Week 10: #23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning...

There were several components of this training that I enjoyed. I really liked the library elf and library thing. I think these are two sites that I would continue to use. I also was really happy that I had the opportunity to learn more about photo sharing, because that is something I was interested in learning more about. I also liked that the fact that this was a collaborative effort. Everyone got together and helped each other out, and I think it was a good bonding experience for the staff. It was really interesting to look at other peoples blogs. I came into this whole experience in the middle of it and it was a good way for me to get to know all my new coworkers. I would definetly be interested in continuing this training. I think that this experience was good for everyone because it gave us an opportunity to learn about things that we might never have done without iHCPL. I think the next step now is just to take it to the next level. I would interesting in applying the things I learned and doing more advanced applications. I think that the program was a great success and I am really happy that I completed it.

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

I think that compared with the other sites I looked at the HCPL site is really good. I like that we have this available for people that want to use it. As far as I am concerned I really don't see the point of eBooks. I would not check one of these out. When I read a book, I don't want to have to stare at the computer screen for a long time. However, I did like the fact that there are music and movies on the HCPL site, that is really cool. I had actually never looked at the overdrive site before and I am glad I did because I do think it is a good thing, that we have this avaible for our customers. We had a lot of really good items on the site for people to use, so I think it is good. I am just not sure how much I would actually use this sort of thing, especially since I use a Mac at home, and according to the site its not compatible with Macs or iPods. Which I think is definetly a disadvantage because so many people have iPods now.

Week 9: #21 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

I was familiar with podcasts before starting this excercise. I already had the new york times book review in my bloglines account. I subscribed to a podcast about Las Vegas tourism, since I am going there next month. I used podcastalley.com and I thought it was really good. the site allowed you to browse for podcast based on subject, and they had thousands of entries. If you are looking for a podcast and you don't have itunes the I think this is a good site to visit. I think podcasts are very useful, because they are easy to make and anyone with a computer can access them. I think podcasts are going to become more and more popular. I heard alot about colleges used podcasts in classes, which I think is a great option for students. I took several online classes when I was in college, and I think I would have taken advantage of a class that used podcasts, if it had been available to me.

Week 9: #20 Discover YouTube and other video sharing sites

I think YouTube is a really cool website. I like that there is so much content, from anything to TV, politics, and random videos that people post. I enjoy just browsing YouTube and seeing what out there. I think that this could be a good tool for the library. I think it could be a good way to promote upcoming programs and services. YouTube is a really popular site so I think that people would appreciate if the library used it. The video I found is from my favorite TV show The Office. One of the funniest parts of the show are the pranks that Jim on plays on Dwight. I found a video that someone made of the top ten pranks between Dwight and Jim. This video is a good example of why I like YouTube, because anyone who is a fan of the show will enjoy this compilation. I couldn't figure out how to embed the video so here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyO7Fp1PuoM

Week 8: #19 Web-based Apps: They're not just for desktops

I think that Zoho writer is actually pretty cool. Anyone wh0 has used miscrosoft word before will find Zoho writer to be easy to use. I really liked the fact that it was easy to use and it is really convenient if you want to share documents. It was really easy to create a document and it had all the features of microsft word that I like to use, plus some great features that word does not have. I could definetly see how some people would argue that this could lead to the end of microsoft office, but I would argue that it wouldn't be anytime soon. But I think that this is a very useful tool, and I could see myself using it at some point.

Week 8: #18 Social Networking: Making friends in the comfort of your own home

Social networking is something that really does not appeal to me. A lot of my friends are on myspace and facebook, and they always try and get me to join but I am just not interested. Those two sites in particular, seem to me best suited for high school age kids, and I think that is part of the reason it does not appeal to me. I looked at several of the sites and the only one I really found interesting was dogster, I don't think I would actually sign up for it, but it did catch my attention.

Week 7: #17 Blog About Technology

When I think about the impact that technology has on my life, it is kind of scary. Sometimes I cannot believe how much I rely on technology. There is not a day that goes by that I do not use technology. And we really are all addicted to technology. Technology is constantly changing the way we live our lives. It effects the way we live, work, and communicate with each other. I know that my life is made so much easier because I have a cell phone and a computer. I think these are good things, but I think there is something to be said for not getting too attached to technology. It should make our lives easier, not control them.

Week 7: #16 So what's in a wiki?

I think that wikis are interesting, since it allows so much freedom for people to add whatever they want. However, that is also a downside because if no one edits the content then how do you verify the information. I know that with wikis like wikipedia, they verify that the information is correct. However I personally would not feel comfortable using information from a website like that because I don't know if I can really trust it. I don't think that wikis are a bad thing I just think that they have to be monitored.

Week 6: #15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

For me, Library 2.0 is merely a way to describes the different methods that libraries use to keep up with emerging technologies. As library customers become more technologically advanced, so should libraries. The objective of any library system is to address the needs of the people it serves, and Library 2.0 is a way to adress those needs. If the library just stayed the way its always been, some people will lose interest. And Library 2.0 can be a way to bring in those people who think libraries are obsolete. I think the most important aspect of Library 2.0 is education, educating library staff and customers on new technology and resources that can improve everyone's lives.

Week 6: #14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati

I think technorati is a really good website if you are really serious about blogging. For people that are really into blogging, then I think it is a very good thing. I did not find it to be particularlly interesting or useful for me. I think technorati is probably enjoyed most by people who aew really interested in technology and the internet. I like to be informed about new technology, but I am not interested in it enough were I want to talk about it all the time. I think technorati is a good website, but it did not appeal to me personally.

Week 6: #13 Tagging makes the web 2.0 world go round

I think that this is a good tool because it allows you to be able to access your bookmarks from anywhere you can get online. And I also think this would be a good tool for research, because it allows you to see what other people have bookmarked which may contain relevant information to your topic. However, I don't know if this is something that I personally would use often, but I think I will sign up for an account with Del.icio.us.

Week 5: #12 The "Library" Elf will remind you!

I definetly like the Library Elf, because I am very bad about turning my books in on time. Even though I work for the library and I am here all the time, I still forget. I think any kind of extra reminders are a good thing. Ans this service was easy to use, all you have to do is sign up and the elf does all the work for you. I think this would also be a good thing for people who check out a lot of books at one time, or for parents whose children all have their own card, because they could register all the cards on one elf account. That would make it a lot easier to keep track of.

Week 5: #11 A Thing about Library Thing

I love Library Thing!! I read alot, and I keep a book journal where I write downs the titles and authors of the books I read. But this is even better. You can catalog and tag all your books, and see what other people are reading who share your literary interests. This is a great tool for any book lover. Here is the link to my library: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/missgrimm

Week 5: #10 Play around with Image Generators

I used Meez, to create the avatar on my blog. I thought this was really fun. I think avatars are a great way to express yourself without having to share too much personal information. There were lots of different options to choose from on Meez, and there are lots of other image generator websites out there, so I am sure everyone can find something they like. But I thought this was the most fun excercise I've done so far!

Week 4: #9 Finding Feeds

I found Feedster and Technorati the easiest to use. I did a couple of searches on both, and I found the results easy to navigate. I also likes Topix, since it allowed you to search your city. I did not like Syndic8. I found it to be confusing. Maybe it is just because I am new at this, but I thought it was kind of overwhelming. I think it was too much information for me.

Week 4: #8 Make life "really simple" with RSS and a newsreader

I found this excercise to be really fun. I like having the feeds to my favorite websites all in one place. I subscribed to about 12 different rss feeds and I subscribed to some of my coworkers blogs. I like bloglines, because it is a great way to organize all your favorite sites in one place. I was able to add news sites, book reviews, the top 25 songs on itunes, and several other sites. I think this is something I will definelty continue to use after the iHCPL training is over.

Week 3: #7 Photo Editing Tools

This is the photo, I edited using Pixer. I have never edited a photo before and I found it to be a bit confusing. However, once I played around with it a little bit, I found that it was much easier to use than I originally thought.

This is the original photo that I found on Flickr.

Week 3: #6 More Flickr Fun

I really like the Trip Planner tool. I love to travel ans this is a great way to organize your trip and to share your photos. I love to travel, and I could definetly see myself using this tool, to document my next trip. I also really enjoyed Colr Pickr.

Week 3: #5 Discover Flickr

Sunflower in fall
Originally uploaded by .nutMeg.

Week 2: #4 Online Safety and Sharing

I think that the internet is a great tool for people to be able to share information with each other. I think that internet safety is really important, but I think that it is up to the individual to make sure that are being safe. As long as people are careful about what information they post, then I think that everyone's privacy can be protected.

week 1: #2 Lifelong Learning - Motivate Yourself

I am motivated to start my blog, because I see how much fun my coworkers are having. So far it is lots of fun! Because I am moitvated every challege will be a fun new experience.

week 1: #1 discovery is fun

I am excited to start my blog. I have never done one before and I think it will be fun.