Week 9-10: Thing #23 Final Thoughts.....

I finally finished - I think. As for this adventure I've been on it's been fun and frustrating all rolled into one. I learned that I'm not as computer illiterate as I thought, but able to learn new things including new computer skills and new ways of doing stuff that easily accessible on the Internet. You just need to know where to go and what to look for. In fact I've started looking for new ways to help me with my church. I do a lot of PPT for them and the cost of updating the Microsoft programs at church is not cost effective, so using the Internets free access to such things as "ThinkFree" or "GoogleDocs" are very helpful way to help a non-profit like my church.

I like going on FLicker for photos, creating Advatars, Meez, Speech Agents. Searching Bloglines news articles, Creating my LibraryThing List, Learning and making my Wiki. Learning about new webb applications like GoogleDocs & ThinkFree. YouTube of course - I had fun searching for stuff and also searching for Podcasts.

Not all the sites gave clear, precise directions, once you got started directions, icon or keys need to be explain or made more simpler, by working through the process I figured things out. In some of the weeks to much stuff was crammed in for my work load, if something like this is done again can it be spread out over more weeks.

Yes, I would definitely do this again, because I learn more than I thought I would. I was also able to help others though this process which help me learn more about myself. Thanks HC for giving me the chance to learn more.

Week 9-10 & so on; Thing #22 Overdrive Digital Media

I love to listen to books on tape. In fact I spend most of my work and drive time listening to book on CD. Only because the news is boring and I don't always like to just listen to one type of music. As for work I work in the basement and so the radio doesn't work down here, so books on CD or tape are a great way to pass the bordem while working. In the past I have tried downloading books from Overdrive and it was confusing. This time again the directions once I decided on a title was difficult to determined what to do next. So at the moment I have 2 titles on hold and will see what happens. I like that you can download the books on to disc or other devices so that its moveable. I would use this system again in the future.

Week 9: Thing #21 Podcast

Podcast - are varied in their usage and interesting to listen too. Some I clicked on seemed like a something you would listen to at college or for meeting. I then looked at Christian Music and found "100TH EPISODE - New Christian Music PodCast For August 21, 2007, Featuring A Preview Of New Music From Caedmon's Call, Point Of Grace, needtobreathe, By The Tree, Carried Away, Lenny LeBlanc and Casting Crowns. This New Release Tuesday, we celebrate our 100th episode of the New Christian Music PodCast. Thanks for listening and we look forward to another 100 episodes full of amazing new music each week." which was interesting to listen to.

http://www.bloglines.com/myblogs

Week 9: YouTube Video - Worth Watching!

Man Painting a picture for 2 songs lengths:

Week 9: Thing #20 YouTube

"Mom's Song William Tell Overture"



This is very good and I keep coming back to this YouTube video. Some of the YouTube videos are junk, sexual nature, some not worth the trouble posting and some are of interesting tape. It took me a lot of time to go through stuff and fine what was interesting to me. I still wonder why some are posted.

"Top Ten Best Christian Songs 2006" These are some of the greatest Christian song made so far. I really enjoyed finding this YouTube video.

Week 8: Thing #19 Web 2.0 Award Site

After looking at the Web 2.0 Award short list I decided to look at Collaborative Writing and Word Processing. Listed was docs.google.com., www.writeboard.com, and www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo . In the previous #18 Thing I explored Google Docs and decided again to look at this, but then decided to look at ThinkFree Online service. I liked that it's a complete package for folks who work at home, travel and for small or large companies who share computers at work. ThinkFree Online exceeds all other online office suites available. It gives you access to the files and applications you need when you need them and it’s FREE to users for editing, creating, and sharing Microsoft Office format documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) without buying any software. To me this online office suite is impressive, excessable and easy to use and would apply easily to library use. Cost wise I would use ThinkFree online service or buy the ThinkFree office desktop verison instead of purchasing any more Microsoft products.

Week 8: Thing #18 Google Docs, Zoho Writer and web App.

This was interesting in that the web based applications are very close to the Microsoft version I use at home. I first tried Google Docs presentation(Microsoft PowerPoint version) since I've been doing lot more .ppts for my church over the past 3 years and is interested in other forms or ways of doing .ppts. Google Docs was easy to set up and create, limited backgrounds to choose from, but enough to use for this part of this project. My problem came when I wanted to download it, save it or use it for part of this blog. Couldn't figure out how to do it had to go the help page and get directions. It wasn't clear on the main screen. Finally figured it out and got it uploaded to my blog only to have it come in as the edit screen version. Which wouldn't do and thought it should come in as a presenter view. So I had to rework some things and figured it out. When you save it, then go to the presenter view and copy the link at the top right corner it will give you the presenter view link instead of going through to publish.

I then tried Zoho Show another version of .ppts. This was more complicated when I highlighted something and it wouldn't do what it was supposed to do. So I had to retype the entire sentence it to get it in the right font I wanted. Then it would center the type. Again I had trouble trying to upload it the blog and had to try several different paths that would allow me to blog it, but finally did.

Over all I prefer Google Docs presentation package better seemed more comfortable with the set up and over all applications. Enjoyed playing around with this.

Week 7: Thing #17 Sandbox Wiki

Adding my wiki to the Sandbox Wiki was fun and I like to see what others posted. Enjoyed the "HP Eliplogue", "Favorite Dog" site, Loved "Outback" - love their Coconut Shrimp - Yumm - Yumm. Learned a little life lesson at "Six of one: half of the other" and liked the Favortie verse. Which made me start to think about my own PBwiki, so that's how I came up with Faith. My life Lesson.

http://marylandlibrariessandbox.pbwiki.com/Vertically%20Devoted%20-%20Faith

Week 7: Thing #16 Wikis

Reading all the info on Wiki I learned the term comes from the Hawaiian word "wiki wiki" which means "quick". I've decided that information and technology go hand and hand, but several of the wiki we looked at resemble actual websites. As with a wiki you can create, edit and collaborate, so that the best reference or current information may be obtained. A Wiki can be use in a for individuals or a group setting who are presenting a public opinions, collecting information, creating a reading list or piecing together a project. Wiki are easy to create and maintain. Even though a wiki is free, the lack of control or to much freedom for a user or individual to add or delete information is not good.

Week 6: Thing #15 Library 2.0 and the future

Reading the articles on Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. I realize how much Howard County Library is working towards this goal for the future for our library system. I have seen over the past few years many changes in the way we purchase, catalog, process and shelve or display items. HC has been striving also to be the forefront on technology as well. New computers and software program that enhance and add performance for the customers and employee of the library. I believe that HC is one of the best library systems around. I live out side HC and have heard from my fellow neighbors how much my local library is lacking. I tell them about HC and help them find what there looking for. They are pleased that we have the capabilities to do more than the average library system. I truly believe that if the customers in HC need something and we (HC) don't have it or don't have the capability to do it. In time our librarian and technical staff will find a way to do it. (I'm not boosting, I'm stating fact. It's happen more than once). \

Library 2.0 is thinking outside the box. Or improving on something that hasn't been changed or updated. HC has been thinking outside the box for years and I am glad to be part of an organization that has that reputation, the personal and the capabilites to do so.

Week 6: Thing #14 Technotati & tags

After surviving part one of this week. I checked out Technorati and did a keyword search for "Learning 2.0" and came up with 25,003 blog posts in general terms for learning and 2.0, then in blog I got 678 specific tags for "Learning 2.0". which were more technology based post. I then checked out the the top or new blog post and saw several political, entertainment and sports post. Same as we see on the nightly news now a days. But since I don't like watching the new - to depressing and same old stuff I probably wont' use this research tool.

Week 6: Thing #13 - Del.icio.us Tagging

After last weeks fun. I was hoping things to get easier, but I was wrong. After listening to the tutorial and reading about Del.icio.us I thought this would be a great resource tool. Then I decided to log on and register. Well, after several attempt to at a user name (my user name is unavailable - HA!) and my password not working 3 times. Why is this so complicated that you have to use numbers or symbols - I just don't get it. Then the stupid buttons wouldn't log on or download or upload or whatever. I just gave up and decided that my old bookmarks work just fine and deleted the account I just registered. So thanks for the stress release for the week.
NOT.

Week 5: Thing #12 Rollyo Search

Well, after having fun playing with the previous weeks projects this was a little stressful. At first I wasn't sure of what to do or what topic to search. Finally I searched "Christian Music", which I have a passion for and love to sing. Not sure if I posted my results correct, but I do have a seach Rollyo http://rollyo.com/vertically_devoted/christian_music/

Week 5: Thing#11 LibraryThing

I created my own list of titles on LibraryThing website and it was kinda fun. It was interesting looking at all the different links and seeing what everyones else writes and thinks about the books I like. Here list of 20 titles, see side bar. http://www.librarything.com/catalog/wilhelml

Week 5: Thing #10 Online Image Generators

I created a this snow flake on a http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/ an online image generator. I thought this was interesting and was kinda cute to do.

Since I first started with this week 5 projects, I been playing around (as you can see) with the different types of online generators. Generator Blog -Rubik's cube & M & M Characters , Letter James - "Tube in Gel- Jesus Loves Me", Yahoo Avators, Meeze and finally Speech Agents. I've had lots of fun creating and playing with these sites, I don't want to do my work. Opps - don't tell my boss!

Week 4: Thing #9 Merlin & :-)

After having to set up a blog news feed I wasn't sure if I wanted to attempt anything more. But I decided to continue this techno adventure . In this part we are asked to explore Merlin - Maryland's Essential Resource for Library Information Networks. Which I found to be very interesting. I explored the several site and visited Library News Blogs. Blog Junctions hosts several states of blogs where I visited Maine's blog and saw a link for:

http://webjunctionworks.org/me/blog/index.php/2007/07/27/you-may-not-believe-this-video-on-change-in-the-world/ about a video on "Changes in the World" that took to "youtube". Made me realize how advanced or not advanced some countries are in technology.

I also visited "Stephen's Lighthouse" Blog and read how the computer smiley :-) got started and celebrating it's 25th year in existance Sept. 19, 1982.

http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2007/09/heres_who_to_bl.html Thought this was cute and interesting.

Week 4: Thing #8 RSS News Readers

Okay, so it's taken me a while to get the hang of this, but this RSS thing is giving me a headache. I've register for my bloglines account and have found several interesting RSS and News feeds to add my account. Things about Dogs, Home Improvements, Knitting and of course Library stuff. So we'll see how it works out. Still not sure if I'm getting the Tech stuff.

http://rpc.bloglines.com/blogroll?html=1&id=verticallydevoted

Week 3: Thing #7: Technology - New and Upcoming!

As I was looking for some new technology to study. I wondered on the the New York Times and found a columnist Dave Pogue multimedia talking about "Kid-Tracking Cellphones". Even though this idea has been around for several years the idea has intrigued me for sometime. I work with youth through my church and see how much cell phones, iPods, and computer gizmo's are important to these kids. Plus the media show us stories after stories of missing or abused kids. I wondered how much we could do to help protect and prevent the bad stuff.

Today we can micro chip an animal for recovery and we have micro chipped computers, cell phones and even medicine to track their whereabouts. Why can't we micro chip our kids. I know it sound cruel and punishing, but think. It's 2007 and in this day of technology we can use a GPS system to guide, fine and detect anything. Why not a child, missing or not!

Week 3: #6 Flickr Mash-upo &Third Parties Sites

"Go Pink?
Web sites will Go Pink during the month of October to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get people talking about breast cancer, and raise money for research." From Pink for October website.


I have several close friends who are struggling with Breast Cancer. I hope and pray that some day soon we will find a cure for Breast Cancer.


On Flickr I went through BIGHUGELabs. to find a mash-up or third party site that I would like to look at. I noticed this site on Breast Cancer.

Week 3: Thing #5 Explore Flickr

Exploring Flickr was fun. I created an account and got to download some of my personal photos. Especially my 2 babies in their Halloween outfits- I also download some photos from Flickrin my account. Cool website and I'm sure I'll be using it again.

Week 2: Thing 4: Register and track blog

Okay, I'm offical. I think. Still getting use to this computer wiz techie stuff. So far so good.

Week 2: Thing 3: Create Your Own Blog

Well, I did it. Created my first blog and it was so easy. Hope this stays this easy from here on out.

Oh, By the way when I first started here 18 years ago at the HC Library I was one 4 Lynda/Linda's at one branch. Glad to say I'm the only one of them left in the system. HA HA. Now that not easy.

Week 1, Thing 2: Pointers from Lifelong Learners.

While viewing the 7 and 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits, I realized how simple and difficult these statements could be. Developing a goal is easy - something we (or I) strive to do that everyday. Accepting Responsibility for your own learning can be easy and hard - as I struggled through school at young age and now learning that education should of been a blessing , not a struggle as it was in my case. I tend to face problems as challenges, trying to find solutions that will work out good or bad. To have confidence in oneself can be easy and difficult if you don't have good self belief or a foundation. Creating tools to help your learning is essential. I'm very crafty, so I do have lots of art tools. Building a learning tool box will take some time, but by using technology and other that will help build my tech tool box. Teaching and mentoring is a passion for me. I work with group of young people through my church and I find that uplifting and spiritual to see them explore and understand life around them. Play - well lets see what I can do about that. Here we go!

Week 1, Thing 1: About this program.

After hearing about 23 Things! and Blogging from co-workers and friends. I wasn't sure if I could even attempt this project. But I decided to jump in with both feet and tackel it like I do with every challenge I face. Even though I dont' consider myself a "techie" or computer wiz at this, I know that this challenge will be a learning expeirence. I hope to fulfil my goal of completing this by exploring and learing all I can.