# 40 Retroland

At first was not enthusiastic about a site which invites me to relive my old days - but once in there, saw much to delve about. I quickly looked at music in the 60s and selected the evergreen Glen Campbell as I heard he was touring Australia recently - his long "release history" 1962 - 2000 (but I know there are more) on this site is proof of his talent. Sorry got carried away.

#39 Animoto

Animoto was addictive - finally got a good quality clip with latin/american music. (I loaded too many photos the first time). It doesn't work properly on my desktop internet access. However I received compliments when I emailed it to friends. Posting on my Blog and to Facebook was clunky - it wouldn;t allow me to put in a password the first couple of times but I persisted and voila - success.

The link to my video is included in this post.
http://animoto.com/play/jth1F4hxY13QATMUSRKiEQ

Animoto video

friends cars holidays

#37 Music to your ears

Pandora was blocked to users outside the US due to licensing restrictions; so I went to LastFM - the desktop blocked some actions, so will look at it on the standalone in future. I noticed after the CPD forum this week, that a blog from Joanna's list - the Accidental Aussie - had a LastFM widget with AUssie music I think, but it wouldn't play on the desktop access. Blocked blocked blocked.

thing # 36 Dressng up your photos

I had a quick look - so many photo sites, so little time! As it is more a diversion at this stage, and I'm still catching up on web 2.1.....I will return to look at this in my own time.

Thing #35 Mini or micro blogging

Ah there goes my age again reminding me I don't like these sites that imply we can communicate perpetually with the online community - don't care what others are doing and I don't care to let them know what I'm doing! I set up an account in Twitter but didn't spend much time in there. I think I can see how it could be used in libraries and information services - eg for sending simple questions to reference desks and getting quick answers.

Thing #34 Using the web for better health and fitness

Better health and weight loss - checked out Fitday and Nutridiary - good looking sites. Both look promising for those wishing to get nutritional information, create goals and keep track of progress. MIght come back to this one in my spare time! Especially now that middle age is having it's way with my waistline.

Thing #33

Quickly checked out Mr Picasso head - created an odd looking head more comical than Picassos art. Tried making a snowflake and rotated it in 2D. Cool. Thought I should move on... Not terribly useful except for some light relief.

#32 Omnidrive

Tried to create an account - but wasn't able to; the message said "account quota is full" so I browsed the site; being able to access your files from an internet connection anywhere is very handy. Did a similar exercise with Zoho back in web 2.0. Didn't get to upload an image for edit; however I can see its versatility.

#31 Get organized with Plaxo

AT first I thought it was just similar to outlook calendar, but Plaxo promises to update, feed, schedule, cross tasks off my list, add subscriptions, remind, connect, pull in friends and anything else I want from everywhere, tell my contacts what and how I'm feeling, what I look like, send greetings (I actually organized to send an anniversary card to my husband on 4 July!). I couldn't subscribe from icalshare - nothing happened when I tried to events in Hawaii so I gave up. With regard to work in libraries, it could be useful in keeping track of a busy schedule, sending reminders, however outlook also does this. It depends to what degree you want to embrace all Plaxo's functions.

Link to Scrapblog

The scraplog does not display in my blog, so here's the link -
http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=279721

Holiday collage

#27 Photobucket

Eeyha! Can't believe my slideshow has materialised on my blog page!
Photobucket is definitely cool and ignites my love of photography. Very user friendly, but sometimes the adverts are annoying. Flickr - well I used to like that one too, but it's been a while! I like being able to use images apart from my own. I would consider using Photobucket to upload and share my photos with friends. AS for it's uses in information services -hmm L&IS could share images of library layout, signage placement. But it appears to be mainly a social recreational site.

Bronze Horseman Slideshow

#26 YourMinis

Well now my blog is looking colourful if nothing else!

Still haven't worked out how to push the widgets out to the sidebar, (as other bloggers have done) despite trudging around in Layout, edit template and who knows what else....

#26 Little bits of the internet (yourminis)

What magic is this? All manner of aids which appear as if by magic in my blog! I can see how you could apply widgets to our work; quick access to newsfeeds, or podcasts are very handy.

# 25Newsletters in a pop (Letterpop)

Letterpop is definitely easy and fun. I did a simple one pager - images of interesting libraries around the world. Could have played around with it for ages but must move on! Now comes the big test - let's see if I can insert the thing into my blog!! .....Well it didn't work - the photos and text do not display. I emailed it to myself - that worked yay!!!

# 24 Zamzar File Conversion

Logged into Zamzar; converted a word doc into PDF. The method was a little tedious, (the website sends it by email, then you have to click on the link to go back into Zamzar). But if you only need it occasionally that shouldn't bother anyone. Can see that portability would be handy. You need to create an account if you convert more than 100mb which is $7 a month. The blurb said you can manage and store your documents on your account, so maybe that process is less tedious. I did not try to convert videos or the like. Maybe down the track I will see an opportunity of need to do this.

#23 summaries and evaluate this program

The journey has been at times fun, at times confusing (ah that's just learning) but it has all come together. Sometimes I felt guilty "playing" around on the web. I guess you could find a place for most of these applications to our work as librarians and our job of finding and sharing information. The photographer in me likes the image hosting sites eg Flickr. AT first I doubted the value of tags,(thinking that too many different tags would be generated) but I have come to use them when searching for information. I also like the audio book downloads (to rest the eyes from gazing at screens!

I look forward to the next chapter - Web 2.1!

#22 Learn how to download audiobooks

I checked out NetLibrary - wow lots of choice there. but as the account is no longer valid, I searched on Google for free audio books. Among the many results, I tried Freeaudiobooks but didn't like the layout or choices. I next tried http://freeclassicaudiobooks.com. You could download the books either in MP3 (media player) or M4B for Ipod. The choice was limited - but there were 3 screens of good classic books, I chose Prisoner of Zenda in MP3 format- the male voice had a pleasant tone, and of course with Mediaplayer no need to download anything, it started up instantly. I think audio books would be good on a long trip - as an alternative to looking for a good radio signal, or if you want a change from listening to your CDs. In our busy lives audio books it would be an aid when studying - you could listen to your prescribed reading on your iPod while travelling or cooking, doing housework! It would certainly give our eyes a rest - from gazing at computer screens day in and day out!

#21 useful tools for locating podcasts

Podcasts are like YouTube but are in audio format only. Checked out all three directories in tutorial, but went for www.podcast.net. Appeared to have a simple directory at first glance.Was first attracted to "how to tour Italy". Found that I have to download Quicktime, even though I already have iTunes. You can also get the PDF version in full text if you don't want to listen.
Searched by the tags for 'books' - interesting podcast of Fortunate Mistress by Daniel Dafoe - chapter by chapter, on www.babblebook.com. Subscribed to this site via my Bloglines account. Looked for library type podcasts - found Uni of Glasgow library's Fresher's Podcast "Don't let the cardigans fool you" was the intro line for the file- it was a groovy upbeat way of conveying library updates to students.

#20 Discover video sharing sites

I can understand the fascination the world has with YouTube - the variety and depth of videos is staggering. I typed in 'libraries' - and I found the Cookie Monster trying to 'borrow' cookies from the library - took me back a few decades when I used to watch Sesame street with my children! Harry Potter was also there being interviewed about records management....! I can see the world whiling away many hours glued to YouTube.
I can also see the value in the educational and professional tutorials that are on YouTube eg if you had to demonstrate a practical task to remote colleagues it is quicker and easier to convey it by video rather than by typing out laborious instructions.

I'm a cat lover so I liked this clever video "when cats attack" which has excitement building camera shots and music.

#19 Explore a Web 2.0 site

So many sites, so little time!
Went for the short list. Spring widgets, and Yourminis - The first was confusing - did not explain too much. Yourminis was slightly better. The sharing factor is big. I'm sure we could apply widgets to our working life. Also looked at Goowy - personalise your online desktop, or as they tell us Goowy enables you to "manage your digital life and express youself on the web." Sounds like you could create a desktop with instant links, RSS feeds, news updates, online messaging etc etc and etc. The most relevant site that I could relate to my work, is of course Library Thing. After wading through widget world, sharing heaven, twitterland, lists and lists, coming upon Library thing warmed my heart! What is obvious from this exploration of WEb 2.0 sites, is that the world is becoming a smaller place, compliments of the WWW.

#18 Online productivity tools

Checked out Zoho. The "portable" word, spreadsheet, presentation, notebook, calendar tools etc look useful in that you can access them from any PC. Managed to create word document and notebook pages. Added image and text to the notebook feature, but could not embed it in my blog.
Also twice there was an application error and I was kicked out. So I'm moving on. But "I'll be back" to try and put that thing on my blog!

#17 Add an entry to sandpit

Played around in the sand, added favourite vacation spots, (last big holiday to Europe and Middle East!) read some other posts, and now want to go to Saba! Added name to log on main page.

#16 Wikis and innovative ways libraries are using them

Re-attacking Learning 23 Things in the great year of 2008!
Even though I have learnt much about wikis through contributing to the ATO eLibrary country profiles and Learning and Development wiki, it was interesting to see other wikis, eg special event wikis. Also St Joseph's County Library pathfinder caught my interest with its enriched content and various ways of displaying blocks of information eg special links, special events. Not only did it point me to books it linked to events, tips, history and other websites.