In learning web 2.0 our next lesson was to explore LibraryThing. I actually started my personal account with this website about a month ago. I always start something new with the idea that I will try it for a month or so and then determine if I will like or use it and if not then I will delete the account. I had the same mindset with this account. I love to read so I do checkout a lot of books and I still buy books, especially books from my favorite authors. Previously I had an excel spreadsheet with all this information. But now I have all my books cataloged using LibraryThing. Its easier to add books or catalog books using LibraryThing as opposed to an excel spreadsheet where I have to enter all the info about the book and author. (OMG, I just said it was easier to have it cataloged - that is such a librarian thing to say!!!) (Someone please check my pulse and temp)
Anyways guess what? I really like LibraryThing. I am able to see what other readers have said about books that I am reading and I like how it suggests other titles that I should read according to the books I like. I would recommend to anybody who likes to read or buys a lot of books to try this great source.
View my library catalog. Feel free to leave comments on any the books that I have listed. I have placed tags on all the books I have read, any book without a tag is something that I would like to read in the near future. Enjoy :-)
Monday, July 30, 2007
#9 Finding Feeds
For lesson #9 in our web 2.0 lessons here at EKU Libraries, we were to to add some RSS feeds to our feed reader account that we created in lesson #8.
In choosing which feeds I wanted in my reader account I made a list of some of the websites that I visit on a regular basis. I also used Google to search for some blogs that I think are interesting as a parent. Here are some of the feeds that I enjoy:
News source - Richmond Register
Hollywood Info - People and Go Fug Yourself (Both of these sites are great to read for celebrity dirt)
Blogs - Mom's Daily Dose and Dot Moms (I chose these two blogs over some of the other "mom blogs" because they didn't seem to discuss parenting issues like potty training and other topics that target smaller children. My kids are out of that stage (Hallelujah!!) and I need blog entries that are more for school age kids.
I did try using some of the recommend sites for searching for news feeds and blogs but I thought it was more difficult than using Google. I have mentioned in previous blog entries that I am a Google girl, so if I can find something using Google then I will.
In choosing which feeds I wanted in my reader account I made a list of some of the websites that I visit on a regular basis. I also used Google to search for some blogs that I think are interesting as a parent. Here are some of the feeds that I enjoy:
News source - Richmond Register
Hollywood Info - People and Go Fug Yourself (Both of these sites are great to read for celebrity dirt)
Blogs - Mom's Daily Dose and Dot Moms (I chose these two blogs over some of the other "mom blogs" because they didn't seem to discuss parenting issues like potty training and other topics that target smaller children. My kids are out of that stage (Hallelujah!!) and I need blog entries that are more for school age kids.
I did try using some of the recommend sites for searching for news feeds and blogs but I thought it was more difficult than using Google. I have mentioned in previous blog entries that I am a Google girl, so if I can find something using Google then I will.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
# 8 Make Life "Really Simple" with RSS & a Newsrea...
Our next lesson in Learning web 2.0 here at EKU Libraries was to learn about RSS feeds. What is RSS? For this weeks lesson we had a great video that explains more about RSS, watch the video. Instead of me taking the time (that I don't have) to go to each of my favorite websites to see what's new, I can just go to one place and all the new information is waiting for me.
I have been using bloglines for about two months now, and at first I thought to myself this is not going to work. Little did I know that I would become addicted to it. Since I created the bloglines account my life has been simplified so much. I visit one place anytime I am free instead of 5 or more and all the information that I want is there waiting for me. Since I have been using bloglines for some time, I decided to create a Google Reader account to see how it differs from the bloglines. So far I prefer the Google Reader. I love Google, Gmail and just prefer the "Google way of life." I thought that setting my "feeds" in the Google Reader was easier and simpler than this process in bloglines. I had to many options to choose from in bloglines, whereas in Google Reader I just added the link and I was done. I still have some more exploring to do with Google Reader so later I may find problems in their system that I don't like. I will just have to wait and see.
Here's the challenge to anyone who reads my blog: I recommend that you take a day and make a note of all the websites you visit in one day and calculate the time you spend at each site. I think you will be amazed!! Then create your reader account add your favorite websites and blogs and then see the difference. You will be so thankful not only for the convenience factor, but look at all the time your saving.
I have been using bloglines for about two months now, and at first I thought to myself this is not going to work. Little did I know that I would become addicted to it. Since I created the bloglines account my life has been simplified so much. I visit one place anytime I am free instead of 5 or more and all the information that I want is there waiting for me. Since I have been using bloglines for some time, I decided to create a Google Reader account to see how it differs from the bloglines. So far I prefer the Google Reader. I love Google, Gmail and just prefer the "Google way of life." I thought that setting my "feeds" in the Google Reader was easier and simpler than this process in bloglines. I had to many options to choose from in bloglines, whereas in Google Reader I just added the link and I was done. I still have some more exploring to do with Google Reader so later I may find problems in their system that I don't like. I will just have to wait and see.
Here's the challenge to anyone who reads my blog: I recommend that you take a day and make a note of all the websites you visit in one day and calculate the time you spend at each site. I think you will be amazed!! Then create your reader account add your favorite websites and blogs and then see the difference. You will be so thankful not only for the convenience factor, but look at all the time your saving.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
#7 Flickr - Trading Card Maker Tool
Thank goodness pools make kids take a pool break or else I may not have been able to take this cute picture of the kids. They spent the day at the pool practicing all the new skills they have learned from swimming. Aren't they just beautiful?
#6 - Flickr Photo Fun
Since I am new to Flickr, I just started to visit some of the cool tools that are available. This week's lesson in learning web 2.0 was to create a Flickr account, post some photos, tryout one of the tools available, and then blog about it. I decided to tryout the Trading Card Maker. This tool was really easy and I think it would be a great application to use in the future. It's not something I will do often, but I am sure there will be special pictures that I will want to take extra special time on like the the great picture of the kids I posted today.
EKU Libraries - Weeded Books
I have never been a big fan of the color orange, although I love the fruit & juice, until NOW!!!! As you can see these books are all the books that we have weeded from the reference collection. The orange slip is being used as the "flag" for materials that are outdated and things we just don't need anymore.
Look see the orange, okay look at the picture again see the orange slips! I think that is the best picture yet :-)
Look see the orange, okay look at the picture again see the orange slips! I think that is the best picture yet :-)
EKU Libraries - Reference Room
The reference team at EKU Libraries has spent the summer weeding books from our collection. This picture shows some of the empty shelves that we have now.
The reasoning behind this weed is not only to get rid of the crap that is not being used, but we are planning on lowering all the shelves so the room is more visually appealing. It will look so nice once it's finished and the reference collection will mean so much more to the students & staff.
The reasoning behind this weed is not only to get rid of the crap that is not being used, but we are planning on lowering all the shelves so the room is more visually appealing. It will look so nice once it's finished and the reference collection will mean so much more to the students & staff.
EKU Libraries - Circulation Staff Members
The staff here at the EKU Libraries is the best around. Here is one of our lovely circulation staff members working away.
Notice in the background the wonderful student employee making sure the books are in correct call number order. EKU libraries is the best!!!
Notice in the background the wonderful student employee making sure the books are in correct call number order. EKU libraries is the best!!!
#6 Flickr
Today was my first time using Flickr and it was surprisingly easy. I created an account which literally took less than 2 minutes then I uploaded some recent photos. I was really surprised at how easy it was. I know that there are still things I need to learn about this program, but I am excited to do so. Each week that I participate in the Learning 2.0 program here at the EKU Libraries, I feel so much more confident in the things I do and accomplish on the web. This is really a self-esteem boost for anyone who didn't think they were savvy with technology and the internet.
I hope you check out a few pictures I have posted to my blog that I took today. I hope you enjoy them :-)
I hope you check out a few pictures I have posted to my blog that I took today. I hope you enjoy them :-)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
My favorite past time, other than being a soccer mom
I have added a new picture to my blog, some of you may have seen it on Facebook but I wanted it here too. I thought it was a great picture of Mike and I on the motorcycle. This picture was taken at a stop light while we were at Bike Week 2007 in Daytona Beach.
Most people don't know that the other side of me is a my love for motorcycles and four wheelers. I have always loved to ride four wheelers. There is a difference in riding on the rode and then being in the woods. I think I was a bit nervous about being on the rode next to these great big cars, trucks etc. So when Mike bought the Harley Davidson - 2003 anniversary edition Softail Deuce I swore I would never ride it. After the first 2 minutes on the bike I was sold. Everytime I hear the roar of a Harley, it makes me want to be on ours. This "Harley Momma" loves to ride!!!!
Most people don't know that the other side of me is a my love for motorcycles and four wheelers. I have always loved to ride four wheelers. There is a difference in riding on the rode and then being in the woods. I think I was a bit nervous about being on the rode next to these great big cars, trucks etc. So when Mike bought the Harley Davidson - 2003 anniversary edition Softail Deuce I swore I would never ride it. After the first 2 minutes on the bike I was sold. Everytime I hear the roar of a Harley, it makes me want to be on ours. This "Harley Momma" loves to ride!!!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
#5 Facebook
In the previous post on "social networking 101" I sort of covered some of the reasons why I prefer Facebook over Myspace.
After listening to the podcast about Facebook I was really shocked to hear the usage statistics between the two sites. I think the thing the attracts more students to use Facebook or login daily is the "homepage." It is a quick place to go to find information about your friends without having to search for it. Many times I login to look only at the homepage, this way if I want to see more I can but if not I just log out. Myspace on the other hand is to hard to find people, the email spam filters are awful, it's not user friendly and most importantly the privacy settings are not that good. I have recently thought about deleting my Myspace account because I hate to even check it. There is one other thing that I don't like about Myspace and that is the backgrounds you can set. Some people have so much crap and colors on their page that you can't even read the text (maybe that is the reason, someone please enlighten me on this:-)). I like the fact that on Facebook every thing is the same color and it's easy to read.
I do like Ning's suggestion on her blog that it would be nice if we could add music to our pictures or even our page (that would be cool). I think music can tell you a lot about a person, so that would be a nice feature to add. Overall I would recommend Facebook.
After listening to the podcast about Facebook I was really shocked to hear the usage statistics between the two sites. I think the thing the attracts more students to use Facebook or login daily is the "homepage." It is a quick place to go to find information about your friends without having to search for it. Many times I login to look only at the homepage, this way if I want to see more I can but if not I just log out. Myspace on the other hand is to hard to find people, the email spam filters are awful, it's not user friendly and most importantly the privacy settings are not that good. I have recently thought about deleting my Myspace account because I hate to even check it. There is one other thing that I don't like about Myspace and that is the backgrounds you can set. Some people have so much crap and colors on their page that you can't even read the text (maybe that is the reason, someone please enlighten me on this:-)). I like the fact that on Facebook every thing is the same color and it's easy to read.
I do like Ning's suggestion on her blog that it would be nice if we could add music to our pictures or even our page (that would be cool). I think music can tell you a lot about a person, so that would be a nice feature to add. Overall I would recommend Facebook.
Monday Madness--actually all week madness!!
Yesterday was such a crazy day for me. After working all day I rushed to get the kids, then shuffled them off to swim lessons till 6, then rushed A to VBS. Luckily the soccer dad had to step in and take B to soccer practice till 7 (Soccer mom duties had to be taken away, becasue I had other duties, like teaching a VBS class). Let me just say I love teaching my Sunday school class of pre-k & kindergarteners, which is usually 7 students, but 12 students last night was a bit exhausting. How do these great school teachers do it every day? Maybe they have patience, I apparently was not blessed in that area like I thought.
Anyways, life will be like this all week for me. We have swim lessons for two weeks. VBS is only this week, so I will survive. I kinda dread it every year at first becasue I know how exhausting it will be, but the rewards are worth it every year. I am sure it will be great and the Lord will give me the strength to do it, he always does.
Other news: I am excited my first summer class is over, but on the other hand my second class has started. It is more time consuming than I thought it would be so that is a bummer. I know it will all be worth in the end. I just keep telling myself "I think I can, I think I can" ;-)
Gotta go - Signing off (like that don't ya)
Anyways, life will be like this all week for me. We have swim lessons for two weeks. VBS is only this week, so I will survive. I kinda dread it every year at first becasue I know how exhausting it will be, but the rewards are worth it every year. I am sure it will be great and the Lord will give me the strength to do it, he always does.
Other news: I am excited my first summer class is over, but on the other hand my second class has started. It is more time consuming than I thought it would be so that is a bummer. I know it will all be worth in the end. I just keep telling myself "I think I can, I think I can" ;-)
Gotta go - Signing off (like that don't ya)
#4 Social Networking 101
I really enjoyed this weeks video called "Social Networking in Plain English." I thought that this video did a great job in portraying exactly how online social networking connects people but not really. I think back to when the web and everything online came about and how people panicked over the personal connections that were going to be lost. (Frankly some people may have been happy to of lost that connection ;-) haha)
Anyways, this is a way to gain that connection back and to feel that you are part of the life of a person. I enjoy seeing what other people are doing and the exciting things going on in their life without having to call them via phone (Soccer moms don't have time to talk on the phone, please!)
I love my facebook page alot more than my Myspace page. I think Myspace is too clunky, there are too many ads and really the privacy filters aren't that great. Facebook on the other hand is really easy to use and for some reason I feel safer using it; maybe its the ads and spam emails that I get from Myspace that has turned me off, i don't know.
I totally recommend Facebook over Myspace; it's a great way to be connected but not really.
Anyways, this is a way to gain that connection back and to feel that you are part of the life of a person. I enjoy seeing what other people are doing and the exciting things going on in their life without having to call them via phone (Soccer moms don't have time to talk on the phone, please!)
I love my facebook page alot more than my Myspace page. I think Myspace is too clunky, there are too many ads and really the privacy filters aren't that great. Facebook on the other hand is really easy to use and for some reason I feel safer using it; maybe its the ads and spam emails that I get from Myspace that has turned me off, i don't know.
I totally recommend Facebook over Myspace; it's a great way to be connected but not really.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Web 2.0: the machine is us/ing us
Web 2.0: the machine is us/ing us
Watch the video
Here at EKU Libraries we have implemented a training program to learn Web 2.0 (click here to learn about Web 2.0).
Well first off let me just say WOW!! This video is amazing. The first time I watched it I was overwhelmed and lost. The second time I understood the point of the video, this is what Learning Web 2.0 is all about. I have heard some of the things mentioned like html, but before didn't really understand it or for that matter really care. I am excited to learn all this cool technology, but to be honest I am scared (alot) .
Watch the video
Here at EKU Libraries we have implemented a training program to learn Web 2.0 (click here to learn about Web 2.0).
Well first off let me just say WOW!! This video is amazing. The first time I watched it I was overwhelmed and lost. The second time I understood the point of the video, this is what Learning Web 2.0 is all about. I have heard some of the things mentioned like html, but before didn't really understand it or for that matter really care. I am excited to learn all this cool technology, but to be honest I am scared (alot) .
First blog entry
Okay, I am here :-) I have created my blog. What will I talk about? I still don't know, but I am happy I have made it this far.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)