So, we can talk about anything technology related?
I guess that I would have to talk about a social networking site that blows my mind. It's called Ravelry and it's a site for knitters (and crocheters).
However, that description does not do it justice. Ravelry uses all of the best of Web 2.0 technologies, the abilities to post pictures, catalog personal collections, discuss with fellow enthusiasts, to really help knitters in their craft.
On an individual level, a person can catalog their needles, yarn, and books, and put information on the pieces they have completed, are working on, and want to work on. On a group level, this information can be searched by others to facilitate the sharing of ideas, patterns, and equipment, and group discussions can be used to talk with friends and get advice on projects.
For knitters (and crocheters), this site is a dream come true. I encourage anyone who crafts to give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
August 31, 2008
On a roll
On to thing 6.
Well, to be honest I wasn't really impressed with any of the api's I found. I mean, I'm sure that some of them would be useful if I was a heavy user or did not like the downloader for Flickr, but otherwise, I would just as soon do without them.
I did find one that was a little bit interesting though, and that's Flickriver Badge Creator. It allows you to create the setup shown below, which is a random showing of thumbnails from a set I created, Lake Hope 08 in this instance. If someone was interested in seeing more pictures they could click on a thumbnail or the whole thing to view my whole set.
It's a nice little way to put pictures into a blog, post, or webpage.
Nothing too fancy or exciting, just another way to spread the love, so to speak.
Well, to be honest I wasn't really impressed with any of the api's I found. I mean, I'm sure that some of them would be useful if I was a heavy user or did not like the downloader for Flickr, but otherwise, I would just as soon do without them.
I did find one that was a little bit interesting though, and that's Flickriver Badge Creator. It allows you to create the setup shown below, which is a random showing of thumbnails from a set I created, Lake Hope 08 in this instance. If someone was interested in seeing more pictures they could click on a thumbnail or the whole thing to view my whole set.
It's a nice little way to put pictures into a blog, post, or webpage.
Nothing too fancy or exciting, just another way to spread the love, so to speak.
My life flickring before my browser
Well, on to task 5.
I was rather impressed by Flickr, I have to say. It's fairly easy and intuitive to upload and categorize pictures. The headings in your page don't seem to fit however. Like "You" as a link. Why not just put "Your Pictures?"
But I absolutely love the Flickr uploading program you can download to your desktop. It makes adding photos easy and efficient, though the feature to create sets from the program didn't work. I ended up having to recreate the set online once they were uploaded. Other than that though, I thought it was great.
I added some pictures I took while camping down in Lake Hope State park a few weeks ago with a friend as well as my favorite library picture. I took it outside the branch I work at in the CML system, and I love the way the late afternoon sun makes the sign seem to glow from within
To wrap up my experience, I have to say that the convergence that occurred between Flickr and Blogger was awesome. I mean, going beyond the convenience of being able to use my existing Gmail and Yahoo Mail accounts for these programs, having them talk to one another so that I can use either one to post blogs is so nice. Yay for Web 2.0!
August 29, 2008
Lifelong Learning
Okay, so I'm a bit behind in the L&P, but at least I'm working on it, right?
We were given a link to a presentation onSeven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners and asked to talk about what habits are easy and hard for us. The program is a little hokey, but the habits make sense.
The most difficult habit for me would have to be having confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. Even though I work hard and can be a very effective learner, I sometimes find myself doubting my ability to effectively learn a new skill or subject. It usually works out, but that does not keep me from being overwhelmed by the task of learning something new from time to time.
One habit that comes easy to me is mentoring/teaching others. Almost as much as I love learning new skills, I love teaching others how to do the same. It is immensely satisfying knowing that you have passed on information that will let someone do something they've never done before.
But in the end, my favorite habit is the last one, 7 1/2, which is to have fun! What's the point in learning if you can't have fun doing it? I am most definitely having fun with the L&P, which is amazing since I'm getting paid for it.
Here's for getting paid to have fun!
We were given a link to a presentation onSeven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners and asked to talk about what habits are easy and hard for us. The program is a little hokey, but the habits make sense.
The most difficult habit for me would have to be having confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. Even though I work hard and can be a very effective learner, I sometimes find myself doubting my ability to effectively learn a new skill or subject. It usually works out, but that does not keep me from being overwhelmed by the task of learning something new from time to time.
One habit that comes easy to me is mentoring/teaching others. Almost as much as I love learning new skills, I love teaching others how to do the same. It is immensely satisfying knowing that you have passed on information that will let someone do something they've never done before.
But in the end, my favorite habit is the last one, 7 1/2, which is to have fun! What's the point in learning if you can't have fun doing it? I am most definitely having fun with the L&P, which is amazing since I'm getting paid for it.
Here's for getting paid to have fun!
August 25, 2008
Correction
I feel like I should correct a statement from my earlier post.
I don't hate all blogs.
In fact, I actually read a couple. But these blogs are either created by friends and tell their day-to-day stories, or are well-crafted sources of information.
When blogs are used in the library setting they can be really useful, too. Worthington Libraries used a blog to keep its patrons updated on the building of their new library. I don't know how much the community used it, but it is a well done blog that was continualy updated.
One that I know was sucessful was the Director's Blog created by Don Barlow, the Director of the Westerville Public Library. When they had a levy on the ballot a few years ago, Barlow used the blog to interact directly with the public, promoting the library and answering questions the voters had about it. There were some great discussions on there and it seems to have had a positive impact. They did win their levy, afterall. Perhaps this is something we, i.e. Pat, should consider in 2010.
So libraries can use blogs to their advantage, and some people can too. Some can. It seems like everyone has a blog these days (and I was proud to say I didn't until a few weeks ago...) and feel the need to state their opinion. This is fine, so long as I don't have to read them!
So not all blogs are evil. Just most of them.
I don't hate all blogs.
In fact, I actually read a couple. But these blogs are either created by friends and tell their day-to-day stories, or are well-crafted sources of information.
When blogs are used in the library setting they can be really useful, too. Worthington Libraries used a blog to keep its patrons updated on the building of their new library. I don't know how much the community used it, but it is a well done blog that was continualy updated.
One that I know was sucessful was the Director's Blog created by Don Barlow, the Director of the Westerville Public Library. When they had a levy on the ballot a few years ago, Barlow used the blog to interact directly with the public, promoting the library and answering questions the voters had about it. There were some great discussions on there and it seems to have had a positive impact. They did win their levy, afterall. Perhaps this is something we, i.e. Pat, should consider in 2010.
So libraries can use blogs to their advantage, and some people can too. Some can. It seems like everyone has a blog these days (and I was proud to say I didn't until a few weeks ago...) and feel the need to state their opinion. This is fine, so long as I don't have to read them!
So not all blogs are evil. Just most of them.
August 19, 2008
A Non-typical Experiment
Let me just be upfront about this: I hate blogs.
I have absolutely nothing to say and so why create one? Not that this has stopped millions of others, but still, I have some standards.
However, CML is doing something totally unexpected and which I want to participate in. The downside: I have to create and update a blog in order to do it.
What are they doing, you may ask? They are jumping on the Library 2.0 bandwagon in a way that no other library is doing, and that's by allowing all staff, not just information staff, paid time to play with all of those great tools out there. And not just throwing them to the wolves either, but providing some structured learning for them to work with.
So even though I have to create a blog, I say it's a necessary evil in order to get even more experience in a subject I feel quite strongly about.
I have absolutely nothing to say and so why create one? Not that this has stopped millions of others, but still, I have some standards.
However, CML is doing something totally unexpected and which I want to participate in. The downside: I have to create and update a blog in order to do it.
What are they doing, you may ask? They are jumping on the Library 2.0 bandwagon in a way that no other library is doing, and that's by allowing all staff, not just information staff, paid time to play with all of those great tools out there. And not just throwing them to the wolves either, but providing some structured learning for them to work with.
So even though I have to create a blog, I say it's a necessary evil in order to get even more experience in a subject I feel quite strongly about.
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