Relax & Reflect

Favorite Excercises?

Google Earth and Finetune

Least Useful and Non-Relevant to my Job?

Gaming and Avatars

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

That Sno-Isle thinks it's a good steward of tax money by letting us play Scrabble at work!

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

Hasn't...

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

It's intersting to know what the general public is up to in regards to technology but just becasue it's available doesn't mean it's useful to the library.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

More than one week would have been good for some of the more difficult subjects...

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?

Did we have a choice this time? I thought it was required!

Gaming

I can see where some of the games would be fun for kids without computers at home to play on the library PC's. However, I can't imagine any person with an XBox, Playstaion, Wii, etc. would find theese games remotely comparible in graphic and entertainment value. No wonder kids are obese these days if all they do is sit and play these mediocre games.

Maps and Geotagging

Finally, something worthwhile in this training! Something patrons and staff can use for a variety of reasons. This is more what a library should be training staff in! I love it...

Avatars & Second Life

Kinda fun but pretty much like video games for adults. I wonder who has the time for this is and how it helps the world. Overall, unimpressed.

Online Applications & Tools

Wow! One of the few things I may one day use! This was very cool and I like that anyone will be able to access the same type of applications w/o having to pay for Microsoft Office.

Search Engines

I tried the suggested websites sure that I wouldn't pfrefer them to my beloved Google. I was mostly right, with the exception of Dogpile. When using the same search on all search engines, I found them all similar to google (but with less appealing formats). Dogpile did give me some more precise information and I will try that one on a regular basis.

Podcasting

I visited all the sites mentioned in the assignment and didn't find any that were even of a remote interest to me (the library ones are dry and boring). So, I went in search of my own podcast from People Magazine and found it. However, when I tried to paste the URL into my google reader I kept getting the "oops, failed...wait a few seconds" so I'll have to try again later. I haven't once used my RRS feeder since the earlier assignment so I doubt this will be something I use on a professional or personal level. It' faster and easier to just go to the bookmarked websites for the info I want.

Online Image Generators

These were not very fun to use. I like the idea of being creative but all the web sites were cluttered with ads, making for a very unpleasant experience. I will buy photo editing software before I use these again.

OverDrive Downloads

I loved Sno-Isle's selection and even found a title I currently have on hold in the talking CD format. I ordered it, checked it out and...there it sits on my dektop because I don't want to sit in front of a computer to hear a book!

This is a great feature to have but, until I get a portble downloadable device and am able to play it in my car while driving, I'd rather just read the paper pages.

Tags!

I found this quite complicated initially. Delicious didn't have any lists of my first three searches but once I found a topic that it did have listed, I found it quite easy to use--not much different from Google though. I will have to play with it some more. I like the idea of being able to access it from any computer but it will take some getting used to.

Wiki Wiki Fun!

This is a cool tool that I can see being very beneficial once moe people are aware of it and it becomes commonplace. In looking at the wetpaint site, I was amazed at the variety of topics out there. This will be fun to explore.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2437619882_c2978c1608.jpg?v=0

Robert Walker

You Tube

I love the variety of material on You Tube--you can find anything!! However, 8 out of 1o videos/clips I wanted to view wouldn't play or would play so staggered that it took ten minutes to watch a one minute clip. And that is on the supposedly fast Sno-Isle computers. I wouldn't be able to do this from home.

Hula and Fancast are also cool if you want to sit in front of a computer creen more than you already do now:) Library patrons would enjoy using these sites but I can't imagine Sno-Isle posting anything of interest to me or the general public--sorry!

Friends Network

I created a Facebook account and in the past 24 hours have been in contact with my long-lost cousin and a handful of kids I went to school with 20 years ago. Amazing!!

Flickr Magic

zella walker family
Originally uploaded by primetime junkie

Wow--it worked!!

Streaming Music

This is so cool!! I won't use it for work but certainly on a personal level.

RSS Feeders

I think the idea behind this is great but I really struggled using the Bloglines feeder. I tried Google Reader and found it much simpler to use. Reference librarians may benefit from this if they need t keep updated on particular sites but I can't see rgular staff using it beyond a personal level.

7 Habits

Easiest Habit: play

Most Difficult Habit: viewing problems as challenges

Oh, and what is Meebo?? You lost me there?

Instant Messaging Feedback

I used the google talk IM and it is similar to the Yahoo one I once used. No surprises. How do I feel about IM as a mode of communication? It's faster than e-mail and good for some applications, however, I prefer that old-fashioned invention called the telephone. I'd rather hear someone's voice than have them type their conversation. I won't use instant messaging in my personal life.

Idol is Over

After last night's show, I don't need to tune in again until David Cook is handed the final prize. He is the only contestant I'd pay to see in concert (and if Brooke opened for him, that would just be an added bonus!).

20 for 2.0 Requirements

I am enjoying learning about the blogging process from a personal standpoint--it's educational and a bit fun! However, I am confused why this is a Sno-Isle Training opportunity. I don't have enough time to learn about all of the library's online databases (which we are supposed to help patrons with) let alone learn about blogging, etc. (which, as far as I've ever been told, we are NOT to use staff time helping patrons with). Mmmm??

Anyways, on to more important things: Former child star Soleil Moon Frye (aka Punky Brewster) just gave birth to her second child. Her eldest daughter is named Poet Sienna Rose --a bit Hollywood but stil lquite feminine and charming. The latest addition is named Jagger Joseph Blue. Also very interesting but she must not have noticed that her newborn is a GIRL!! I suppose when Jagger is older and is in moniker therapy years from now she can reach out to her mom for help in dealing with name issues!

American Idol Feedback

If America has any sense, they will send David Hernandez or Kristy Lee Cook home tonight. Minus those two and what remains is a superb group of finalists. Each season is claimed to be the best but I believe this one truly does have entertainers I would actually pay to watch or listen to.

Amanda's version of "You Can't Do That" (http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?cat=494) was my favorite of the night and Brook's version of "Let it Be" was beautiful. Still, I really think this is the year of the man on idol.

Despite the Trump-like combover, David Cook rocked "Eleanor Rigby" (http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=1019&pcs=505) and I could be serenaded any day of the week by Jason Castro and his guitar. Even Chikezie (of whom I'm not much of a fan) brought down the house!

Too bad David Archuletta couldn't have sung "Imagine" again. I know he is the favorite to win, but can we sue his parents for not teaching him the value of a good Beatles education?

Michael Johns didn't wow me this week, despite being in my top three, but I forgive him for the bad song choice. Doesn't he look like reality tv restaunteer Rocko deSpirito?? I get hungry every time I see him. Thank goodness Danny Noriega went home because all he made me feel was like vomiting.