As I learn to use my MP3 player, I will be taking advantage of them. i also know that I can look for materials other than my trusty books.

Although I will be probably be very specific in my searches and use of podcasts, I see this as a much more useful tool for my life interests. Diane Reims here I come.

Thing #20

YouTube--another site that I feared. I have seen lots of comments about the garbage that makes it onto YouTube, and I always figured that since I have no desire to get into video stuff myself, I really didn't need to go there.

Once again 23 Things plunged me into the depths and I swam [for the most part]; I now admit that there is good stuff on YouTube, it is not just a vanity tool for everyone who thinks themselves videographers.

I looked at some real junk and some real art and lots of in-betweens. I have added a couple to my favorites list and need to include a couple more.

Will I become a real fan of YouTube? I doubt it, but at least I won't avoid it. I will probably still wait for recommendations from friends and family. I will not be spending hours surfing the system [again, I consider my life too short to spend poring over videos]

Thing #13

I have pussy-footed around del.icio.us almost from the beginning, and finally got registered and started using it. I know how it works, it remains up to me to actually learn to use it well and efficiently.

This is another example of how wandering around the 23 Things over the past several months has helped me overcome my fears of using Web 2 tools and allowed me to persist with the pieces that puzzle me and make no sense. The various links at the 23 Things sites have been most helpful.

The end is almost in sight [almost spelled it site, who me saturated?]

Thing #14

I claimed Cripple Creek Traveler with Technorati in the early days of the project; however, I did not explore its benefits. In the finish-up mode, with a lot more experience in the 23 Things, I am beginning to see the benefits. I now have two blogs listed to follow, and will be adding more in the days and weeks to come.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thing #12

I have created my search roll, but I'm still not sure what it is to provide or how to use it. Nothing has convinced me that this is something I need, but I plan to continue asking fellow 23 Things folks and reading the HoCo blogs.

Thing #8

RSS and blogline. Having read several articles about RSS, I have only a slim idea about them. My sense is that this is one of the tools for "consuming" information. I am not so wedded to the Internet that I have to be in constant contact with information. I have registered with Bloglines and Google, but I have yet to figure out just how to set up my own feed.

Twenty-two years ago or so, Madeleine L'Engle wrote of her distaste for the words "consumer" and "consumerism". I seek information for the joy of learning and for good tools for living; I do not feel a need for a steady feed of news and information. I do not watch television for my news and I do not listen to NPR nonstop. At my age, I am quite selective and like being able to choose carefully and deliberately.

I am already under the curse of "too many books, too little time". I am not sure I want to get into "too much information, too little time".

Thing #19

Although Week 5 was listed as Fun Week, Week 8, no. 19 was the most fun for me. Years ago a friend of mine said that she was glad we couldn't take dictionaries into exams because she would go to look up a word and get lost reading the whole page.

I got started on the Web2 awards list and got lost in the variety of categories. It was great fun and enlightening. It made me aware of the number of options available as part of Web2: Here is my partially annotated list.


http://blog.meebo.com/about

Huge instant messaging system

http://www.43things.com/

No. 1—Lists and polls. Great fun for someone who loves lists and unusual topics, i.e., me.

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/

No. 1—Events: the link went directly to Baltimore events. Multiple options, calendar, category, etc.

http://grant.robinson.name/projects/guess-the-google/

No. 3—Games: I’m not a gamer, but Google was the lure. This looks like a fun game of creating montages and guessing key words.

http://www.wayfaring.com/

No. 2—Mapping: a subscription map service

http://www.care2.com/

No. 1—Philanthropy: Discover, Share, Take Action: a mix of philanthropic causes. The home page is cluttered and daunting.

Thing #16

The links at http://marylandlibrarieslearning2.blogspot.com are extremely helpful for understanding wikis, and as I read on Web 2, it is clear that wikis are a tool that Web 2 libraries are using in their social networks.

Wikis can be used to annotate the catalog, create social groups that the library wants to serve.

http://meredith.wolfwater.com/cil06/#10
This link from Mdlibraries is well done and has links that could be followed for days, but almost all of them stripped away some level of mystery for me about wikis. Slide 5 showed a format similar to the HoCo page, but with a number of wikis to draw the customer into the library's services. Meredith Farkas' presentation is filled with a variety of practical library uses for Web 2 and wikis.

http://enquiring-minds.net/2007/11/19/balance-in-everything-wikipedia-v-the-librarian/
This article about Librarians and Wikis points out the need to get into Web 2 and its tools.


Saturday, November 24, 2007

Thing #9

Time to finish up 23 Things and make some serious posts.

Merlin and library-related blogs: http://www.merlin.lib.md.us/

http://librarianlikeme.wordpress.com/2007/10/
This blog offers wonderful explanations of some of the new Web 2 features.
I appreciate the discussion of taxonomies from Oct. 30. Also Jami presents a compelling argument for the Web 2 presence for reference services.
Also points out the variety of services the public library can offer "everywhere".

http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=18590
Another description of Reference Services in the Digital Age, Oct. 29, 2007

These various sites have helped me realize what the REAL POINT of 23 Things is.

http://www.oclc.org/community/topics/virtualreference/default.htm
This is the OCLC list of virtual reference topics and trends.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Back in the Saddle

Back at work and into finishing 23 Things.

While looking into Technorati, I discovered that Web 2 is moving into Web 3.
http://sramanamitra.com/2007/02/14/web-30-4c-p-vs/

This site has some very helpful information about Web 1, which was motivated by commerce, eBay, Netflix, Amazon, etc.

This author describes the makeup of Web 2 as being a vertical structure. The only example given is a site called SideStep, which explores more than 200 websites for travel information. [a new one for my travel explorations]. I am guessing that in this context "vertical" means a very straight search process with a focused purpose.

If I understand correctly, Web 3 will be able to pursue many levels of
"context". The author gives an example of creating a personal profile that takes advantage of "content", "commerce", and "context".

With any kind of luck, I will learn enough thru the 23 Things to be ready to tackle Web 3.


Saturday, November 10, 2007

On the Mend

This is just to let folks know that I am on the mend. I have not been to the library e-mail since Oct. 16, so if any of you have posted good wishes et cetera I apologize for not answering.

I've started PT and I am planning on resuming my sub duties the week of the 19th, in time to let the Thanksgiving folks get away.

See you all soon.
Beth

Friday, October 19, 2007

Dick and Beth, Seneca Rocks, WV


Dick and Beth
Seneca Rocks, WV

I am still trying to figure out all of bells and whistles and actually master them. This a practice run of inserting photos.

It's always nice to show off our photos.

Enjoy the view.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Dang

Once again I have been stymied by the process.

The previous post "In Memory of my Dad" was to have a photo in it. There is a spot on the draft marked "photo", but no photo. I tried to edit the post to no avail. It appeared to only allow you to edit tags.

I am going to try once more to post the picture.

In memory of Dad -- Hugh Ashby

In Memory of Dad

Hugh Ashby

Nov. 2, 1921 — July 10, 2007

October 14, 2007, was the 15th Race for the Cure in Maryland. We learned of it in 1994, the second year, and since then my husband, Dick, and various other family and friends have participated.

Yesterday we celebrated my 15th year out and I created t-shirts for family. It was a tough race to walk this year, because Dad's death from BC hangs so heavy. But watching the participants of all ages and sizes, with stories of all kinds to tell, gives me and so many others hope.

My personal thanks to the thousands of people who participated yesterday in all capacities from directing traffic, handing out roses, signing up teams, collecting money, and just being there. All of you bring research closer to taking care of this cancer.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

High Flying Traveler


Thanks to Sarah Russo, one of those wonderful younger generation folk who can do this in her sleep and doesn't mind sharing. I had a great time playing with Meez, and I think I have conquered fear of that "Thing" [What number is it?]

Week 8

I am writing this from Zoho. I have looked at several features and since I have Word and Xcel on my home computer, it seems like Zoho is meant for remote access.

I was playing with the Poll feature in Zoho and when I went to transfer it to my Blog site, Blogger offered me a poll option.

So check out this date in history.

I looked through all 50 templates and they are for things i never would have thought of, photo IDs, proposals, medical reports. I think the only one I would use for now, is the recipe card.

More to come

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

From Rex to Rip

Until today I thought I was just a dinosaur rambling around in a way-new world. However, today I was listening to the Koko Nambe show on WAMU. This was Computer Tuesday, which I always enjoy.

Today I went from Tyrannosaurus Rex to Rip Van Winkle in about 3 nano seconds. The discussion was on "Virtual Reality" and I quickly slipped from what I consider "Reality" into la-la land.

I could not figure out why the Chinese are paying people 30 cents/hr 12 hr/day to buy raw materials on a virtual game. Isn't this like Monopoly where you buy hotels and collect rents to get a colorful pool of paper money at the end of the game.

The only thing I understood on the entire program was the mention of Web 2 [23 Things is good for something !!].

Are there any sanctuaries where we Rip/Rexes of the world can detox and learn just a little about this brave new world [do I mean real or virtual?]

Jaye, you may find me camped in your office regularly.

Confused as I may be, I am still enjoying this experience and learning, even when I'm in way over my head. Thanks to all of you who introduced the 23 to HCL.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Smile, My Pics

Today is a major accomplishment day.

Flickr and I were not getting along well at all. I was having difficulty getting other people's photos and I really did not want to put my photos on Flickr. At Jaye's suggestion, I went to my Kodak galleries and checked out the options from Kodak. The only thing I have done so far is to create a link to my butterfly collection. But I am comfortable playing with my own site and photos.

The Flickr mashups completely eluded me. The documentation was very difficult to understand. I could read the words, but the usage was completely foreign. I'll keep looking.

flicktoryl

Successfully uploaded Flickr foto. [she says confidently]

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

"my puter" -- where

By the time I got the photo into the blog, it came out as a post. It was supposed to be in my profile. That will be my next project.

While I'm here, let me explain the photo. My other job is freelance copy editor. I love it for lots of reasons, but portability is a huge plus. My husband caught me hard at work in Southeastern Ohio. Next week will find me in NC.


Friday, August 31, 2007

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Week 1: 1

Needless to say, this actually Week 2:3. Blog is set up and if I did it right I've chosen all the settings for headings etc. Now I need to find my way around various elements, such as setting up profile, etc.

RE: 7 1/2
Perhaps it is because I am approaching a birthday ending in 0 in about a week, I felt like the presentation was talking down to me. It also left no space for various learning and goal-setting styles.

The hardest piece for me is feeling self-confident about taking on a challenge. I entered this program because it is something I really want to do. But boy did I take my time getting my feet wet; I went one toe at a time. It helped a lot to read all the blogs of the folks who are ahead.

I am looking forward to learning to use technology to my advantage. Hours and hours of trial and error with certain programs are driving me crazy.