Wednesday, July 30, 2008

THING 16-complete

This thing was very interesting. Wish I had had some of these tools when I was in school doing research projects. The assignment calculator would be great for keeping on task. Email alerts of where you should be on the project are a great idea. The Research Project has a ton of information and helps for a project. The downloads of forms would also be a great help. I liked the Digital Presentation Story book and the video presentations. Lucky for me I should never have to do another research project but it would be great to be able to show this to someone having trouble getting thru an assignment.

THING 15-complete

This was wierd. I took the tour and snooped around Second Life. I went and looked at and read the resources to try and get this. I can see it as a way for people to express themselves and be creative. I didnt sign up and go into see the classes offered by the colleges so Im not sure if they would be valuable or not. Guess my age is showing. Would rather see the kids out doing something physical than spending time on a computer living a virtual life. Maby this is why were all so overweight. Maby I just dont get it.

THING 14-complete

I took the tour,set up account, added books to my library. I added library thing widget to this blog. Takes you right to the book. I like this thing. Not sure how I will use it but it is definitely one I will be going back to and using when I'm done with the 23 things. I would have liked to have it when a patron asked me about a certain series and knew story line but I couldn't remember the author. Had to wait to go home to look in my list of books I read. Could have looked at this on line at work.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Library thing

THING 13-complete

I made up a page on igoogle and added features. Wasn't sure what the advantage would be to change my home page to this until I looked at my MSN home page and realized I use only a fraction of whats on it. I may change to this. will have to see what all i can put on it. I already use the MSN calendar and like it except for the fact i cant share it with my sister who doesn't have MSN. I print it then scan it and email to her. I tried the Google calendar and think i may use it. Sent to my sister to see if it is easier for her. The lists don't seem like something I would use much. I am not at my computer enough to make them worthwhile. I checked out the Backpack features and it looks great for a busy person. My life just isn't that complicated but seems like it would be good for a business to use.

THING 12-complete

I looked at all the sites and took the tours. I read several stories on the newspapers and tried to submitt them but they were already submitted. I think i understand how its done tho. I did try to set up and account with Newsvine but the email would not come thru on my computer and I gave up as im sure i will never use this. I dont see how this would be helpfull to me personally as I dont have the time to sit and look at the articles. Couldnt get the button to appear on my MSN Explorer either. Didnt care for this Thing at all.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

THING 11-complete

I tagged some of my blogs and reposted. I reviewed the Minn23 account and set up and RSS feed to keep up to date on it. I use MSN Explorer at home and couldnt get the buttons to work. Think I will have to research that further as it seems to be and easy way to add bookmarks. I created a Del.icio.us account and added a few sites to it. Looked at some of the other bookmarks by other people. I think I can use this as I get asked gardening questions away from home where I have all my favorite sites bookmarked and Im lost. Think I will use this one alot after I get my favorite bookmarks in it. After looking at the other librarys that use del.icio.us I can see where this would be helplful to the reference desk and especially to the rest of us who get an occasional reference question and have to search for a site to look it up as the patron is standing their waiting.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

THING 10-complete

Wikis are a great idea. I especially liked the idea of using it to support an event or conference and have local people input their tips and ideas. I also liked the book reivew concept. I edited the 23 thngs on a stick wiki. It was easy. I uploaded a picture to put on it and that was also easy but decided not to add it. I watched the video and checked out the resources. They had good explanations of wikis in them. The only question I have in my mind is how do you find them?
I dont believe Wikipedia is a good source for student research unless the information is verified from another valid source. Might be a good starting point.

THING 8- complete

I was finally able to look at Databases. and check out the efolio Minnesota. Not sure what I would do with a database but it seems like a good idea. I may need it to keep track of all the URLs im collecting from this class. The efolio would be great for people looking for jobs. Great way to present yourself. I would definitely recommend it.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

THING 7- complete

I tried again to get into a web conferencing progam with no luck. It was on webinar. I looked 1/2 hour before it was to start and it had dissapeared from the schedule. Anyway, I looked at an archived program on Google custoized search engine so I could get an idea of how they work. This one was a real frustration to me as I couldnt seem to easily hook up with a web conference.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

THING 9-Complete

I read everything and listened to video on Google Docs and Zoho Writer. I did sign up for a Google account. I didn't edit the Declaration of Independence as it felt wrong and disrespectful even for an exercise. I did however upload several documents and make changes on them. One was my family tree. This could be useful to get information from relatives to complete. I also tried uploading my monthly calendar from msn to keep up whats going on with my sister but that didn't work. Think I will work on that. I found the templates to make up documents and can see how they would be helpful. Still not sure how much secure or personal information I would want to be online. Editing etc is so much like the Microsoft office programs it was easy.

Friday, July 4, 2008

THING 8-not done yet

So far I have made up a slide show presentation on Thumbstacks. This was easy, alot like power point. Hardest part was figuring out how to post to blog. Wasnt sure if i should add the link or the slide show itself goes on the blog. Decided must be the link. Directions for this weren't clear to me.
I made up a cube and spirial on Picture Trail. Couldnt upload the picts on home computer as i have dial up so had to put on flash drive and take to library. Then was quick and easy. I think this part is my favorite so far. Enjoy working with pictures.
Cannot open Lazy base on either home or library computer.
Will add more later as i go thru this thing.

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING PRESENTATION

http://www.thumbstacks.com/play.html?show=68ee8fa19d7bf88ccd691f6a07cbcd3e