week 9, thing 23

The End? Whew! I almost didn't finish in time, lol.

My favorite exercises were google docs because i think it's really useful, the flickr ones even though i still use photobucket most of the time, and podcasts because i'd been wondering about them. Now i just need to remember to use these great new tools. I wasn't a big fan of rollyo, delicious, or technorati but still the exercises were informative.

I would have liked to see an excerise about social networking sites because they're a great way to connect w/ other library workers & authors & stuff.

Another web 2.0 tool i've found very useful is http://www.stumbleupon.com/ because you can add your favorites & it recommends other sites & it's easy to use.

Thanks for for opportunity, I learned lots.

week 9, thing 22

I'd never used any of those programs before, so I first tried Library DV, then Overdrive because i couldn't find anything i wanted to watch, then i went back to Library DV because i had trouble dl'ing the Overdrive console thingy. I just picked whatever film and downloaded it with no problems. The software was already loaded on this computer and it was easy to view & checkout the available programs.

I think these are great programs are good to offer because they're more flexible than just books & dvds. I don't know the price of these services or anything but i'd guess it's more economical than buying each item IRL. Also they take less staff time to process & can be checked out an infinite number of times since they don't wear out.

With a little more exploring i think i'd be able to help patrons, at least with the basics of searching & downloading as long as i revisit it every once in a while for refreshers.

week 9, thing 21

As i looked around PodcastDirectory.com i found Lincoln City Libraries' Casting About book review podcasts. I listened to http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/Podcasts/castingabout13.mp3 because i like one of the series they were talking about. Their reviews were rather convincing so i think i'll have to check out the other, lol.

I think OPL could do a similar book review podcast. Or perhaps OPL could do something about programs and upcoming events and stuff, sort of like a newsletter. Or maybe podcasts of storytimes. Ooh, or podcasts showing how to use the electronic databases.

week 9, thing 20

I've used youtube a lot. I've found loads of music videos there that i'd have otherwise never gotten to see. It's also a great place to find funny kitty videos, lol. I liked that it recommends related videos & that you can post comments & add favorites to your account. I also like how easy it is to cross-post videos & share them. I didn't like... i didn't notice anything i didn't really like about it.

the video i chose to post here is from Little Britain, one of my favorite shows, because it's... library related.


I've posted a couple SRC videos there for the library (HERE and HERE) because they were too big for myspace videos, so that's a way the library is already harnessing the power of youtube.

week 8, thing 19

I explored a tool called "Voki" to create a talking avatar. I liked that i could customize the way the avatar looked even down to her eye color. I also liked that i could make her say anything i want and that there was a variety of voices to choose from. The down side was that she weirdly pronounced some words.

I think this tool could be useful for the myspace page (dunno if'd work on facebook) for a welcome message if it speaks automatically. Of course, the bad thing about automatic sound is that it's annoying for repeat visitors. Perhaps it would be useful on the webpage as an assistance for those who can't read very well.

week 8, thing 18

i went with google docs because i already have a google account.

1. first off i uploaded a document i'd already made from my computer, then saved it. very nice :D


2. then i messed around and made a document where i learned how easy it is to add comments & photos & links.


3. then i took what i'm typing out of blogger and pasted it into google docs to try blogging it... and it did!


4. then i looked at it's html and messed around with it a bit more

I like this app a lot... i mean A LOT. I can see my self using it at work, like when i'm writing blogs for the myspace (because myspace's blog editor is ooky and frustrating!) and also for personal use, like when i'm working on my website.

week 7, thing 17

wow, signing up was easy. i spent several minutes looking around the PLCMC Learning 2.0 wiki site trying to find a long sign up form. i added my blog to the bottom of the list. it was almost too easy. i also added favorites to a couple of lists & just for fun made them a color.

...is that it?

week 7, thing 16

i love wikipedia (and wikihow!) but i wasn't familiar with these other uses of wikis.

I liked Princeton's bookreview wiki because it was reviews from real people and not professional critics. the idea seemed akin to the kids' book reviews posted during SRC. I think if OPL put something like that for adults on the webpage people would actually use it.

Also, i thought something like SJCPL Subject Guides would be really helpful for the patrons of OPL. i liked that it had links, librarian recommendations, book covers, magazines, tips, and more. i'd actually use something like this!

i looked at some of the other recommended wikis too, but they didn't grab me like those two.

week 6, thing 15

i read the wiki article first then the LJ article & the OCLC Next Space Newsletter article. To me library 2.0 is a way to reach out to all those people who don't come to the library very often and so don't realize what we have to offer. It also means that those who think that libraries are musty relics that will soon die out or something can see that it's not the case. I also see it as a good way for patrons to give the library feedback & for us to perhaps network with other libraries.

week 6, thing 14

Technorati... what do i think about it...

i searched for my favorite author & my favorite band using the toolbar at the top of the page & both times it gave me no results until i broadened it to include "any authority". i looked around but i didn't find any other places to search.

i looked at some of the popular blogs & tags. after looking at the top 5 blogs i wasn't expecting much, but i found one blog (mashable.com) that i think will be helpful when working on OPL's myspace & facebook pages so i bookmarked it.

i think i'd use this site more if i had time to read blogs more often.

ps i found the site slooooooooow.