10 random things about me:
1. I collect stamps (cf. my blog title!)
2. I was born between the founding of the Peace Corps and the construction of the Berlin Wall.
3. I joined the Peace Corps in 1996.
4. I visited the Berlin Wall in 1982.
5. My sports hero was Kareem Abdul-Jabaar (I like the name).
6. I have two twin sisters, both(!) older than me.
7. I lowered Linden's flag on September 12, 2001 for the library.
8. I washed dishes professionally my first 3 years after graduating w/a bachelor's degree, and learned a lot!
9. I just had the most gustatorially enjoyable but stressful Thanksgiving of my life.
10. I like my job.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The end or beginning?
Topic: "Reflect upon your learning journey."
Learn & Play taught me about many internet sites I would otherwise never have used, and generally enlarged my perspective of internet services. I can apply this knowledge both personally and professionally.
My favorite discoveries of Learn & Play are Flickr, Youtube and podcasts. I use Flickr now to share digital photos with other people. I use Youtube for entertainment and news. I may begin to listen to podcasts to programs I would otherwise only listen to live or miss.
Learn & Play reinforces my understanding that working in a library requires ongoing learning from sources I might have previously ignored.
One impression I take away is that the internet offers much to people who don't mind leaving electronic footprints. The number of accounts and passwords I agreed to in these exercises leaves me a little uneasy. I prefer accessing media in a way leaving the least trace possible. However, I understand the call of marketing and in a few cases, accountability. In each case, the user can decide if using the site warrants the compromise.
I find format and concept for this program on target.
I would chose to participate in similar discovery programs in the future.
Learn & Play taught me about many internet sites I would otherwise never have used, and generally enlarged my perspective of internet services. I can apply this knowledge both personally and professionally.
My favorite discoveries of Learn & Play are Flickr, Youtube and podcasts. I use Flickr now to share digital photos with other people. I use Youtube for entertainment and news. I may begin to listen to podcasts to programs I would otherwise only listen to live or miss.
Learn & Play reinforces my understanding that working in a library requires ongoing learning from sources I might have previously ignored.
One impression I take away is that the internet offers much to people who don't mind leaving electronic footprints. The number of accounts and passwords I agreed to in these exercises leaves me a little uneasy. I prefer accessing media in a way leaving the least trace possible. However, I understand the call of marketing and in a few cases, accountability. In each case, the user can decide if using the site warrants the compromise.
I find format and concept for this program on target.
I would chose to participate in similar discovery programs in the future.
Digital Media!
Topic:"Login to MOLDI... and explore some of the many titles."
I accessed MOLDI through the CML web site and viewed the 16-part tutorial. I did not load the software that alters Windows Media Player described in the tutorial. The tutorial stated MOLDI requires this software to play MOLDI conent. Consequently, I did not download any files. I did log in to MOLDI and load items into a check-out cart to familiarize myself with that process of browsing and checking out.
For now, I prefer traditional formats of content. Howver, I found some titles I might want to download for leisure reading or viewing.
Furthermore, knowing how to use MOLDI provides confidence in assisting library patrons' inquiries.
I accessed MOLDI through the CML web site and viewed the 16-part tutorial. I did not load the software that alters Windows Media Player described in the tutorial. The tutorial stated MOLDI requires this software to play MOLDI conent. Consequently, I did not download any files. I did log in to MOLDI and load items into a check-out cart to familiarize myself with that process of browsing and checking out.
For now, I prefer traditional formats of content. Howver, I found some titles I might want to download for leisure reading or viewing.
Furthermore, knowing how to use MOLDI provides confidence in assisting library patrons' inquiries.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Podcasts
Topic: "Take a look at one or two of the podcast directories...Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Bloglines account."
I examined the cited podcast directories. I found fewer podcasts on topics both specialized (philately) and on popular topics (Britney Spears) than I expected, but did find a podcast of interest on Chicago theater.
I found and listened to part of some podcasts on libraries: the Sirsi Dynix series. I saw that some libraries (e.g., in Michigan), made podcasts.
The age of most hits in my several podcast hits surprised and disappointed me. Virtually none of the links I examined contained podcasts within the past month or that formed part of a series with episodes at least once a month. While access to such archives has its merits, one must watch out if looking for news or ongoing feeds. I would find the podcast search engines more helpful if they had a feature to sort by age, number of episodes, or both. (If they do, I did not find it.)
I had difficulty subscribing to podcasts in bloglines. I gave up using the podcast search engines and instead surfed to a site of a content provider I know provides podcasts, NPR. I found a show that podcasts five times weekly, Fresh Air, but could not figure out how to subscribe from the NPR site since its options were links to software I don't use (e.g. itunes) or the URL to past in my podcast software (I don't think my computer has podcast software; I could be wrong).
Success came when I logged into bloglines, used its search engine to find NPR's Fresh Air, and found a link in Bloglines to subscribe. I verified my success by listening to part of a podcast.
I can see that CML might want to podcast, e.g. to promote library events, changes in policies, and other public alerts.
I examined the cited podcast directories. I found fewer podcasts on topics both specialized (philately) and on popular topics (Britney Spears) than I expected, but did find a podcast of interest on Chicago theater.
I found and listened to part of some podcasts on libraries: the Sirsi Dynix series. I saw that some libraries (e.g., in Michigan), made podcasts.
The age of most hits in my several podcast hits surprised and disappointed me. Virtually none of the links I examined contained podcasts within the past month or that formed part of a series with episodes at least once a month. While access to such archives has its merits, one must watch out if looking for news or ongoing feeds. I would find the podcast search engines more helpful if they had a feature to sort by age, number of episodes, or both. (If they do, I did not find it.)
I had difficulty subscribing to podcasts in bloglines. I gave up using the podcast search engines and instead surfed to a site of a content provider I know provides podcasts, NPR. I found a show that podcasts five times weekly, Fresh Air, but could not figure out how to subscribe from the NPR site since its options were links to software I don't use (e.g. itunes) or the URL to past in my podcast software (I don't think my computer has podcast software; I could be wrong).
Success came when I logged into bloglines, used its search engine to find NPR's Fresh Air, and found a link in Bloglines to subscribe. I verified my success by listening to part of a podcast.
I can see that CML might want to podcast, e.g. to promote library events, changes in policies, and other public alerts.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
You too can YouTube!
Topic: "Explore YouTube and find a video worth adding as an entry in your blog."
I explored Youtube. I have investigated this site for entertainment since last summer, when I stumbled upon it while searching for song lyrics.
My video worth adding is a 10-minute political speech:
I like Youtube. Its search box sits prominently on the page and functions in straight forward manner. The hits it returns contain relevant content.
I chose the above video to exemplify how Web 2.0 provides access to serious political content that most broadcast media ignore.
Brief instructional videos that demonstrate routine library functions such as signing up for a library card and checking out items might be useful on their respective dedicated pcs. Videos that tour CML facilities might be interesting on the library's internet site, since many patrons probably have not seen all CML locations. Videos on the library site that model the library's code of conduct might assist staff in maintaining an environment conducive the the library's mission.
I explored Youtube. I have investigated this site for entertainment since last summer, when I stumbled upon it while searching for song lyrics.
My video worth adding is a 10-minute political speech:
I like Youtube. Its search box sits prominently on the page and functions in straight forward manner. The hits it returns contain relevant content.
I chose the above video to exemplify how Web 2.0 provides access to serious political content that most broadcast media ignore.
Brief instructional videos that demonstrate routine library functions such as signing up for a library card and checking out items might be useful on their respective dedicated pcs. Videos that tour CML facilities might be interesting on the library's internet site, since many patrons probably have not seen all CML locations. Videos on the library site that model the library's code of conduct might assist staff in maintaining an environment conducive the the library's mission.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Explore CML’s own Tool Box of great Web 2.0 tools
Topic: "try out some of the links in the Tool Box... try downloading the Library Toolbar or the Catalog Plugin... or read the blog, Tooling Around, and leave a comment."
I looked at all of the links in the Toll Box. I already used some prior to Learn & Play (Firefox, Gmail, Worldcat). I learned others already for Learn & Play (Technorati, Delicious, Library Thing, Twitter). That left half to discover:
Boingboing strikes me as entertainment leisure reading, much like alternative news weekly magazines.
Digg presents a current greatest hits of the world wide web that is up to the minute, for practical or entertainment value.
Stumbleupon appears largely similar to Digg in intention and content.
I see Make as a hobby forum, of mixed practical and entertainment value.
The Book Burro site provides an installable free tool described as serving a specialized need for finding books via library and online book seller sites. I limited my explorations of this for the same reason that I did not install the library tool bar or catalog plug-in - I work on shared computers at the library that either prevent such configurations or serve users that might not want them.
Techcrunch provides a weblog about internet 2.0 businesses. I may someday reach the sophistication level to optimally benefit from this site.
Creative Commons targets online publishers who seek to assert some intellectual property rights.
In addition to exploring the CML Tool Box, I read the CML Tooling Around weblog. I added the comment that it appears to have stopped posting two months ago, whereas Learn & Play reveals that plenty of potential content warrants resumed content.
I looked at all of the links in the Toll Box. I already used some prior to Learn & Play (Firefox, Gmail, Worldcat). I learned others already for Learn & Play (Technorati, Delicious, Library Thing, Twitter). That left half to discover:
Boingboing strikes me as entertainment leisure reading, much like alternative news weekly magazines.
Digg presents a current greatest hits of the world wide web that is up to the minute, for practical or entertainment value.
Stumbleupon appears largely similar to Digg in intention and content.
I see Make as a hobby forum, of mixed practical and entertainment value.
The Book Burro site provides an installable free tool described as serving a specialized need for finding books via library and online book seller sites. I limited my explorations of this for the same reason that I did not install the library tool bar or catalog plug-in - I work on shared computers at the library that either prevent such configurations or serve users that might not want them.
Techcrunch provides a weblog about internet 2.0 businesses. I may someday reach the sophistication level to optimally benefit from this site.
Creative Commons targets online publishers who seek to assert some intellectual property rights.
In addition to exploring the CML Tool Box, I read the CML Tooling Around weblog. I added the comment that it appears to have stopped posting two months ago, whereas Learn & Play reveals that plenty of potential content warrants resumed content.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Discovering Web 2.0 tools
Topic: "Select any site/tool from the list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees... Explore the site you selected."
I selected the three top "music" sites, Last, Pandora, and Mog. Prior to this exercise, I had not used any of these.
I had different experiences with each of these.
I spent the least time with Mog, because I did not find a way to do much without creating a Mog account, and I didn't want to do that. Also, I did not find a Bugmenot account to use for Mog (as I did for Pandora). Mog failed to display much content for Lawrence Welk - my test for versatility & usefulness to the non-rock audience.
I spent an hour or more exploring Last, the Web 2.0 Award winner. I didn't need to register for anything I wanted to do. I found it pretty well organized. However, the content that appeared for my first test, singer Laura Love (a modern folk singer) puzzled and disappointed me. It contained under "videos" 7 videos, only one of which featured Laura Love. Some of them seemed to be random misses.
I spent the most time with Pandora, the Web 2.0 runner-up. It allowed me to "create a radio station" and explore this option for a while, though at some point it required me to register to do much more. Perhaps I had crossed a threshold of free clicks and searches. I found a login for Pandora at bugmenot.com that worked, so I used it to continue exploring.
In Pandora, I had trouble finding the list of songs played, which figures high among my requirements for a music site. I later hypothesized that my trouble was having multiple pandora widows open simultaneously and losing track.
I have mixed feelings about the basic premise of main features of both Pandora and Last (possibly mog also), playing a stream of music similar to a given seed artist or song. Like browsing a specialized genre collection in a library instead of a fully interfiled collection of mixed genres, using these tools prevents the listener from discovering anything outside the restrictions. I generally do not like this. I have voiced my support for fully interfiled adult fiction collections, for example. However, I understand the usefulness of screening out some styles of music in some situations.
I would consider later registering for these sites to fully exploit them.
The library setting applications I see are office background music and music in a listening station in a part of the library that would not interfere with quiet reading. However, I suspect that these sites uses target leisure time more than work applications.
I selected the three top "music" sites, Last, Pandora, and Mog. Prior to this exercise, I had not used any of these.
I had different experiences with each of these.
I spent the least time with Mog, because I did not find a way to do much without creating a Mog account, and I didn't want to do that. Also, I did not find a Bugmenot account to use for Mog (as I did for Pandora). Mog failed to display much content for Lawrence Welk - my test for versatility & usefulness to the non-rock audience.
I spent an hour or more exploring Last, the Web 2.0 Award winner. I didn't need to register for anything I wanted to do. I found it pretty well organized. However, the content that appeared for my first test, singer Laura Love (a modern folk singer) puzzled and disappointed me. It contained under "videos" 7 videos, only one of which featured Laura Love. Some of them seemed to be random misses.
I spent the most time with Pandora, the Web 2.0 runner-up. It allowed me to "create a radio station" and explore this option for a while, though at some point it required me to register to do much more. Perhaps I had crossed a threshold of free clicks and searches. I found a login for Pandora at bugmenot.com that worked, so I used it to continue exploring.
In Pandora, I had trouble finding the list of songs played, which figures high among my requirements for a music site. I later hypothesized that my trouble was having multiple pandora widows open simultaneously and losing track.
I have mixed feelings about the basic premise of main features of both Pandora and Last (possibly mog also), playing a stream of music similar to a given seed artist or song. Like browsing a specialized genre collection in a library instead of a fully interfiled collection of mixed genres, using these tools prevents the listener from discovering anything outside the restrictions. I generally do not like this. I have voiced my support for fully interfiled adult fiction collections, for example. However, I understand the usefulness of screening out some styles of music in some situations.
I would consider later registering for these sites to fully exploit them.
The library setting applications I see are office background music and music in a listening station in a part of the library that would not interfere with quiet reading. However, I suspect that these sites uses target leisure time more than work applications.
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