I just spent about an hour perusing the Facebook account I started awhile back. I have two whole "friends!" I'm so excited! I was able to import a photo with the help of my computer guy friend, and added quite a bit to my profile. I even wrote on the "walls" of my two "friends." I'm still not sure this is something I'll spend a lot of time with, but it was kind of fun. And I should be able to answer at least some of the questions patrons might bring up about it all.
I'm going to go back and look into the "Scrabulous" game. That sounds like fun, as I am one of those people who enjoy the occasional word game. If I do it soon, I'll edit this post and tell you all about it!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wikis
Well, thanks to Wikipedia, I had a little background on wikis before Discover 2.0. The thing I had trouble with, even from the beginning, with these is the lack of control. As some of the articles stated, basically, anyone can write anything on a wiki...
But it sounds like technology is improving, and with that, the ability to better control or at least offset some of the potential damage.
I use Wikipedia when I know NOTHING about a subject and need a quick overview. I haven't been able to ask a question yet that there wasn't some kind of answer. So that's the positive side--lots of people with expertise in lots of different areas are able to contribute. The negatives? Well, you can't quote from Wikipedia in any kind of research paper because, well, because no one knows for sure if whoever wrote in is to be trusted. Anyway, the pros and cons.
I like our FVRL YA Wiki. Great idea and I would think hugely helpful for those who work with teens throughout the district. I'm wondering if it's being used enough, though. The reason I question this is I looked at the site maybe six months ago and haven't seen any additions to the booktalk section. Maybe these have come and gone? If I was working regularly with teens, having these quick overviews of books teens might like would be very helpful...consequently, for those of you actually reading those books---turn something into the wiki! Your fellow YA'ers will love you for it! (And no, JS did NOT tell me to say this!)
Anyway, the point is, a wiki is only going to be truly useful if both readers AND writers are tuning in.
In other avenues of life, I can see wikis being helpful for groups attempting to plan large events and needing feedback, as well as to keep track of what others are doing. Reporting back on events experienced would also be a good use (I liked Wikitravel),and it would be a good venue for students who are putting together group projects. Again, things we've all done in the past, just with another step upward/forward, technology-wise.
But it sounds like technology is improving, and with that, the ability to better control or at least offset some of the potential damage.
I use Wikipedia when I know NOTHING about a subject and need a quick overview. I haven't been able to ask a question yet that there wasn't some kind of answer. So that's the positive side--lots of people with expertise in lots of different areas are able to contribute. The negatives? Well, you can't quote from Wikipedia in any kind of research paper because, well, because no one knows for sure if whoever wrote in is to be trusted. Anyway, the pros and cons.
I like our FVRL YA Wiki. Great idea and I would think hugely helpful for those who work with teens throughout the district. I'm wondering if it's being used enough, though. The reason I question this is I looked at the site maybe six months ago and haven't seen any additions to the booktalk section. Maybe these have come and gone? If I was working regularly with teens, having these quick overviews of books teens might like would be very helpful...consequently, for those of you actually reading those books---turn something into the wiki! Your fellow YA'ers will love you for it! (And no, JS did NOT tell me to say this!)
Anyway, the point is, a wiki is only going to be truly useful if both readers AND writers are tuning in.
In other avenues of life, I can see wikis being helpful for groups attempting to plan large events and needing feedback, as well as to keep track of what others are doing. Reporting back on events experienced would also be a good use (I liked Wikitravel),and it would be a good venue for students who are putting together group projects. Again, things we've all done in the past, just with another step upward/forward, technology-wise.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
LibraryThing and misc...
Well, it seems like an obvious match--social networking and books. I'll have to say that, for me, this is the first one of these I got very excited about. Right now, my main emphasis is on organizing my own library--this is actually a great idea. Just put in the title and LibraryThing looks all the rest of the info up for you. I opted for LibraryThing, as opposed to Great Reads, because, to tell the truth, the "hype" on Librarything was irresistible. But I was at TC last night and heard a young (YAAB) member enthuse over Holly C's "'way cool" book list from Great Reads...so I'm sure they're both great.
The other thing I'm cautiously curious about is seeing if my rather odd assortment of book interests appeal to anyone else out there in LibraryThing-land. Is there anyone else who has Tolkein along with Nora Roberts(!)? Francine Rivers and "The Art of Dressage" (equestrian education)? Guess we'll see.
The value of these sites to anyone working with Readers Advisory should be obvious, as proven by Holly C. and her young friend. And you can form online book-discussion groups, which could also be a lot of fun, especially if you can't get to such things in the real-world.
The other thing I'm cautiously curious about is seeing if my rather odd assortment of book interests appeal to anyone else out there in LibraryThing-land. Is there anyone else who has Tolkein along with Nora Roberts(!)? Francine Rivers and "The Art of Dressage" (equestrian education)? Guess we'll see.
The value of these sites to anyone working with Readers Advisory should be obvious, as proven by Holly C. and her young friend. And you can form online book-discussion groups, which could also be a lot of fun, especially if you can't get to such things in the real-world.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Technorati
So, technorati seems to be to blogs...what de li cio us is to websites? Again, the amount of information out there, and to which we now have access to at a moment's notice is...well, it's getting to the point where there aren't adjectives big enough to describe it all. Gargantuan?
When I grow up, I want to write books...books that people buy. Therefore, even though I'm having a hard time getting excited about all the technology now, I KNOW that having an accessible, well-maintained blog could make a huge difference in the # of books I might, theoretically, sell someday. Once I write said book, that is. Ho hum.
I did the search on blog posts, tags and the blog directory for "learning 2.0." There were about twice as many notations in the directory and and to the blog posts, as there was in the tags section. The reason for this would appear to be that people are talking about learning 2.0 in an informal way, here and there, but are not as keen on tagging it all. But it's a good lesson, that if you're looking for something on technorati, try all the search possibilites.
When I grow up, I want to write books...books that people buy. Therefore, even though I'm having a hard time getting excited about all the technology now, I KNOW that having an accessible, well-maintained blog could make a huge difference in the # of books I might, theoretically, sell someday. Once I write said book, that is. Ho hum.
I did the search on blog posts, tags and the blog directory for "learning 2.0." There were about twice as many notations in the directory and and to the blog posts, as there was in the tags section. The reason for this would appear to be that people are talking about learning 2.0 in an informal way, here and there, but are not as keen on tagging it all. But it's a good lesson, that if you're looking for something on technorati, try all the search possibilites.
Del-icio-us
I can see value in websites like this one for anyone who needs to keep track of lots of material; the "math teacher" example in the LeFever ditty was a good "for instance." Again, it would depend on your place in life, your needs, job, interests, etc, just how much you could make use of it. I enjoyed going through the FVRL IS Del-icio-us account; even used the "How things work" site I found there with a patron the next day. I'll have to admit, though, that I got stuck on the "One Minute" commentaries for longer than I probably sh0uld have--I didn't know we had such talented and photogenic staff here at FVRL. (Er...sorry, I SHOULD have known that, shouldn't I?)
Anyway, for library use, I do think what the IS staff has done is a great example of how this all can be used for research assistance. No need to be completely reinventing the wheel each time. And it IS great that this is web-based, making it possible to access those bookmarks/favorites from any computer.
Anyway, for library use, I do think what the IS staff has done is a great example of how this all can be used for research assistance. No need to be completely reinventing the wheel each time. And it IS great that this is web-based, making it possible to access those bookmarks/favorites from any computer.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Mashups/Trading Cards
Okay, for this "assignment," I pulled one of the few pix I have on my flashdrive memory stick and made a trading card. I was able to add icons, but didn't like them, so took 'em back off. And since I didn't have card stock, I just saved the "card" back to the memory stick and printed off a few copies. One for me and one for the person in the photo. I could see how this could be really fun if you were working with, say, a kids' sports team. Make trading cards for everyone to hand out, etc. Or...for cutesy pix of grandbabies. Hmmm. I have photos of THEM on the home computer....(HG wanders off, thinking of creative ideas to attempt from home.)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Hmmm. I think I messed up. I don't have to write anything this time, do I? Just put in the url to my new exciting Facebook account somewhere...Okay, I'll try that.
Oh, and if anyone wants to "be my friend" on facebook--well, check in and say hello. Unlikely I'll check it lots...but it COULD happen.
Oh, and if anyone wants to "be my friend" on facebook--well, check in and say hello. Unlikely I'll check it lots...but it COULD happen.
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