Monday, December 3, 2007

23 Things ** Week 6



Thing 8 Google Documents

What a wonderful tool! I can see lots of applications for this in the Library, as well as personal use.

Rosters, timetables, upcoming events are just some of the applications I can see of use with this type of application. I am sure I will think of more as the day progresses.

After I did Thing 8 at work, I went home and started a spreadsheet for my daughter's wedding invitations. She'd sent me the list of names, and a lot of them needed updated details. I was not looking forward to labouriously emailing back and forwards with details. The Google Docs are so much easier and more practical, as her bridesmaid, herself and myself can now all share the document to make changes and corrections. Wonderful.
(The wedding is early next year, she is getting married here, but currently is living in Narrogin - which makes it difficult!)

Thing 9 Wiki

Okay, there were some problems with doing this! I inserted an image to my front page and lost all the info I had typed there. Not happy Jan! Oh well, a rookie mistake.

I could do more, but time constraints don't permit much except for down and dirty.

We already use a wiki at our library and find that it is a wonderful tool for keeping every one up to date with any changes to procedures, problems etc. It has become part of our day to check the wiki each morning.
So much easier than trying to let everyone know individually, especially as a lot of us are part-time.

I am not sure if I would use a wiki for personal use, but it is a marvellous tool in the workplace.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

23 Things Week 5 Web 2.0

Web 2.0 could be an amazing tool for Libraries. I was very interested in the concept of delivering outside the physical building.

These days a lot of the users are adept at using the technologies available, and libraries need to be able to deliver apropriate services to these users as well as the more traditional services.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BLOG POST: Write about a post you've read via RSS in google reader.

Nov 26, 2007 10:49 AM
Self-paced learning for library workers
from librariesinteract.info by Peta Hopkins
There are now a number of sites which have developed their own ‘23 things’ type staff development activities. In many cases these programs are openly accessible and encourage anyone to join in.
23 things
This one really got the ball rolling, with a 9-week program for staff at PLCMC. It listed 23 Things (or small exercises) that you can do on the web to explore and expand your knowledge of the Internet and Web 2.0.
There is a long list of sites that are doing similar programs and many of these will be helpful for the motivated self-learner or for those tailoring a similar program for their library. On the list are a heap of Australian sites, including those participating in the state-wide program in Victoria.
This is a sample of sites from different sectors that have modified the 23 things program (not all Australian)..
St. Michaels Primary School (School)
Murdoch University Library (Academic)
Mornington Peninsular Library (Public) - this one is part of a Victoria-wide program.
Sutherland Shire (Public)
Library of the Marine Corps (Special)


It is always interesting reading about something you are currently involved in!

This seems to be a subject that is gaining quite a bit of interest in the Library community - and probably others as well. Technology is changing and advancing at an incredible rate, and it is quite a task learning what is out there and better still, how to best utilise it.

Just learning the software applications like Access and Excel - a program I use a lot, but only a very limited use. I would like to learn a lot more about those applications, not to mention trying to keep up with all this new technology.

So far I have found Skype and Facebook have been wonderful with my daughter overseas in Canada for a year.

Again a lot of my learning has been impelled by my children, trying to keep in touch with them, or in touch with their interests.

Libraries need to keep in touch with these users as well as the traditional users, to have the ability to engage the new generation of computer literate users.

To boldly go.....
Week 4 Play Week

I really enjoyed Star Trek meets Monty Python, it encompasses two of my favourite forms of entertainment!

I am always amazed at the time, patience and know-how of the people who do these wonderful music videos on the internet.

One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to allow people to express their creativity, with the benefit of showing it to an often very large audience.

What did we do before the internet?

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

More 23 Things

Thing 6

Okay, I have signed up for Google Reader, which was quite an easy process. The hardest thing was not going and looking at all the other things like Picasa, for photos; Book Search, hmm!; Alerts for those special things; Calendar to keep track of it all; Notebook sounds very handy. Darn, I can lose time in all of this.

I have already found Google Maps to be a very handy addition to my search tools.

I became sidetracked when adding Google Reader to my iGoogle page, then I added Wikipaedia, Dictionary, Garfield of the Day, Joke of the Day......


Thing 7

Well I have subscribed to a few RSS feeds as well as looking at the packages that are offered. My only question is 'When do I have time to look at them??' I already have trouble keeping on top of my email!!

I have subscribed to some interesting Library sites as well as a few fun sites, sci-fi sites, and my daughter's LiveJournal page. Very handy!

Must make time.... must make time.... must make time....

Monday, September 17, 2007

Thing 4

23 Things

Goal

My goal is to learn all that I can, to enjoy learning and to complete the 23 Things by December 2007.

I do enjoy learning new technology and using it. My kids who are computer literate constantly encourage me to try and keep up with them.

Obstacles & strategies to overcome them

Lack of time - organise time / tasks more efficiently
- allocate a time / place
Lack of knowledge - assistance from Gavin or IT
- phone a friend
- email / Skype daughter
I am fairly certain there are more obstacles ahead, but I can't think of any at the moment. They will rear their ugly heads sooner or later. When they do I will be certain to post them and ways to overcome them (bear traps; pit with sharpened stakes; invisibility cloak; sword & shield...)
.
Toolkit
.
Access to internet - there are lots of excellent sites, many with tutorials
Online tools
Headphones
Gavin
Daughter in Canada - my technology guru
Palm PDA - my 'other' brain that runs on batteries, and is more reliable!
.
.
Experiences so far...
.
I have not found any problems signing up for Gmail or for this blog.
What I do find intimidating is putting up pieces of myself onto the web for others to see. I have a Live Journal that I rarely write to - not enough time is the main problem. I also have difficulty putting information on the web for others to read. Partly because I don't think I have anything of interest worth putting up, and also it engenders in me a feeling of vunerability. Words are very powerful, especially when they are strung together into a sentence, and spelt correctly!
I find it very scary!!
I am having fun
I read to be entertained, to enjoy and relax. I don't usually read literary books, or recommended books - unless something about them interests me, or appals me (DESERT FLOWER: The Extraordinary Life of a Desert Nomad by Dirie, Waris).

I am into escapism. I read a broad range of genre from humour to science fiction to romance to crime to...

If an author writes well, I am not really fussy about the subject.

Currently I have just finished reading the latest book by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) called Innocent in Death.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas hunts for the killer of a seemingly ordinary history teacher-and uncovers some extraordinary surprises. Craig Foster's death devastated his young wife, who'd sent him to work that day with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked his colleagues at the private school, too, and as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids-they may have been traumatized for life. Eve soon determines that Foster's homemade lunch was tainted with deadly ricin, and that Mr. Foster's colleagues have some startling secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to sort it out- and discover why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant ... so innocent.
http://www.noraroberts.com/innocentIDmore.htm

I enjoy the J.D. Robb books, which are very different to the books she writes under Nora Roberts.

This book is about the 24th in the series. I haven't read one yet that I was disappointed in. The series has crime, romance, humour and science fiction (don't say you don't read / like science fiction! This book is set just a little in the future, on earth. The people are the same, just some of the toys are different. Nothing outlandish or unbelievable.)

Eve is a detective in New York City in the very near future of 2058. She is a tough, strong female character with integrity, strength and a lot of heart. She was abused as a child and suffers nightmares as a result. A lot of the humour in the books comes from her difficulty with people, friends and emotions. She is use to being on her own and is often baffled by things that others take for granted.

In her first book Naked In Death she encounters a very interesting man and their relationship is a joy to read.

Breaking every rule, Lt. Eve Dallas gets involved with Roarke, a suspect in her latest murder case. But passion and seduction have rules all their own.
http://www.noraroberts.com/jdrobbbooks.htm

After reading the latest book, I have started to reread the series again, from the beginning....