Crossed the Finish Line!

I can't believe it, I actually made it through the entire 9 weeks of 23 things! There were a few times I became discouraged by some of the more challenging "Things," but somehow I muddled my way through. Overall I enjoyed this learning exercise and discovered many useful online tools that I otherwise probably wouldn't have discovered on my own. The most useful tool I used was Zoho. It's amazing and I never knew it was out there waiting for me. I know I feel more computer savvy then I did when I started. I would differently participate again in a similar experience I love learning new things.

OverDrive Collection - Digital Media

I'm already familiar with OverDrive, but since I don't really enjoy listening to audiobooks I've never downloaded a book. For this exercise I decided to give downloading a try, but I quickly got discouraged because numerous patrons were already on a waiting list for the titles I wanted to try. I noticed that Swine Not? by Jimmy Buffet was enhanced which grabbed by attention. I learned that the word enhanced next to a title meant accompanied by supplemental material provided by the published. In this case it was an added PDF ebook...not too exciting. It is however a wonderful service for our many patrons who loved this media format.

Podcast Discoveries

I explored Podcast Alley. Interesting, but I don't think I'll be using it in the near future. However it would be a great promotional and marketing tool for the Library.

YouTube

I really enjoyed exploring YouTube. I've received clips in emails and seen spots highlighted on the news but this was my first exploration foray. I'm sharing a short one that reminds me of fun in Key West.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p23XAVUSUIs

Discovery Exercise

I chose to look at this site and loved it. Patrons looking for recipe ideas will also find it useful. Videos shown were produced by both professionals and amatuers. The viewer is encouraged to make their own favorite recipe to share.

How To Clone Planet Hollywood Chicken Crunch with Todd Wilber. I came across this video recipe quite by accident as I was exploring this web site. I found out that Demi Moore is responsible for this particular recipe herself. The video was both interesting and informative.

http://www.imcooked.com/view_video.php?viewkey=892fbfd1c5a5b457e577

Zoho Writer

I'm a first time users, but this looks like fun, so I tried it out. Tomorrow I start my vacation so this is going to be short and sweet, but this site is definitely one I plan on revisiting. Saturday I leave for a seven day cruise on Royal Caribbean from the port of Miami and I can't wait! I posted this from Zoho Writer. That was easy to do, but some of the pictures disappeared and I had to edit.

The Ship

Ports of Call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Labadee, Haiti

PBCLS Wiki

I found this exercise easy and fun to do. I enjoyed looking at everyones favorites, and will be checking back often for updates. I added two of my favorite special occasions restaurants. Discovered quite by accident that only one person can edit at a time. Our site contained an exclusive edit lock that was effective for 5 minutes and then became stealable. Could be fun, or extremely annoying!

http://www.taboorestaurant.com/

http://www.stationrestaurants.com/

Wikis

I explored several of the Wikis posted for this exercise and found several that didn't quite fit the definition of a Wiki, a database of pages which vistors can edit.



A few of the ones I viewed could only be updated by librarians. If only a select few can edit and add information doesn't the site become just another informational website?

Web 2.0...What it means to me

I hear web 2.0 and think of a huge array of sometimes complex, continually evolving web applications that combine social networking with information sharing.

Technorati

PBCLS Home page was ranked 319,173 when I first signed on. It had an Authority of 33, the number of blogs linking to a website in the last six months. I was pleasantly surprised to find people who didn't even live in Florida, yet alone Palm Beach County, had found, used, and tagged PBCLS web services.
Lisa, and ESL teacher, from San Franciso included "Mousing Skills" tutorials www.pbclibrary.org/mousing on her blog. She obviously found it useful enough to share. She listed several other sites which would be helpful for those learning English as a second language. Though this was also an interesting site I'm afraid I wouldn't use.

Del.icio.us

Like many other sites on the Internet, I have never used del.icio.us before. I like the idea of favorites with potability, but I'm not sure I'd actually use it. It does however have unlimited potential for all areas of librarianship.

Webfeet

I looked up Cooperstown New York and discovered a store I never heard of before for baseball lovers.

LibraryThing

This looks helpful, if I'd remember to use it.

Image Generators

Discovered a lot of cool free stuff. It was fun exploring everything!

Bloglines

This was easier than I thought it would be, but I'm not sure how useful I'll find it in the future.

Technology

While browsing through Flickr in search of my "wow" photo I became overwhelmed. I discovered so many beautiful and unique pictures that I had trouble focusing on a single subject or theme. Time passes quickly while meandering through this unique website that allows people to freely share images worldwide.

Blogging Benefits

• Educational Tool
• Sharing Information/Networking
• Reinforces Lifelong Learning
• Encourages Self Discovery

Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Sucessful Lifelong Learners

The most difficult habit for me to maintain will be viewing problems as challenges, but I'm looking forward to learning how to use new technologies.