#23 Summary

My favorite "discovery" was that the more I got into this, the easier it got. I actually feel like I learned new things that I can use in the future. It has definitely helped my previously lagging techno-skills. I feel a sense of accomplishment now that I have actually made it all the way through! The only things I would change would be to have web access approved from the beginning (so we can use our office computers) and secondly, to award the MP3 player as soon as we finish :)) I would like to thank all of the incredibly talented techies who worked so hard to put this all together. I consider it very beneficial training and would definitly take a second course. Awarding prizes is a brilliant idea. I needed the motivation to get started and stay with it in a time when we were all so busy. (1st Prize: MP3 player; 2nd Prize: ear buds)

#22-Audiobooks

My sister & I downloaded a book to learn Spanish from Overdrive. She lives in San Clemente, California and is now a Scottsdale Public Library online customer! What a wonderful way to show off Scottsdale's Library to my family. She and her husband are both downloading books for their trips to the gym!

#21-Podcasts

I chose NPR to investigate. I am completely amazed at the amount of information available with just a few clicks. I found an interview with Mireille Guiliano, author of
French Women Don't Get Fat.

#20-YouTube

Amazing fact that YouTube is currently getting over 100 million hits a day. Teens constantly show us funny/interesting clips. I chose a "Cup Stacking" competition video. (Participants upstack and downstack cups in pre-determined sequences.) We had considered cup stacking as a possible summer program for teens. I imagine thousands of uses for libraries and our customers alike. Recently while I was hunting for books about knitting, the teens taught themselves using YouTube. Enjoy the video! (It is not in fast motion!)

#19-Web 2.0 Tools

I tried Guess-the-Google a game that presents 20 tiled images. You have to guess their common keyword. Example: purple or things that beigin with the letter "i." I found this under the fun heading and noticed that there were many games listed. Could be used for Kids and Teens computers in the Library.

#18-Web-Based Apps

#17-PBWiki: Sandbox

Enjoyed playing around with Sandbox. Entered favorite restaurant: Pita Jungle. Current favorite cd: Once. Accidentally deleted other restaurants while trying to link to an image. Very disturbing :)) So sorry!

#16-What’s in a wiki?

Wikis create a forum that allows the involvement of both creators and users to gather and publish information. This invites a wider perspective of knowledge, opinions, and experience. Possible library uses: book reviews, community events, business news, etc. The possibilities are almost endless.

#15-Library 2.0

There was a time when libraries exercised something close to monopoly power in the information marketplace. The “come to us” model of library service will soon be outdated. Library 2.0 is a loosely defined form of library service that explores the way services are delivered. SPLS is now looking beyond our walls to find new technologies and new ways to approach and communicate our customers.

#14-Technorati

Wow! Amazing stat about number of blogs doubling every six months. Interesting to see a blog-searcher that can handle and group that much info in so many different ways. Technorati helps creates a personal experience by connecting "real" people and their interests.

#13-Del.icio.us

My experience was good. This tool could be a very handy tool for research assistance or just meandering around the web. I entered the term "king arthur flour" and got 488 hits. It was then interesting to explore the tags, terms and people who were intertwined.

#12-MySpace & Facebook

I enjoyed playing around on both sites. Had previously experimented with creating a profile on MySpace but found it VERY time and labor intensive to create and maintain. Spaces show alot of creativity and personal expression. I enjoyed the simpler, cleaner look of Facebook and found Stacie Fowler's and Brad Morse's pages. I definitely see the possible value in creating and maintaining profiles for Libraries. It could be a very effective way of communicating with teens about upcoming events, new books, etc.

#11-LibraryThing

This was fun! Take a look at my Library Catalog.

#10-Image Generators

3D-Package lets you instantly create 3d-box images online, free! Just upload pictures for cover and sides and then get 3d-box in your favorite image format (JPG, GIF, PNG supported). Post them in your blog or anywhere else. To try it, go to http://www.3d-pack.com/
Here's the result of my follies.

#9-Finding Feeds

After trying several feed-search sites, I decided my favorite way to find feeds is to google a topic and use feeds to sites that I like. Much easier and better results.

#8-RSS & Newsreader

Phew! Very interesting and fun! I like the idea of having daily info updates at my fingertips :)

#7-Technology

Yahoo Plans to Let Users Help Mold New Feature
The New York Times
Published: February 26, 2008
On Tuesday, Yahoo plans to introduce a service called Buzz that relies on users to help it compile the most popular articles from around the Web. Yahoo plans to include some of those on its front page, hoping to attract more users and turn it into a hub for driving traffic to other publishers.

# 6-More Flickr Fun

Flickr Color Picker by JBum
Using images from the Color Fields group on Flickr, JBum has created a beautiful and efficient Experimental Color Picker. Just click on a color, use the slider to adjust lightness and darkness, and it will show you photos with that color.
http://krazydad.com/colrpickr/

# 5-Discover Flickr

Marco Island
Originally uploaded by Dee Johnson

This was my first trip to Flickr. I set up an account and learned how to post a photo to my blog! Wish I was there...

Oatmeal Carob Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 350ºLine cookie sheet with parchment paper or oil lightly

½ cup – walnuts (chop into med / small pieces)
1 cup – carob chips
½ cup – oatmeal
¼ cup – coconut (unsweetened / shredded)
¼ cup – raisins

½ cup – whole wheat flour
½ teas – baking soda
¼ teas – salt

1 apple (puree into applesauce)
½ cup – tahini or peanut butter
¼ cup – honey
2 Tbsp – butter (cut in small pieces)
2 teas – vanilla

Chop walnuts. Dump into big bowl.Add carob chips, oatmeal, coconut and raisins to big bowlMix flour, soda and salt. Add to big bowl and stir.Mix applesauce, tahini, honey, butter and vanilla. Add to big bowl and stir.

Makes 20 cookiesBake @ 350º for 14 minutes.