Clippity Clopper's Blog

Week 9 ~ Thing 23!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-11-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

Summarizing thoughts...

It's hard to believe that I've made it -- and while my blog is far from the most exciting one out there it is nonetheless something I am proud of and something I would never have attempted otherwise. Even my kids are impressed, so there. Below are some thoughts on this experience.

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I created my own blog - that was a biggie. Also, I liked Flickr and tinkering with the RSS feeds. I can also see myself and my customers using a tool such as Zoho writer.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program has reaffirmed my belief that lifelong learning is something you do if you want to continue to grow - even when the challenges seem too steep. At the onset of Maryland 23 I had my doubts as to whether I would be able to figure out some of the techie stuff. Yes, there were times when I had trouble getting it. I told myself that even if I didn't finish I would give it a good run, and I did finish.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Well, the takeaway, if you will, is that it all comes down, once again, to experience and trying something new and getting better the more you do it. Yeah, it's hard in the beginning, but it gets easier. I found myself becoming more adept at navigating Maryland 23 the more I signed on.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? And last but not least…
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again choose to participate?
This program gobbled up more of my free time than I initially expected it to. I wasn't always able to accomplish a "thing" in a half hour off the desk. Instead, I found myself coming in early and signing in at home in order to catch up. The fact that I am finishing well into November indicates the time I needed to put into it, but it was well worth it. I would definitely participate again. I guess the time constraints are something I would take into consideration in the future.

How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?
I will definitely be using some of the "things" I have learned, like bloglines, RSS feeds, Flickr, and Zoho writer. Others, maybe not so much. For instance, I got bogged down with Technorati, tagging, etc. but I see their value. The image generator drove me crazy, but at least I now know how to do it in case anyone inquiries. Cheers, and thanks!

Week 9 ~ Thing 22 Audiobooks

2007-11-16T15:12:00.000-05:00

Even though downloadable audiobooks are here to stay I can't say that I am enamored with him. I know how to download a book, and I've shown customers how to download. While it will never take the place of having a book in your lap I can see the practicality of audiobooks. But I don't own a MP3 player, so there. Audiobooks are only as good as their availability, too. I have found when helping a customer that more often than not the item is not available. However, I am sure that this is a necessary service that will only continue to grow and improve.
I had not been familiar with Project Gutenberg. Unfortunately most of the titles I tried were unavailable.

Week 9 ~ Thing 21 Podcasting

2007-11-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

OK, I must be getting a little punchy as I approach the finish line with this Maryland 23 project because I have not been too impressed with these podcast directories. I thought they were a little too cumbersome to navigate. I keep saying that I don't like a lot of clicking. So, I went sniffing around on my own and found one I like from NPR. It contains book reviews, news and author interviews; best of Morning Edition, All Things Considered and more. Initially I had difficulty adding it to my bloglines account and I couldn't get it to do anything. Finally, I realized I had to add it to my playlist - duh...I was pretty darn happy when I clicked and it worked. Amazing and so cool!

I'm not so sure about the usefulness of podcasts for libraries. I mean, there is a plethora of information available out there and the sky's the limit in terms of what you want to do - entertain, educate, train, etc. How to channel all of this in a productive fashion is what I am struggling with. Cheers.

Week 9 ~ Thing 20 YouTube

2007-11-16T09:36:00.001-05:00

I am familiar with YouTube, but I was not familiar with adding the video to my blog. That took some figuring out. Thanks again to Chickensamuck for her help!
I chose the video I did because I am a horsewoman and I love horse racing. Ruffian, the great filly owned by Marylander Stuart Janney, captured everyone's imagination when she took to the track in the famous match race again Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in 1972.
I have to think more about how practical streaming video would be in terms of library applications. Instructional use, perhaps?

Week 8 ~ Thing 19 Exploring Web 2.0 Awards

2007-11-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

I selected my site from the 2007 Web 2.0 Award Winners list and chose www.onesentence.org to explore. This site earned 2nd place in the Fun Stuff category.
I liked this site immediately. Basically, it is a tool to create one-sentence stories - "true stories, told in one sentence," is how it's described. I found myself sitting there laughing at many of the entries. I also thought that some were very poignant, such as this one:
"Answering the door to trick-or-treaters in all her hairless chemo glory, my mother has inspired me more than she could ever imagine."
I could have spent a long time browsing through these little gems.
Regarding use in a library setting, I could see a site such as this used for scanty book review listings that would be just one sentence, making it quite a challenge. It would be fun.

Week 8 ~ Thing 18

2007-11-13T10:19:00.000-05:00

I like Zoho Writer. I created my account and went exploring the site. I see uses for this in the library, such as when a customer is using the public computer but doesn't have a flash drive or disk. This would be another viable option - a portable microsoft office if you will. Voila!

Week 7 ~ Thing 17

2007-11-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

Learning 2.0 Sandbox Wiki...

I created a login account, so that I could successfully add my blog to the Sandbox Wiki. I also successfully posted an entry about my favoritethings2007.

Cheers.

Week 7 ~ Thing 16

2007-10-27T13:48:00.000-04:00

Wikimania...

I like exploring the Wikis, mainly because of the Maryland 23 Things, this is one of the easiest to understand. Now I also know the origin of the term "wiki!"
In terms of what I viewed, I liked the BookLovers Wiki at Princeton Public Library - easy to use and a great resource. I also liked the ALA 2006 wiki - a good way to spread around knowledge regarding a particular venue. In terms of library applications, I can see a wiki for children's services, readers advisory, etc. However, I am still skeptical when it comes to a site such as Wikipedia, where control over content is questionable.

Week 6 ~ Thing 15

2007-10-22T12:46:00.001-04:00

Library 2.0 ~ It's many things to many people. What does it mean to you?

I found myself nodding in agreement with Rick Anderson, from the University of Nevada libraries, who presented an interesting perspective on how libraries need to be thinking. "Icebergs" that we need to navigate around, include the "just in case collection." He ponders whether it makes sense to house significant collections that may not be used with the availability of digital everywhere. Let me see, do I like the idea of replacing books with podcast centers or blogging nooks? Not completely. And yes, change is hard, but I agree it is something we must do. Does it mean books will go the way of dinosaurs? Of course not. Libraries will have books, but does it make sense to house an extensive business reference collection if this same material is available digitally.
I compare libraries to newspapers in the way they have had to evolve. Think about metropolitan daily newspapers and the way they have had to change their delivery of services (ie., the news) over the past 20 years with the emergence of the internet/cable. Gone are the days when the news can be gotten only from print or the big three networks. Our customers will expect quick access to everything, and yes, we can probably provide it. Digital collections of journals, books, podcasts, blogs are all on the block here.

The second iceberg is "reliance on user education." Here, too, I think Anderson makes sense. Instead of teaching research skills we will be making sure information barriers are brought down, or at least, minimized to a greater degree. Getting the information to customers quickly in as expeditious manner as possible will be the key. Cumbersome, complicated search engines will have to be eliminated. It will be more "fast food" instead of "sit-down gourmet."
This Maryland 23 assignment is an example of how some things work better than others. Finding a quick "blog this" button, such as on Flickr, helped move my learning experience along better than sifting through a mountain of instructional, antecdotal information.

Finally, I agree that libraries need to be ubiquitous and indispensible. The challenge will be getting there.

Week 6 ~ Thing 14

2007-10-19T09:41:00.000-04:00

I've taken a look at Technorati and tried to do an advanced keyword search with “Learning 2.0” in quotes.
I came up with different results:
129 posts (tags only)
563 (entire posts)
311 (blogs)

I found this a little confusing, and despite the fact that I've spent an hour clicking around I still feel I need to go back and click more.

As for exploring top favorited blog, I came up with Boing Boing (http://www.boingboing.net) - quite clever indeed. I learned there is something called a Bloggies Ceremony, apparently heralding this cyber gem for its mountainous popularity. I ended up spending quite a bit of time clicking here and found co-founder Mark Frauenfelder's exploits in the South Pacific interesting stuff.

For "top searches" I clicked on the first one I came to, and found that I was learning more than I wanted to know about Latina movie star Karen Dejo.
For "top blogs" kudos to Engadget! A cool site.

Week 6 ~ Thing 13

2007-10-15T13:52:00.000-04:00

Del.icio.us is a clicker's paradise. I could literally spend hours exploring here. I went to http://del.icio.us/PLCMCL2 and chose Blogging Libraries to explore. It had been saved by 429 people. I really enjoyed peeking into the other library systems. Public, university, school, library directors - all were featured here, and it was fun to see what others were saying or caring about.

Ruffian 1972-1975

2007-10-05T14:49:00.001-04:00

Ruffian 1972-1975
Originally uploaded by Rock and Racehorses

Week 5 ~ Thing 12

2007-10-05T09:01:00.000-04:00

Rollyo is a dandy tool. I could definitely spend a lot of time developing my own personal searchrolls. I've created three: My Schools; Going Somewhere, featuring some travel sites; and Looking for Something, highlighting reference. One theoretically should be able to access from somewhere over yonder - that means to the right. Cheers.

Beaucoup thanks to Chickensamuck!

Week 5 ~ Thing 11

2007-10-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

Library Thing is extremely cool and definitely a book lover's dream. I've set up an account, and I've added five of my favorite children's titles. I would love to add more and will probably go back when I have more time. Unfortunately, I'm on a deadline here. Stand by for link.

Week 5 ~ thing 10 continued

2007-09-29T11:56:00.001-04:00

Yahooooooooo.........Avatarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I liked the Yahoo site the best, as it seemed less confusing to me.
Not sure why my avatar is fuzzy. Any ideas?

Week 5 ~ Thing 10

2007-09-17T14:44:00.000-04:00

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/img/nbcam/ribbon_50.gif

This has taken me forever to do, and I'm not sure if I remember how I did it!

My next challenge will be to create an avatar.

RIP Barbaro

2007-09-07T21:14:00.001-04:00

RIP Barbaro
Originally uploaded by Cowtools

More Barbaro...

Week 4 ~ Thing 9

2007-09-04T10:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, I like this RSS feed thing. I searched for blogs using the tools. I liked Technorati. I've also added MERLIN to my list of feeds.

Update: When I had more time I went back to check out the other RSS feed search sites. I liked Feedster's look the best. It was simple to view and search. I didn't care for Syndic8, mainly because it felt too busy, and I would have to spend more time than I had available navigating that site. I lose patience if I can't find it quickly.

Topix.net was OK. There, I actually stumbled upon the earth shattering news of High School Musical sweetheart, Vanessa Hudgens and some allegedly indiscreet photographs. As I was clicking around the plethora of news and blogging sites regarding the teenage star I pondered how I was going to break this to my 12 year old....I tell myself I probably would've been blissfully in the dark for a couple of more days had I not been checking out RSS feeds and newsreaders. Sigh...

Week 4 ~ Thing 8

2007-08-27T12:33:00.000-04:00

I am on a roll now...
I've set up my bloglines account and have added numerous feeds.

Week 3 ~ Thing 7

2007-08-18T11:14:00.000-04:00

I'm supposed to create a post about anything technology related that interests me. I think I'll be better able to do that once I am further along. I am intrigued by all.

Week 3 ~ Thing 6

2007-08-07T20:22:00.000-04:00

I feel as though I have been exploring Flickr, mashups, and 3rd party sites for weeks now. I have been clicking away, but have yet to settle on a favorite. I will say that I enjoyed making a badge. Lots of fun potential there...

My creation

2007-07-27T14:57:00.001-04:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by secalybarruf

Ok, so it's not great. But it is my first attempt at making what remotely appears to be a badge of some sort. (created with fd's Flickr Toys). No, they are not my rabbits.

Barbaro's last race

2007-07-18T21:17:00.001-04:00

DSCF0039
Originally uploaded by secalybarruf

Another test post. Preakness, 2006.

Week 3; Thing 5 ~ Exploring Flickr

2007-07-18T20:58:00.000-04:00

Jeez, this is fun, but I must also add it is time consuming. I could spend hours just familiarizing myself with Flickr.

I have successfully set up a Flickr account in Yahoo, and I have successfully uploaded a photo to this blog. However, I am far from any proficiency. I will keep plugging away. I am pleased that I have gotten this far, albeit tentatively. Cheers.

Barbaro Wins Kentucky Derby

2007-07-18T20:52:00.001-04:00

Barbaro Wins Kentucky Derby
Originally uploaded by seabiscuit schmiscuit

This is my test post using flickr for the first time.

Week 2, Thing 3: Setting up blog

2007-07-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

Week 2, Thing 3: Setting up blog

After initially being unable to register using Google's Blogger.com, I have finally seen the light. My blog is born....

Now to reference the 7 1/2 habits ~

The most difficult for me to accomplish is finding the time to play. It sounds like a simple thing; it is not. It can be a challenge to find the time in the schedule to just unwind, relax, and not to look ahead to what's next on the agenda. I'm not talking about the scheduled vacation planned months in advance. I am speaking of the frenzied, overscheduling that causes us to take the simple things for granted. Life really does change in a heartbeat. On the other side, the easiest habit is the recognization that I am responsible for my own learning. It is up to me to pursue opportunities and try new things, like what I am doing here. Cheers for now.