Week 9 #23 The End Or Just The Beginning

I am a child of the 60's and considered myself computer literate, however I soon discovered there is so much more to learn.

Learning 2.0 gave me the opportunity and excuse to spend time, time us working mum's often don't have to do more than pay bills online, purchase tickets, search ebay and find out the weather.

I did feel guilty 'playing' thinking of all the things I could or should be doing instead of washing, ironing, feeding my children etc.

There were weeks where I felt out of my depth, however I continued and with persistence I was able to discover some unique sites and ones which I didn't understand and will probably have no use for personally. However, our library users will most probably think differently.

I enjoyed Zoho Writer and could see the benefits of such an application in the library setting. Whether I re-visit and update my blog I'm unsure, I'd like to think so. One of my colleagues has actually taken the plunge and continued onto L 2.1.

On one occasion I was unable to complete an extra task of publishing a word processing document I created with Zoho Writer. I sought assistance from a far more technology savvy person than me who also couldn't complete the task.

Blogs, Wiki's, RSS 43 Things, Zoho, Youtube, Sandbox, Tags just to name a few, you never stop learning. I for one love information and was fascinated by the numerous ways that information can be communicated.

Hopefully this doesn't mean that books will become obsolete in libraries, there will always be a place for both books and on-line information technology in our libraries.

Thank you to Lynette and Leslie and my colleagues who assisted me.

Week 9 #22 Rime of the ancient mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - Project Gutenberg

Rime of the ancient mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - Project Gutenberg

This topic came a very good time as my sister and I are looking into downloading audio books for our mother. So it was was a way of finding out what is available and how we go about doing it.
I'm speaking for myself here as my sister probably already knows where to find such things.
There is plenty to choose from, junior, teenage and adult. I am confident I (we) will find find something Mum likes.

And the Winner is.......

Thank you to those who voted in my frog poll, it was a bit of fun. The winner by a large majority is ET.

Week 9 #20 The home Stretch

I looked at YouTube and this is what I found and wanted to share. They appear to be VERY happy library workers, maybe it's all that coffee they seem to consume.

Week 8 #19 '43 things'

I chose '43 things' to browse, I logged in and added to the question 'What would you like to do?' It was interesting to see how many other visitors has the same answer. I was then able to read their post and leave a comment if I wished, I could also access any other posts they had created.

I was curious, I wanted to know if I could actually search a person not just a phrase, I typed a user name and low and behold up came the person I was looking for. I could access their posts and leave a comment, I did. Now I have to wait and see if they respond. As it was one of my L2.0 buddies, they may not re-visit.

43 things was fun and relatively straight forward to navigate and use. Whether library users would use it I'm not sure, however younger patrons would probably find more use for the site.

One more thing I didn't find the site visually appealing, it seemed to be missing something, that's just my opinion!

Week 8 #18 Zoho - This is fun! It really Is.

I had a lot of fun with Zoho Writer, there was sooooo much you could do. I can see how functions like word processing, spreadsheeting and online conferencing could takeover from existing applications.

With multi choice templates, resumes' for differing careers and speech writing.

I did try and blog through Zoho and had difficulty in connecting to my blog. I got assistance from another who also was unable to connect. We gave up, however, I understand how it's done.

Week 7 #17 Sandbox

I've added my blog and didn't need the [], oh well it appears to have worked. Favourites, well I've added a couple of things, ice-ceam - licorice, football team - collingwood, colour - blue, chocolate - white, weather - hot, pets - cats, now you're getting bored.

Week 7 #16 Wiki

The list is endless of useful ways to use wiki's. Gardening clubs, reading groups and cooking groups come to mind.
Within the library community there are many people with a common interest and they can be brought together focusing on that interest, ie cooking. The library users would be able to create their own or contribute to one the library had created. They would be able to place gardening hints like the art of taking cuttings or growing difficult plants. The cooking group can exchange receipes and the reading group could discuss books they've read or ask for help in finding a particular title they once heard reviewed on the radio.
As you can see the possibilities are endless, and as you don't need particular skils almost anyone would be able to access this technology.

Week 6 #15 Learning 2.0 - My Thoughts

I don't consider myself old, however when it comes to current technology at times I feel left behind.
Learning 2.0 has shown me technology I never knew existed and how I can incorporate it in my use of the internet. The other thing I've gained is a better appreciation for what IT Departments do everyday.
Recently I had cause to phone said department with a terminal error, no internet, their suggestion check the connections, power, phone etc. I'm hoping someone else out there has also had visions of bringing down most of Melbourne's power by just wiggling a plug. However, sure enough wiggling the 'blue' lead worked and calm was restored as the problem was with the dreaded 10 minute terminal.
Partaking in Learning 2.0 means gaining confidence and knowledge with internet technology and not feeling old and unable to communicate with my children, younger colleagues and the library users when it comes to the internet.
You need time to fully appreciate what is avilable on the internet so being a 'time poor' mum I imagine there is a whole lot more I could discover if only I had the time to play!

Week 6 #13 Tagging and Bookmarks

One can easily get distracted and find herself far, far away from where she began. And time, how quickly it passes (disappears) when your blogging. I wish time passed as quickly when I was grocery shopping or ironing.
I've found this topic very useful and the many sites I've visited interesting. The fact I can find my favourites wherever I am using any system is great.
However, you can stumble on some questionable sites and I can see how easily children can end up on a unsuitable site. Often these sites are only a click away and if you have a dodgy finger (from netball injuries) that often activates the mouse without one knowing you can find yourself, anywhere! This hasn't happened yet, let's hope it doesn't.
Being an organised and tidy person (just ask my sister) bookmarking and tagging is something that I will use continously and being able to weed as I go, will be very useful.

Week 6 : #13 Bookmarks and Tags

I've set up my account however I haven't gone any further as yet, will get back to it soon.

Week 6 : #13

Week 5 #12 Rollyo

I tried Rollyo and often got far more sites than I wanted and some tenousily linked to my search. I dont think I would use this very much.
Librarything however I enjoyed using,I only chose the books I could remember easily to test it out and I was very pleased when it worked first time. WOW. I am learning something, a lot actually.

Week Five #11 LibraryThing

Week Five #10 Favourite Frog Image

While 'surfing' I found the following frog images that I couldn't resist. I've got my favourite, what's yours. I am setting up a poll on the side bar for you to vote. Here goes.

Frog 1 ET

Frog 2 Prison Break

Frog 3 Hanging On

VOTE NOW!

Week Five #10 Comparing Image Generators

After visiting a few sites I found on the Image Generator Directory listed on the Learning 2.0 exercise I discovered a large volume of generators. Some of them were just for fun while others could be used for professional applications. There were sites, that once you created your image a PayPal icon appeared, like Custom Sign Generator. Some it was obvious there was a cost and a couple were free or aspects of both.

Sites I used were Image Generator:-
http://www.imagegenerator.net/
http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/

Week Five #10 Image Generators

I've never used image generators, the following is the result of my first attempt. Through Comicstrip Generator I was able to choose a cartoon image (I could have selected one of their templates) or upload one of my own. I selected the cute kitten and added some text into the speech bubble. Here's the result.

Week Four : #8 RSS and Newsreaders

I've opened my bloglines account and after reading webgurl's blog was able to subscribe to her blog and edit mine for sharing, if anyone is interested the address I copied is as follows (if it's not, please let me know and I'll try again)

http://bloglines.com/public/Seasplace

I subscribed to various sites and have already discovered what's worth keeping and what's not. For example I ticked parenting and found this to broad a term and was getting articles etc I just didn't want, so I unsubscribed. I'm sure with a little tweaking I'll be able to receive the information I want.

Week Three : #7 Technology

Probably the most difficult aspect of 'technology' is it's ever changing nature. As I type, there is probably something new being created somewhere.

I've always thought I had a general knowledge of things technical, however I'm discovering through this adventure there so much more. Sharing of images, uploading, downloading of photos etc., I knew existed, what I didn't know was how I could use them. Through Flickr I was able to create a badge, by using the search terms 'owls' I now have the badge you can see at the left hand side of my page.

The blogs (Learning 2.0) I have visited are very impressive, and this has helped me to understand more about what I am doing.

What next I'm not sure, however the way things are I'm sure it will be something new, well new to me at least.

Managing Posts - Settings

Thanks to Webgurl I was able to change the time etc on my blog to the correct time zone. Thanks Webgurl (Someone needs to tell her how to spell 'girl', however it's not going to be me!)

Week Three: Flickr

Until now I had never heard of Flickr, however, I was able to download a free photo and add it to my post about poor Collingwood with little hassle.
My next step will be to take a digital photo and upload it to Flickr and add to my blog. Sounds impressive.
If only I can workout how to change the time on my blog, as I'm sure you don't really think I'm up at 4.00am blogging away, 5.00am maybe, but not 4.

P.S I think I've done it!!
P.S.S No I haven't.

Week Three: Money Saved

The unfortunate loss by Collingwood on Friday night means I have saved myself a little money (Alot of money actually) and I've got Saturday free. That's what I thought until my 11 year old informs me that I have to prepare for our annual family grand final party and sit through Geelong V's Port Adelaide, what fun. I'm really not your true one eyed Collingwood supporter, however watching Cats V's Port doesn't appeal. The things we do!!!

Week Two: Poor Magpies

I spent 10 minutes trying to get the right search terms to add current news items about Collingwood and the finals. Instead one of the stories is about a lady who paid $600 to an exterminator to free her of the pesky magpies (the feathered kind) who were tormenting her pitbull!! Go figure. :-)

Week One: I've Done It!!!

I think I've done it, a blog that is (sounds a little rude) well I've done something whether it's what the author intended I'll discover in good time.

SEA