Thing #23 - Not ready for The End

Hmmmm - I think, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . " It's been enjoyable and yet, at times, I wanted to pull my hair out when I didn't quite understand something or I wanted to accomplish something a certain way and just couldn't do it. This took a lot of time but it was time well-spent and I plan to spend a lot more time as I go back and explore even more and start utilizing some of the things I've learned.

These are the things that I most enjoyed learning:

• Blogging - I'd heard of it but didn't really know what it was. It turns out that I've even read some peoples Blogs a long time ago, I just didn't know they had a name
  
• Meebo - That's something I intend to download and use since so many of my friends & family are on different instant messaging
  
• RSS feeds - I knew a little about them but not enough to know how to use them
  
• Web-based Applications  - Learning about Google Docs is a god-send.  I plan to use this a LOT
  
• Library Thing - I'll use this to keep track of the books I've read
  

Gosh, I think I could go on and on.  I learned so much and have so much yet to learn.  I would do this again in a minute.  I'm glad I found it soon enough to be able to finish it for credits.  I can use it towards my library certification and I didn't have to take time from work!

I have no suggestions for improvement as I thought it went smoothly and worked well.  Thanks to the staff that made this possible!  I hope there is a "next time" as I look forward to it.

Thing #22 - Podcasts

It is late, for me, and I'm tired. I wanted to put a feed of one of the Podcasts that I found but I couldn't figure out how to do it. I will probably try tomorrow afternoon when I have a little more time (BEFORE I go to the dentist, Ugh!). I found a couple of Podcasts that I really liked one being a Podcast video on parenting and the other a school that has 7th & 8th graders putting podcast book reviews on. I think that is such a great idea. I listened to one of them and just loved what the kids were doing and the enjoyment that I could tell they were getting out of it.

I did figure out that I MUCH prefer video podcasts since I'm a visual learner and just listening to them does me no good. They go in one ear - right through the 'ole brain as if it were totally transparent - and out the other ear. I also found a video cast that is about new technology and all the little gadgets they come out with. I liked that one also and plan to check into a couple others of the same nature. I subscribed to only three podcasts right now but am flabbergasted at the number of them available. It's too much to sort through. I didn't find a library one that I really liked much so I'll have to go searching again for one of those.

One more Thing about Thing #21

I was just re-reading what I'm supposed to do for Thing #21 and one thing was to list how it could be used at the library or what could or would be gained by adding it. Just to reiterate how quickly the "young minds" utilize this information I wanted to say that I just briefly mentioned this to one of my 13-year-olds who asked me what I was doing. His immediate response was: "It would be perfect for the library because there are so many "how-to" YouTubes. Ones that explain all kinds of ways to make things and how things work, and experiments you can learn from." Anyway, I was fascinated by how quickly he thought of that. I hadn't immediately. I was just thinking how it would attract younger kids because they like YouTube but I hadn't thought of how useful it could be for them. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it because I've so enjoyed the Common Craft Show and learned so much, so quickly, just because it was a quick and easy video. Very simple and very easy to understand! Library's can certainly use YouTube.

Now I'm really on to Thing #22.

Thing #21 - U2 can YouTube

My kids have shown me a lot about YouTube . . . they are always showing me different videos that they think are funny. I added one to my blog but I didn't have too much luck doing it. I actually wanted to put it in the center of my blog - in between my "things" posts but I didn't know how to do that or if I even could. As is, it's pretty much off to the side but at least you can tell that I was in YouTube and that I tried to post it to my blog. It's a cute one (if you like cats).

I think YouTube is great. There are so many funny videos (along with a ton of stupid ones) and it's a fun way for people to share their funny little videos. I'm sure, though, that there are people who get ruthlessly humiliated by some of these! That part of it can be bad but I've never seen it happen at the middle school yet or have I heard of it happening. Generally, if someone puts something on YouTube everyone is excited to see it simply because it's someone they know.

I would think these could be used for the library but I'm thinking you could just upload your own without going through YouTube so I'm not sure about that yet. I found some interesting library "tubes" and especially liked the blonde in the library. Everyone that works in a library would get a kick out of that one.

I'm going to move on to Thing #22.

Thing #20 - Web 2.0 award sites

This, too, was very overwhelmng to me. There are just too many different places to go and things to do on the web. I poked through a few but spent the most time on LuLu which I thoroughly enjoyed. They have all kinds of different little treats there plus the ability to publish your own book. Even a yearbook!! There are templates, choices of backgrounds, etc. for photo albums and so much more. I'll definitely be back there and to other sites like it. I'm grateful for something to easily "discover" but my head swims with all the possibilities. I also like one of the free wiki sites (wikispaces) but it was too complicated for me to take the time to figure out right now. I'm sure that is where I will go when I'm ready to do a book review wiki. Also, I read someone elses comment and they mentioned a site called "Pandora" - being the curious person that I am I just might have to check it out!

Thing #19 - Google Docs - 2nd Post

Oh My Gosh! I had NO idea, whatsoever, that this was available. I can see so many uses for this. For one thing my husband and I can share documents when he is out of town, also, if I create something on Google Docs on my home computer and then want to access it from my husband's lap top, it will be a piece of cake. Another use for me is to create something, at home, that I want to use at school. How easy it will be to access it whenever I need it and edit it, at school, if necessary and not have to make the change at home! In the past I've either e-mailed it to myself or had to use a jumpdrive but this way will be so much easier.

I'm so excited about all the things I've learned! I'm overwhelmed but yet have plans to use so much of these new things. In fact, I am excited to get finished with this entire project so I can concentrate on going back to some of them. I'm sure they will become second nature to me after a short time (I'm just praying there aren't too many more changes in the near future - I can't keep up with too, too much!).

The Blogging is so easy for me now and I know I've only touched the tip of the iceberg. I found Google Calendars which can be used in the same way that I can use Google Docs. My husband and I can both access it and get to it from anywhere. We've been able to do that on ICal but this just seems easier and there is no need to sync anything. I'm not sure if I can figure out how to share my created documents but if I can easily figure it out then I will post one or two of them here. Well, actually, I can probably do that pretty easy but don't know if someone would need my Google password to see them. I'll try . . . (these are pretty rough) I had never used "Forms" before and I think that would come in incredibly handy for library use, school use and other things I can think of. Anyway, here are the addresses:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcgrfbb6_0hj69bcfv&hl=en
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcgrfbb6_1f9dbjzwq&hl=en
http://docs.google.com/Presentation?docid=dcgrfbb6_2fb45f6f9&hl=en
http://docs.google.com/?hl=en&pli=1#opened-by-me
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p3lKh6owI3yMZdCAmv5olHA&hl=en
http://docs.google.com/Presentation?docid=dcgrfbb6_336g6hvfz&hl=en

On to Thing #20 . . .

Google Docs - Thing #19 - 1st Post

This first post is just a test. I made a document in Google Docs but now I just want to see if I can type a link here and then be able to view it without logging into Google. I'm just trying to figure out how all of this works as I'm fascinated that Google Docs is even available (and all the others mentioned to). Wow! Again.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dcgrfbb6_0hj69bcfv&hl=en

Thing #18 - PBWiki

OK - I've changed my mind about Wiki's. I like this PBWiki thing but I'm pretty confused. I'm not sure what the difference between a Wiki and a PBWiki is - is it just the site where you can set one up free? Anyway, it was easy to access the Nebraska Learns 2.0 share page and easy to post to it. I didn't try to change anything or move anything but I found it fascinating that people could. It's hard to read, though, with the "crossing out", etc. It took me a minute to catch on to what that was all about. I'm thinking that once I get finished with all these things and have more time , I might like to set up a little wiki for the middle school kids that read a lot and, in fact, spend much of their leisure time reading. I think they would like to share book reviews, etc. Since everything is filtered at school they may not be able to get to it but I'm sure they could get it at home or at their local library. I think it will be a fun addition for those handful of kids that would love to share their love of books.

Thing #17 - Wiki Worlds

I don't care for Wiki's and I can't say that reading and studying more of them has changed my mind much. I can see the positives that were outlined in the Common Craft show, however, I don't care for the informational ones. I really dislike Wikipedia! I think that many, many people do not understand what it is and utilized information as if it were from an encyclopedia. Seeing kids do "google searches" at school and not realize what Wikipedia is has been a burr in my saddle for a long time. I don't believe they are informed of what it is and sometimes try to use it for reference materials for reports. These young minds can get a hold of information that was written at someones whim and keep it in their minds as fact. Maybe someday I'll feel differently but, as of now, I'm not very open minded to them. This was informative but not mind-changing.

Thing #16 - Library 2.0

I think of Library 2.0 as sort of a second step to Library 101. Like a class at college where one class intrduces you to the basics and the second class gets in-depth. You need to understand the first before you step into the second. Library 2.0 is a necessity for libraries of today. Even small libraries like ours . . . if we do not step into Library 2.0 we will fade into the past and not be able to keep up with the future. Its just a matter of time before accreditation will rely on these technologies. If we aren't up-to-date we will not be accredited.

Furthermore, we need to advertise the fact that we have these technologies. We need to cater to the kids that are growing up with this stuff. An example would be to ensure we have the types of software that kids utilize at school so they can work on their projects. We need to know a little about all these things like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Podcasts, LibraryThing, Blogging etc. so we can advertise them to our patrons and help them, a bit, if they need it. At least be able to guide them. I recently found out that our copier at the library can scan a document and e-mail it, directly to me, in a PDf format. These are the types of things we need to advertise to keep our patrons interested in the library and utilize our services.

Most people have computers nowadays, but not all. We need to have the amenities that are needed by those who do not have these services and for those who need a little extra. Maybe they have a computer but don't have all of the software they need. Some kids who cannot afford a playstation 2, much less a playstation 3 or an Xbox or Xbox 360 can almost get behind in this world. Having these things available can help keep some kids in the 21st century.

I think Library 2.0 is so great. I am learning so much and I didn't even realize some of these things were readily available at the click of my keyboard and I'm on my computer everyday. We need to keep younger kids interested, also, in the profession of librarian and let them know that it is becoming technical. They will be interested and be able to contribute far more than some of us who are learning later in life.

Thing #15 - SlideShare - More Comments

I just want to say that I did visit some of the slides at NebraskaAccess. It was interesting to see some of the people - it makes them seem more real which makes more of a "connection". That is one way of keeping all of this technology a little more personal - pictures. I also made a comment about one of the Slides that I searched for. The comment is at: http://www.slideshare.net/vebrya/blandings-turtle-by-anthony but the creator of the slide may not enjoy my sharing that information. Of course, maybe he would be pleased to know that someone took an interest. I just posted this to show that I did complete the discovery assignments, besides posting my Slide below.

Thing #15 - SlideShare - Very Nice!!

Below is my SlideShare that I posted. It was for the summer reading program "Catch the Reading Bug". I did it for about twenty kids at our local library. It was a fun thing to do - and I think most of the kids enjoyed it. Some adults learned a few things also! The Slideshow below was especially fun because I used all of my own pictures from my own backyard. That made it a pretty special presentation to me. A few of the pictures are missing but I felt like I got the jist of what SlideShare was all about and I was able to upload my own so I think I'm going to move on to the next Thing. I will - again - go back and utilize this site and probably inform some of the teachers about it just in case they aren't aware. It's a great tool for the classroom as I'm sure there are plenty of slideshows that are able to be downloaded and/or utilized. Awesome!

Backyard Bugs

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Backyard Bugs

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: bugs backyard)

Thing #14 - Delicious

Delicious is going to be a wonderful asset to me. I like to access my bookmarks from my school computer, my home desk top computer and my husband's laptop and now I can use Delicious so I have them everywhere. Sometimes I access the computer at the public library and sometimes at my mother's . . . it will be so nice to be able to get my bookmarks anywhere. I also love the tags so I can find my bookmarks easier. It may take me some time to get used to it but I know I am going to like it very much. There is so much valuable information there. It will narrow down google searches as I can find things that are really useful assuming that people only bookmark, to Delicious, the sites that are truly useful to them. Again, I will go back to Delicious and review it more after I am finished with all the "Things".

Thing #13 - Twitter

Unfortunately, I don't much care for Twitter. It appears to be a waste of time simply "following" people. I did, however, enjoy "searching" Twitter for interesting tidbits about different things. I don't really think I will use it much but I could be wrong. I'm sure if many of my friends start using it then I may begin to follow them. Right now, though, I don't see the advantage to this site. Also, all day it has said that Twitter was having problems so I couldn't do searches for people. I found some but couldn't search for friends.

I did find a little note on the Thing 13 page that told me where I could find a more fun blog background. I don't really like what I chose but don't have time to fix it right now. It looks like it will be fun to play with.

Thing #12 - Wonderful!!

I love LibraryThing. I have some various lists of my own that I scribble here and there so I can remember what books I read and what they were about in case some of the middle schoolers ask. I can never get all my lists together and this is perfect!! I can list every book from the middle school that I've read and put a review on it. I can even have some of the kids review them also. I have to check further into this later.

Right now I just found out that my afternoons will be taken for the next eight days so I'm going to have to struggle to get through everything. I'm also printing information out so that I can remember what to go back to and why I liked them so well or what I thought I would do with them. Of course, I have this Blog also that will remind me.

I made one of those Viko voice things and sent it to my kids. That was pretty fun!!

Hey, I figured out how to spellcheck on here also so I might not make so many mistakes with my "sticking" keyboard.

I also need to try to add my link to my LibraryThing:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/dmcdnut

Thing #11 - An easy one - Hooray!!

For Thing #11 I need only write about "technology" and comment on another persons Blog. I already commented, however, I don't much like doing that. I feel like I'm "stalking" them. I'd feel better if it was someone I actually know but I don't really know anyone here, I don't think.

I tried posting a comment on the Nebraska Librarian's with Pet group that I was guided to on Flickr but I'm either doing something wrong or no one posts there. I not sure. I really love learning all this "stuff" but there is sooooo much to comprehend. The hardest part, for me, is keeping it all straight. There must be some way to keep this all in one particular spot on my computer so I can find it. I'm sure I'll figure that out eventually. Right now I just have things on my Bookmark Bar.

The RSS feeds are fascinating but there is, again, sooooo much information to week through. I want to find a good site that has new releases or coming releases of teen-aged, middle-school aged kids. About ages 10 to 14. I'll be looking for something like that as soon as I'm finished with all of the Things on my list. I wanted to subscribe to our local Douglas County Post Gazette but I couldn't find a feed icon and figured they probably don't have that yet. Something else I will check into a bit further when I have a little more time. I know I was told of more than one way to find feeds on sites so maybe there is one and I'm just missing it.

I have a phone that gets internet service but everything adds up so much when you start doing those types of things. I have an IPod that I love. The amazing thing to me is how the cost of these electronic things is so easily accepted. I see kids dropping their phones, or losing them, or just simply leaving them behind to grab later and I'm just "jaw-dropped". If they lose them, or break them, I see them with another one in a matter of days. How has our society become so accepting of these costs that we don't value things. VCR players turned into DVD players turned into blu-ray players . . . each update costs more and each movie for each update costs even more too. Are we doing it? Mostly "yes". Here I am on my Mac computer, with my Ipod and my new phone but I need a new front porch. It's almost disgusting. I just don't want to get totally left behind and I can afford small things . . . it's the huge costs that get me . . . so I pay for a phone and let my porch go until spring. Oh well, its much more fun this way!!

Thing #10 - Time Consuming but Fun

I would love to play around with Thing #10 but I just need to move on for now. I did make the Magazine Cover below with one of Pepsi's kittens. He looks so cute!!! I have worked on that comic strip bubble site with my son before so I'm familiar with that. The problem, for me, is that there are sooooo many things to do and sooooo many options to choose from that I am never satisfied with anything. I'm always looking for that one thing that I might like better. That one thing that will make something I'm doing just a bit prettier, or funnier, or whatever. Hours can be lost on this computer . . . On to Thing #11. Tomorrow.

Our KItten

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Thing #9 - More Fun With Flickr

This was interesting also.  I didn't spend as much time as I would have liked to but since I'm enjoying the site I am sure I will go back to play.  I wanted to write "Flickr Fun" in those cool spelling letters but I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste the html for it.  Definitely too much for me.  I'll think about it some other time when my mind isn't boggled by so much other learning.

Just Trying Something . . .

If I type in  my Flickr picture URL will someone be able to find it?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcdnut

Or do you just find it by typing in the tag "NELearns2.0"???

Thing #8 - Flickr

Whew . . . this has been interesting.  There is so much to see and do on Flickr.  I've been to Shutterfly and I've been to Facebook but this seems to be somewhere inbetween.  It's fun.  It's fascinating.  I hope I have the time, when I'm finished with all these things, to spend more time on it.  The groups are really interesting.  I even joined the Librarians with Pets group!  On to "more Flickr fun"

Things 6 & 7 - Not So Bad

Apparently I was doing something wrong - maybe it's because I have a Mac - thanks Susan for referring me to Google Reader.  That took about five minutes to set up!  I didn't realize that I could actually read my Blog from there too.  This is still confusing to me and will all come together as I use it, I suppose.  In the meantime, I'm moving on to Thing #8 because I'm pretty sure I have completed #7.  I'll look it over again.

OK - That's IT!

I'm done for tonight and probably Sunday also since I can't get anywhere.  I was going to cheat and move on to #7 but everywhere I go and then try to add the feed it says "no feeds found".  I'm really tired of this and unhappy with my computer, these crummy RSS feeds that are keeping me from moving on, and I have a stiff neck.  I'm simply STUCK!  Tomorrow . . . tomorrow . . . (or Monday if need be).

Oh Yeah - Another Thing . . .

Also, when I tried to add other Nebraska Learns 2.0 "learners" it would tell me that I had already subscribed to them but they weren't listed on my list of Feeds???

No - I'm going to be stubborn

Frustration abounds!  I need to kick Bloglines into next week but since I can't I guess I will just give up for tonight.  I just don't understand why it won't work for me.  I put the Nebraska Learns 2.0 feed on (I think) but I've tried and tried and tried and tried to put on "fellow learners" and it just doesn't work right for me.  

When I try to post feeds to the World Herald and/or the Lincoln Journal Star, Blogline tells me they don't have RSS feeds although I clearly know they do.  Maybe this all because they won't send me a confirmation.  I really don't want to try anything else because I've wasted so much time on Bloglines.  I tried to download IBlog but that appeared even more confusing to me.  I'm sad that this won't work for me.  

I think I'm going to try to move on to #7 although I feel like I'm cheating but if they won't respond to me for two days then I will be stuck completely if I don't move on.  Allana - if you are out there - can you help?? I'm down-in-the-mouth here cuz I can't get anywhere.

Duh!

Duh!  I just figured out that if Bloglines wouldn't send me a verification, I could certainly choose another place to get feeds from.  I tried subscribing even though they said I wasn't a confirmed "Blogliner" and it let me subscribe to some.  I'm going to keep working on this THING although I'm just not sure how this feed thing works yet.  Do I go to Bloglines everyday?  Do they send them directly to my e-mail?  I'm afraid I'll lose my Bloglines once I get out of here because my mind is so full of this new stuff.  I wish I would have known about Nebraska Learns 2.0 sooner so I would have just done one or two lessons each week.  I think I'm overwhelming myself . . . I'll see . . . I may have to just pace myself and slow it down to one or two a week even though that's not what I want to do.

Still Frustrated with Thing #6

I don't get why they won't send me a verification.  I e-mailed them to ask but it says not to expect a response for two days.  I'm tugging at my hair but am not pulling it out YET!

Frustrated with Thing #6

This is what happened to me last night.  I keep asking for a verification e-mail and they keep NOT sending it to me.  I'll check out the FAQ on bloglines or something but I don't get it.

On to Thing #6 - Revisited . . .

I got pretty side-tracked there for awhile so NOW I'm on to thing #6.  I did start it, yesterday, and found out how to set up the RSS feeds but haven't done any yet.

On to Thing #6 . . .

I "chatted" with Allana and now I'm ready to start #6.  Thanks Allana.

Thing #5 - Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging is confusing to me now.  Ten years ago I used it all the time on my very simple AOL account.  Now there is AIM, GoogleTalk, YahooMessenger and another one that I can't think of right now.  It's confusing.  It's too late to talk to one of the people that I'm supposed to Instant Message so I'll try to do that tomorrow.  I think I'll check out that Meeko (or whatever it's called) and see if I can't simply my Instant Messaging a little.  I've been using AIM but since I've read this I realize that some of my friends are probably on other messengers which is why I never see them online like I used to.  Geeeeesh . . . so much to keep up with.  This is so great for me!!  I was beginning to get too far behind on this technology stuff again.  I can't imagine not being able to come up with something to write about.  This is just nonsense that no one will read anyway so it really doesn't matter what I write.  I can write abbbbbbaa babbbba woo woo and no one will ever even know because no one has any reason to read this.  Hmmm . . . maybe I'll tell my friend Tin that I'm doing this for awhile and I can say Hi to her once in while even while I'm learning.  Does this blogging stuff work like that too?  Will I find it in my e-mail if she responds to one of my blogs.  Inquiring minds want to know.  No - inquiring minds NEED to know.  Tomorrow is another day . . . nite.

Very confused

I really don't get this yet.  I'm trying to send my permalink but I can't seem to find the permalink thing on my blog.  I must be doing something wrong.  I'm going to try to add this post and see if is shows up on the bottom of this one.  But there should be one on the first day - help me Mr. Wizard . . . 

January 6, 2009

I have no idea, whatsoever, what I'm doing.  I don't even know if I really want this blog here . . . can other people see it??  However, I have been curious about blogging and so I've found Nebraska Learns 2.0 and its FREE.  Yahoo!  And I'm going to learn about blogging, podcasts, RSS something or others and much more.  I've learned so much already and I'm only on "Thing #3".  Woohoo . . . this is going to be a fun ride.

They suggest we pick one of the 7 1/2 habits that will be easiest for us.  For me I believe it will be "Accept responsibility for your own learning".  That's a given for me.  I'm the one that has to be willing - I'm the one who has to take the initiative - I'm the one that has to get off my tushy and do what I need to do to keep up in this world.  I may be getting older but I'm certainly not rusty yet - I need to keep the joints oiled and things like this are what keeps my "learning joint" well-oiled and trying to keep up!