Friday, May 15, 2009

Closing Time

"Time for you to go out, go out into the world."

I have found the Technology Tapas to be very interesting. I learned a lot about different Web 2.0 sites that I have never used before and some I had never even heard of. With this age of ever changing technology that we live in, I find it hard to stay current with the different sites and programs available. Tech Tapas allowed me to experience many new and different sites which allowed me to learn so much!

Now that I know how to use Bloglines and Delicious, I hope to continue to use them as a resource along some of the other sites we learned. I also hope to keep expanding my Web 2.0 exploration and learn even more of what there is to offer. Hopefully this is just the beginning!

I think this was a great program that Bob and Andrea developed and love to take part in something like this again in the future. Well done!

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..."

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Two peas in a podcast

I think podcasts are a nice idea. It is a great way to get information out there for anyone who would want to hear or watch it. The one thing I find with myself, though, with podcasts is that I find I stop paying attention. If it is too long, I get distracted by something else and then I have no idea what happened in the podcast.

Regarding libraries, though, podcasts are an ideal tool for book reviews, events at the library or any other discussions. With working at The Library for the Blind and Handicapped, using a podcast for something like that may be very beneficial to our patrons. As long as they have Internet access, they could go to our website to hear the latest podcast book review or any other news at our library rather than wait for it to be sent home in the mail. They would be able to access the information much faster and we could get the information out faster, as well.

The wheels are turning now...!

P.S. Here is the link to my Bloglines account with my new podcast additions: The Great Read Radio Show and The Library Channel -

http://www.bloglines.com/public/Jens-Impressions

You and I Both

"See I'm all about them words
Over numbers, unencumbered numbered words
Hundreds of pages, pages, pages forwards
More words than I had ever heard and I feel so alive"

I have used You Tube before and find it be a very useful and fun tool. It allows you to do so much (I can even use it on my phone!) and see so much. Because of all these possibilities, it was hard for me to decide which video to choose to post about. Therefore, I chose a video by one of my most favorite artists, Jason Mraz.

If you have never heard Jason Mraz before, well you should check him out. If you have heard of him, you probably only know his more popular songs, "I'm Yours" or "The Remedy". If you are like me, you have heard, and know, just about every song he has ever performed or written...yes, I am a fanatic!

With that in mind, I thought I would share this video of one of my favorite songs by him. It was released as a single and got some radio play several years ago, but it did not take off as much as "The Remedy" or "I'm Yours". What is really neat with this video, though, is that it is from a show he did in Korea. That is the beauty with You Tube and all these other Web 2.0 tools. When would we have EVER been able to see something from Korea at the touch of a button say 15-20, even 10 years ago!

It is something to think about implementing into libraries. Story hours or other special events can be filmed and posted to library website. Then, if someone was unable to make it to that event, but really wanted to go, could watch what he or she missed.

It can also be a new way to advertise or a way for library patrons to get creative about why they love their library. There are any different possibilities that can be done. The only limitations are ones imagination.

With that, enjoy this video of Jason Mraz singing "You and I Both" with an introduction of "Nobody Likes Me".

"well I'm almost finally...out of words."

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

"I wanna turn the whole thing upside down"


Another View
Originally uploaded by chaddlinpf
"And as the surface breaks reflections fade"

I have heard so much about Flickr but I have never actually used it. I am not sure why, though. I just took a look at it for the fist time and went through the Learn More tour and found it to have some very interesting features. I think part of the reason I haven't used it yet is because I use other sites for sharing photos. The sites that I use, though, seem to not have as many features as Flickr does so perhaps Flickr will be my next site to try.

I feel like I am picture junkie and I LOVE to snap photos wherever I go. In fact, I am usually the only one who has a camera with her (I even have one in my purse as I type...) and am usually responsible for sharing the pictures with everyone. Flickr may be the best way to quickly get the photos out to everyone.

While looking around Flickr, I came across this photo. When I take pictures, my favorite subject is nature. I love taking scenic shots, especially beach scenes. What I like about this picture is the angle at which it was shot. The focal point is the top right corner and I love that! Every other picture (including ones I have shot myself) usually have a main focal point of dead center. Eventually that gets boring and I love that this photographer has taken liberties as to where the focal point is. I love the texture it creates and the depth that is formed. Even the colors blend from darker to brighter. It is a different view of the "every day" ocean shot, as if it were taken while lying down on the beach.

Perhaps soon I will be able to attempt a similar photo....

"There's no stoppin' curiosity"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Everyone should play in the sand...

A sand box is a fun place to be and that is what this sand box was for me!

I just finished adding my blog to the Favorites Blog on the NJSL Technology Tapas Wiki. I have to say that I struggled with this. I am not sure what I was doing wrong, but every time I added my URL, it would not convert it to a link. I tried doing it without the brackets and then all of a sudden it worked. I am not sure why or how, but it did so I will stop asking questions.

I think the idea of Wikis is a great one. To me, it reminds me of one giant chat room where people can post whatever they want on the subject. It is a great way to stay in touch with friends and even try to organize an event. Everyone can input their ideas right to this site for all to see and then decide from there what would be best.

It is great for work as it allows multiple users to edit and add information. Like with the Technology Tapas Wiki, you can have book reviews, talk about the best (and worst) vacation destinations. You can discuss music (which I contributed to :) ) or the latest movies.

Wikis are just a great way to stay in touch and to stay current and connected. Now that I feel better about using the site (I did NOT like it AT ALL when I first tried to post simply because I couldn't figure it out!), I think it is a great tool to have and to use, either professionally or personally...or both!

Monday, May 11, 2009

It's Wiki, Wiki, Wiki, Wiki

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital, To rock a rhyme, that's right on time, It's Wiki is the title, here we go...

Wiki's are an amazing thing. They allow the public to create and edit the information posted. There really is not much out there that gives that much control to the users. It's nice to know we have a say!

While looking at some of the Wiki's for other libraries, I started thinking of how they could be useful. GRPL has links to music, books, movies, research, and more for both adults and kids. The Bull Run Library had their OCLC information on the site. These would be great things to include for our patrons especially if online access is the easiest way to get information. All that information in spot!

The one thing that I feel needs to be paid close attention to, though, is the use of the scroll bar on the site. The only way you scroll left to right on the Bull Run Library site is you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to move it over to read the last few words. I don't think it is the easiest system so I would be very conscience about that if creating a Wiki.

What I think is most ideal about a Wiki is the speed and potential ease of posting things to it. You can keep it updated with all the different events happening at your library and put different resources to community and state events and information. You can be as creative as you want with it. It's an ideal "quick fix".

It's Wiki, Wi-Wi Wiki!

Rockin' Robin

"All the little birdies on Jaybird Street, Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet"

I decided for this post to explore the phenomenon know as Twitter. Everyone all over is talking about Twitter and I just wanted to know what all the hype is over. So I joined. I don't get it! I read all the information on the site, I tried to do it, but it is just not clicking for me. I wanted to give this site a shot because I thought it may be a valuable resource for the library. It would be free advertising and also a way for us to stay connected to our patrons. I am just very much trying to figure out the site. Maybe I did not spend enough time with it yet, but each time I am on it, I become more and more confused. I need to sit down with someone who knows what they are doing on this and have them teach me. I think that is the only way I will learn. Reading through all the information and trying to do it myself is not working so I will have to try something else.

I am waiting for that "Ah-ha!" moment....

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Helloooo out there.....

Hello,

I am writing to you all from a remote location. No, not a warm, sunny tropical island. More like a remote website separate from Blogger. We were asked to explore Zoho Writer and create a document so I am doing as asked. While exploring this site, I have noticed it can do quite a bit! It can hold meetings, create presentations, make spread sheets, and so much more. With all that it can do, it makes me wonder why any one goes into the office to work any more?! If you can hold meetings right from your PC and even include presentations, it seems you should be able to work from the comfort of your own home!

Ok, so maybe that is going a bit too far, but it would be nice never having to get out of my pj's and fuzzy slippers...they are just so much more comfortable than my work shoes! In all actuality, though, the concept that Zoho and other sites have created is a rather good one. If you have offices all over the country or even all over the world, this can allow everyone to work on everything together without having to make the trip to one specific site. It could save the company money and time and still accomplish what it needs to, if not more.

In this time of "economic crisis", saving money is on the forefront of every business's mind, I am sure. Zoho can provide one way to cut corners...and the site, itself, is free! Now I feel like an advertisement for the site. smile

I have to say, though, I only read about the site, I did not use any of the features other than the Writer, but if what it says is true, this would be an excellent way to reach many people all over with ease.

Well, that's all for now...

'Till we meet again....

Friday, April 24, 2009

It's so good, it's Delicious

I have often said that I wish I could access my favorites on any computer I am at. I guess if you wish for something hard enough it eventually comes true. Delicious is my wish come true! Now I can create my list of favorites that I use most often and access them anywhere. It is very convenient! (See there we are again with that "C" word!!) I feel Delicious has many of the same positive attributes that Bloglines has...one stop shopping. There really isn't much more I can say about Delicious that I didn't already say about Bloglines so I will just make this post short and sweet.

New wish: win the lottery!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

R-S-S-P-E-C-T

"Find out what it means to me..."

When I first looked at Bloglines, it scared the you-know-what out of me. But once I started to use it and see what it can do, I wasn't so frightened any more. I actually kind of like it now!

The concept of "one-stop shopping" has always been an ideal one. You know, like the Costco's (they carry so much now, you can even get a casket! I know, scary, isn't it, but it's true...just look for your self on their website), the Walmart's (who doesn't like to go grocery shopping at 4am...that is if you are lucky enough to have a Super Walmart near you!), and others. It's proof of the world we live in now...lazy! And I am the first to be given that label! I love one-stop shopping...it's just so convenient!

That's what Bloglines is to me...one-stop shopping. You can put anything you want on there (just about) and then go to one website to read it all! How convenient!

It amazes me just how convenient our world has become...and I couldn't imagine it any other way!

If you want to take a look at my Bloglines, go right ahead:

http://www.bloglines.com/public/Jens-Impressions

"Take care, TCB!"

Monday, April 6, 2009

Snow White and the 7 & 1/2 Habits

"When there's too much to do, don't let it bother you, forget your troubles.....and whistle while you work..."

While whistling (not too loudly, though...don't want to bother others), I thought about which lifelong learning habit is easiest for me. I decided on habit 6: Use technology to your advantage. With technology advancing every minute, how can you not use it to your advantage?! It amazes me every day to think what I would do without my cell phone or iPod and then think back to the days when we had telephones with dials and Walkmen and think "How did we live like that?!?" I am lost now if I ever leave the house without my cell phone, but yet somehow we survived "back then" without any means of communication outside of the home. I suppose it is all just a sign of the times...a sign of the constant and ever-changing technology now available to us. With the endless possibilities out there, of course I am going to take advantage of everything!! I mean, "Google" is my favorite word!!

With such a wide array of information available at your finger tips, the only limitations are what we create. The internet, the technology out there, it allows me to learn, to be more creative, to utilize tools that may not have ever been available till now. It is an amazing thought and one I know will always continue to grow.


Despite my enthusiasm for habit 6, I also find it to be the hardest. Because there is so much technology available, that can also be a detriment. Which is the best program? Which piece of equipment suites me best? What do I want out of the device? There are so many things to consider now with anything you buy or anything that you use it makes my head spin at times!

For example, I was recently in the market for a new digital camera. I had an idea of what I was looking for so I decided to do some research online. I was able to find so much information that it eventually became too much information...an overwhelming amount of information!! So what was once an advantage, the ability to research online, quickly became a disadvantage for me because I was flooded with information that I didn't know what to do with.

What I find hardest with habit 6 is knowing how to get the most out of the available technology, not just using what I know. I now have a new digital camera that I am still learning to love (I have not thrown the box out yet...the return window is still open :) ). There is so much that this camera can do (though it still can't make me eggs in the morning...I'm sure that will be next) that I don't know if I will ever fully learn or understand its possibilities and that is hard for me to come to terms with. However, I know it is the truth...as scary as it may be.

"Come on get smart, tune up and start, to whistle while you work..."