Thing 12 Wikis

OK so I love it when the Thing is something I have done or am doing and I can breeze thru it with a minimum of learning. All right -- so I know that is not the purpose of 23 Things but it does help me "catch up"
I am a member of the SSLLI wiki. As such I have added content when we had to upload our project descriptions. One of my CPLA classes decided we wanted a wiki so we could stay in touch. (yeah right) I decided that it was a perfect learning opportunity so I went to PB wiki and set up a wiki for our class. Shared the information with my fellow students... the teacher and I were the only ones who ever contributed to it.
Unless you sign up for the updates, it seems to me that it takes time to remember to go to the wiki and look for changes. I question the Commoncraft video that the camping friends really went to the wiki that often checking things out.
I noticed that the Book Lovers Wiki cited in the Neflin write up has not been edited in over 11 months. So inquiring minds want to know.... How come? Did it not work as expected? Was no one using it? That example and my past experience does not inspire me to set one up for my library (if I had a library). Have wikis "shot their wad" --- everyone seems to be tweeting these days.

Thing 11 Social Networking

So, I've heard alot of talk about Digg and StumbleUpon. I took a look at them but they just aren't something I would use on a regular basis. I'm just not a news junkie. I follow Wired Science on my MyYahoo page and take a look at Reuters because it is there. I also follow a couple of Cubs blogs there as well. I guess if the world comes to an end I'll have to read about it in the morning paper.
I do however subscribe to facebook (using an alias) to keep up with the kids -- just never use their news feature.

Thing 10 Delicious

Whoo Hoo another 2 Thing day. I mentioned Delicious in my last post when I said that Stephanie put her book marks on it for use in traveling. That is handy but I also used it when I was leaving my computer at work never to see it again. I didn't want to lose my bookmarks so I loaded them on delicious. Fast and Easy.
I am also using delicious for my SSLLI project. A team of librarians from around the country are finding quailty YouTube videos appropriate for library staff training and we are posting them on our Delicious page. http://delicious.com/Sslli_Project I've included the link here but remember this is a work in progress. The reason there has been no work on it since January is due to 4 women's retreats, 2 CPLA classes, 2 SSLLI sessions, and finishing work. More will be added starting this week. Retreats are over and CPLA classes are finished (certification review in April). I may be their first unemployed Certified Public Library Administrator. If anyone knows a link that should be added you are welcome to e-mail us at sslliproject@yahoo.com

Thing 9 Sharing Mosaic

I told you I had alot of tulip pictures. I would recommend the Netherlands at the end of April to anyone. I like Big Huge Labs because you can use it with your Flickr account without creating another presence on the web. You can link your Flickr account and then remove the link when you are done. I know the OCLC report said that librarians are more concerned about privacy and ID theft than the general public. But until it happens to you or a member of your family you don't realize how devasting it can be.

I like the idea of having a back up of your slide presentation stored on the Internet. Just as Stephanie liked having her bookmarks stored on Delicious for travel. Knowing it is out there gives you a sense of security.

Just a quick thought on library usage. You could do a mosaic of new books or event pictures (don't forget permission slips) and post it on your website. Changing it often though could become quite time consuming.

Thing 8 Communication -- IM

I've been using IM since our son was in college -- Let's see he is 30 now -- for 12 years. It was new then and didn't always work real well but we kept in touch and he never asked for money. When our daugter was in college 5 years later the technology had improved. Sometimes it was enough just to see her come on line and know she was ok. My husband and I have used it recently -- sometimes just between computers in the same room. (I know how lazy can you get), but I am going to have to change my log-in since I am not LevyLibDir anymore.
Wow -- 2 Things in the same day. At this rate I will be caught up by -- oh -- July??? Just Kidding. But now piles of paper are calling me to sort, file or toss so no more Things today.

Thing 7 image generator

Finally one that was EASY. This was using image chef and I could see adding all sorts of things to my e-mails or the web page. Create e-posters to use advertising programs. The images have to be alot more eye catching than plain text. This one was added here as text but I also could have added it as an image.

It only took 7 items but I finally found one that didn't tax my abilities or frustrate me beyond limits... and was FUN. I will come back and play with this one some more. Try it out at www.imagechef.com

Thing 6 -- Flickr Mashup

You would think that being fairly computer literate these would be easy for me Ha Ha Not so. I couldn't use several of these tools since they wanted to download something and my computer settings wouldn't allow that. This one allowed me to link to Flickr and make a puzzle from one of my pictures. Of course then they want you to buy it. I suppose the Orange is going to clash with my pink background. Oh well, just screen the background and look at the picture by itself.

Hey, did you notice? 2 Things in Two days! Whoo Hoo. At this rate I will be caught up by the end of the month.

I just went back and read the Nelin post again. What do I think of sharing photos on line? Well I think everyone is out to make a buck by stroking the ego of the photographer. I also think however that there is a time and place for its convenience. I took pictures at my Dad's funeral that I was able to post privately but allow cousins who didn't attend to access. That made a difficult time a bit easier as I didn't have to deal with his photos over and over -- just send the link for access.

In the library -- hmm We have put photos on our web page and on myspace but loaded them straight from the computer without a flickr type interface.

Until next time...