At the start of this journey I really didn't expect to get to the destination. It all seemed too confusing for my simple brain! Favourite exercises? Well, postcard browser, image generators, library thing and even Zoho writer although I didn't get my article into my blog and sent it separately. Yes, if I get around to starting a book, Zoho will be very handy to use wherever I set up camp! A chapter here, a chapter there. Feeling enthusiastic about this one!
I have always known that I am not too old to learn new technology and just need a little more time than young folk! I didn't think there would be enough time for me to do all these exercises.
Also, a helping hand in places has been much appreciated.
I now know so much more about things on the web, even if I am not expert about it all.
I am glad I have stuck with the experience and finished the journey. It was a big challenge!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Exercise # 22 social networking and libraries
I was very surprised to learn that libraries use myspace. It would never have crossed my mind!
I looked into several libraries to see what their sites were like. Some seemed very busy with lots to choose from. Others just didn't appear at all - maybe I am on at a busy time.
I am aware that young people are into all this social networking, particularly from the comfort of their home, where they have privacy. There is good and bad about the issue - parents cannot always be aware of the sites their children are going into, and there are risks with some sites.
However, getting back to libraries - if they were to publicise themselves on this site, more children and teenagers may discover everything that is happening at their local library and also all the information that is available online. The homework centre would no doubt be well used.
Maybe there would be good attendances for teenage book launching too.
Sitting inside chatting on a computer seems to be a popular thing nowadays, but I prefer real books and real people in the fresh air when possible.
I looked into several libraries to see what their sites were like. Some seemed very busy with lots to choose from. Others just didn't appear at all - maybe I am on at a busy time.
I am aware that young people are into all this social networking, particularly from the comfort of their home, where they have privacy. There is good and bad about the issue - parents cannot always be aware of the sites their children are going into, and there are risks with some sites.
However, getting back to libraries - if they were to publicise themselves on this site, more children and teenagers may discover everything that is happening at their local library and also all the information that is available online. The homework centre would no doubt be well used.
Maybe there would be good attendances for teenage book launching too.
Sitting inside chatting on a computer seems to be a popular thing nowadays, but I prefer real books and real people in the fresh air when possible.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Get Social - My Space and Facebook
As I had never been into these sites, I watched the video 'How Stuff Works - Facebook'.
These seem to be very popular sites with young people. They enjoy communicating online whereas I would rather talk to people in the flesh. All this communication through computers, although very clever, means that people are not socializing as we are meant to.
Bebo is a very busy site and I got the impression that it is great for younger people. I brought up a video of Dolly Parton in concert. The Auckland City Libraries have a good site, particularly for children. The Rotorua Public Library has a very colourful site and I enjoyed looking around that more. It is better laid out. Information included the Dewey Decimal Classification, which is good for the public to see. My Space was an interesting site - I looked up John Rowles and got lots of info plus saw a video from Opera in the Park back in 1997. Also looked up Coast radio and there was a lot to look at. I had a quick look at Facebook. Found some names of people I know, but I didn't sign in, as I don't agree with putting private info on the web for all to see.
These seem to be very popular sites with young people. They enjoy communicating online whereas I would rather talk to people in the flesh. All this communication through computers, although very clever, means that people are not socializing as we are meant to.
Bebo is a very busy site and I got the impression that it is great for younger people. I brought up a video of Dolly Parton in concert. The Auckland City Libraries have a good site, particularly for children. The Rotorua Public Library has a very colourful site and I enjoyed looking around that more. It is better laid out. Information included the Dewey Decimal Classification, which is good for the public to see. My Space was an interesting site - I looked up John Rowles and got lots of info plus saw a video from Opera in the Park back in 1997. Also looked up Coast radio and there was a lot to look at. I had a quick look at Facebook. Found some names of people I know, but I didn't sign in, as I don't agree with putting private info on the web for all to see.
Exercise # 20 EBOOKS
First I went into the Amazon site and looked for 'Swiss Family Robinson'. I was amazed to find that copies could not only be had of the book, but also on dvd, video and on record. Yes, copies of new and used LP records are available! This site is very easy to use. I also watched the video on Kindle, their wireless reading device. It was explained very clearly. For just $US9.99 you can buy a book and it will be delivered in minutes. The device is only 10.3 ounces in weight, so lighter than a lot of books and easy to keep in your bag. If you come across a word you don't know, there is an inbuilt dictionary. If you need larger print, it is there at a touch of a button. There are many other features to this excellent piece of equipment. I was very impressed.
Librivox was also very user friendly. I listened to a chapter from 'Northanger Abbey' and if I had had time would have listened to more.
This has been an interesting exercise, but in conclusion, I will have to say that I prefer to curl up with my ordinary book. After all, will the person next to me want to listen to my choice?
http://www.amazon.com/
http://librivox.org/
Librivox was also very user friendly. I listened to a chapter from 'Northanger Abbey' and if I had had time would have listened to more.
This has been an interesting exercise, but in conclusion, I will have to say that I prefer to curl up with my ordinary book. After all, will the person next to me want to listen to my choice?
http://www.amazon.com/
http://librivox.org/
Friday, September 19, 2008
Exercise # 19 Podcasts
This has been a confusing time. I watched the tutorial about podcasts which took a while to sink in. I then went into Podcastlpickle.com and tried to access information on books. It shows that there are several pages to look at, but after trying every page, they were all the same! So, clicked on a book and hoped to hear some of it read, but nothing happened.
There are lots of drop down boxes to go into, if you have time.
Not really a user friendly site.
http://www.podcastpickle.com/genre/?type=genre&id=83&p=15&format=all
There are lots of drop down boxes to go into, if you have time.
Not really a user friendly site.
http://www.podcastpickle.com/genre/?type=genre&id=83&p=15&format=all
Exercise #18 Discover You Tube
This is a fun site, and if I had time I would look at a lot more here.
I looked at several videos including Pussy versus Printers and Interactive Fortune
Teller. Also looked at music videos. Plenty in there for us oldies and our memories.
There is so much to choose from!
I saw the Chelsea District Library get the award for Best Small Library in America 2008.
North Shore Libraries could include tours of the libraries on the web site. The tour of the Seneca Library was excellent, showing all around the library, and how to behave in the library.
http://www.youtube.com/
I looked at several videos including Pussy versus Printers and Interactive Fortune
Teller. Also looked at music videos. Plenty in there for us oldies and our memories.
There is so much to choose from!
I saw the Chelsea District Library get the award for Best Small Library in America 2008.
North Shore Libraries could include tours of the libraries on the web site. The tour of the Seneca Library was excellent, showing all around the library, and how to behave in the library.
http://www.youtube.com/
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Exercise # 17 Web 2.0 awards list
http://www.seomoz.org/web2.0#top
I found this site easy to navigate, and there seems to be something there for everyone.
I had a look at the genealogy awards winners, but it would appear that they are American based and would not be useful for other nationalities.
Then I went into the travel awards and looked at the 3rd place getter, Boo. It is a great site and would be useful for anyone planning a trip.Everything needed is there to browse through as there are links to websites of hotels etc. You can see where the hotels are situated on a clear map, and also find out what attractions are there.
I don't think it is a useful site for a library but would be excellent for a travel centre.
This has been a fun site to discover.
I found this site easy to navigate, and there seems to be something there for everyone.
I had a look at the genealogy awards winners, but it would appear that they are American based and would not be useful for other nationalities.
Then I went into the travel awards and looked at the 3rd place getter, Boo. It is a great site and would be useful for anyone planning a trip.Everything needed is there to browse through as there are links to websites of hotels etc. You can see where the hotels are situated on a clear map, and also find out what attractions are there.
I don't think it is a useful site for a library but would be excellent for a travel centre.
This has been a fun site to discover.
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