Here are a couple of great podcasts for those interested in technology:
http://buzzoutloudpodcast.cnet.com/ - Buzz Out Loud "Buzz Out Loud is CNET's "podcast of indeterminate length," featuring Tom and Molly's entertaining, sometimes caustic, and always skeptical take on technology news. The daily show features commentary, guests, and phone calls and e-mail from our listeners." [description from CNET Podcast Central(http://www.cnet.com/podcast-central/)]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/cnet/gadgettes - Gadgettes "Girl gurus Kelly Morrison and Molly Wood give you the latest on hot gadgets, pop-culture tech, and shopping advice--and answer your gadget questions, to boot. Every Friday the Gadgettes offer help in choosing and using your devices, plus DIY projects, humor, snark, and vicious attacks on small, cute, helpless little pink gadgets." [description from CNET Podcast Central (http://www.cnet.com/podcast-central/)]
These podcasts are dynamic, fun, full of up-to-date info, and often irreverent. I would recommend them to technophiles teen and up.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
On to a New Path
Well, the 23 Things are over, but learning goes on. I am pondering the new direction for this blog. I like the idea of journaling what I am learning, so I think I may continue doing so. I will probably confine it pretty closely to those topics I am studying for one reason or another and maybe even try to relate them to my work in the library. Yet, I must now state to be perfectly clear that this is my blog and these are my musings. I built it during the course of the 23 Things as a work assignment, but as always, the content is mine. I do not speak for the library--as always, I speak for myself.
"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." Maggie Kuhn (activist and person worth learning more about-- who should be honored with more than just a bumper sticker)
"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." Maggie Kuhn (activist and person worth learning more about-- who should be honored with more than just a bumper sticker)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thing #23 - In Conclusion and on to Lifelong Learning!
Wow! Are we on Thing #23 already? It's been a wonderful journey. I have learned so much, and I have added many tools to my box for myself and for helping family, friends, and patrons.
My favorite discovery was podcasts. I had heard of them but never listened to one, and I was quite pleasantly surprised. Now, I realize what a wonderful opportunity they are, as I am primarily an auditory learner.
Speaking of surprising, I was impressed with the ease of Google Docs and can definitely use it in my job. In fact, we did, and it worked out quite well. Keep it Green!
The 23 Things was really a fantastic experience, and the best part for me was getting to share it with my colleagues, especially at other libraries. I got to know people I otherwise would not have, and I learned things from others whom I may not encounter in my daily life. There was even an author who commented on my blog--how often does an author write to us? I love the interactivity and connectedness. I think going through a challenge like this (a positive one!) together brought us closer and improved morale. We had the chance to see all who participated stretching themselves and learning and helping each other, and it was very noticeable. I know we do that in our daily work, but I don't know if we see it as clearly.
I would love to participate in another learning experience similar to this one. The self-paced format and having to seek out help and help others added to the learning. The blogs were a good way to learn and share progress. I would look to add one more cohesive bond, maybe a single location question and answer wiki for participants or a one-time chat? Other than that, it was perfect to me. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard.
Thank you all for sharing this journey. I hope to see you again on the lifetime learning path.
My favorite discovery was podcasts. I had heard of them but never listened to one, and I was quite pleasantly surprised. Now, I realize what a wonderful opportunity they are, as I am primarily an auditory learner.
Speaking of surprising, I was impressed with the ease of Google Docs and can definitely use it in my job. In fact, we did, and it worked out quite well. Keep it Green!
The 23 Things was really a fantastic experience, and the best part for me was getting to share it with my colleagues, especially at other libraries. I got to know people I otherwise would not have, and I learned things from others whom I may not encounter in my daily life. There was even an author who commented on my blog--how often does an author write to us? I love the interactivity and connectedness. I think going through a challenge like this (a positive one!) together brought us closer and improved morale. We had the chance to see all who participated stretching themselves and learning and helping each other, and it was very noticeable. I know we do that in our daily work, but I don't know if we see it as clearly.
I would love to participate in another learning experience similar to this one. The self-paced format and having to seek out help and help others added to the learning. The blogs were a good way to learn and share progress. I would look to add one more cohesive bond, maybe a single location question and answer wiki for participants or a one-time chat? Other than that, it was perfect to me. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard.
Thank you all for sharing this journey. I hope to see you again on the lifetime learning path.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thing #22 - NetLibrary
Well, I have perused NetLibrary. It was very easy to create an account. After that, I don't know. I didn't try to download any items, but I'd like to when I get my MP3 player. In fact, I am really looking forward to having audiobooks in a nice portable format.
NetLibrary's selection seems fairly diverse for the amount of books they have. I was happy to see everything from classics to horror. One thing I do wish, though, is that there were book descriptions. Since there is a limit (though a high one, in my opinion), I would like to know more about a book before I check it out. Hopefully, this will come with time.
For audiobooks, the check out time is 21 days. And here's the kicker, you can't return one early. Still, you should be fine, especially if you stagger your downloads. I am looking forward to checking out an audiobook titled Demon Theory.
There are some restrictions besides the limit. You are not allowed to burn a CD of your downloaded material, and you will need an updated media player, probably Windows Media Player.
In summary, patrons should like this if they are familiar with downloading audio--if not, they will need to become familiar first, I think. After that, it should be easy. I am very happy to know we have it and look for it to grow.
NetLibrary's selection seems fairly diverse for the amount of books they have. I was happy to see everything from classics to horror. One thing I do wish, though, is that there were book descriptions. Since there is a limit (though a high one, in my opinion), I would like to know more about a book before I check it out. Hopefully, this will come with time.
For audiobooks, the check out time is 21 days. And here's the kicker, you can't return one early. Still, you should be fine, especially if you stagger your downloads. I am looking forward to checking out an audiobook titled Demon Theory.
There are some restrictions besides the limit. You are not allowed to burn a CD of your downloaded material, and you will need an updated media player, probably Windows Media Player.
In summary, patrons should like this if they are familiar with downloading audio--if not, they will need to become familiar first, I think. After that, it should be easy. I am very happy to know we have it and look for it to grow.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thing #21 - Podcast Puzzle
Do you ever get a feeling just by looking at something that it isn't all above board? I mean, most of us realize by now that the nice Nigerian fellow that keeps emailing us does not, in fact, exist. When we get those random faxes about $99 luxury vacations or mostly free health insurance, we know they belong in the shredder. So, why do I get such a bad feeling about two of these podcast-finding websites?
Web design being one facet of my professional writing education, I am somewhat alarmed by the design of Podcast.com and Podcast Pickle. When most of your page is comprised of glaring, flashing ads, especially when some are of the click on the so-and-so to win $$$$ kind, it doesn't scream professional, let's put it that way. Also, I had to jump through hoops to access the podcasts, especially from a search.
So, I think I'll stick with Podcast Alley. I found one there called Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena that I added to my Google Reader. Then, using NPR's site, I was able to find more podcasts that I would like to hear. I think this will be my favorite way of searching--going to websites that interest me and looking for podcasts. I added NPR: Books to GR, too.
Overall, this Thing has been very trying. It took a long time to figure out how to access the podcasts. Then, I realized that some podcasts that I liked required software download to listen unless you used Google Reader to get to them. Hmmmm...
You see, I didn't really care for Google Reader, but now I can see it has the positive side of allowing me to listen to the podcasts of my choice without downloading special software. Points for Google Reader.
I don't know how much I will use this personally, but I can see it being a fine way for libraries to send out info, either internally or externally. Some people learn best through auditory methods. With podcasts, you are no longer limited to a written style and a mix-up of styles could only add to learning and retention.
P.S. - NPR is a great resource. You can use it to find podcasts on all sorts of subjects, and I think it would be a fine site to recommend to patrons.
Web design being one facet of my professional writing education, I am somewhat alarmed by the design of Podcast.com and Podcast Pickle. When most of your page is comprised of glaring, flashing ads, especially when some are of the click on the so-and-so to win $$$$ kind, it doesn't scream professional, let's put it that way. Also, I had to jump through hoops to access the podcasts, especially from a search.
So, I think I'll stick with Podcast Alley. I found one there called Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena that I added to my Google Reader. Then, using NPR's site, I was able to find more podcasts that I would like to hear. I think this will be my favorite way of searching--going to websites that interest me and looking for podcasts. I added NPR: Books to GR, too.
Overall, this Thing has been very trying. It took a long time to figure out how to access the podcasts. Then, I realized that some podcasts that I liked required software download to listen unless you used Google Reader to get to them. Hmmmm...
You see, I didn't really care for Google Reader, but now I can see it has the positive side of allowing me to listen to the podcasts of my choice without downloading special software. Points for Google Reader.
I don't know how much I will use this personally, but I can see it being a fine way for libraries to send out info, either internally or externally. Some people learn best through auditory methods. With podcasts, you are no longer limited to a written style and a mix-up of styles could only add to learning and retention.
P.S. - NPR is a great resource. You can use it to find podcasts on all sorts of subjects, and I think it would be a fine site to recommend to patrons.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thing #20 - There's Something for Everyone on YouTube
I am really enjoying exploring YouTube, though it took me awhile to figure out how to post the videos to my blog. Even then, I am still a bit confused about citation. Whereas, Flickr makes sharing and usage rules very clear, I could not find similar info on YouTube. Since I am not familiar enough to know whether that means it is essentially a free-for-all or not, I will cite as carefully as I can.
I lucked out and found one library's channel that had a variety of good informational and fun videos. Upon watching the nicely done State of the Library interview from May 2008, from the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Video courtesy of Allen County Public Library (http://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3i1OntTcMw, I thought this could work for libraries everywhere. I am not sure if this was filmed by an internal public relations department, if it was contracted out, or if, perhaps, it was part of someone's educational project (I can see excellent opportunities for journalism/broadcast interns). My other thought was, here's a library that is losing 1.5 million dollars in funding by 2010; yet, the librarian discussed moving from the school of thought that the parts that make up the library are books, buildings, and bodies to now thinking in terms of 4 B's: books, buildings, bodies, and bytes. Hooray for Library 2.0!--oh, wait, this library believes it is on 4.0 now. Having watched some of their videos, I can certainly credit them with that. Check it out if you have a chance.
I especially like the monthly staff training videos, "Geek Out, Don't Freak Out"
Video courtesy of Allen County Public Library (http://www.youtube.com/user/askacpl)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_HA2Q7rW7I
This, to me, would be such an easy and wonderful staff training tool. Staff could watch the video as many times as needed to learn specific procedures. They could then refer back to it as often as necessary to refresh their skills or look for answers to specific questions.
Finally, I must add my own bit of fun and stress relief with a search result for "Lolcats".
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3jDfSqtG2E4
Video courtesy of G4TV - http://www.g4tv.com/
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thing #19 - Web 2.0 Awards
Wow! It took me awhile to narrow this one down to the right choice for me. There are many tools on this list with which I am familiar, and I didn't want to blog about those because I want to learn something new. Then, I started clicking on winning sites I had not visited before. On many, I could find little I felt would be useful to me, but I can certainly see how they will appeal to others. I left those alone, too. I found what I thought was a promising language learning tool, but it would not say directly how much it would cost, and I never fully trust that approach.
At long last, however, I found it, a site I had not seen before that I can clearly see myself using and recommending. http://colorblender.com/ This is a simple tool that allows users to create a color palate quickly and easily with the drag of a mouse. You can either edit the main color and let the program calculate the rest or you can edit each color directly. When you have something you like, you can either let it be saved to your current workstation via cookie (not the greatest option, I think) or export it in a .act file for Photoshop or a .eps for many other applications or you can send the link via email.
I think this application would be useful for creating palates for web and other digital design applications. Each color is accompanied by its html code, too. It could be useful in the library because you could create a palate from something that inspired you, even if you could not check out the item, you could retrieve the palate you created based upon it. It would also be handy as a quick reference tool for providing html color codes. Of course, monitor displays will vary, but I think many consumers will be satisfied with the results of this tool. Even folks who are seeking palate inspiration for non-digital use may find it here.
At long last, however, I found it, a site I had not seen before that I can clearly see myself using and recommending. http://colorblender.com/ This is a simple tool that allows users to create a color palate quickly and easily with the drag of a mouse. You can either edit the main color and let the program calculate the rest or you can edit each color directly. When you have something you like, you can either let it be saved to your current workstation via cookie (not the greatest option, I think) or export it in a .act file for Photoshop or a .eps for many other applications or you can send the link via email.
I think this application would be useful for creating palates for web and other digital design applications. Each color is accompanied by its html code, too. It could be useful in the library because you could create a palate from something that inspired you, even if you could not check out the item, you could retrieve the palate you created based upon it. It would also be handy as a quick reference tool for providing html color codes. Of course, monitor displays will vary, but I think many consumers will be satisfied with the results of this tool. Even folks who are seeking palate inspiration for non-digital use may find it here.
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