This is it peeps; my final "Thing". Me, geotagging. Who'd of thought it?
At first I thought this was kinda lame. But I kept snooping around and reading about it and I'm starting to come around. It's really easy to do (in Flickr, at least). I had read somewhere that the Coen Brothers use this kinda thing when they are scouting locations for their films.
I used my photo from Thing 9 and geotagged it. You can check it out here. You can find the location by clicking the "map" link in the lower right hand side, under the "Additional Information" heading. Pretty sweet huh?
I went with the Flickr option cuz I already had an account with them and I am trying to wrap this thing up today. I will look around at the others when my time frees up.
I think I will start geotagging photos more. I think my kids will really like this. They're crazy about maps. I don't see any application to Library work but if you gimme some time, I'll come up with something.
Geocaching? I have to agree with the "16 Things Overlord" and his (or her) infinite wisdom. This seems pretty stupid to me. Who would waste that much time and energy (and fuel) on treasure hunting?
Forget it. Now I'm just getting angry about this.
Right now I think I need to put some emotional distance between me and this "Thing".
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thing 15: Podcasts
I've been listening to podcasts pretty regularly for about the last year. When I first found out about them I listened almost exclusively to live concerts/shows from around the world. I found out about Explosions in the Sky from a podcast. NPR has some great podcasts for that kinda stuff (ie. "All Songs Considered", "OTR", etc.). NPR's site is kinda like YouTube for radio broadcasts; easy to search, archived shows, weird variety. Science Weekly has some interesting podcasts. One of the first I listened to was an overview of Charles Darwin and his evolutionary theory. It was pretty amazing. That led to other "brainy" podcasts like one on "String Theory", bioethics, economics of conservation, etc.
I like that teachers are broadcasting lessons to their students. I like decentralizing information like this. Students don't need to be "in this room at this time". They can sit in on the lessons when and where it's most convenient for them. If questions arise they can post to the "comments" and have their questions answered by literally hundreds of other viewers. It's inexpensive to produce a podcast and you don't really need to have any significant technological background to get it out there.
Hey wait a minute. This is starting to sound like "16 Things"...and Web 2.0. Ohhhhh I totally stepped in it that time.
I am about 78% sure (and that's a pretty high percentage for me) that Walt W. would be crazy about podcasting. And if he did "podcast" he would call his show, "I Am He Who Podcasts Daily" and it would be available on the NPR site. His parents would tell all their friends that, "Yeah, Walt is doing that little podcast of his still. I guess it's pretty popular. That's what he tells us anyways", but they probably wouldn't listen to it all that often. Maybe like, a couple times a month. They're busy people ya know. You can sympathize with them a little, can't you?
I like that teachers are broadcasting lessons to their students. I like decentralizing information like this. Students don't need to be "in this room at this time". They can sit in on the lessons when and where it's most convenient for them. If questions arise they can post to the "comments" and have their questions answered by literally hundreds of other viewers. It's inexpensive to produce a podcast and you don't really need to have any significant technological background to get it out there.
Hey wait a minute. This is starting to sound like "16 Things"...and Web 2.0. Ohhhhh I totally stepped in it that time.
I am about 78% sure (and that's a pretty high percentage for me) that Walt W. would be crazy about podcasting. And if he did "podcast" he would call his show, "I Am He Who Podcasts Daily" and it would be available on the NPR site. His parents would tell all their friends that, "Yeah, Walt is doing that little podcast of his still. I guess it's pretty popular. That's what he tells us anyways", but they probably wouldn't listen to it all that often. Maybe like, a couple times a month. They're busy people ya know. You can sympathize with them a little, can't you?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thing 14: Research Project Calculator
I was introduced to both of these services a couple years ago by a fellow librarian. At the time, the UofM calculator was unavailable to the general public so I would steer students to the RPC. It is really great that anyone can access it (AC) now. The RPC seems more geared to high schoolers and maybe younger students. As far as "planners" go, I really like both of these. I like that they email you to remind you to stay on task, and/or that you have a "step" to complete. These should be incorporated into the beginning English classes.
Seven sentences. How's that for brevity. BAM!
Seven sentences. How's that for brevity. BAM!
Thing 13: Online Productivity Tools
I'm really liking these gadgets. You shoulda seen me goin' at it up in here. I set up my iGoogle start page and immediately added a dozen gadgets. At one point I was up to 62 gadgets. I was outta my mind. I've roped myself in though and am currently down to 17. I'm gonna put out this warning and let you folks know that this whole "productivity" angle to this "thing" is kind of a misnomer. I've been wasting lots of time adding and removing gadgets. It's kind of addicting. Once you have all these gadgets set up then of course you gotta use 'em. Tetris online, Smoking Gun, Science News, all pretty sweet. Don't get me wrong, I do have some useful gadgets on here. When did you get so judgemental? I can't believe that's how you think of me.
I didn't mess with the calendar cuz I use the one I have through Outlook pretty regularly and I didn't want to make Outlook jealous.
I played with the "Ta Daa List" but it kinda seemed like more work than it was worth. I really liked Zamzar and have referred a couple students and colleagues to it when they have trouble opening a .docx file in the older version of MS Word.
I'm back to keeping it brief but if I find any great gadgets between now and the end of the quarter I'll update this post.
I didn't mess with the calendar cuz I use the one I have through Outlook pretty regularly and I didn't want to make Outlook jealous.
I played with the "Ta Daa List" but it kinda seemed like more work than it was worth. I really liked Zamzar and have referred a couple students and colleagues to it when they have trouble opening a .docx file in the older version of MS Word.
I'm back to keeping it brief but if I find any great gadgets between now and the end of the quarter I'll update this post.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thing 12: Tagging and Del.icio.us
I've been with Del.icio.us for about a year now. At first I was pretty crazy about it. I liked being able to access my bookmarks from anywhere. That was pretty sweet. I don't know how much enthusiam I can (or should) generate for bookmarks or bookmarking services.
Tagging in Del.icio.us is kind of a quagmire. It's good they make suggestions and show how other folks are tagging the same sites. Yeah, that's good. Yeah...good.
Can you tell I'm totally calling this one in.
Maybe I've hit that "comfort level" that some couples get to, when they can just enjoy the silence. It's not awkward or strained when you don't have anything to say to one another. Just sitting there staring off or looking out the window or something. Maybe that's how it is between Del.icio.us and I. Didja ever think of that? A genuine, mutual respect and affection for one another without the need to fill the "one-on-one time" with a bunch of useless chatter. Not like what you and I are doing right now. This is just me padding out this entry. That's what this is. What Del.icio.us and I have is different and I wouldn't expect you to understand it. Unless you'd been there, and known what it was like in the beginning; having that history that we (Del.icio.us and I) share. To me, that is what all the sacrifice and hardwork in building a relationship is about. The struggle, the pain; emotions laid bare. [Dramatic pause] But to you, these are just words. Just words on a blog with no real context or meaning. Well I feel sorry for you. I do. I guess I can only hope that someday you'll experience even a fraction of what I have. That's the kind of success I hope for you my friend. That's the kind of happiness I hope you can find...with your online bookmarking service.
Tagging in Del.icio.us is kind of a quagmire. It's good they make suggestions and show how other folks are tagging the same sites. Yeah, that's good. Yeah...good.
Can you tell I'm totally calling this one in.
Maybe I've hit that "comfort level" that some couples get to, when they can just enjoy the silence. It's not awkward or strained when you don't have anything to say to one another. Just sitting there staring off or looking out the window or something. Maybe that's how it is between Del.icio.us and I. Didja ever think of that? A genuine, mutual respect and affection for one another without the need to fill the "one-on-one time" with a bunch of useless chatter. Not like what you and I are doing right now. This is just me padding out this entry. That's what this is. What Del.icio.us and I have is different and I wouldn't expect you to understand it. Unless you'd been there, and known what it was like in the beginning; having that history that we (Del.icio.us and I) share. To me, that is what all the sacrifice and hardwork in building a relationship is about. The struggle, the pain; emotions laid bare. [Dramatic pause] But to you, these are just words. Just words on a blog with no real context or meaning. Well I feel sorry for you. I do. I guess I can only hope that someday you'll experience even a fraction of what I have. That's the kind of success I hope for you my friend. That's the kind of happiness I hope you can find...with your online bookmarking service.
Thing 11: Online Creations
Sharing photos online? I've climbed that mountain already folks so I moved onto the fertile territory of slideshows. If you're anything like me, you will appreciate my disdain for PowerPoint presentations. I could go on and on about this but I'm not gonna tell you anything you don't already know, now am I? See? Thanks for being so understanding.
Of the four slideshow services provided on the 16 Things site I went with Slideshare. It's kinda like YouTube for PowerPoint presentations. [I know what you're thinking. Don't EVEN say it] It's a really great way to backup slide shows or, if you travel and need to do presentations, you avoid all those tech problems with software compatibility. Seeing as how it's web based, all you'll need is some kind of internet connection. And who doesn't have that, right? The other three slideshow options provided the tools to actually create a slideshow. They each had some kinda nice features but were limited in functionality or in ease of use (intuitive) or providing useful "Help" options.
This is a resource that should be totally incorporated into any class that requires students to do Powerpoint presentations. As an aside, it drives me crazy when instructors "require" students to make copies of these presentations and give one to every student in the class. The whole idea behind this type of presentaion is to do away with wasting materials (read: paper) on generating a hard copy. Nobody is gonna keep all that paper after the presentation anyways. It's completely unnecessary. Wake up and quit wasting all that paper, people. If you're a student in a class where that is standard procedure; introduce the instructor to this Thing. I will be forever indebted to you.
Anyways, here's a bargain basement slideshow of a story I made up called Joe Kennedy & America. [This is a totally fictitious story and any resemblance to people living or dead is completely inconsequential] I didn't have time to illustrate it so it's just the text. It's a children's story that is supposed to be narrarated by a paunchy guy, with a bushy mustache and a bullhorn. He's on a stage, addressing a theater full of sullen Victorian-era scientists in lab coats. Now what kid would't love that? Yeah, I know.
Don't believe those punks at Slideshare. I would never abridge your access to anything as important as a slideshow presentation. If the link below isn't working, use the direct link above. Then tell the people at Slideshare to go and shine it.
eFolio Minnesota looks pretty fun. I did the tour but didn't have time to do anything with it.
I like the fact that all of these "Share Your Creation" options are free and web based. Anyone could walk into a public library, get on a computer, create some really nice looking presentaions in a relatively short amount of time and share them with others.
Of the four slideshow services provided on the 16 Things site I went with Slideshare. It's kinda like YouTube for PowerPoint presentations. [I know what you're thinking. Don't EVEN say it] It's a really great way to backup slide shows or, if you travel and need to do presentations, you avoid all those tech problems with software compatibility. Seeing as how it's web based, all you'll need is some kind of internet connection. And who doesn't have that, right? The other three slideshow options provided the tools to actually create a slideshow. They each had some kinda nice features but were limited in functionality or in ease of use (intuitive) or providing useful "Help" options.
This is a resource that should be totally incorporated into any class that requires students to do Powerpoint presentations. As an aside, it drives me crazy when instructors "require" students to make copies of these presentations and give one to every student in the class. The whole idea behind this type of presentaion is to do away with wasting materials (read: paper) on generating a hard copy. Nobody is gonna keep all that paper after the presentation anyways. It's completely unnecessary. Wake up and quit wasting all that paper, people. If you're a student in a class where that is standard procedure; introduce the instructor to this Thing. I will be forever indebted to you.
Anyways, here's a bargain basement slideshow of a story I made up called Joe Kennedy & America. [This is a totally fictitious story and any resemblance to people living or dead is completely inconsequential] I didn't have time to illustrate it so it's just the text. It's a children's story that is supposed to be narrarated by a paunchy guy, with a bushy mustache and a bullhorn. He's on a stage, addressing a theater full of sullen Victorian-era scientists in lab coats. Now what kid would't love that? Yeah, I know.
Don't believe those punks at Slideshare. I would never abridge your access to anything as important as a slideshow presentation. If the link below isn't working, use the direct link above. Then tell the people at Slideshare to go and shine it.
eFolio Minnesota looks pretty fun. I did the tour but didn't have time to do anything with it.
I like the fact that all of these "Share Your Creation" options are free and web based. Anyone could walk into a public library, get on a computer, create some really nice looking presentaions in a relatively short amount of time and share them with others.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thing 10: More Flickring Around
The above is another of my daily affirmations. Hopefully this "type" of thing will give me the inner strength to persevere to that most enigmatic of all numbers...number 16.
I'm thinking when you read that last paragraph, read it out loud...and in the voice of James Mason. Go ahead and do it right now.
Huh? See what I mean? I think we're beginning to undestand one another a little better now, don't you? Well alright, this is starting to get fun again.
I don't know if you caught that subtle 100 level Typography humor I snuck in that opening paragraph. It's all in the details my friends...all in the details.
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