Item 21

I enjoyed checking out the various video sites. I didn't get into any that required you to set up an account, since I don't want any more sites to remember to delete an account on, but I had fun looking for a certain breed of dog and seeing what people had posted. YouTube had the most and the best for this particular breed, and they were easy to find. The science sites were interesting. JoVe would be especially good for upper level students and the academically minded viewer.

Item 20

Oh, dear. It's the Luddite again. I don't have an ipod or equivalent, or a high speed connection. Considering the downloading delays even with the high speed connection here at work for all the videos and audios we've been listening to for this program, listening to podcasts on my home pc would be a very time-consuming activity. I don't foresee them being much of a priority in my future, I'm afraid, but it's nice to know what's out there in case I ever want to get into it. There's a lot of interesting stuff.

Unless the library plans to seriously upgrade its bandwidth or whatever, I don't see users being very happy with trying to download large audio/video files here, either, although it may be a moot point since I don't think it's something they can do here anyway, unless the wi-fi connection allows it.

Item 19

Well, the music sites don't seem to have much of the music I like (most of which was written pre-20th century), so I'll just stick to my favorite old-fashioned radio station.

The archive is interesting. Its got a lot of the great old time radio shows I'd like to listen to someday. The Gutenberg audio book collection isn't much use to me at the moment because I don't own an ipod or the like to take it with me, and staying close enough to the computer to listen through its speaker isn't really an option. But it's nice to know it's there if I ever get one.

Unfortunately, a lot of this really needs a high-speed internet connection, which I for one may never have (Comcast is way too expensive and there will probably never be DSL in my neighborhood in my lifetime--the lines are too old). Downloading large files on a 28.8 to 31.2 dial-up is something I avoid unless absolutely necessary because it could mean staying up way into the wee hours to make sure it completes (my dial-up drops out periodically). I'm afraid a lot of folks who don't have a high speed connection are just going to be left out of a lot of this fancy stuff.

Item 18

Once again, my screen doesn't match what the directions say in the program. I didn't see a "quick tour" or a "try it out". After opening various options, I did finally find a tour, of sorts.

This is a really nice feature, great for collaborative work. I could see a lot of use for it, but I'd be really hesitant to put any documents, spreadsheets, etc. on it that contained any information that I didn't want seen by prying eyes. If I were absolutely sure no one could ever see it without my permission it would be a great way to save certain data without having to do periodic backups. But I think I'll stick to keeping most of my stuff on my own pc and backing it up until they come up with a way to guarantee privacy from hackers, data miners, etc.

Item 17

OK. Since I'm not a video game person (you could count the number of video games I've tried at least once and have fingers left over), I tried word shoot. Interesting... At least my typing skills are good enough to survive. but I did have some trouble getting the whole image on the screen at one time so I could see "attackers" while they were still at the edges.

Item 16

Wikis are a good way for maintaining information that needs widespread access. They can be easily updated with no need to reprint multiple pages after each change. Being able to limit who can update what makes it easier to maintain the integrity of the data. Libraries have been using wikis for some time for procedures manuals, subject guides, homework help, etc. They're fun to play with when you have time.

Item 14

My technorati screen doesn't even come close to resembling what's on the tutorial, at least on the signed out version. There is no Discover section and the search box doesn't have drop down options. I don't know if the signed in version would have these, because I just don't want another name and password to remember to delete. I'm afraid I don't spend my days looking for blogs to read. I'd rather be outdoors gardening, walking my dog, riding a bike, talking to real live people face to face, anything besides staring at a computer screen. Technology is a wonderful thing in moderation. It can also be a great time waster.

Item 15

Already heard about LibraryThing. Maybe someday I'll consider entering my library after I retire (if it's still around). It's an interesting concept. There is the old privacy issue again. How private is private. My library doesn't contain anything that would set off Homeland Security bells, but I'm still not comfortable with the idea of putting it out for the whole world to see.

My deliberately empty profile is here. http://www.librarything.com/profile/mskriss I know all about creating book catalogs and tagging, so I don't really need to practice it here. According to the FAQs, if I don't have any books in it, they will delete it for me in 3 months. Then I don't have to remember yet another name/password. One of the reasons I limit what I do online is because I don't want to have to keep track of dozens of user names/passwords. It's hard enough remembering all the ones I need for work, banking, prescriptions, etc.

Item 13

Delicious is a good way to track bookmarks that you want/need to share, especially if you are doing collaborative projects. It works well in libraries to track those elusive sights that one stumbles across that have the perfect answer to a difficult or esoteric question, in case the question comes up again.

Item 12

Guess I'm not much into playing with images when I don't have time to really sit down and play! Tried posting an image a few times, but all I get is a broken link. That's the way it goes...

item 11

Sorry. But I really don't feel comfortable setting up a Myspace or Facebook account. I'd just have to turn around and delete it immediately after this section, so there's no point. I don't even want my name out there because it is unique and too traceable.

Item 10

I'm afraid I am old-fashioned enough to have serious privacy concerns about social networking online. I don't think many of the children and young people using them really understand how what they are posting could affect their future (or maybe they just don't care). I never kept a personal diary or journal in writing, so I'm not about to put my personal thoughts on a site (blog or social network) for the whole world to see. No matter how private you think your site is supposed to be, there will always be someone who can find a way through or around any walls you think you have built (think big brother, or future employers). I think social networking sites should be used with a great deal of caution and thought.

That being said, it's possible libraries can find a way to create a presence without being considered an "intruder" by the very users they are trying to reach. But jumping in with both feet just because you want to be seen using the latest and greatest technology/service would not seem to be a very smart approach, although, sadly, it is an all too popular one. You could turn off the very people you are trying to turn on to your services.

Item 9

Sorry, couldn't figure out how to paste anything in my blog. Can't identify where the sidebar is that will accept anything pasted in. Very rarely use IM. Even my nieces, who are of the generation who are supposed to be so into this rarely use IM. They don't even send text messages (at least one, maybe all don't know how).

Item 8

See item 7. I've already subscribed to a number of job related feeds. I just don't have time to keep up with them. I think patrons would like a feed for a new books/cds/dvds list that contains the option for them to get to the list in one click and select something to put on hold. Some patrons might also like a feed for when the used book sales are held at each branch, possibly with the option to limit by branch(es). Another possibility is a listing for storytimes by branch.

Item 7

I signed up for a number of rss feeds around 2 years or so ago. I haven't looked at my account for over a year (until today) because it takes too much time to read through all that stuff (and I only have 6 on it! -- you've got to be kidding with 10).

item 6

The mappr mashup would be interesting for vacation photos as a way to visualize where you were on a map when you took the photo.

dwtdt

Ok. Here's my image choice from Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/11210650@N05/1073332888/

Not hard to guess why if you know me.

7 1/2 habits

For the time being, I don't really have any time available to do any scheduled learning because I have a very irregular schedule with no extra time available. Maybe someday.