Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Week #9 - Thing #23

This completes the 23 things for me. I had a lot of fun with these exercises. I have learned so much from this program and I plan on utilizing what I have learned to my benefit. If offered another discovery program like this one, yes I would choose to participate. One of my favorite things was youtube I thought that was fun to watch some pretty old TV clips. I also enjoyed the online image generator, flickr and librarything.

Week #9 - Thing #22

I enjoyed the Project Gutenburg website! Reading and listening to audiobooks was rather enjoyable. I of course didn't get to finish reading the story yet. I explored Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol, both are time consuming books. I will go back to this website and listen to some more audiobooks sometime soon. I explored Overdrive just a bit and decided that I didn't want to download the program at this time.

Week #9 - Thing #21

I searched Podcasts and discovered something new. I went looking for library podcasts and found a site on yahoo.com that was great for kids. A podcast that suggests reading material for kids. I tried to add it to my blog but for some reason I can't add anything to my layout. I had no trouble adding my youtube yesterday. I am not sure what the problem is. Hopefully, it will correct itself later.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Week #9 - Thing #20

Explored YouTube a site that allows users to view, share and upload videos. I liked this site very much. I explored old TV shows such as Gilligan's Island and old commercials. I also views new movies that are out or coming out such as the new Harry Potter movie that is coming to the theaters this week. I added the trailer for this one to my blog (see below). There are so many different kinds of videos to watch. A person could spend hours on this site. This is the first time that I had experienced this site and I will be enjoying it more in the future.

Week#8 - Thing #19

I had fun exploring the awards list. I enjoyed the games. I went to arcaplay.com and played around a bit. I like puzzles so I went there. The memory game was fun. I also explored other sites and I probably will continue to explore the other sites on the awards list. I tried to search for people but you have to pay for some of the more advanced search sites. I also searched the books sites, and reference sites.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Week #8 - Thing #18

Online Productivity

Today I checked out an online word processor at writer.zoho.com! I found it easy to use and a great tool to have. I find that it would be very useful to someone who does not have a program of their own. I usually use Microsoft Office which I am used to so I probably won't use this particular program. I would love to find out if there are free programs online for graphic design, such as card making, scrapbooking, label making, etc.

Week #7 - Thing #17

I added my entry to the Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki.

Week #7 - Thing #16

Wikis

I discovered Wikipedia tonight! Libraries are sure to use Wikipedia or Wiki's to help Patrons find valuable information. The only problem with Wki's is that people can alter or change the information that is there. Which means that some of the information that you get on Wikipedia may not be true. Librarians use Wiki's to let other Librarians know where to go for information or what websites are available for Patrons to gather the information that they need. They also use Wiki's to give each other valuable information to succeed as a library community. Wikipedia is a fun and useful web tool for me and I plan on using this site after I am finished with Learning 2.0 - 23 Things.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Week #6 - Thing #15

Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries
Tonight I read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Libary 2.0 and the future of libraries, which I agree that libraries need to get with the times. I feel that the future is "The Web" and that the libraries that have access to the web and help patrons learn how to use the web for whatever the patron is trying to accomplish, whether it be information for research, fun and games, blogging, getting their information out there for others to find, music, videos, or whatever the task may be, those institutions will prosper and grow. Change is inevitable and usually for the better. The library needs to change with the times to keep up with new technology. I also feel that the libary should still have the traditional resources that people come to the library for such as: books, movies, cd's, reference material, video tapes, etc., not everyone uses the internet.

Week #6 - Thing #14

Explored Technorati and found it an interesting site. This is a fun way of searching other blogs. I searched learning 2.0 in blogs and blog posts. I even found my blog on this site, that surprised me. I typed in Akita and found out that in Minnesota they are trying to ban 5 breeds of dogs and Akita was one of them. I had an Akita mix that I raised from a pup and she was the best dog, very kid friendly and loyal to the family. Her mom was a pure Akita and she was a nice dog, also. Among the Akita they were trying to ban Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, and Wolf mixed dogs. I feel that if a person really wants a dog that they should plan on training the dog properly and not mistreat it in any way. There is so much you can explore on Technorati! I will be using this site in the future.

Week #6 - Thing #13

Learn about Tagging and discover Del.icio.us,
(a social bookmarking site).
Today I explored Del.icio.us and even took the tutorial. I think that Del.icio.us is a wonderful tool for many, but I probably won't use it. I don't like to give out my personal information for all to see. To sign up they ask for my full name and I don't like to have that kind of information out there on the Internet.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Week #5 - Thing #12

Tonight I was exploring Rollyo and found some interesting sites that I could enjoy and feel safe using. I set up an account and started to add some search sites and reference tools to my Rollyo account. I am not sure how much I will use this site but I will definitely try to learn as much as I can about Rollyo so that I can use it to my advantage.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Week #5 - Thing #11

I created a Library Thing account and cataloged some of the books that I have read. I also added it to my blog. I have read many more books than I have added but I don't have the time to add them right now. Those were the more recent ones that I have read. I am kind of excited that the Harry Potter book number 7 is coming out this month. I am looking forward to reading it.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Week #5 - Thing #10

I have been having a lot of fun with an online image generator. First I went to yourgen.com and experimented with the text generator. I added my name in fancy text to my blog. It took me awhile but I finally figured out how to add it to my blog. I am not sure if I added it right, you have to click on the URL link above my picture of Niagara Falls to see the text. I was hoping that it would automatically show up on my blog. Next I went to Gizmoz.com and experimented with an animated picture of myself I even added voice to it but not mine, I don't have a microphone on my computer. That was fun, but I looked kind of scary especially when I was talking in animation. I tried to add it to my blog but it was to big and only half of me showed up, so I deleted it for now. If I figure out how to make it small enough to fit the page, I may consider added it to my blog.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Week #4 - Thing #9

I added several feeds to my bloglines page. A news page and several blogs. It was pretty easy to do once I figured out how to add them. I plan to add some more when I have more time.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Week #4 - Thing #8

I have learned what RSS feeds are and I setup my very own Bloglines newsreader account. I have found the tutorial on the 23 things page very helpful. I need to go back there and review how to add my blog to my Bloglines page. There is a lot to learn and I intend to learn as much as I can.

Week #3 - Thing #7

I am interested in Ipods and Itunes. I have an Ipod that I enjoy. I can listen to my favorite songs anytime. I also have an Ihome that I use with my Ipod. An Ihome is a devise used to listen to the Ipod without headphones. The Ihome also is an alarm clock. Itunes is a program used to keep all your music on the computer. You need Itunes to add your music to the Ipod.

deck6842582


deck6842582, originally uploaded by rkowalchek.

Beach scene


Beach scene, originally uploaded by David Swales.

Experimenting with flickr!

Week #3 - Thing #6

I have enjoyed Flickr mashups, made a trading card with a water background of my favorite vacationing spot in Maine. I had trouble sending it to flickr. Somehow I lost it during the process. I will explore this site again later and maybe this time I will be able to add it to this blog.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

About Hobbs

We adopted Hobbs almost 6 years ago from a no kill shelter in PA. He was in the shelter for at least 6 months before we adopted him, he is 7 years old now. He is a really nice dog and we are happy to have him.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Week 3 - Thing #5

I just started exploring Flickr, signed up yesterday. I have a lot more exploring to go when I find the time. Flickr looks like a sight that I will use a lot. Taking pictures from my digital camera is what I do most. I usually sent them to Ritz for developing. I added a few pictures to my blog, Hobbs is my dog!

Friday, June 15, 2007

Week #2 - Blogging

Thing #3 - Setting up my very own Blog was fun but I have a lot to learn. When I find more time I will do my best to spruce things up a bit by adding photos, art, etc.

Thing #4 - Registered my blog today, June 15th.

Week #1 - 7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learning

The hardest habit for me is having confidence in yourself as a competent and effective learner. I used to think that I was pretty computer savvy, but as I can see technology surpassed me. I really enjoyed the Technology fair and I hope to have lots of fun with the 23 steps.

The easiest habit for me is view problems as challenges. Everyone has problems of some sort and if you think of them as challenges to overcome you will learn and grow wiser, don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Week #1 - Introduction

I read the introduction and I am very excited to be participating in the learning 2.0 (23 things). I am starting just a tad late, but hopefully I will catch on quickly. This is my first blog so if anyone has any decorating suggestions please feel free to help out.