Stax

Stax
Originally uploaded by library_patron

Thoughts - Challenge # 23

Not really much of a challenge at this point.

Just supposed to summarize my thoughts.

At this point I've done all the real challenges, but haven't actually registered for the program (challenges 1 & 3, neither of which are particularly challenging).

Many of these items I've used before:

Blogs

Youtube

Social Bookmarking

Google Maps

Google RSS Reader

Flickr

del.icio.us

Wikis

Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Podcasts with iTunes

Some that I had heard of but never really used before include:

LibraryThing

Technorati

Online Image Generators

Some I had never heard of before:

Twitter

Rollyo

Honestly, the ones I've used before I will probably continue to use, however sparsely, but the ones I hadn't used much before...well, I probably won't revisit them much.

However, It's always nice to have some exposure to something new.

Teach Someone - Challenge # 22

I showed someone how to use the dumpr site.

It's relatively easy.

Just select the format you want (choices include - photo in museum, sphere, old timey, puzzle, and drawing).

Browse your computer for the image you want to play with.

Hit the "continue" button.

The result shows up.

If you really want to do something with it, you can embed the photo somewhere else.

Like this:

Still fooling with Dumpr

Best viewed reflected

Web 2.0 - Challenge # 15

There seem to be a lot of definitions of Web 2.o out there.

There's even talk of a Web 3.0.

Wikipedia's definition: a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which facilitate collaboration and sharing between users.

From Wordspy: A second phase in the evolution of the World Wide Web where developers use new technologies to create websites that look and act like desktop programs and encourage collaboration and communication between users.

Basically, Web 2.0 is pulling together many of the elements that we're encountering in our Challenges here. Some of these elements were present in Myspace. That's where I first blogged and found music videos, among other things. It also allowed me to reconnect with people I hadn't heard from since the '80s.

I read some of the "Library 2.o and 'Library 2.0'" article from Cites and Insights, but found it to be a bit of a mess, doing more to confuse on the topic of Library 2.0 than illuminate.

Podcasts - CHALLENGE # 21

I've been an iPod owner for years, and started using iTunes before that, so my familiarity with Podcasts goes back at least a couple of years.

I've never really been into them though. Similar to the way I've never been into talk radio.

I experimented a couple of years ago with some podcast subscription sites. I just wanted to see what the big deal was, I guess. Then iTunes updated and started carrying a lot of podcast options. I looked at that a little bit as well.

Nevertheless, for purposes of this challenge, I checked out Yahoo! podcasts.

More talkshow options here. A lot of the same stuff I can get through iTunes.

I'll probably continue to keep my ipod podcast-free.

However, some of these would probably interest library users. If it weren't for a lot of racy content, a link to pages like this from Library home pages might even be a good idea.

Maps - CHALLENGE # 19

I created a map of the neighborhood I'll soon be moving into here.

Wikis - Challenge # 16

I've become something of a Wikipedia junkie, even though I know it can be somewhat less than reputable. I've gotten into the habit of searching for music and movie information on Wikipedia first.

And I take some strange satisfaction in seeing Wikipedia over the shoulders of people all day long at the library.

Even the people at infopeople are using links to wikipedia.

Adding to a Wiki - Challenge # 17

I visited the 23 Things Challenge Wiki and added my definition of Social Bookmarking.

Web Docs and Spreadsheets - Challenge # 18

Another challenge item I've encountered previously, Google Docs and Spreadsheets.

Not exactly a substitute for Microsoft Office, but a suitable option when options are needed.

More from Dumpr

Technorati - CHALLENGE # 14

Currently exploring Technorati and learning how tags work with blog posts.

I did a search for "Chameleons UK" and my blog was the first one on the results list. Apparently I "have no authority" yet.

I saved a couple of "favorites", but not much else to do here.

Rolling My Own Search Engine - Challenge # 12

Spent a little time on Rollyo.

I'll probably be sticking to some familiar old sources though.

Library Thing - Challenge # 11

I started a "Library Thing" cataloged a few books.

Easter Egg

Old Timey Pic

Old Timey Pic
Originally uploaded by library_patron

Circles

Circles
Originally uploaded by library_patron

The circle option.

Reflected?

Best viewed reflected

Another from dumpr

Stax - CHALLENGE # 10

Stax
Originally uploaded by library_patron

Challenge #10 complete.

This was generated using dumpr.

I may do more of these.

Library's Using Web 2.0 - Challenge # 6

I checked some Library Sites using Web 2.0:

Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenberg County

Ann Arbor District Library

Denver Public Library Podcasts

Seattle Public Library

Some nice ideas here, but these sites come across as a bit "busy."

My Library, OCPL, is currently using blogs and wikis to promote events. I wouldn't want to see our home page get as crowded as the sites above.

Yet Another Experiment With Flickr - Challenge #5

Another Link to follow.

This takes care of # 5.

Another Experiment With Flickr

Follow this link.

Emerging Technologies

Some "emerging technologies" I was exposed to yesterday:

Answerbag

Earth Portal

Microsoft Milan - Table Top

Zamzar - Online File Conversion

Reactee

and

Yourminis Widgets

Twitter - Challenge # 9

I signed up for a Twitter account. This is the Wikipedia article on twitter.

I can't say that I "get it" exactly.

I suppose the IM factor of this could be useful in a library setting, but it would have to be a much bigger library than this one.

I found this blog where they discuss the library applications of Twitter.

Heaven Up Here

Another experiment to see if I can put a picture on here linked from another Web page. In this case, the cover of Heaven Up Here, one of my all time favorite albums:

Challenges # 7 & 8

Some of the items on the 23 Things Challenge I've already done.

Such as RSS Feeds. I have this going on through my google account already. Though, I don't find I use it much. Just set it up as an experiment to see if I would use it.

To follow the instructions however, I have set up a Bloglines Newreader Account.

The question is, will I ever return to it?

So that's no.s 7 & 8 down.

Echo & The Bunnymen

echo___the_bunnymen_0_tif_big
Originally uploaded by library_patron

Seeing if this works...that is, posting from flickr...

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

EXPERIMENT WITH YOUTUBE - CHALLENGE # 20

Here's an experiment with embedding a Youtube Video. In this case, the music video for "Up The Down Escalator" from the Chameleons UK:



I guess this takes care of # 20

OUR 23 WEB 2.0 THINGS CHALLENGE

This is what I'm working on (I wouldn't even be blogging except for this):

WHAT: Our 23 Web 2.0 Things Challenge

A program made possible by Infopeople using the learning program
Created by Helene Blowers at the Public Library of Charlotte &
Mecklenburg County.

WHEN: The challenge will run from May 9 – October 19, 2007

FOR: The California Library Community

ELIGIBLE: To be eligible, you must have participated in at least one of
Infopeople’s Web 2.0 events, i.e., the May 9 web cast with Helene
Blowers or any Web 2.0 class specified in the “Our 23 Web 2.0
Things Challenge” flyer available online at:
http://our23things.infopeople.org/.

NEXT: After qualifying, follow the directions in the above-mentioned
Information flyer, starting with the creation of a blog at
Blogger.com.

Register the blog as instructed and follow the instructions for the “23
Things.” Work at your own pace, but be sure to have everything
Completed by the ending date, October 19, 2007.

When you have completed all 23 things, email Infopeople at:
infopeeps@gmail.com with the link to your blog and mailing address.


Let your supervisor know when you have completed all 23 things. All Orange County Public Library employees who complete the 23 things will receive an award (to be determined) from the Library and will have their name entered intro a drawing to receive a grand prize.

Participation is voluntary, but all are encouraged to take advantage of this exciting training opportunity. Learn new skills that will expand both your professional and personal horizons.

FLICKR - Challenge # 4

My new Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8930136@N04/

I didn't have any pics here on my staff computer. I don't even own a digital camera (okay, I do, but it's from 1990-something). So, in order to find pics I had to do some Google Image searches (http://images.google.com/imghp?tab=wi&hl=en), and do a "save picture as" to put some on my hard drive first. Uploading them was easy enough.

THE CANDY GAME

This was featured at a recent meeting. Here are some of the "questions" and a lot more answers.

The Candy Game
This does not measure your intelligence, your fluency with words, or your mathematical
ability. It can, however, give you a gauge of your mental flexibility and creativity. Examine each
of the following and identify what each confectionary delight is being described.

Example: home run champ = Baby Ruth
_____________________________________________

Galaxy =
_____________________________________________

What bees make =
_____________________________________________

The guy every woman wants =
_____________________________________________

Road in NYC =
_____________________________________________

Two female pronouns =
_____________________________________________

A sweet affectionate action =
_____________________________________________

Indian burial grounds =
_____________________________________________

Feline (young & old) =
_____________________________________________

Galactic Explosion =
_____________________________________________

Noisy bite =
_____________________________________________

Famous author =
_____________________________________________

Other name for Superman =
_____________________________________________

Double letters =
_____________________________________________

Special day for working people =
_____________________________________________

City in England =
_____________________________________________


1. Famous swashbuckling trio of old - 3 Musketeers
2. Indian Burial grounds - Mounds
3. Galaxy - Milky Way
4. Red Planet - Mars Bars
5. Home of movie stars - Hollywood bar
6. Not laughing out loud - Snickers
7. Can't hold on to anything - Butterfingers
8. A famous author - O'Henry
9. A famous former baseball Player - Baby Ruth
10. Famous NYC street - 5th Avenue
11. Twin Letters - M&Ms
12. Superman's other identity - Clark Bar
13. A sweet sign of affection - Kisses
14. Favorite day for working people - Payday
15. What bees make - Bit o' Honey
16. Nut Happiness - Almond Joy
17. Pleasingly Plump - Chunky
18. Two female pronouns - Hershey
19. A feline - Kit Kat
20. Single women looking for him - Mr. Goodbar
21. Round flotation devices - Life Savers
22. Sun Explosion - Starburst Candies
23. Bite w/crackling noise - Crunch
24. Determines who wins most games - Skor Bar
25. A Dry Cow - Milk Duds

Slaughterhouse Five Book Discussion Group Questions

What do you think about that fact that SL5 is no. 69 on the American Library Association’s list of The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000? (#87 at the Online Computer Library Center).

It what ways is this different than the average novel?

Is it possible that Billy Pilgrim is quietly insane? That Tralfamadore exists only in his mind, as a product of shellshock, surviving a plane crash, and reading too many Kilgore Trout stories? A protective madness?

If he is insane, why does he create another situation where he’s a prisoner? (captivity on Tralfamadore)

Is he a sympathetic character? Is he, as his name infers, a pilgrim on a journey?

Do we live our own lives “closer” to the Tralfamadorian model than we are consciously aware of? Everyone daydreams, remembers, fantasizes. Some much more than others. Is it a coping mechanism in Billy’s life?

Does Billy’s awareness of the course of his life lead to his passivity throughout the novel? (Bombing, plane crash, his marriage, his assassination, etc.).

Is Tralfamadorian philosophy a basically passive philosophy? (they know how the universe ends) And, is there philosophy that different than the “god grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”?

Does living this way not allow for growth, change, as a human being?

The narrator tells his sons that they are not to take part in massacres, and not to let news of massacres fill them with glee. That alone puts this pretty well into the “anti-war” novel category. What separates an “anti-war” novel from a “war” novel?

Social Bookmarking - Challenge # 13 (and # 2)

I'm doing this all out of order. I already have a del.icio.us account, so I'm posting about # 13 first (though, technically, this also takes care of # 2). Here's a write up I had previously done:

Social bookmarking sites, such as http://del.icio.us/, allow the user to store and share their personal bookmarks online, allowing access to those bookmarks from any internet-enabled computer. Most social bookmarking sites allow the user to arrange their resources with “tags,” or user-defined keywords.

Advantages: Tags are searchable, and should allow for easier retrieval of Web sites than Internet browser bookmarking systems. Bookmarked sites can be seen as “user approved” sites. Links are “portable.” Sharing allows for the discovery of new Web sites.

Disadvantages: Unstructured approach to user classification (no controlled vocabulary). Some sites only allow a single tag.


http://www.wordspy.com/words/socialbookmarking.asp:
social bookmarking pp. Saving and applying keywords to one's personal collection of Web site bookmarks on a site that enables other people to share those bookmarks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Bookmarking:
Social bookmarking is a way for internet users to store, classify, share and search Internet bookmarks.


http://del.icio.us/about/ (copied and pasted from the del.icio.us site):

del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website -- the primary use of del.icio.us is to store your bookmarks online, which allows you to access the same bookmarks from any computer and add bookmarks from anywhere, too. On del.icio.us, you can use tags to organize and remember your bookmarks, which is a much more flexible system than folders.

What is social bookmarking?

del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website, which means it is designed to allow you to store and share bookmarks on the web, instead of inside your browser. This has several advantages.
First, you can get to your bookmarks from anywhere, no matter whether you're at work, in a library, or on a friend's computer.

Second, you can share your bookmarks publicly, so your friends, coworkers, and other people can view them for reference, amusement, collaboration, or anything else. (Note that you can also mark bookmarks on del.icio.us as private -- only viewable by you -- if you like.)

Third, you can find other people on del.icio.us who have interesting bookmarks and add their links to your own collection. Everyone on del.icio.us chooses to save their bookmarks for a reason. You have access to the links that everyone wants to remember. You can see whether two people have chosen to remember a link, or whether it was useful enough for a thousand people to remember -- which may help you find things that are useful for you, too.