#27 - This Is The End, Sort Of

The question for this lesson is...
Upon reflecton of yesterday's reflection, we do have one more question for you - was there anything else you thought we should have covered?

My answer: nope, so much of what was covered by the 27 Things program were totally new for me. I would be hard pressed to find such things on my own. Thanks for exposing me to what is currently out there.

#26 - A time for reflection...

Here are my answers for this lesson:

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program made me aware of some of the different ways that information is exchanged and shared. It also assisted in defining what different technologies are and what they do. The only way to have adequately learn about what is out there was to work with it. This is exactly what this program did.

What were your favorite Learning 2.0 discoveries or exercises?
Setting up and maintaining a Blog.

Did anything surprise you?
The many tools that are out there on the web that can assist. I especially was surprised and apprehensive over reading about Library 2.0

Was there enough help available when you needed it?
No. But was able to figure things out on my own.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Start the program with the RSS feeds. Seemed like this would be a better base to operate from then just the Blog. There was so much more to offer there.

Would you like to see similar training opportunities as new library-relevant technologies emerge?
Only if it was in a classroom format. The amount of work time spent on this was criminal. Actually spent hours working on the program from home. Plus it would be better to have the assistance that is available within a classroom.

And, last one, if you could go back in time and tell yourself to either participate in the program or skip it, what would you do?
I would defiantly participate again. It exposed me to a lot. Though I will not retain nor use most of it, the exposure was great!

Signs of Spring

Opening day of boating season.

Longer sunny days

Tulips in La Connor

skimpy outfits

People singing in the library

Some good/Some bad

#25 - OverDrive/MP3

Today's lesson was pretty simple. Look over what all is in KCLS's eaudio collection (OverDrive Collection). I guess I would choose to listen to Peter and the Starcatchers since it was the first one to jump out at me.

#24 - Podcast

When looking around the three different sites (podcast.net podcastalley.com Yahoo Podcasts) suggested in this lesson I noticed that they did not all share the same content. For instance I found more items in the Yahoo site then I did Podcastnet site. I also felt like I was missing the uniformity of Youtube. Then to like video better then audio. Don't get me wrong. There are video podcasts. It is just that there are so much junk on these sites.

To finish the lesson I chose a podcast from the 'Laughing Librarian' tittled: Dance Dance Librarian

Even though it is linked in my Bloglines Account I thought I should post it here too. Why? Don't know.

#23 Albino Bowler gets embedded

Had recently posted my very own video onto Youtube for the first time. It was easy! Though, due to traffic on the site, it took nearly eight hours for it to become posted.

(no this is not my video)

A really cool new website offers free Youtube video conversion vixy.net/
This way you can capture those videos and view them offline. I like this for finding music videos. I can capture and convert for use on the Ipod.

Before this website came along I would first have to play the Youtube video through. Second find the file in the temporary files folder and drag it out. Then third place .flv at the end of the file name so that the FLV player could play it. (Did I forget to mention that one needed to download a FLV Player software? oops)

The first thing that comes to mind for KCLS in using Youtube is for story times. This seems to be already being done with those annoying Dewey and Sketch characters on the library's Youtube account http://youtube.com/user/kcls1947 Would be nice to have actually story times taped and placed onto the site..

#22 Choose Your Own Adventure

Looked over some of the sources that were listed on Web 2.0 Awards and the Webware sights. Was overwhelmed by all of the websites that had such cool things to offer.

In the end I chose http://www.avvenu.com/ for my in-depth study. This site allows for you to stream tour iTunes play-list from your home pc to wherever you want.

I found that this idea could be beneficial for KCLS in the future. Instead of having CDs, that could easily be damaged, the system could have the music it owns online. Think e-audio, but instead of just books, music!

#21 - the labs of Google

Here in Kirkland we are blessed in having a large number of Google workers. It is always exciting to hear of what innovations they are working on. Often I am thinking "wow what a great idea" or "wonder why that had not been thought of before?" They are sharp cookies. At least the ones who we talk to at the library are.

As suggested in the lesson plan I played with Google Trends. Found something interesting. Most of the people who had searched for the term "Albino" came from Italy. Those who searched for "bowler" came from Australia. Does that mean that The Albino Bowler is popular worldwide? I would like to think so. However this does not show the statistics for both words being used together. This would help in deciding what key words one should use when posting a website. But does little in the way of seeing how popular that site would be on that particular subject.

#20 - Online Software

Had used Google Docs for some time now. Love the ease of not needing to carry around a disk with the hopes that the software needed to work on it would be on the next pc. Most all computers have the word processing software. However Excel would be harder to come by. Thus I keep a lot of the spreadsheet/database sort of files there if I know that I will be away from work for a length of time. That way if the dreaded call comes asking for something it would be somewhat more accessible. Oh yeah, also not all pc’s carry the same version of software. The file being online helps that as well.
Having used the Google software I was interested in trying out this Zoho. Wow. Was really impressed with all the added features and software they had to offer. Since I am finding that all my eggs are stating to rest in one basket (Google) I am left hoping that Google will modify and improve their offering.

Library/Web 2.0

Yep. Web 2.0 is the way of the future. The drawback that I could see is that changes would come quicker and thus would make keeping up with it very time consuming. Constant monitoring of changes would be a must. It all (on the outer edges) sounds so much like marketing research. With so much change, in order to meet the goals and demands, it is my hope that guidelines for systems would be in place so as to protect the basic services and to prevent financial waste. What is popular at the moment may not be a short time later while a system is still paying for it.

Anyone know which branch

this book was based from?

Comparison of Rollyo and Google Custom Search

Search term: ‘Bowling’

Rollyo has the look and feel of something that was slapped together by a drunk monkey. The search results were similar to that of Google’s. However Rollyo does not bring you directly to the page that contains the information. Found that it drops you off at the homepage of the website thus leaving you having to do more searching. What good is that? Google Custom Search did better. Plus Google has the all important (to me) cached text option.

Winner: Google Custom Search

Set up an account with Google:
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=018398384221980440518%3Adx1jrwk_gim

Image Generator Makes "Albino South Park"

"Artist" depiction as to what the Albino Bowler

may look like as a South Park character.

Wiki wiki wooo..

Found the idea and practice of Wikis as having great promise for being useful in everyday use. Information being so open makes for a more direct form and structure of getting like ideas together into a workable form. Imagine no meetings and discussions on what content should or should not be inputted. Just do it and sort it out through a group effort without having to be at the same location!

Of the example Wikis given I found this section highly interesting:
http://instructionwiki.org/Library_2.0_in_15_minutes_a_day

This shows what other library systems have in the past or are currently doing to educate their staff on technology. There were a lot of other programs like KCLS’s Learning 2.0 and it was neat to see that the different systems were sharing these lesson plans. Open source is great!

LibraryThing

I loved the ease to setting up an account LibraryThing. Just type in your user name and password. THAT'S IT! One of the dreads that I have had with these learning lessons is the constant setting up of new accounts.

OK OK.. That is just a minor praise that I have for the site LibraryThing as to what one can gain from using the site. For instance, lets say that you are curious about a book? Well there are people who have read it right there. Or (my fave) seeing who else enjoys an obscure author/book and seeing what that person also likes. Think of the new books to find!

This site is one that I will definitely re-visit.
http://www.librarything.com/profile/stevenaboyd

Technorati.com (see who is popular!)

Today's lesson was to visit technorati.com

Boy was I dissapointed. Here I am believing that the subject of The Albino Bowler would send this little Blog into that of what legends are made up of. But NO.. This Blog has a Ranking of 2,934,641... Worse still was the other stats that I had gleaned from the site (to left). Will have to entertain adding some juicy stuff to the blog to jazz things up. Look out #2,934,640 I am going to kick your a$$!

As far as the lessons go. Did them. Yep the searches rec'd different results. bla bla bla.. "YOU'RE GOING DOWN 2,934,640!!"

(Sorry, off subject again.) Will check back tomorrow!

check with me: http://technorati.com/blogs/http%3A%2F%2Fthealbinobowler.blogspot.com

This is Delicious!!!

" This is Jenga?.."
No no no.. "This is Del.icio.us !..."

Actually found an interest in this lesson. What I liked from del.icio.us was that I could place all my Favorites into a easy to see format that I could access from any bowling ally in the world. This was so much as summed up in the Youtube video segment. Here is the text:



"How often do you log onto a foreign computer and think "what was the link to that website?" To only end up becoming the laughing stalk of your nerdy group. Tell me how it feels NERD! Bet you end up looking pretty silly among your group. In itself, that may seem impossible. But not for you GEEK!"



I know. I was surprised by the language too. Very hostile.
And yet informative.

Will kcls27things be my friend?...

I await with baited breath to see if kcls27things will add me to their list of friends.

While waiting and fixing up my myspace account I am left pondering just how many new friends shall I gain through this? Will they want to borrow money? Will they call at all hours of the day and night? What if they develope into a stalker?

Please kcls27things don't stalk me!

Swatting away kcls27things unwanted advances.

(good kitty)

Myspace. A review..

Myspace!

Either it strikes fear in people with views of stockers and pedhophiles. Or it is viewed as a form of self expression and a means to communicate to others.

Whelp.. Yes and Yes.

However such is life.. Personally I have found that Myspaces popularity is waining such as fads do. Could be just me, but I do remember the past popular ways for folks/teens to reach out to others such as how phone chat lines did many years ago. OK, honestly I have no recollection of when it was nor did I ever try it out. But my fuzzy memory recalls its popularity. At the time there were the same fears, concerns, and dangers as there are today with Myspace.

I did make a Myspace account for the Albino Bowler: http://www.myspace.com/thealbinobowler

Over the past year the only requests for adding someone to being a friend have been made by prostitutes advertising sex.

Could be the Albino Bowler's known prowess for such endeavors?

RSS = Really Stressful Stuff

This weeks lesson was on RSS feeds.

I know, I know, should be really simple stuff. But for me I kept coming into thinking just how was this going to help me. It took me to think of my bloglines account as being my new homepage. It being a concise directory of all new posts from the various websites that I would check on each day. Instead of checking each one individually, this would post if and what any updates that there were. goody.

In my work life this could also benefit me in the same way. Less popping in and out of the various sites that need checking throughout the week.

Albino Bowler Movie!!

You heard me right. Several years ago they made a short film about the Albino Bowler. The film maker made "artistic" changes to the story. Plus if you are a fan of Dick's large sideburns and big fro hairdo then you will be dissapointed.

Here is the link to download and watch the film. Scroll down to find. Enjoy!

http://www.drakedoremus.com/download/

Mappr... Can you say Woophy instead?..

http://www.woophy.com/map/download.php?file=63481%2Ejpg

With all of the third party companies providing for enhancements for the Flickr website the one that interested me most was Mappr.
http://www.mappr.com/

I love the concept and am excited to see it expand from its beta origins.

There is another site, not affiliated with Flickr, called Woophy:
http://www.woophy.com/map/index.php

It is a much more easier site to maneuver through and is fun to play with. Also it provides a better forum for budding photo artists to show and have their work critiqued. However it does not provide the vast numbers of photos that Flickr has already under its belt.

He is REAL!!!

...WOW...

This weeks task was to explore Frickr.

Having done this in the past, found it tedious. Until upon chance I came upon photos of the Albino Bowler!!

Am now forced to reconsidering the existence of Sasquatch and the Easter Bunny. Perhaps they are all real too.

Of course I am going to have to do some research on this "Jeff Mattingly." This name must be false or even made up. Everyone knows that the Albino Bowler's first name is 'Dick' and not Jeff. Something is amiss here... I fear for Dick's safety.

..

http://flickr.com/search/?q=the+real+albino+bowler&m=text

Blending in with the snow..

From the diary of Dick, The Albino Bowler:

"one must wait for these blessed snow days in order to play "invisible man." Of course being nude out in the snow does have some drawbacks. Frostbite and being mistaken for a snowman are just a couple. But for the most part I have fun sneaking up to folks."

Oh yeah.. I have a myspace account!

http://www.myspace.com/thealbinobowler

Take a look.

Just starting out

Decided to jump into the blogging world. Never wanted to in the past. But through work, it is part of a learning program:

http://kcls27things.blogspot.com/

So here it goes...