In a previous 23 Things program, I did some tagging of posts and set-up a Del.icio.us account. At that time, I understood why we taggged posts (and other things such as Flickr), but it seemed to be an additional chore that I simply didn't have the time (or want to take the time) to do. It was always my intention to go back to my posts and tag them. But I never did. Maybe someday, I will tag those posts as well as these.
My Del.icio.us account also met with procrastination. When I signed up for it, I thought "This is so cool! A one-stop spot for clicking on all my favorite websites!" Alas, I've gone back to Del.icio.us only once in the past nine months since I signed up-- and I couldn't remember my log-in or password! I had to find my 23 Things notes, sort through them and try to figure out if I ever wrote down the log-in or password. Thankfully I did.
When I looked at the Minn23 Del.icio.us account, I discovered an article about the "Five Best Password Managers". Aha! Just what I need with all these 23 Things programs (so I thought). Unfortunately, all the password managers mentioned seem to require special software (such as Firefox) or operating systems (such as Mac or a higher level of Windows than I use). I haven't waded through all the comments to the article yet, but it would be awesome if there was a secure web-based site where I could store my passwords. Then I could more easily access those passwords while working on the computer instead of having to rummage through notes or a notebook (where I now have some of my passwords stored.) If you know of one, let me know.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Exercise #10 Wikis
We recently started using wikis in our library in place of meetings. The reaction has been mixed. Some folks like them, some don't. Some still prefer email. But almost everyone was happy that the wiki cut down on having to attend so many meetings.
One of my favorite wikis is: http://seriesbinder.lishost.org/index.php/Main_page. I like the layout of it and find it is easy to use. I tried to make a similar wiki using the books and props I use for story time, but I didn't get far. Does anyone know if you can copy and paste information from a Word document or from a Google document into a wiki? I have most of the wiki laid out in a word document (which I started years ago before I learned about wikis), but I haven't had time to sit down and create the wiki. If you want to look at my poor attempts, here is the address: http://spplstorykits.pbwiki.com. (Although I should warn you: there isn't any content to it yet.)
One of my favorite wikis is: http://seriesbinder.lishost.org/index.php/Main_page. I like the layout of it and find it is easy to use. I tried to make a similar wiki using the books and props I use for story time, but I didn't get far. Does anyone know if you can copy and paste information from a Word document or from a Google document into a wiki? I have most of the wiki laid out in a word document (which I started years ago before I learned about wikis), but I haven't had time to sit down and create the wiki. If you want to look at my poor attempts, here is the address: http://spplstorykits.pbwiki.com. (Although I should warn you: there isn't any content to it yet.)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thing 9: Online Collaboration Tools
Because I use Google Docs extensively (for letters, resumes, spreadsheets, etc), I took a look at Zoho to compare how it stacks up against Google Docs.
The word documents were almost a tie--they both worked well, although they each have idiosyncrasies. When I printed my husband's resume using Google Docs, it printed on two pages--unless I clicked on "file" and "print as webpage" then it printed on one page. Zoho printed a header and a footer and also printed on two pages; but only if you didn't read or understand the pop-up command and clicked "ok". If you read and follow the directions in the pop-up command (which says something similar to "print option, defeault header/footer value, print as PDF, click Page View Link, Print using PDF", etc) then the resume will print on one page without a header or footer. Overall, I could use either of these word document applications. But, because I am most familiar with Google Docs, I think I will stick with it.
Spreadsheets, however, are a whole different story. I frequently have difficulty sorting with Google Docs. Sometimes all the information is sorted, sometimes only part of it, sometimes information sorts according to a strange configuration only Google must understand. I have found it easy to put my info into Google Docs (I love that Google Docs is almost portable--you can access it from almost any computer!) But, when I have to sort it, I copy and paste the info into an Excel spreadsheet, sort the info, then copy and paste it back into the Google spreadsheet.
My trial of Zoho spreadsheet was far more challenging than using the Google Docs spreadsheet. I could not paste information from Google to Zoho nor could I paste information from Excel to Zoho; but, I could import data from Excel to Zoho as long as the information was saved first on my hard drive or a disk. When I tried to sort the information in Zoho, it froze! I logged out, then signed back in, but discovered the information had been lost (beause I didn't save it before sorting). Given a choice, I would chose Excel spreadsheet first because of its functionality, Google second because of its "portablity", and I wouldn't use Zoho spreadsheet at all.
Regarding sharing or collaborating with these tools, I will repeat the advice my e-democracy instructor gave in his class How to Use Online Tools for Communication, Collaboration and Advocacy: "if these tools are going to work, everyone must use them and know how to use them". I once tried to share my husband's resume with a potential employer using Google Docs. Either I didn't "share" the resume properly or the recipeient didn't know how to access it or use Google Docs because we received a reply that he could not view the resume. (The fact that the person replied was amazing in itself because most potential employers probably would have just deleted the email and went on to the next applicant.) But, we re-sent the resume, both as an attachment and with a web link to his e-folio page where we had hastily posted his resume. The employer (or at least, the interviewer) was quite impressed with my husband's ability to use the internet. (Keep in mind, my husband, who has attended a couple of computer classes, still can't access his email without help and thinks shutting down a computer means hitting the "off" button or pulling the plug out of the wall socket.) Alas, he did not get the job. Apparently, the world just isn't ready for internet savvy house painters.
The word documents were almost a tie--they both worked well, although they each have idiosyncrasies. When I printed my husband's resume using Google Docs, it printed on two pages--unless I clicked on "file" and "print as webpage" then it printed on one page. Zoho printed a header and a footer and also printed on two pages; but only if you didn't read or understand the pop-up command and clicked "ok". If you read and follow the directions in the pop-up command (which says something similar to "print option, defeault header/footer value, print as PDF, click Page View Link, Print using PDF", etc) then the resume will print on one page without a header or footer. Overall, I could use either of these word document applications. But, because I am most familiar with Google Docs, I think I will stick with it.
Spreadsheets, however, are a whole different story. I frequently have difficulty sorting with Google Docs. Sometimes all the information is sorted, sometimes only part of it, sometimes information sorts according to a strange configuration only Google must understand. I have found it easy to put my info into Google Docs (I love that Google Docs is almost portable--you can access it from almost any computer!) But, when I have to sort it, I copy and paste the info into an Excel spreadsheet, sort the info, then copy and paste it back into the Google spreadsheet.
My trial of Zoho spreadsheet was far more challenging than using the Google Docs spreadsheet. I could not paste information from Google to Zoho nor could I paste information from Excel to Zoho; but, I could import data from Excel to Zoho as long as the information was saved first on my hard drive or a disk. When I tried to sort the information in Zoho, it froze! I logged out, then signed back in, but discovered the information had been lost (beause I didn't save it before sorting). Given a choice, I would chose Excel spreadsheet first because of its functionality, Google second because of its "portablity", and I wouldn't use Zoho spreadsheet at all.
Regarding sharing or collaborating with these tools, I will repeat the advice my e-democracy instructor gave in his class How to Use Online Tools for Communication, Collaboration and Advocacy: "if these tools are going to work, everyone must use them and know how to use them". I once tried to share my husband's resume with a potential employer using Google Docs. Either I didn't "share" the resume properly or the recipeient didn't know how to access it or use Google Docs because we received a reply that he could not view the resume. (The fact that the person replied was amazing in itself because most potential employers probably would have just deleted the email and went on to the next applicant.) But, we re-sent the resume, both as an attachment and with a web link to his e-folio page where we had hastily posted his resume. The employer (or at least, the interviewer) was quite impressed with my husband's ability to use the internet. (Keep in mind, my husband, who has attended a couple of computer classes, still can't access his email without help and thinks shutting down a computer means hitting the "off" button or pulling the plug out of the wall socket.) Alas, he did not get the job. Apparently, the world just isn't ready for internet savvy house painters.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thing 8: Learning to Share your Creations
This exercise was one of the more frustrating ones. I wanted to create a slideshow similar to the ones demonstrated on the 23 Things blog, but I don't own a digital camera and I didn't have enough pictures in my Flickr account to create a slide show. So I finally gave up on that idea.
Then I thought "I could always do the e-folio thing" except that I have had an e-folio for years, before there ever was a 23 Things program. My e-folio is not up-to-date, however. (If you wish to view it, click here.) So then I thought "Perhaps if I updated it, I could count that as credit for completing Thing 8." But then I realized I wouldn't be learning anything new. So, I tried Lazybase. I didn't like it and probably won't use it again. (I also should have stuck wit the e-folio idea!)
Signing up for a Lazybase database was very easy. But, it took me a while to figure out how to add entries. When I finally figured that how, I discovered I gave the columns the wrong headings and they were in the wrong order (and I couldn't figure how to change them without deleting a whole bunch of stuff.) Then I noticed the "bulk add for excel" feature. I tried that, too, but it didn't work (not with Excel or my Google Docs spreadsheet). So I started adding entries one at a time. After five entries, I thought "I don't want to make a database of these titles." I tried to delete the whole thing, but couldn't figure how to do that either. So, I stuck with the database I started, added five more titles, and then decided "enough!" (If you want to see the end results, click here.)
Then I thought "I could always do the e-folio thing" except that I have had an e-folio for years, before there ever was a 23 Things program. My e-folio is not up-to-date, however. (If you wish to view it, click here.) So then I thought "Perhaps if I updated it, I could count that as credit for completing Thing 8." But then I realized I wouldn't be learning anything new. So, I tried Lazybase. I didn't like it and probably won't use it again. (I also should have stuck wit the e-folio idea!)
Signing up for a Lazybase database was very easy. But, it took me a while to figure out how to add entries. When I finally figured that how, I discovered I gave the columns the wrong headings and they were in the wrong order (and I couldn't figure how to change them without deleting a whole bunch of stuff.) Then I noticed the "bulk add for excel" feature. I tried that, too, but it didn't work (not with Excel or my Google Docs spreadsheet). So I started adding entries one at a time. After five entries, I thought "I don't want to make a database of these titles." I tried to delete the whole thing, but couldn't figure how to do that either. So, I stuck with the database I started, added five more titles, and then decided "enough!" (If you want to see the end results, click here.)
Monday, July 21, 2008
23 Things on a Stick #7-Communication Tools
Our library uses email, and depending on your position, it is either a faster way to comunicate to the masses you need to communicate with, or it is a burden because too many people are sending you too many email messages (sometimes about things that are not very important or work related).
We also tried using Meebo for instant message reference. Some of our staff use it regularly (mostly to chat with each other because our patrons do not seem to have caught on the concept of IM reference), some of our staff avoid it (either because they don't understand it or they think it is waste of time--"If patrons want something from the library, they will call or stop in. They won't IM us," is something I heard one staff member say.
We do not text message, although I have "texted" with my young nieces, that is until their dad and I saw our respective phone bills and decided "texting" was way too expensive. Now we email each other. It is cheaper than phone calls. (They live fifteen miles away, in "Packerland", and the phone company charges us for long distance calls. As I said, email is cheaper, and sometimes you get pictures, too.)
I have attended the Minitex webinar M.O.R.E. Basic Reference Skills and viewed the archived sessions on podcasting. I have also attended a couple of podcasts from the SirisDynix Institute and I have a list of programs I plan to watch "someday" on OPAL. Other than a few technical glitches (like having the apporpriate software or a phone nearby for the Mintex webinar or the instructor not calling in for an EBSCO webinar), I think web conferences, webinars, and podcasts have great potential to increase learning and training opportunities while saving time and travel costs.
PS
The Google group, Google Librarian, which is listed in the challenge option for this exercise, has not been updated recently. The LibrarianinBlack had some interesting comments on Google Librarian in a July 3, 2008 post. You can read them here.
We also tried using Meebo for instant message reference. Some of our staff use it regularly (mostly to chat with each other because our patrons do not seem to have caught on the concept of IM reference), some of our staff avoid it (either because they don't understand it or they think it is waste of time--"If patrons want something from the library, they will call or stop in. They won't IM us," is something I heard one staff member say.
We do not text message, although I have "texted" with my young nieces, that is until their dad and I saw our respective phone bills and decided "texting" was way too expensive. Now we email each other. It is cheaper than phone calls. (They live fifteen miles away, in "Packerland", and the phone company charges us for long distance calls. As I said, email is cheaper, and sometimes you get pictures, too.)
I have attended the Minitex webinar M.O.R.E. Basic Reference Skills and viewed the archived sessions on podcasting. I have also attended a couple of podcasts from the SirisDynix Institute and I have a list of programs I plan to watch "someday" on OPAL. Other than a few technical glitches (like having the apporpriate software or a phone nearby for the Mintex webinar or the instructor not calling in for an EBSCO webinar), I think web conferences, webinars, and podcasts have great potential to increase learning and training opportunities while saving time and travel costs.
PS
The Google group, Google Librarian, which is listed in the challenge option for this exercise, has not been updated recently. The LibrarianinBlack had some interesting comments on Google Librarian in a July 3, 2008 post. You can read them here.
Monday, July 14, 2008
23 Things on a Stick # 6 Online Image Generators
In a previous 23 Things program, I created trading cards and a magazine cover using Big Huge Labs (aka fd's Flickr Toys). The links to these items were already posted in assignment 5, but here they are again: Discovery Exercise 6 and Discovery Exercise 13. You can also see at the right the new trading card I made for this 23 Things on a Stick program and below is a license plate made with the Image Chef.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
23 Things on a Stick #5 More Flickr Fun
I tried all the applications listed.
Clockr was interesting. But, I kept thinking "Is this all there is? Doesn't it do anything more spectacular?" Then I scrolled down and read the fine print about how to change the digits. Tried it, thought it was cool, but don't know how Clockr can be used in my library. Maybe it can be used on a web page.
Flickr Color Pickr was also interesting. But again, I kept thinking "Is this it? Why would I want to use all red pictures or all blue pictures?" Again, maybe the pictures can be used on a web page or a flyer, but I'm still not sure how else to use them in my library.
I skipped Big Huge Labs because I played with it several times before in a previous 23 Things program. Here is the link if you want to look at what I did: Discovery Exercise 6 and Discovery Exercise 13.
Spell with Flickr was cool. It took me awhile to figure out how to put the results on my blog. (Thanks for the comment on the 23 Things blog, Charmed One!)You can see the results to the right. I thought it would be way cooler if you could combine Spell with Flickr and Flickr Color Pickr and pick letters in different colors (such as the word rainbow spelled out in the colors of the rainbow.)
I had major problems with Splashr. The pictures I chose would not display. Don't know if it was a software problem with the computer I used or if it was because I didn't tag the photos I tried to use. (Sorry, but I do not completely understand tagging. Will continue to work it.)
The Puzzles application was also cool, but again it didn't work too well for me. The picture came out blurry (but that could be because I used a picture from my cell phone, which I haven't completely figured out how to operate yet). Will try again at a future date with another photo from another camera.
Clockr was interesting. But, I kept thinking "Is this all there is? Doesn't it do anything more spectacular?" Then I scrolled down and read the fine print about how to change the digits. Tried it, thought it was cool, but don't know how Clockr can be used in my library. Maybe it can be used on a web page.
Flickr Color Pickr was also interesting. But again, I kept thinking "Is this it? Why would I want to use all red pictures or all blue pictures?" Again, maybe the pictures can be used on a web page or a flyer, but I'm still not sure how else to use them in my library.
I skipped Big Huge Labs because I played with it several times before in a previous 23 Things program. Here is the link if you want to look at what I did: Discovery Exercise 6 and Discovery Exercise 13.
Spell with Flickr was cool. It took me awhile to figure out how to put the results on my blog. (Thanks for the comment on the 23 Things blog, Charmed One!)You can see the results to the right. I thought it would be way cooler if you could combine Spell with Flickr and Flickr Color Pickr and pick letters in different colors (such as the word rainbow spelled out in the colors of the rainbow.)
I had major problems with Splashr. The pictures I chose would not display. Don't know if it was a software problem with the computer I used or if it was because I didn't tag the photos I tried to use. (Sorry, but I do not completely understand tagging. Will continue to work it.)
The Puzzles application was also cool, but again it didn't work too well for me. The picture came out blurry (but that could be because I used a picture from my cell phone, which I haven't completely figured out how to operate yet). Will try again at a future date with another photo from another camera.
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