Where's My MP3?

Questions of the day: 1) What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? 2) How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? 3) Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? 4) What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? 5) If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you chose to participate?

Favorite discoveries were Flickr, Google Reader (RSS), and Blogger. The RSS is something I have started using in my personal life. I would also like to start using Flickr or some other file-sharing picture site, as soon as I figure out how to use my digital camara.

Several of the ideas meld into my learning goal of trying to keep on top of technology (as opposed to the opposite). Technology is a tool, but only if you know ho to use it.

Questions 3 and 4 can be answered together. I found some of the instructions confusing and incomplete, but that might partially be because I went into most of the exercises completely ignorant. The flip side, is that in my confusion I figured things out, and for me, figuring things out can be a very effective way to learn. Once I decode something, I own it.

I would definitely take advantage of another discovery learning program if offered, because I learn for the sake of learning. Now, where's my MP3?

Connecting to 2.0

Questions of the day: Discuss YouTube, podcasts, and Download Library.

Before I begin, did I mention my kids?

I had never paid much attention to YouTube before now, but I have to say, it is hilarious! Since this is a library blog, I chose Introducing the Book . Very clever indeed.

As for podcasts--another very cool idea--I will try to link George Morgan's genealogy program to this blog. Genealogy Guys Morgan presented at one of the SWFLN workshops I attended and mentioned his podcast. I could only manage to access the most recent podcast--don't know if it was a problem with their site or with me.

Finally, I went to the library system's "Download Depot" and downloaded a graphic novel, Soccer Showdown. All the books I found in pdf were of a similar sort. I look forward to winning one of the MP3 players, so I will be able to download audio books.

I've enjoyed Play to Learn, and have learned a lot about the World of Web 2.0. I learned as much or more from my errors and false starts. I would be remiss if I did not thank Tim for his help at crucial junctures. As I stated in one of my earlier blogs, the library system's "Big Hairy Audacious Goal" dovetails nicely with Web 2.0: "To be valued by everyone as being indispensible in providing connections between the community, its people, and resources." Libraries need to harness this new frontier of connectivity if we want to stay relevant in the 21st century.

Only Connect

Question of the Day: Describe your discoveries. What tool did you choose? What did you like or dislike about it? What were the site's useful features? Can you see how these applications could be used in a library setting?

Wow! There were some sites included in the 2.0 directory I did not think of as Web 2.0. Here are some of the ones that I found interesting:

GoogleDocs - http://www.google.com/: Love it! I can see all sorts of uses for it, but would not want to rely on it for my personal files, because of privacy concerns such as written about recently in The New York Times.

Craig's List Fort Myers - http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/: This is a great site that I hadn't looked at for awhile. Talk about connectivity!

Pandora - http://www.pandora.com/: This site calls itself "The Music Genome Project." The creators have examinted the music universe and will help you find the music that stirs your soul.

Threads - http://www.threadless.com/: Confusing--what are they about? After noodling around, I would guess T-shirts. Not interested.

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/: I was already aware of this site. My daughter and an artist friend of hers have sold stuff here. Think I'll come back later and do some Christmas shopping. Great way to connect artisans and customers!

Zillow - http://www.zillow.com/: Interesting real estate site. I wouldn't bet the farm on their values--yet. I'm sure as this database matures, accuracy will improve. Fun!

I think my name for my blog was apt. Web 2.0 is all about connectivity--to people, places, and things. "Only connect," as Forster tells us in one of my favorite novels, A Room With a View.

Testing, Testing, One-Two-Three-Four

I'm writing this blog in GoogleDocs, and, quite frankly, I'm having problems. I'm going to try one more time to insert an image. Let's see if it works. FINALLY, it worked, but now it's gone. Let me try again.

Well, I finally did it. I inserted a picture in my Web 2.0 document! Do you know whose picture this is? He was born in the Waxhaws region of South Carolina in the mid 18th century. His parents were among the Scoch-Irish settlers in the region. I found the photo on the Library of Congress web site. Now, I'm going to try to somehow get this document into my blog.

Two minutes later: I successfully sent my GoogleDoc page to my Blog (another Google creation). I love Google! Why didn't I buy a few shares on the IPO?

Wiki Wiki Biblio

Questions of the day: Tell us what you found interesting about wikis? How could our library effectively use a wiki?

The concept of the wiki is brilliant. It’s a way to harness the power of collective intelligence—the wisdom of the crowd. Wikis could revolutionize the way people interact.

Probably the most famous wiki is Wikipedia, the oft-maligned online encyclopedia. All technologies have their “dark side,” and of course, wikis are only as good as their input. Theoretically, anyone can edit an entry—whether s/he be ignorant, biased, mistaken, or malevolent. (That’s why Wikipedia locks down entries on politicians in the weeks preceding an election.) Wikipedia can be a great starting point for ready reference, especially for questions on popular culture, but you do need to verify any information found there.

Wikis have many applications for libraries. Staff members can collaborate on a project, even if they’re not in the same place at the same time. (Fewer meetings?) Wikis do a great job of organizing, synthesizing, and connecting (people and information). They can also be a platform for patron education and feedback.

I suspect that we've only scratched the surface with wikis. They are a very powerful tool of Web 2.0.

A Member of the Digerati

Questions of the day: Share your thoughts about Del.icio.us, Technorati, and Library 2.0. Comment on the potential of these tools for research assistance, bookmarking or other ideas you may have.

Victory is mine! I finally figured out Del.icio.us, but I can’t help but remark that the site has a terrible name—what were they thinking? I don’t have “favorites” on my home computer—never really had the need—but I think I’ll use Del.icio.us. I like the ability to “tag.” I have set up three categories so far: Wales, Travel, and Newspapers.

Technorati is a less useful site, but with a much better name than Del.icio.us. I don’t really see myself using it, because, to be honest, I’m not interested in reading the blogs of people I don’t know. I tried to embed a Technorati widget in my blog, but am not sure it “took.” Evidently, some spiders have the last say in the matter.

I took a quick look at the Library 2.0 articles, and one of the things that caught my attention was in To More Powerful Ways to Cooperate by Chip Nilges, OCLC Vice President. He talked about “collecting user intelligence” by opening up WorldCat to “outsiders” who could then share tables of contents, notes, reviews, tags, and other enhancements. What a great way to connect and harness the wisdom of the crowd.