Thing # 23 My Thoughts on 23 Things

Thank the dear Lord that I am finally finished....YEAH!!!!I have to admit that I did learn a lot of cool things like Image Generator and Flickr. I was amazed at what people put on the internet for all to see. YouTube was an eye opener... Some of the videos were good while others were trash! My 13 yr. old daughter is begging me to allow her on this website....NOT A CHANCE!! Not until she is older!!!

My two major stumbling blocks were time and my computer at work... I did most of the 23 things on my computer at home because my work computer is from the dark ages..... I realize that I could have used a computer in the pac but they were usually filled with customers (my computer doesn't even have a place to use headphones). The time issue..I am part time and most of my time is filled with desk time and story time. Planning 12 story times takes a lot of work and time. I did do some 23 things on the desk but I had to stop continuously because I needed to help the customers. So I mostly did it at home.

I am sort of glad that I did 23 Things because I did learn a lot.... I also taught my daughters some of the things that I learned. If I had more time at work and a better computer, I would have enjoyed it more. Would I do this again? If it was mandatory..yes, if not it depends on my work load and my computer..(I am suppose to get a new one very soon)... Even with all my obstacles, I did finish...... Yeah me!!!

I probably will go back to some sites and go into more detail.... but I feel that even with some frustration I did learn what is out there on the internet.

Thing # 22 Learn about Audiobooks

Downloading books takes up a lot of room on your MP3 player... even though when you are finish you can delete it....but you also need enough room and if you have a lot of songs on your player, you may not have enough room to download a book.... I searched netlibrary and gutenberg but did not find any books to down load that interest me. I could not go into overdrive because my computer at work did not have the appropriate flash... (nothing new here....my computer is from the dark ages). So I will try overdrive at home and see what I come up with. I also realize that I could download a book to my computer but when I sit at my computer I am usually doing something that needs my attention and I would not be concentrating on the book.

Thing # 21 Tools for Locating Podcasts

After looking at many podcasts I finally went to the Merlin site and found the Denver Public Library Podcast. There were several podcasts of children's books. Great idea... A child can get the book out of the library and follow along with the podcast... like have a book on tape....It also gave a brief summary of the book before the podcast so you could see if you want to listen/read the book... I do not think I will attempt to make a podcast.... Both my daughters have made one on garageband on our appple computer...I am not as brave.....

Thing # 20 Your Tube

I am glad that I viewed You Tube. I could not believe some of the videos on this site.. All I can say is that my 13 yr old will not be viewing this site for quite some time. I thought that a lot of the videos were garbage. I just can not believe that so many people view the "garbage" videos... I really can not see using this for application at the library....unless I did not choose the right categories..... I like this particular video... My whole family loves High School Musical......

Thing # 19 Site from the Web 2.0 Awards LIst

Wow... who knew there was so many sites...... I like Peertrainer.. I am going to explore that more..maybe it will help me lose weight.... (Please...).. I also went to Utube... My daughter has been begging for me to let her go on it....NO!!!!!! Not without me looking over her shoulder... Craigslist was interesting.... you can do a lot on that site..... Pandora was interesting.... I have to show my daughter that site.. She loves music and it makes a "radio station" with songs from your favorite singer.... I only looked at these few but I plan on looking at several other sites when I have more time....I am not sure that I would use any of these sites in my work setting....I must think about that....

Thing # 18 Online Productivity Tools

I like these applications because now I can write a document and save it to the web and work on it at home if I need to finish or make corrections.... (since I have different software at home). Also it seems to be quite easy to use...I had no trouble at all... I LIKE that!!!

Thing # 17 SandBox wiki

After many attempts I finally added my blog to the HCL list of blogs.... I was getting very frustrated but it finally worked... I also added a page where I listed some of my favorite books...It is nice to see that all the other Maryland Libraries are doing the 23 Things...... I wonder if they started before us because it seems that most of the other counties have more blogs on the favorite blog list... Now it is time to move on to Thing # 18.... The end is near......

Thing # 16 - Wiki

Wow... The Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day wiki is great..... It is such a great resourse!!! I wish I knew about this wiki before I started 23 things...... Now I understand things about topics that I was a little fuzzy on.... I also like the book reviews on the book lovers wiki.....however this is quite limited compared to amazon reviews... The only thing that worries me is that people can change or edit your information..(what happens if their info is wrong?) I guess you have to make sure that it is protected from "Hackers"...... All in all I thing this is a great way of gathering information.... I use wikipedia all the time.

Having Fun with Mashups

My creation
Originally uploaded by d.kempner

Thing # 15 Web 2.0; Library 2.0

Well, I understand that the library system has to change with the times and I have found that this new technology that I am learning interesting and fun but I still like to read books!!! Whether nonfiction or fiction, there is nothing like curling up with a good book.... My children have had a great time learning this technology... they have gone far more advanced than me.... I really like learning what technology is out there.... but I still value books (old fashion way)!

Thing # 14 Technorati

Boy... People will write anything about anything..... I found that Leaning 2.0 had about 25,588 blogs.... I did have some problems getting into some blogs/tags...It kept saying "Forbidden, you don't have access...However I did look at some blogs....very interesting...... where do people get their information????I do not think I will "claim" my blog on Technorati (even though I did sign-up for an account). I rather keep my opinions to myself...unless asked..

Thing # 13 Del.icio.us

This is a great site if you do not have a personal computer... you can bring along your bookmarks anywhere...It could work for me since my kids and I switch off on computers and it seems that they always use the computer with my bookmarks......however I am not sure if I would feel comfortable knowing that the whole world could see my bookmarks.....it seems like an invasion of privacy....

Thing 12 - Rollyo

Since I love shopping, I loved looking at Debra Messing's rollyo.... I made my own search tool of my favorite shopping places at rollyo.com/kempnerd.... I still have to add a few more.... I am also going to make a search tool for health which will include my favorite recipe sites....I can not wait to explore some more...

I also helped my kids to set up their own blog and they are have lots of fun with it.....They love it!

Thing 11 - Library Thing

Wow... This is great... I have so many books and now I can easily catalogue them.... Love it...

Thing # 10 Image Generator

Thing # 9 MERLIN

Well, I now have another account....It was interesting to see what other Maryland Libraries are doing... I am not sure if I will frequently use Merlin.....so on the thing # 10.

Thing # 8 RSS Feeds

I set up my bloglines account and I have about 7 RSS feeds to look at.... Great way of obtaining interesting info..... Really fast... I am creating so many new accounts that I hope I remember all my usernames and passwords...I really enjoy playing around on the computer......

Thing # 7 Technology Related Interest

Today I took pictures with a digital camera......It was so easy.... I do not know why I resisted for so long.... However I still like my 35mm camera.....

Thing # 5 Flickr

As you can see from an earlier entry, I love German Shepherds. I have one named Max. There are so many great pictures on Flickr of German Shepherds and other dogs..... I am going to try and put pictures of Max in this website.... I will probably need help....thankfully, my husband and kids are computer people.....We have so many digital photos that this tool will be a great way to organize and make different things using these photos..... like gifts for the grandparents....

Thing 2 - Habits of Lifelong Learners

These habits are very interesting..... I like # 7 1/2 - Play the best.... I have confidence in myself as a good learner however I learn better in a classroom setting..... I really do not like learning things on my own... Patience is not one of my strongest virtues ( ask my husband and kids..) .

Thing # 6 IMGO22

img022
Originally uploaded by louiesbath

I love this picture... I love dogs especially German Shepherds. I have one named Max... He is a sweetie.... I am having fun looking at all these pictures.... Looking at the definition of a mashup, I understand what it is but I am not quite sure how to make on... I am getting a little frustrated so I am moving on to the next thing.....

New at Blogging

This is my first time Blogging and I am not sure what to do....I finally figured out how to post..
I just finished watching life long learners with the 7 1/2 habits. The only obstacle I see is finding the time to do the program because I am either doing a story time or on the info desk.... Hopefully I can get at least an hour/week to do this program.