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.
Thing 9: Photosharing with Flickr
Set up the Flickr account sans problems. Grabbed a digital camera and popped this Steiglitz-inspired photo.
I do have a number of windows in my Library, unfortunately this is what they all look out to. I know you urban dwellers and back alley creepers, will of course recognize the delivery entrance to the Chamber's Hotel.
Look who I'm telling. Like you didn't know that already.
I really liked the "Online Photosharing in Plain English" film. I can see where Flickr would be pretty great as a place to stockpile your images. Depending what you're putting in there, I can also see where security might be an issue. Immediately after I set up my free account I was directed to a link, posted two days prior, detailing a "phishing" scam perpetrated on Flickr members. But seriously, that has become the nature of the beast (the beast being the internet and not specifically Flickr).
I do have a number of windows in my Library, unfortunately this is what they all look out to. I know you urban dwellers and back alley creepers, will of course recognize the delivery entrance to the Chamber's Hotel.
Look who I'm telling. Like you didn't know that already.
I really liked the "Online Photosharing in Plain English" film. I can see where Flickr would be pretty great as a place to stockpile your images. Depending what you're putting in there, I can also see where security might be an issue. Immediately after I set up my free account I was directed to a link, posted two days prior, detailing a "phishing" scam perpetrated on Flickr members. But seriously, that has become the nature of the beast (the beast being the internet and not specifically Flickr).
Thing 8: Wikis
Prior to doing this thing my only experience with "wikis" was Wikipedia. My experience with Wikipedia has not been all bad nor has it been all good. When it comes to wikis it's like I have a line down the middle of my brain. I LOVE the idea of an open forum where people can go, to post opinions, ideas and information, to share with others. I run into problems when ideas and opinions become "facts" because the sheer number of people who agree with them, outnumber those who challenge them. Stephen Colbert calls it wikiality - or "a reality where, if enough people agree with a notion, it must be true".
Working here in The Library, I see many students cite Wikipedia, as well as other [more] questionable websites, in research papers. The prevalance of Wikipedia in bibliographies and works cited, I believe, is because a student's first stop, when doing research, is Google. They enter a [very general] search string and, invariably, one of the first ten hits is gonna be a Wikipedia link. This has become sort of a habit for many people. Tom Waits made a comment some years ago that "hands are like dogs", in that they always go back to what is familiar. I think this is pretty accurate in respect to how people do research online.
I don't think limiting information by format will necessarily get the results some instructors are looking for. I think teaching the students how to be descriminating researchers, and how to evaluate the quality of information and souces might be a better approach.
I can see using a wiki for working collaboratively on a best practices project at our school or as a reader's advisory. It seems really well suited for these types of things.
I added the photo below to the 16 Things... wiki:
This photo has nothing to do with anything on the 16 Things wiki. However, it does show Prince Randian sitting upright. Which is awesome.
Working here in The Library, I see many students cite Wikipedia, as well as other [more] questionable websites, in research papers. The prevalance of Wikipedia in bibliographies and works cited, I believe, is because a student's first stop, when doing research, is Google. They enter a [very general] search string and, invariably, one of the first ten hits is gonna be a Wikipedia link. This has become sort of a habit for many people. Tom Waits made a comment some years ago that "hands are like dogs", in that they always go back to what is familiar. I think this is pretty accurate in respect to how people do research online.
I don't think limiting information by format will necessarily get the results some instructors are looking for. I think teaching the students how to be descriminating researchers, and how to evaluate the quality of information and souces might be a better approach.
I can see using a wiki for working collaboratively on a best practices project at our school or as a reader's advisory. It seems really well suited for these types of things.
I added the photo below to the 16 Things... wiki:
This photo has nothing to do with anything on the 16 Things wiki. However, it does show Prince Randian sitting upright. Which is awesome.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thing 7: Online Collaboration Tools
Looking at some of my previous posts just now, I've decided I will try to keep these entries brief. If I saw a post like that one I did for Thing 3 on one of your blogs I wouldn't bother to read it. Hell, I wouldn't even skim it. I'm not being mean, I'm just being honest. It's too much. And two thirds of it doesn't even have anything to do with these 16 Things. Not that I'd know that for certain, cuz I'm not reading it anyways. I guess I'm trying to empathize with my readers. Both of you.
I really liked these collaboration tools. I prefer Google to Zoho. It just seemed easier to use. Zoho is like something Fisher-Price would put out for kids. Like Baby's-First-Blackberry or a Close-n-Play Laptop. I wish I had been familiar with Google Docs last quarter cuz it would have totally helped me out with my HLC committee. I see myself using Google Docs a lot in the future and pushing it on anyone who will listen to me.
I'd speculate that the Founding Fathers would have loved these things. Most obviously, cuz they were all rich, white guys. I don't know a rich, white guy alive today that doesn't love messing around with technology. They have all that hardware laying around their office, a copy of GTA4 sitting in the in-box. They never do anything productive with any of it, but they do love to talk about it like they use it all the time. You guys don't fool me. Buncha rich white guys.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about those guys. Maybe some other time.
I really liked these collaboration tools. I prefer Google to Zoho. It just seemed easier to use. Zoho is like something Fisher-Price would put out for kids. Like Baby's-First-Blackberry or a Close-n-Play Laptop. I wish I had been familiar with Google Docs last quarter cuz it would have totally helped me out with my HLC committee. I see myself using Google Docs a lot in the future and pushing it on anyone who will listen to me.
I'd speculate that the Founding Fathers would have loved these things. Most obviously, cuz they were all rich, white guys. I don't know a rich, white guy alive today that doesn't love messing around with technology. They have all that hardware laying around their office, a copy of GTA4 sitting in the in-box. They never do anything productive with any of it, but they do love to talk about it like they use it all the time. You guys don't fool me. Buncha rich white guys.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about those guys. Maybe some other time.
Thing 6: Digg & Reddit...[et al].
I'm loving this Thing!!! I tried to set up a Digg account and was accused of "blowing something up" so I sought assistance from their support team. While I waited out the response I started in on Reddit and halfta admit it's pretty great, however I'm not too crazy about the interface.
I'm kind of a news pig and I end up reading news services and blogs A LOT. I like the fact that you can search by title, keyword, subject, etc. It's interesting the way stories are arranged by popularity, newest, controversial, etc. You kind of get an angle on the cultural "zeitgeist"; where "the herd" is located and where they're going. Being an election year and all, the "most popular" stories seem to be pro-Dems (read: Obama) and slamming McCain/Palin. Draw whatever conclusions you may from that.
You wanna talk credibility? Game on.
If something is popular is it necessarily more credible? No, not at all. Just because more people agree with an idea does not make that idea a "fact" (or even factual ((or factualer))). This is something that Stephen Colbert refers to as truthiness. Reddit is not a "fact checker"; it's providing a forum to view "stories" other subscribers like. Sorry to break it to you like this, but all that stuff you learned in those English classes, about considering sources, plausibility of ideas, agenda of the "author", etc., when assessing credibility, is still gonna be in play.
You can totally tell I'm a Librarian can't you?
[Have you noticed I have a tendency to take some liberties with punctuation? It's like a punctuation rodeo on this blog.]
I'll post an update after I get my Digg account up and runnin'.
I'm kind of a news pig and I end up reading news services and blogs A LOT. I like the fact that you can search by title, keyword, subject, etc. It's interesting the way stories are arranged by popularity, newest, controversial, etc. You kind of get an angle on the cultural "zeitgeist"; where "the herd" is located and where they're going. Being an election year and all, the "most popular" stories seem to be pro-Dems (read: Obama) and slamming McCain/Palin. Draw whatever conclusions you may from that.
You wanna talk credibility? Game on.
If something is popular is it necessarily more credible? No, not at all. Just because more people agree with an idea does not make that idea a "fact" (or even factual ((or factualer))). This is something that Stephen Colbert refers to as truthiness. Reddit is not a "fact checker"; it's providing a forum to view "stories" other subscribers like. Sorry to break it to you like this, but all that stuff you learned in those English classes, about considering sources, plausibility of ideas, agenda of the "author", etc., when assessing credibility, is still gonna be in play.
You can totally tell I'm a Librarian can't you?
[Have you noticed I have a tendency to take some liberties with punctuation? It's like a punctuation rodeo on this blog.]
I'll post an update after I get my Digg account up and runnin'.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thing 5: Beyond MyFaceSpaceBooking
Alright-I did both Plurk and Twitter for three days. Just messing around, seeing what all the chatter was about, who was doing it, folllowed some people, etc. Maybe I need to give this more time, but this seems pretty useless to me. Does anybody really need to know you are "sitting at my desk...still" or "watching The Daily Show @ Kevin's sister's house"? I suppose if you had a really lethargic stalker/ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend and you wanted to torture them by throwing your whereabouts up in their face this would be useful. Sortof.
Call me "old fashioned", but when I'm stalking an "ex" I have a little something called integrity. A little something I like to call "gumption". That's my one-two punch. I go all out. I'm sneaking around in the bushes, peeking in windows, rooting through their trash. I'm not above the tri-weekly slow "ride-by" their place with the headlight off. I will tell you one thing I won't be doing. I won't be sitting at a computer at the public library "following" what they're doing. Hell no. I put those I stalk on a pedestal and I have to believe they appreciate the effort.
There was a guy in Richmond, VA who was Twittering the set list from a My Morning Jacket show he was at, while it was happening. At first I thought that was an interesting use of Twitter but then I thought, "Who needs to know that?" It's not like it's "time-sensitive" information. It's a set list. Ten minutes after the show is over about a hundred people will have blogged about it and also include the entire set list in the post.
I don't know of a way to use this tool "professionally" without coming off looking obsessive/compulsive or egomaniacal (or maybe something worse).
I'm gonna keep an eye on my fellow 16 Thingers to see what they have to say about Twittering/Plurking and how they use, or will use, it.
And then I will berate and belittle them.
Call me "old fashioned", but when I'm stalking an "ex" I have a little something called integrity. A little something I like to call "gumption". That's my one-two punch. I go all out. I'm sneaking around in the bushes, peeking in windows, rooting through their trash. I'm not above the tri-weekly slow "ride-by" their place with the headlight off. I will tell you one thing I won't be doing. I won't be sitting at a computer at the public library "following" what they're doing. Hell no. I put those I stalk on a pedestal and I have to believe they appreciate the effort.
There was a guy in Richmond, VA who was Twittering the set list from a My Morning Jacket show he was at, while it was happening. At first I thought that was an interesting use of Twitter but then I thought, "Who needs to know that?" It's not like it's "time-sensitive" information. It's a set list. Ten minutes after the show is over about a hundred people will have blogged about it and also include the entire set list in the post.
I don't know of a way to use this tool "professionally" without coming off looking obsessive/compulsive or egomaniacal (or maybe something worse).
I'm gonna keep an eye on my fellow 16 Thingers to see what they have to say about Twittering/Plurking and how they use, or will use, it.
And then I will berate and belittle them.
Thing 4: Social Media
I've been wasting waaaaaay too much time on MySpace and FaceBook. I must stay focused if I'm gonna knock this one out by November 1st.
OK, I tried an experiment between the MySpace and FaceBook accounts. With the MySpace, I kept it totally "minimalist"; nothing fancy, didn't actively seek out friends or contacts, no applications, nothing. With FaceBook I went nuts and sought out "friends" made the announcement to everyone that I had a page, tricked out the page, accepted anyone and everyone who wanted to be "friends", revealed all my gory details, etc.
I tried to convince myself that this was some gonna be some kinda significant sociological experiment but it turns out it was me just jackin' around. I did find that almost everyone who asks to be a "friend" (either in FaceBook or MySpace) has a tendency to be pretty creepy (except you GingerDnD, you're the best, baby!!!).
I didn't set up my LinkedIn account yet, but I did take the tour and am totally sold on it. Sorry Plaxo, this is as social as I'm gonna get.
I liked doing this thing and can see the value in socializing in this kind of environment. It's easy to set up an account, it's easy to make "friends", you can network with people with similar interests and backgrounds. I know people use these things as their primary way of staying in contact with friends and family and maybe, if I get in the habit of checking these everyday, I might become more "dependent" on it. Maybe not. Actually, probably not. I just don't have the time or inclination to keep up with this.
Sorry Ginger DnD, as much as it might hurt, I gotta be honest with you on this girl.
OK, I tried an experiment between the MySpace and FaceBook accounts. With the MySpace, I kept it totally "minimalist"; nothing fancy, didn't actively seek out friends or contacts, no applications, nothing. With FaceBook I went nuts and sought out "friends" made the announcement to everyone that I had a page, tricked out the page, accepted anyone and everyone who wanted to be "friends", revealed all my gory details, etc.
I tried to convince myself that this was some gonna be some kinda significant sociological experiment but it turns out it was me just jackin' around. I did find that almost everyone who asks to be a "friend" (either in FaceBook or MySpace) has a tendency to be pretty creepy (except you GingerDnD, you're the best, baby!!!).
I didn't set up my LinkedIn account yet, but I did take the tour and am totally sold on it. Sorry Plaxo, this is as social as I'm gonna get.
I liked doing this thing and can see the value in socializing in this kind of environment. It's easy to set up an account, it's easy to make "friends", you can network with people with similar interests and backgrounds. I know people use these things as their primary way of staying in contact with friends and family and maybe, if I get in the habit of checking these everyday, I might become more "dependent" on it. Maybe not. Actually, probably not. I just don't have the time or inclination to keep up with this.
Sorry Ginger DnD, as much as it might hurt, I gotta be honest with you on this girl.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thing 3: Online Communication
This "Thing" seems like that "remedial math" class I ended up taking in 7th grade. It's a lot of stuff you should know by now but if you didn't learn it when you should have, then you're gonna learn it now, mister (or Miss, if that is the more appropriate pronoun).
Email? I don't even know if I COULD do my job without it. Here at The Library we have MS Outlook for work related stuff but I also maintain a Hotmail account for my more covert maneuvers.
I’m kinda surprised there is no mention of Instant Messaging (IM) in this Thing. I think IM is a great tool and would be really useful here at Ai. It would be nice if it could somehow be rolled in with the other OLS features. If it ever does become available through OLS, I'm gonna be all over that thing.
What about some mention of Text Messaging? It’s a really popular way of communicating. I should state, however, that I personally have a moratorium on “texting” and lemme tell you why; I have a friend who once told me a totally made up story about a 13 year old girl who would "tex mex" so much that her thumbs became super huge and muscular. It got so bad, she had to have a friend of hers come over to her house once a week to wash her thumbs with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge tied to a hockey stick. That'll never be me.
I’m sort of biased as far as the resources available through OLS are concerned. For one, the Library services are AWESOME! Web access to the Ai Library catalog as well as access to thousands of other catalogs via WorldCat, great databases that allow free access to images, full text articles, stats, business docs, etc. And as if that wasn’t enough, free Inter-Library Loan service that allows students and faculty to borrow materials from other libraries anywhere in the world.
Another nice feature available through OLS is the “connectivity” to departments. If you have an “accounting question” you can contact financial aid via email through OLS, same with advisors, admissions, etc. Also, should you ever have a technology issue (this scanner’s busted, this Mac won’t eject my DVD, the overhead projector in 228 won’t mirror my Powerpoint presentation, etc.) you can make a Tech Service Request online and have the problem resolved quickly.
And just as an aside, the Tech staff here at Ai does an amazing job of staying on top of any issues that come up and resolving them in a timely manner, looking into and implementing new hardware and software, as well as upgrading and streamlining current services and systems. They don’t receive nearly the recognition they deserve. So next time you see one of them pushing a “4-wheeler”, overburdened with cables and monitors, down the hall or rooting around under one of the tables in a lab, why not offer up a “thanks” to them. Or, if you’re so inclined, maybe even “hug out” that thank you. Of course, if you uncomfortable invading another’s personal space, you could just buy ‘em lunch.
Yeah, on second thought, just buy ‘em lunch. That would probably be best.
Email? I don't even know if I COULD do my job without it. Here at The Library we have MS Outlook for work related stuff but I also maintain a Hotmail account for my more covert maneuvers.
I’m kinda surprised there is no mention of Instant Messaging (IM) in this Thing. I think IM is a great tool and would be really useful here at Ai. It would be nice if it could somehow be rolled in with the other OLS features. If it ever does become available through OLS, I'm gonna be all over that thing.
What about some mention of Text Messaging? It’s a really popular way of communicating. I should state, however, that I personally have a moratorium on “texting” and lemme tell you why; I have a friend who once told me a totally made up story about a 13 year old girl who would "tex mex" so much that her thumbs became super huge and muscular. It got so bad, she had to have a friend of hers come over to her house once a week to wash her thumbs with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge tied to a hockey stick. That'll never be me.
I’m sort of biased as far as the resources available through OLS are concerned. For one, the Library services are AWESOME! Web access to the Ai Library catalog as well as access to thousands of other catalogs via WorldCat, great databases that allow free access to images, full text articles, stats, business docs, etc. And as if that wasn’t enough, free Inter-Library Loan service that allows students and faculty to borrow materials from other libraries anywhere in the world.
Another nice feature available through OLS is the “connectivity” to departments. If you have an “accounting question” you can contact financial aid via email through OLS, same with advisors, admissions, etc. Also, should you ever have a technology issue (this scanner’s busted, this Mac won’t eject my DVD, the overhead projector in 228 won’t mirror my Powerpoint presentation, etc.) you can make a Tech Service Request online and have the problem resolved quickly.
And just as an aside, the Tech staff here at Ai does an amazing job of staying on top of any issues that come up and resolving them in a timely manner, looking into and implementing new hardware and software, as well as upgrading and streamlining current services and systems. They don’t receive nearly the recognition they deserve. So next time you see one of them pushing a “4-wheeler”, overburdened with cables and monitors, down the hall or rooting around under one of the tables in a lab, why not offer up a “thanks” to them. Or, if you’re so inclined, maybe even “hug out” that thank you. Of course, if you uncomfortable invading another’s personal space, you could just buy ‘em lunch.
Yeah, on second thought, just buy ‘em lunch. That would probably be best.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thing 2: RSS Feed
This RSS business went so fast I wasn't even sure I did it. I'm still not sure. The only evidence that I did it correctly is the faint smell of Google Reader on my clothes after I logged off (if that's any indication). Weird. I guess now I wait it out and just watch the feeds come rolling in.
This would be a huge thing to me if I was a real blogger and all hardcore about it an everything. My wife is gonna go nuts about this (if she doesn't know about it already). I'll post later to let all of you who are feeding off of this blog know if it did work.
I'm curious about one thing. Now, I'm not a physicist or an astronomer or anything like that but, if you're being fed my blog while I'm being fed your blog at the same time would this create a small tear in the time space continuum thereby granting us (you and I) the possibility of seeing KISS during the 1978 Destroyer Tour right now? In real time?
Is that the most amazing idea you've ever considered or did I just totally blow your mind?
I know, same here.
Once again, I feel I should stess my previous disclaimer that I have no science background (well, yeah, Library Science, duh) and this is all speculation. Nevertheless, if one of you "hard science" types have any insight in to this, gimme a hollar. The opportunity the see "the hottest band in the world" at the very zenith of their apex could be in it for you. How awesome is that?
Yeah, I know.
UPDATE:
All the worry and anxiety of not knowing if I did the RSS feed correctly has been for naught. It seems I have completed Thing 2 successfully.
Hey Thing 3!!! You wanna a piece of this?
Ahhhh HELL no! You did NOT just say that to me.
This would be a huge thing to me if I was a real blogger and all hardcore about it an everything. My wife is gonna go nuts about this (if she doesn't know about it already). I'll post later to let all of you who are feeding off of this blog know if it did work.
I'm curious about one thing. Now, I'm not a physicist or an astronomer or anything like that but, if you're being fed my blog while I'm being fed your blog at the same time would this create a small tear in the time space continuum thereby granting us (you and I) the possibility of seeing KISS during the 1978 Destroyer Tour right now? In real time?
Is that the most amazing idea you've ever considered or did I just totally blow your mind?
I know, same here.
Once again, I feel I should stess my previous disclaimer that I have no science background (well, yeah, Library Science, duh) and this is all speculation. Nevertheless, if one of you "hard science" types have any insight in to this, gimme a hollar. The opportunity the see "the hottest band in the world" at the very zenith of their apex could be in it for you. How awesome is that?
Yeah, I know.
UPDATE:
All the worry and anxiety of not knowing if I did the RSS feed correctly has been for naught. It seems I have completed Thing 2 successfully.
Hey Thing 3!!! You wanna a piece of this?
Ahhhh HELL no! You did NOT just say that to me.
Thing 1: I'm Blogging
A shout out to my fellow "16 Thingers". My first thing is now in the books with zero difficulty to report. Due to my inclination to "over-achievement" I have given myself a 16 Day timeline to complete all 16 Things. All you NASCAR fans out there will recognize me as the "pace car" (green and gold) and, I'm guessing you'll be admiring my tail lights for most of this project/race.
How's this magic lookin' from back there?
How's this magic lookin' from back there?
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