Curious

I think I have been behaving as a fundamentalist, that is deciding in advance what to read, explore, or learn about. I guess another word for it is "pre-judge." I realize that I need to try to follow the curious, investigative path. I always have a to-do list that is longer than I can ever get done. Most of the time it is not things I really want to do, but need to do. I resolve that I will try to set aside some time each day to myself to learn and explore. I realized that my two twenty-something sons do just that. They start their mornings with the Internet: they read the news, catch up on their friends' activites via social networking sites, read what's new in tech, check email, etc. I used to worry that they were isolated, but now realize that they are more "connected" in a lot of ways to the outside world than I am. Project Play has been a fabulous learning experience. It has shown me so many paths, so much new information, so many options that I did not know existed. Bravo.

Mashups

Mashups have tremendous potential and limitless applications. I particularly liked the census data integrated with zip codes. This is helpful when searching for a place to live, or to get to know the demographics of an area better. Mapbuilder was very easy to use, although the satellite photo was outdated; it showed the property with a building on it that predated the bank that was torn down to make way for the new library. The potential for use as library reference or publicity are really open to the imagination. My big question is how does one learn about all these new tools/mashups, especially if they are coming online at many per day?

Otters

YouTube

YouTube is one of those sites I look to for entertainment, on occasion. I like to catch the Super Bowl commercials without having to watch the event. I also like to check out foreign language videos as I like to keep up on my French. My favorite videos are animals and I already posted Snowball the dancing cockatoo (see January posts.). I also enjoy the Happy Cows commercials, even though I think Wisconsin cows are happier than California ones! "Hit the snooze," posted below is really cute. Another favorite of mine as been referred to as a "viral video" as it is so cute that it gets passed around so quickly that it spreads like a virus. It is of two otters holding hands, posted above. Be sure to watch it to the end! As far as a practical application for libraries, you could link to short tutorials and items of interest, but I would think you would probably want to make podcasts and embed them directly in your own homepage. Like everything else, it is a function of time, interest, and expertise.

Happy Cow Commercial - Hit the Snooze

Screencasts

This feature offers limitless applications and opportunities for libraries. At this stage I am sure it is underutilized but one that will gain in application over time. We can provide information and short tutorials on just about anything: how to use various databases, how to search the catalog, how to place holds, how to do a specific task on a basic software application, such as how to save a file to a flash drive, how to set up email; how to use the self check machine, etc. We will need to look into this further for our library!!!

Podcasts

This is an amazing concept with unlimited possibilities. I prefer to add the RSS feed to my personalized Google homepage and then select those I want to view. I don't need/want everything automatically downloaded. Libraries can use their own podcasts for programs, storytimes, book discussions and reviews, tutorials, tours, just about anything. I believe this is a concept that will be heavily used and incorporated by most larger libraries as time goes by.

Social networking sites

My twenty-something offspring uses the sites as an absolutely vital and integral part of his social life. However, I guess I am just not excited about social networking sites. I do not understand who has time to post and who has time to read about the minutiae in other people's lives. I worry about privacy issues. As one who has shared personal genealogy information with trusted contacts, only to find out that a third or fourth party has posted the information on my living individuals elsewhere on the Internet is frustrating and disconcerting. I am sure social networking will evolve and become the new social order even before my generation is gone. As far as MySpace goes, the sites I visited were in a cookie cutter format and not entirely readable due to font color choices. Facebook has a cleaner interface and display. My library has a very complete and informative website, but I do see the need for integrating it with patrons and social networks. Seeing the practical application and efficacy will take some time for me.

Remember the Milk and Jott

Both of these sites offer tremendous potential for the unorganized person or for group communication. They seem a little awkward for an individual to use if they already have some organization method that works for them. Like all new applications, the benefit must surpass the time requirement in learning how to use them. The Remember the Milk interface is not always intuitive. I can always leave myself a voice mail on or to my cell , work, or home phone and do not need to send myself an email through Jott. If I did not already have a strategy or did have a specific need, I would probably work more on these applications.

Google Docs

Google Docs is amazing and has tons of uses. I would like to spend a lot more time learning how to use it, and have subscribed to the RSS feed to keep up on developments.

My Favorite YouTube Video! Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo

Instant messaging

I have been experimenting with the instant messaging services this week as part of the Project Play class. It seems like a valuable tool for the reference desk. It would also be useful for connecting with colleagues.

Week One

I am looking forward to learning about web 2.0 with Project Play second semester.