Wrap-up/Reflections

I THINK I have done each unit, and hope I didn't skip something. I am finishing this evening because of some "quality time" since no one came to the class I was supposed to teach, which is good, because this learning does take some time.
Definitely the favorite parts were finding photos, videos, newsfeeds, and ways to share books and reading. I even enjoy the blogging part, although reading others' blogs will continue to be reserved for experts in the subject or news areas.
As mentioned in various blog posts, I can see uses for many of these tools in some of the work I hope to continue doing in my life, both professionally and as an amateur writer. I hope to not stop learning, and that includes learning about new technology. That is one of the reasons I enjoy working at the library. What I don't like are things that are just too "cute" and too amateur. I feel real connection with Jon Stewart's take on "friending." Some of the "friending" we were supposed to do with our blog and meebo just didn't work. That was just one of the technical difficulties. Several of the instructional videos could not be heard, no matter how I turned up the volume. Some activities were just not easy to figure out, and although in theory it would be nice to work with others on some of this, and on occasion I did, the fact is most of this was done while I was alone right here in my basement corner. No one to just ask for help. No one around. Room mostly empty. Friends?
I would say the number one problem with this self-study is that there was no time dedicated for all who wanted to participate to actually have time to dig into it. I consider myself lucky to have this evening and a real block of time. I raced through everything earlier just to finish. Just to finish by a March deadline and vacation leave. Most units were done in small minute increments over some days. I would forget what I had started and learned. Luckily I WROTE down some of the login sites, as I changed my password every so often. I TOOK NOTES so I could prepare a semi-sensible blog. Writing reminders on a post-it or scratch paper--I am so high tech.
It would have been great fun to work with other people on some of these. I have talked to some others, they have had some of the same problems.
I will end by saying I am glad for the exposure to the many forms of "citizen media" that are now available. I can understand how some people can become so involved with all the possibilities. I am not sure the content is worthwhile in most cases, but I hope I can continue to pull together the really fabulous and worthy media to enjoy myself and to share, just as I have done with good books for a long time.

Audio & Video: Video

I enjoy these video websites, some of the videos are well done or just fortuitous depending on the circumstances. Some of them are terribly amateur, the Home Movies of years gone by are just the same home movies of today's technology.
I did a rather broad category search of a popular tourist destination. Yellowstone. Should be lots of videos of Old Faithful. Youtube, of course, seemed to have hundreds and one I chose was very slow loading and lots of people in the foreground, heads moving and hair blowing. Bliptv had fewer choices, but I found a very good video there, and the artist had just used the natural sounds as recorded rather than dubbing in some music (which by the comments on Youtube, is popular but I prefer natural). Metacafe--I looked at the "#1 weekly top earner" but the title link did not go to that one. I did my subject search again and looked at one that had earned $800, and it is very funny of a bear coming up to the car to check them out and tries to eat the mirror. That is what I mean by a "fortuitous" moment. Whoever was holding the camera did a better job than most, and I am glad they are now paying for their vacation with this video. Viddler had many fewer choices in my search, and youaretv had zero hits. Revver I nearly gave up on, as it was very slow to load the website, but the videos then ran smoothly. Ads kept popping up and I hated it. ScienceHack had possibilities, but the offerings so far are somewhat limited.
I enjoy these sites. I actually have a couple very faves that I know are on Youtube, Kosovo--now that Kosovo is independent we emailed it to some friends, and dancing treadmills. Watching them brightens my day, and I know I will return to Youtube and Metacafe just for fun.
Definitely libraries could build a collection of informative videos and offer our account to the public. I personally would not want to search here if I wanted to paint window trim, but maybe if it were already collected as "the very best" free video.

Alternative Blogging

I really didn't like these quick and catchy blogsites. If you have nothing to say with a regular blog, there is even less to say with a shortened version. If I were into texting, cell phone camera and mp3, maybe. Looking at the sample posts I made, I do like the way the url is an instant link from what I called it. It is very social, with just your "in crowd." So here it is:
uimich940.tumblr.com

Pocasts

I tried Podcast.net first, but it seemed busy as my browser was unable to connect after a couple tries. Next I went to Podcastalley and looked around. Searched "libraries" and a number of records came up. However, it seemed I would need to download some more software to listen, so I got cold feet. Tried Yahoo Podcasts and it was so much easier to use! With just Windows mediaplayer that I have installed, I was able to listen to a free minute of Johnny Cash, which was featured on the home page, and then searched "libraries" and chose an NPR program "Libraries Become Temporary Refuge for Homeless." NPR programs were free, and they are always good content. (Podcastalley had a lot of catchy library phrases, and nothing against everyone being a star, but I did not want to spend time sifting through a lot of productions that may or may not be worthwhile). It was also extremely easy to add the RSS NPR feed to my bloglines. And instantly, NPR: the Opinion Page appeared. I like easy--no fuss, no installations, no passwords and logins. Someday (soon) when my ever more decrepit portable cd player plays its last Mozart, I too will have an iPod or more covetously, an iPhone, and will definitely be more into iTunes and other subscription media downloads.

Audio & Video

I had some fun trying out these sites, but again with mixed results.
last.fm--searched for Alfred Brendel, gave me a profile but connected me to "similar" artists for listening. Sound quality was not good and I could not turn up the volume to really hear it. It listed the track, but not the composer or full work. I liked the menu choices, including "don't ever play again."
pandora--tried the song name "yesterday." About six different and unknown groups came up, but I guess the Beatles are not sharing their work. When I randomly chose one of the groups, it began playing a completely different song, with a little disclaimer popup --"why we're not playing yesterday" but when I clicked for the explanation--nothing. I know that music copyright is a touchy deal, so maybe I was expecting too much. Sound quality poor.
IMEEM-- I liked browsing the categories. I chose "classical" but it wasn't my definition of "classical." More like just pop lite. The sound quality was much better on this site. But then when I tried to leave the site--I couldn't. Held prisoner!
Internet archive--I had great fun watching a few minutes of some 30's and 40s cartoons since I love the popular culture of that era. Something I will definitely return to when I'm bored at home. The Popeye cartoons were "feature" length, one was a bit pixeled, however. This site is a keeper.
Sound effects--a good one to refer patrons to, as we sometimes have requests for various effects recordings. The ones I tried, I could not play because of something lacking on my computer.
Mango languages--would love to try but am so sick of having to sign up, login, password, etc. Yesterday I just ran out of time, and I see I have just 10 minutes left today to finish this blog. \Gutenberg's audiobook--limited choices, but I hope it grows and grows. I will want to come back, and maybe if it's still around in my old age, volunteer to read something. I love reading aloud to an audience!

I like Google Docs a lot. Perhaps in my old age I will choose to do more with my blog and post some documents. I think it could have very serious applications with committees or just note taking in meetings, since those are usually emailed to supervisors for editing and approval. I am also proud of myself for figuring out to go to the Google Home Page when the link from Web 2.0 instructions did not allow me to login. Home page entry worked like a charm.

cool stuff

Tried blog readability check, when I copied and pasted my url it responded "unable to check url entered." Now I do feel dumb, because I am always moving urls around and no problem. Also looked at Yahoo answers and found a good question I wanted to offer my 2cents advice, but clicking "answer" just went to a dead end and then I noticed Sign In. So I guess you have to have an account, and I am frankly sick of doing that. Already I feel my stock of memorable passwords is depleted, not to mention my email is comprimised. Sketchcast also required a login. Wordshoot was fun and one I will recommend to patrons who enjoy games and NEED some typing skills. The easy level was truly easy.

wikis

I have very mixed feelings about wikis. I enjoy our IS wiki for sharing info or good websites. Wikipedia sometimes has valuable info, but what is the source and authority? Since I have encountered a number of photos and photo tricks around the Internet, I have become more and more suspicious of sources. I liked the example of the camper's group--I think a wiki for a short-term committe or library collaborative project would be helpful. Did not know we had a building project wiki, but that is a good library example. Wikibooks intrigued me, alas it supposedly is offering textbooks, and none of interest to me. Where do those geologists hide? Wikimedia commons had photos, but some of the categories I checked were nearly empty. Maybe it is not as popular a photo-hosting site.

Goodreads

I like these websites. I have been keeping a Word document reading "journal" for many years; this provides a good alternative. Plus I always like to know what others are reading and looking at others' booklists, a great distraction on Amazon. Some of the customization and importing to the blog are not intuitive or immediate, but I managed with some help.

Goodreads

Since I have been keeping a Word document reading journal for many years, this will be a good alternative. I do enjoy sharing good reads and others' lists. Some of the customization for this site was not terribly intuitive or apparent.

technorati

This is another site I became rather impatient with. Looked at one of the "top 5" popular blogs, and I guess my tastes and interests are not "with it." Too much show-off, too much "cuteness" of a technical nature, emphasizing just how ignorant and "not with it" I am. In the 15 -20 minutes a couple times a week that I can spend going through this tutorial, I have no time to really delve into subjects that might be of interest and use to me. I did 3 searches using "Learning 2.0" and each brought up different, though related results. Several teachers, some preparing online courses, an academic or two, some who had just attended tech conferences, I could not find it inspiring or useful. When I tried to look at some of the political blogs, thinking "aha--someone with insider info, this should be good" I did not find content, just brevity. Are the blogs cut off, or somehow connected to a full article? Why am I so bogged down in the REAL world!

del.icio.us

I don't use our IS delicious listings often, probably because the same question seldom comes up more than once in Reference work, unless it is something like "when are the tax helpers coming?" Looking through it again, and exploring some of the linked postings from others, I find that it is a great source for booklists. However, spotting the "hierarchy" from the list is not always apparent, "book" coming some way down the list. I rather hate the "cuteness" of breaking up the word with periods, dots or whatever new term applies. Yes, it is fun to wander off and explore what others are doing or consider important, but sometimes I just want to get to the point quickly. Having it available as a website is great, and not tied to just this machine. "In the old days" Amy had to update everything individually.

Fortune Cookie generator

I was disappointed with the fortune cookie. I thought it would supply something snappy to complete a couple random lines. Then it was very difficult to get it to copy into this blog. Tried copying the image in various ways to no avail. So here is my little image url to prove I did try the website. My blog is rather imageless, as I am missing steps or don't have the software to go through to make it work. On the good news side, I am now getting emails from Google alerting me to mentions of Takashi Nagai. Some readers have been finishing his book and posting blogs about it. I wasn't sure when I signed up for this alert as part of the rss feed, what would happen, but it comes as an email rather than rss. And it is something I care about.

http://www.redkid.net/generator/fortune/newsign.php?line1=the+day+will+come&line2=friends+are+everywhere&Crack+Me+Open=Crack+Me+Open

Social networking and the library

Looked at some of the libraries' myspace. FVRL has done a good job. It is a good way to advertise our YAAB activities. Then I read "The Other Librarian" --"Facebook and rapport" which seems to say "don't bother" unless you're young and into it. Kids don't want librarians on "their" social sites. However, if young adults are using these sites and not the newspaper, not tv or radio, (and of course we have no public relations outlet with broadcasting here in southwest Washington anyway) then they should expect to get some news about "real" opportunities in their communities. There are "real" people hovering around out there who may at some point be helpful to them. And maybe find something enjoyable to read or listen to as well. I think the YAAB groups have given quite a few kids a place to "be" and enjoy some positive after-school time, and they have given back in return. So let them have a social network connection with the virtual group as well.

IM and Reference Service

IM would have greater application with members of the public connecting with us from our website than the existing staff-only IM. However, "instant" messaging is that--instant, so unless we were to go with an international consortium of wide-awake staff people around the time zones, a great many hours we would be unavailable for "instant."
The current use among staff members has proven to be not popular. Many of the busy conditions limit finding a free computer with an even freer, quiet moment to sit and compose a message. It is so much easier to hit a programmed phone button and talk to someone. No logon, no icon to locate. But since we are getting a fair number of email requests for help, instant messaging by the public would be a more popular use of this technology.

Searching for good RSS feeds

I have subscribed to a Google blogs feed for anyone mentioning Takashi Nagai, the person I hope to see canonized as a Saint. Here is a recent blog I found with this search, and so I know that some people are still discovering his books and message of "war never again.":
http://dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/2008/01/state-of-challenge-address.html

By the way, Nagai's books and Glynn's biography of him were dumped out of our library collection. So goes some of the "primary eyewitness" history of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. I hope other libraries aren't doing the same. With President Bush seeking a confrontation with Iran, we need Nagai's story more than ever.
However, although Google says I have created the update feed, I'm not sure where that will be appearing. It is not on my bloglines list. Confusing.

I also added this science feed, very easy since the website had a link for doing:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/newsfeed.xml

Well now I have to do a library feed (boring):
http://annoyedlibrarian.blogspot.com/

To be honest, unless a blogger really has an unusual postion, such as a BBC reporter in a world hotspot, blogs are just anyone's opinion. Yes, it is nice to express ourselves, but what do we really add to the knowledge of the world? Just so many more letters to the editor.
I do appreciate news feeds, and I may tolerate those that maybe connect with all my many scattered and dilletante interests

RSS feeds

For me, the news feeds will probably be the best part of this exercise. I am something of a world news junkie, and also enjoy science news, just in case the San Andreas stretches the Basin & Range a bit. Refdesk.com is also a great website for updating news, but this button may be more personalized for me. Another blog participant and I are frequently trading news about police activities in our neighborhood. This definitely needs to be hot-breaking news/gossip sharing as it is becoming a bit unnerving for us. No place on earth is "quiet" these days, which is part of the allure of cell phones and all their spin-offs for instant communication. With no control over events, we can at least share our presence and news.

Colors for the Zero Artist

The mashup applications are colorful and fun. I experimented with Colr Pickr "flowers" since I am a gardenaholic. Nice pictures. However, they didn't link to the original post on Flickr. And there seems to be little tracking back to the source with Flickr. One library design featured on Flickr that I adored--I couldn't find where or whose library it is. Am I missing something? Great sharing, but not a good Reference source. A couple pictures I found of my favorite place in the world were "doctored." I recognized some cliffs and crags had been added that are not there in the "real world". Guess I am just a realist at heart. Not much artistic imagination. However, I am going to share the trading card mashup with someone who really enjoys putting stuff like this together and has been struggling with photoshop. This might be a good alternative.

Here is the url of the favorite colr pickr: http://www.krazydad.com/colrpickr/index.php?group=flowers