Week #10, Thing #24 Thinking

I really liked this web experience....well worth the effort. I began my "journey of the 25 things" knowing it would offer me an opportunity to learn just what was behind all those terms I ran into online, feel a sense of achievement in stepping out of my safe surfing zones, find web tools that I could actually put to good use and, perhaps best of all, do what I love to do most with the internet....PLAY.

I will be going back over it all more thoroughly from time to time and trying it all again. Already a few of my fellow tech loving friends have benefited from this course as I introduced them to some of what the web can offer. Maybe I will add a few patrons down the road, but even if I don't it was a great journey and it worked for me.

Thanks Elaine and your tech crew for making this available to us all. Hmmmm...maybe we could have updates once in awhile when someTHING new comes along...I'm in.

Week #10, Thing #23 Net Library

Although I don't think I'll ever want to give up being able to read in bed at 3:00 am or sit outside in the sunshine with a book in my hand, being able to access a title whenever I think of it or browse a subject and find a new author is pretty sweet. A few titles safely loaded into your device of choice with no worry of a library book being left behind on the plane or your hotel offers another bonus. I know that down the road there will be more titles available as more and more people take advantage of this great service. I'd say this was another good Thing.

Week #10, Thing #22 Podcasting

Yes I can see how this would be another useful tool for libraries. Podcasts offer another way to access information and could also help to clarify resource material found on library shelves and online data bases. Another Thing to add to my list of "things that deserve a closer look".

Week #10, Thing #21 YouTube!!!!!

I think I have been losing sleep enjoying bloopers, music vids (a lot of old favs), old tv shows, political discussions and even interesting lectures on YouTube forever. Once again...love it! Libraries could make great use of this website in many ways, but I could well imagine a local library showing how it functions and its services available to make new patrons more knowledable in their first visits. These are a few that have been around for ages and you might know them, but I think they are worth another visit....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF2gZu3ygEQ - Library humour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTXw15SKFX4 - Different but mighty fine library

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPnGPIMUnus - Just because it is bad

Week #9, Thing #20 PB Wiki-ing

I could play (not just play...found new restaurants to visit) with this one for hours. Ah well, who needs to sleep.

Week #9, Thing #19 Wiki-ing

Whenever I google a topic and it shows up in a Wikipedia entry I seem to go there first. I know there can be discrepancies and even opinions within, but it gives me a quick overview of whatever or whoever I am looking for. The major drawback is there can be opinion (truthiness), nonfactual or even deliberate malicious material inserted and how is the viewer to know. For more detailed research a visit to the local library with its vast offer of published tomes can usually verify or even refute the Wikipedia entries. But Wikipedia has, at the very least, narrowed my search. What I was unaware of was the many wikis available and I hope to check out more of these. I will definitely return to the ones with a library connection.

Week #7, Thing #17

Libraries will have to, and I am sure want to, adapt their services to a future society geared to a more technologically savvy patron. Working in a library I see the way our services are updated and feedback is encouraged when new technology is implemented. It also becomes clear that the library visit offers more than just a building to pick up a book, movie, Cd or do research. As Michael Stephens stated:""the Library is human" because it makes the library a social and emotionally engaged center for learning and experience", and that should ensure that the library remains an integral part of society.

Week #7, Thing #16, Technorati Tagging

Enjoyed seeing what were the latest blogs...definitely did not enjoy all the ads. A good night to explore though as we were victorious in men's Olympic hockey (!!!!!!!) and I had access to a sports blog with a lot of waffling on. Easier access made possible and continues with Thing #16.

Week #7, Thing #15, Delicious Tagging

Definite uses for researching anything and everything...serious or fun. Took a quick run around and will go back when I need to research something more substantial. This is as serious as I got so far: http://www.coffeegeek.com/

Week #6, Thing #14 Imaging

It was fun! I can now dazzle my friends with some clever gifts, cards, invitations, announcements and email additions and inspire them with my wit. These are free web resources and now I am able to point people who ask in the right direction. More good information to share.
My attempt at generating something clever is included........

Week #6, Thing #13 Library Thinging

Another great personal resource and one I plan to use for book title ideas. I am trying to expand my reading interests but somehow know I will fall back on the familiar and stick with what grabs me early in. Lately I have been returning books after just a few pages....quite proud of that too as I have often in the past waded through a lot of twaddle.
So many books, so little time...... http://www.librarything.com/catalog/lvshr

Week #6, Thing #12 Twittering

I now have a Twitter name...something I thought I'd probably give a miss. But in the spirit of the thing, #12 to be exact, I have joined and have been looking and I have found a few twits I like. I don't think this will be something I twit with myself, but I love the cruising through any and all manner of topics available. I am now following a few and will see where it takes me, but my fear is that one day they will mandate us to open up our lives completely and tell all and be viewed as antisocial if we decline. Hmmm...sounds like the subplot of a Ben Elton book.
I may be tweeting away here: https://twitter.com/addedvoice

Week #5, Thing #11 Feed Finding

I really liked Topix.net because it linked you to many online news feeds right away. Technorati is really interesting and I will be back to that again and again. But it will take many more viewing hours to give justice to all that is available.
The time spent was well worth it and once again, addictive.

Week #5, Thing #10 RSS Feeding

I have mentioned my net surfing well past any decent hour beginning when the Interwebs first opened oh so many years ago (mindboggling there was a time it wasn't around..WHAT DID WE DO???) But I have neglected some of the goodies offered to make viewing faster and easier. Now, with Thing #10 I have found RSS. Google Reader....sweeeeet.
A business or individual who regularly tracks updated information on favourite news sites or blogs will want this.......and I am already addicted.

Week #3, Thing #8, Teching!

A short techno blog. I love it, I use it and I would really miss it!!!! I always look forward to the newest technology (IPad?) which gives access to a big world growing smaller and more accessible as technology connects us.

Week #3, Thing #7, Still Flickring!

I have been having fun clicking away at the links to mashups, web apps and Flickr tools, but honestly haven't found anything that I just had to use. The trading card link offered applications (jigsaw, movie poster, cd cover, wallpaper) that I hope to explore later and could come in handy when I finally organize my sanctuary space. But for now I will call it a night and live to click and play another day.

Week #3, Thing #6, Flickring it!

Eaton's Ninth Floor, Toronto
Originally uploaded by arcturus rex

Eaton's Ninth Floor, Montreal

I love surfing the web, exploring anything and everything that pops into my head at 3 a.m. and often finding pictures on Flickr that lead me from link to link well into the wee. Friends often link me to their holiday and family shots and I hope to do the same as a new Flickr member. My intentions are to post pics but it has often been the case that I have fabulous intentions which sadly end there.

I love Art Deco design and Flickr offers access to pictures of beautiful buildings and interiors from all over the world. Love that! I offer this Art Deco style interior shot, posted by arcturus rex, from the Eatons in Montreal (he has tagged it Toronto but it is in Montreal).

Week #2, Thing #5 Webbing it!

I seldom send notes or letters because I enjoy face to face or even phone communication and the benefits that come with using your voice and facial expressions. Through computers I have discovered and surprise surprise really enjoy email, messenger and texting and now at the end of week 2 I can add blogging to that list of accomplishments. That....in computer parlance.....is just too kewl...... welcome to my blog.....