Right now, I bounce from computer to computer, like a little PC gypsy. So, del.icio.us is definitely handy for me. A few years back, when I was I was writing a lot of research papers and news articles, I would have to write down any sites I had bookmarked at home or at work and re-copy them into my favorite places on the other computer. This always bugged me. Problem solved!
I'm sure I'll use del.icio.us for many purposes. But, the first one that popped to my mind is the obvious... food! I think my family and I are going to have a blast sharing recipes with this tool. Mangiamo!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Publicity, Let's Rollyo!
By creating the Book Listings Search on Rollyo, I will be directed straight to the sites that give accurate titles and authors, as well as cover images and book descriptions. Now, without having to wade through regular Google searches, editing publicity will be much more efficient.
Dew It Yourshelf
LibraryThing is a dream come true for folks like me ... chronic book hoarders who have know idea how to properly organize their shelves. Alphabetizing works, but I like to have some sort of categorical organization. When I start that and there seems to be overlap, I throw the book into one of the several categories I'm thinking of, only to have trouble finding it later (is the collection of Abe Lincoln speeches in political science or history? I don't even think I have a collection of Lincoln speeches, but you get the picture). Now, with the aid of LibraryThing, I can type in the ISBNs, organize the way Dewey would and have my books straight in no time! Woo hoo! There's going to be one wild cataloging party at my place soon!
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/DewItYourshelf
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/DewItYourshelf
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
So Glad for Task 9
Topix turns up much more relevant news information about the Library than Feedster does. I deleted my Feedster subscription for the Library news search and replaced it with a Library news feed from Topix. Just as Library 2.0 points out, if you're looking for news feeds and don't want the other stuff to get in the way, Topix is the way to go.
RSS is A-OK
I never noticed that little RSS symbol on Web pages... until now! They practically yell out to me from nearly every page.
It's funny, because I took a short break from Library 2.0 to check my e-mail and a couple of my friends who have a blog about their new baby sent me a message telling me it's updated. So, I was clicking from page to page, photo to photo, when I realized the little orange RSS box on one of their pages. Of course, my friends were the first added to my Blogline! Knowing about this is going to make it so much easier for me to stay in touch with out-of-state friends and family who blog. One click and they're all there.
Also, I created a Feedster search for Web news about our Library, which is going to make finding any national stories about PLYMC way easier next time around. Last time, I was Googling left and right.
It's funny, because I took a short break from Library 2.0 to check my e-mail and a couple of my friends who have a blog about their new baby sent me a message telling me it's updated. So, I was clicking from page to page, photo to photo, when I realized the little orange RSS box on one of their pages. Of course, my friends were the first added to my Blogline! Knowing about this is going to make it so much easier for me to stay in touch with out-of-state friends and family who blog. One click and they're all there.
Also, I created a Feedster search for Web news about our Library, which is going to make finding any national stories about PLYMC way easier next time around. Last time, I was Googling left and right.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Techno Slide
No, it's not another way to show off your sleek moves on the bridal dance floor. It's what I've come to experience since graduating college.
Thanks to having a systems analyst for a father and a formal education that began in the mid-80s, I was introduced to computers at a young age. Home Internet, e-mail and instant-messaging started popping up during my high-school years and were staples throughout my college career. For coursework, we were required to communicate and learn with such tools, and we used them for keeping in touch with far-away friends and family, too. Then, there was Napster. The music downloading craze began.
This came along right when I first began distancing myself from computers; I was tired of relying on them so much. Dormmates would IM each other instead of walking a few feet across the hall to talk face to face. E-mail messages were misconstrued because tone could not be relayed. And, I spent hour upon hour in front of it for school, internships and work. I used it when I needed it and preferred socializing with real-life humans for entertainment. While I did learn the basics of music downloading, that was probably the last Internet technology with which I tried to become familiar. Thus, the Techno Slide (please see my definition below).
Techno Slide [těk'nō slīd] - n. A digression from the ever-expanding world of technology, whether by choice, circumstance or a combination of both, that results in no or little knowledge of the latest technological tools.
I'm thankful for Library 2.0 because it's an educational opportunity that has helped pull me out from the Techno Slide. What a move! Doo doo doodoo doo doo, doodoo doo doo doodoo doo doo. You've got to feel it. It's so TECHNIC! Shooby dooby dooby...
Thanks to having a systems analyst for a father and a formal education that began in the mid-80s, I was introduced to computers at a young age. Home Internet, e-mail and instant-messaging started popping up during my high-school years and were staples throughout my college career. For coursework, we were required to communicate and learn with such tools, and we used them for keeping in touch with far-away friends and family, too. Then, there was Napster. The music downloading craze began.
This came along right when I first began distancing myself from computers; I was tired of relying on them so much. Dormmates would IM each other instead of walking a few feet across the hall to talk face to face. E-mail messages were misconstrued because tone could not be relayed. And, I spent hour upon hour in front of it for school, internships and work. I used it when I needed it and preferred socializing with real-life humans for entertainment. While I did learn the basics of music downloading, that was probably the last Internet technology with which I tried to become familiar. Thus, the Techno Slide (please see my definition below).
Techno Slide [těk'nō slīd] - n. A digression from the ever-expanding world of technology, whether by choice, circumstance or a combination of both, that results in no or little knowledge of the latest technological tools.
I'm thankful for Library 2.0 because it's an educational opportunity that has helped pull me out from the Techno Slide. What a move! Doo doo doodoo doo doo, doodoo doo doo doodoo doo doo. You've got to feel it. It's so TECHNIC! Shooby dooby dooby...
Flickr
I am sure I have devoted way more time than I have to finish Library 2.0 by playing around with Flickr-related mashups. I've even checked out many nonFlickr mashups (one of my favorites is Writer by Flickr guru fd). I would really like to make a photo mosaic once I have a large pool of my own pics. There are many mosaic mashups: Montager, Mosaic Maker, mosaickr and zumyn. I'll probably use mosaickr because I'd like to make the mosaic's master photo one of my own; mosaickr has this capability and seems easy to use. INTERESTING FIND WHILE USING MONTAGER: While creating a mosaic with images tagged Frank Sinatra, one of the photos that came up was a mugshot of ol' blue eyes dated Nov. 27, 1938! OK, so that's not a complete surprise to me. BUT, upon clicking the photo, I found that a supposed mugshot of Bill Gates is attached to the top of the image. The date is Dec. 13, 1977. That does surprise me. The person who uploaded it says it's the real thing...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Village in Abruzzi Mountains
Mia famiglia viene da questa provincia di Italia. My great-great grandparents came from two towns in Abruzzi. I tried searching for a picture of those towns on flickr and couldn't find any, BUT this photo captures what I always imagined they'd look like. Accidente!
Access
When I had filled out my learning contract, I knew I'd encounter a challenge with Lifelong Learning Habit 5, "Create Your Own Learning Toolbox," during Library 2.0. Completing the 23 tasks has been hard to do without Internet access at home. But, it's not impossible. I came up with some solutions, like making it a point to stay after work some nights and going to my parents', who have been kind enough to let me use their computer for really long periods of time. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Time for a Laugh
OK, so those last two posts were way too serious. I think I just get into serious mode when I'm posting about Library 2.0 exercises. After writing those, I needed a break from brow-scrunching. So, I told myself a joke that my brother shared years ago:
What did the hot dog say when it crossed the finish line?
I'm a wiener!!!
What did the hot dog say when it crossed the finish line?
I'm a wiener!!!
Blog Set-Up
I'm surprised that I had a nice-looking blog in no time. I have a blog spot now, but always thought it would take more time than I'd like to make it pretty. This site makes blog set-up nice and easy; I'm a big fan of step-by-step instructions, as well as templates, though I'm excited about jazzing the background up a little. Still, posting is by far my favorite part at this point.
7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits
Of the 7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits, I find Habit 1, "Begin with the end in mind," to be the easiest for me because I seem to have the "big-picture" mentality. I don't know if the idea of living according to the result is something I was born with or if it's a value I learned from my parents or a combination of both. I do know that even at a young age I remember thinking, "If I do that, this will be the result." I also remember sitting down as a child to hear my grandpa's stories about war and life and music, knowing that along with being interesting, they were helpful. I could learn from his mistakes. The big picture. What a vantage!
You'd think I'd have Habit 3, "View problems as challenges," down if Habit 1 is the easiest for me. After all, if I've got the big picture in mind, I should know problems aren't going to be around forever. Well, I didn't perfect Habit 1; I just said it's the easiest. Sometimes I allow problems to skew the view I started out with: "I can't see the end now!" When that happens, I don't always see problems as learning opportunities until later and I am stopped dead in my tracks. Paralyzed. This is especially so when I am rigidly stuck to a plan to get me from point A to point B. Plans change and I must remember this from the outset.
You'd think I'd have Habit 3, "View problems as challenges," down if Habit 1 is the easiest for me. After all, if I've got the big picture in mind, I should know problems aren't going to be around forever. Well, I didn't perfect Habit 1; I just said it's the easiest. Sometimes I allow problems to skew the view I started out with: "I can't see the end now!" When that happens, I don't always see problems as learning opportunities until later and I am stopped dead in my tracks. Paralyzed. This is especially so when I am rigidly stuck to a plan to get me from point A to point B. Plans change and I must remember this from the outset.
Bucky
I really wanted my first post to be this powerfully true quote I heard awhile back. The quote, its creator and where it was said or written. Nothing more. Oh, it would have been beautiful! Its sentiment even ties into this whole self-learning idea that Library 2.0 is about. But, that's not what you're getting today. Sort of.
Let me explain. I learned a lot throughout college. (I know, I know... "that's the point," you say.) But my greatest lesson was that I learned more about learning than I learned about the subjects I studied. After that hit me, I came across a quote that summed up my revelation wonderfully and decided that it would go under my senior photo in the college yearbook. So, I think I Googled some Internet quote Web sites to find the quote's attributer (cringing librarians, please remember: I was young and ignorant). Then, I submitted it for publication:
"The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know."
-R. Buckminster Fuller
But, don't quote him on that! Today, I'm not sure if Fuller should be credited for that exact sentence, if he should be given credit for a line that conveys the same notion or if the quote belongs to someone else altogether. My doubt came after a more recent Google search where hits produced various similar, but slightly different quotes by Fuller (cringing librarians, please remember: according to the above quote, I am now older and even more ignorant. Though, you may be pleased to know that my purpose in this last Internet search was to find a site that listed the quote, creator and source so I could get my hands on the last and check the quote's accuracy myself).
In my quest for the quote, the idea behind it proved itself. For instance, as I was trying to learn more about the quote, I learned its wording is possibly wrong. I learned that I need some nonGoogle help to pin down the right quote, attribution and source (any takers?). I learned I knew nothing about Fuller, but am now intrigued and would like to read his works. (The man was an inventor, engineer, poet and philosopher, to name a few. What a fascinating combination! Fun fact: Those very scientific molecules with the not-so-scientific name, buckyballs, are called such because they resemble the geodesic dome building that Fuller made famous. Buckyballs. That word just makes me laugh. It did in science class and it still does now).
Cheers, Bucky! And, thank God for learning!
Let me explain. I learned a lot throughout college. (I know, I know... "that's the point," you say.) But my greatest lesson was that I learned more about learning than I learned about the subjects I studied. After that hit me, I came across a quote that summed up my revelation wonderfully and decided that it would go under my senior photo in the college yearbook. So, I think I Googled some Internet quote Web sites to find the quote's attributer (cringing librarians, please remember: I was young and ignorant). Then, I submitted it for publication:
"The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know."
-R. Buckminster Fuller
But, don't quote him on that! Today, I'm not sure if Fuller should be credited for that exact sentence, if he should be given credit for a line that conveys the same notion or if the quote belongs to someone else altogether. My doubt came after a more recent Google search where hits produced various similar, but slightly different quotes by Fuller (cringing librarians, please remember: according to the above quote, I am now older and even more ignorant. Though, you may be pleased to know that my purpose in this last Internet search was to find a site that listed the quote, creator and source so I could get my hands on the last and check the quote's accuracy myself).
In my quest for the quote, the idea behind it proved itself. For instance, as I was trying to learn more about the quote, I learned its wording is possibly wrong. I learned that I need some nonGoogle help to pin down the right quote, attribution and source (any takers?). I learned I knew nothing about Fuller, but am now intrigued and would like to read his works. (The man was an inventor, engineer, poet and philosopher, to name a few. What a fascinating combination! Fun fact: Those very scientific molecules with the not-so-scientific name, buckyballs, are called such because they resemble the geodesic dome building that Fuller made famous. Buckyballs. That word just makes me laugh. It did in science class and it still does now).
Cheers, Bucky! And, thank God for learning!
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