4my23thingsBlog

My thoughts on 23 things… after all…

4my23things — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:55:46 +0000

I always enjoy learning something new. I am glad we had the chance to play and learn. I found some tools I can apply in my “real life”. Then… I saw this over the weekend that made me a little precaution about some of the free sites out there.

Tech Trouble

So, what are my thoughts?

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

Social Networking and YouTube are my favorite exercises. I use Facebook found some of my old friends. Now we can catch up with each other. Just like the good old days. And YouTube! WOW! You can find and learn some much on it. I share my wedding videos with my friends and family oversea. I don’t need to send them any DVDs and they don’t have to wait so long to see me.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

It has helped me open my eyes. There are so many opportunities out there that we haven’t discovered yet. And the world keeps on changing. I don’t want to fall behind. I will do my best to keep up!

Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

It’s not anything that “unexpected” but surprised, amazed, and puzzles. As working at the Library, it’s the place to “learn” to “obtain” information. Why are there so many people “refuse” to do this?? It’s just beyond me.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

Maybe next time we can schedule some tutoring hours for those who are familiar with the program to assist those who want to get stars but not really a computer fan so they won’t feel so isolated or left behind.

After all, for our first time doing this, it isn’t bad! So, what’s next?

E-Audiobooks

4my23things — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:50:52 +0000

I had some issues when I was downloading an e-audiobook. Luckily, one of my co-workers was able to help me. It’s a bit confusing at the beginning how to navigate around the console but eventually I figured it out.

It’s a great tool if I don’t have time to read. And the books are very recent too. I like it. I will definitely continue to explore it more.

What about Christmas gift?

4my23things — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:27:39 +0000

So How’s your Christmas? Did you get what you asked for? I don’t think it matters what you get. As long as the person put into some thoughts with your gifts that counts right? yah yah yah, of course I want something useful and something I like. Oh don’t get me wrong I am asking for much. $5 gift card from WAWA or Starbucks I’ll appreciate the gift. BUT well.. guess what? I got this hideous gifts from… hum.. a recent new family member as I should say… not to be named. I just don’t understand what this person was thinking. Not like we just knew each other. Come on! over 10 years. Don’t you know me be now??? that’s NOT my style! BOOOO~ I’d rather get NOTHING but getting things not very thoughtful. I spent some much time thinking what they would like they would want to get. What do I get in return. OH PLEASE! Don’t tell me you NEVER thought about things like this. This isn’t the first year.. yes I complain year after year but I still take my time and my thoughts year after year to get Christmas gifts they will like. PLEASE remind me next year NO MORE!!!

So! I went to return it. OH let me mention it it’s ONLY $7. well… we spent over $200 on them. What the heck was I thinking???

Podcasts

4my23things — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:39:03 +0000

I used iTune podcast before. And I found podcasting is quite interesting. You can find lots of information being podcasting even some of the lectures from universities.

So for this excercise, I explorded http://podcastalley.com/index.php And I added “Library Survival Guide” on my list. I also added Podcastalley to my Bloglines. I somehow forgot what my username and password. It’s getting kind of confusing to keep track of all the ID and passwords.

I think podcasts only useful if you know how to find the information.

YouTube

4my23things — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:51:07 +0000

I am so excited about this exercise. I am a big fan of YouTube. I posted my wedding slide show on there with password of course then I sent the video to my family and friends all over the world instead of copy CD or DVDs or even sending an attachment through e-mail. I also found YouTube is not only for entertainment but also educational, too. When I was planning my wedding, I got some tips how to make center pieces, flower bouquets and boutonnieres on YouTube. Well yes, there are some downsides of everything I suppose. You definitely don’t want to post anything “private” on YouTube well anything online that’s for sure.

As far as library use YouTube, it’s a good way to post some videos on some events with the presenters permissions. That will be one of our services to those we are unable to make it to the library.

Social Networking Tools

4my23things — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:46:28 +0000

I visited West Chester Public Library’s MySpace and Facebook. I really like the way they are using the latest and the most popular technology to reach out more patrons. Now more people can tell more people about their library events.

Then I joined Twitter. Short and sweet blog. And I a follower of Ace’s Twitter Blog!

23 – 5 = 18

4my23things — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:31:09 +0000

I can’t believe. Some of the applications I have already explored! I AM cool! heeee~~ I use Facebook and Youtube regularly. I have my wedding slide show loaded on Youtube. Of course I made it private so not just anyone in the whole world can see it. Well anyway, I explored a new tool that I haven’t used before. I tried the Cocktail Builder. It’s just in time for the holiday. I can find recipes, drink suggestions and purchase bar paraphernalia all in one place. The design of the website isn’t busy or too hard to follow.

I think Fixya will be good for library setting. It’s a Q&A site for tech support. As working with the public, I only get questions about patrons’ own PC problems. Next time, I’ll recommend them Fixya.

Google Docs

4my23things — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:18:35 +0000

I explored Google Docs. I love it very much. Not every computer has Word but now a day most of the computer has Internet access. Seriously, if you don’t have Internet access, what do you need a computer for?! (Just my personal opinion) So Google Docs allow you to create documents, load files and share files, too. The interface is very easy to navigate. It has most of the Word functions for much cheaper on $$. Great tool! But the downside is when your Internet access is out, you won’t be able to us it. I didn’t see it anyway says we can use it offline.

More More More Wiki~

4my23things — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:49:43 +0000

I went on the CCL23 things wiki and added my blog onto Favorite Blogs page. Then I added my favorite movies, my favorite books and my favorite restaurants. On the favorite movies and books page, I linked the books I added to Amazon and the movies I added to our catalog. I also linked the restaurants I added to the restaurant site or to a map that one can find out where it is. This is very interesting.

Thing #15 Wiki

4my23things — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:33:55 +0000

Before knowing there’s a thing called “Wiki”, we used to write things down in a blinder at work to keep track our daily issues. OR we would send out e-mails to EVERYONE… Then we found out, our way of doing this wasn’t so convenient. So, we found out “Wiki”!

We created a wiki to keep track of the issues. This way all of us can read and edit the wiki. We also have the ability to go back to the history. It’s better than hand writing it on a blinder or a note book. It’s more organized to have a central location to gather all the pieces.

There are many different applications within a Wiki. Some useful tools a library could use (in my personal opions) are scheduling and to do list. It cuts down the confusion because everything is on one Wiki! We will definitely continue using our WIKI!