#23 (2)

Forgot some of what I learnt!! My Christmas Tree picture fron Flickr is courtesy of FroSport. This is the really the end now. ( I am still going - this photo is courtesy of Vidalia_11).

#23 Summary and my thoughts

At long last, and like Christmas, I have arrived!! I feel I have very much started at the bottom of the tree and have slowly but surely, worked my way to the top - but by no means am I an expert in this field!!

It has been a big learning curb for me and I have certainly been introduced to aspects of technology that I had no knowledge of before starting this program. The journey has been stimulating, frustrating and even enjoyable at times, being exposed to things that work sometimes and don't work the next time.

I have learned about so many new things along the way, some of which I can see as being exciting and helpful, but other things I wouldn't go back to. Being a person who learns "by doing", I really am going to need a lot more practice. But, one of the aims of the program was to introduce me to applications which otherwise, I would have never known about. To learn to blog along the way has been a good experience; being introduced to Flickr, Librarything, Rollyo, Del.icio.us, Technorati, Online Productivity, YouTube, Podcasts etc. has exposed me to so much and opened up a whole new world.

Yes , there were unexpected outcomes. There is so much greatness about the ever growing technology advances, but I also don't like being exposed to unfavourable vision/sites that just appear in front of your eyes due to an error of mine along the way. I guess it is the control factor, but it just makes one realise how easy it is for the younger generation to be exposed to material without even trying and that for me is a real concern. You can't have someone looking over your shoulder all the time and none of us should have to be exposed to what we don't choose to view.

The actual on-line Web 2.0 program was a different experience for me and one that I grew to like as I got into it. But, it was thanks to my colleagues for their support and assistance as we moved through this training from 11/9 up till today that I have reached this point.
So thanks to everyone for the opportunity and bringing me on board. I can see that (and have always known) life doesn't stand still and Dora the Explorer will be continually navigating her way around the ever expanding technology applications for a few more years to come.

December is here and "Happy Christmas" to all who took the journey.

#22 eAudiobooks

I have navigated around Netlibrary, Overdrive and the World EBook fair site. Unfortunately, restrictions on this PC prevented me from doing much more. I can see how subscribing to this type of service in a library would be a big hit for those members who prefer listening "on the run" to actually sitting with a book and reading. And imagine not having to deal with damaged items, late fees or replacement costs, due to items being automatically returned!! - that really does sound appealing.
But my love of the book in its printed format, is still where I am at and I won't be discarding that for anything - I hope I am not on my own!!

#21 Podcasts

Started this exercise yesterday and have had to come back to it after a number of interruptions. Have played around and explored the 3 directories nominated. Most of the ones I had success with were video broadcasts - I didn't get very far with other searches - wasn't able to listen to the actual podcast, due to software retrictions or whatever.
But, I have got the idea and again can see that there is no limits as to what you can tap into.
it's time to sign off.

#20 (2)

I should add that to add a video of some description to our Home Page could be a good feature!!

#20 YouTube

Wow, have I discovered YouTube!! Don't ask me where the last hour has gone, but I have been completely entertained. Managed to work myself around various videos and uploaded "Dora" to my blog. Not sure to what extent this could be used here at work, but I can see there is no end to how you can choose to share your thoughts and ideas, either through text or picture format with anyone who is interested in zooming in , on whatever you have to offer.
Can also see that if you are bored with life and want to sit in front of a screen all day, the YouTube world (and others) is your oyster.
I'm now removing myself from the screen before I get "hooked".

#19 Discovering web 2.0 tools

Just playing was dangerous!! I have just had a lovely time looking around and listening to my selected site. I chose Music and visited the 3 awards, but could only access "Last-fm" which allowed me to select my favourite artists and listen to a track from a selected album.
Then I was able to explore further and find out every possible thing you would want to know about the artist (John Denver in this case) as well as see a listing of all his songs in order of popularity, as well as images of all the disc/record covers and much more.
Having a music collection in this library service, I'm sure this site could be put to good use by people who can only remember bits & pieces about various songs and need more information. Would be a great personal tool if you just wanted some soothing time to wind down.
Now, I had better get back to some real work.

#18 Zoho Writer

I have just been "lost in time" creating my account in Zoho Writer, exploring the site and actually creating a test document. Also looked at many of the extra features. Just amazing that a desk top is not the only way to go and I can see how Zoho will be more than popular and a great find for everybody and anybody.
I have lost track of time 'looking around", so I had better finish off my real job and exit out of here.

#17 Sanbdox wiki

I commenced this exercise on Friday and after a lot of playing around, eventually added an entry to Learning 2.0 Sandbox wiki. Due to the fact that I was entering the incorrect URL, I was confronted with other information that I really didn't need to see, and just goes to show how easy it is to have something in your face when you make an honest mistake!! Anyhow, I did succeed in going down the right road when one of my fellow bloggers worked out where I went wrong!!
Have come back to this today and listened to the podcast and viewed the 5 x PBwiki Videos.
Time to move on!!

#16 wiki

Yes, I quite enjoyed working my way around the "wiki world". Explored various wikis and can see how you could use them in just about anyway possible.
I also listened to the YouTube/Video (twice), which was great for me as it explained the process in a very simple manner and one I could understand.
How would I use a wiki or see a use for a wiki in my organisation? I can see how how it has a more efficient use than e-mail and is a great co-ordination tool. It could have numerous uses in the library and would be a great connection between the staff and the public in setting up a book club of sorts; between staff and management - could take the place of structured meetings in a nominated place - maybe.
I can see use of wikis as almost endless.

#15 Library2.0

I have read all the perspectives on Web 2.0 and cannot believe the changes we will expect to see in the next 5 - 10 years or so. When you are working in an environment that is quite "traditional" compared to what is already emerging, my head is just spinning. It is good to read all about the different concepts and it is certainly rapid change.
I guess I still see the demands we are meeting here and "the love of the book" is still very stong - in fact people still can't get enough of them.
I fully realise the generations coming through will be seeking, expecting and demanding a very different product from their local library and it will be our role to provide as required.
Going along for the ride is going to be challenging, facinating and more than interesting!!

#14 technorati

Have explored and been entertained in the process. Listened and watched ESCUALO ("The Shark"). Not sure when I would personally use tagging on a day to day basis, but I can see what everyone else is up to.

#13 Del.icio.us

Have spent some time looking around and searched butterflies, rainbows and music. Can see how other people have tagged these sites and it presents as a social network!!

#12 - Rollyo

With a lot of help from my friends, I have completed this exercise. Rollyo has made it to the template down the side of my page and yes, I can see that it is another handy search engine for me to use when I'm playing around. Finished for the day.

#11 - LibraryThing

- have "catalogued" 5 titles which I really enjoyed reading over the years. Most of these titles are sitting on my book shelf at home to remind me of the experience.http://www.librarything.com/catalog/doratheexplorer

#10 - Online Image Generator

Glad I picked Disneyland to work with - it was even fun carrying out this exercise!!

So, now I am ready to move on.

#9 Newsfeeds

Would you believe I have spent 30 minutes searching for feeds and trying to get an email validation happening, but it hasn't happened - and I have had a very kind mentor beside me for the journey.
Despite these minor obstacles, I think I understand the concept. Very frustrating.

#8 RSS Feeds

- have set up the Bloglines account and now I have another address to remember - but, my brain is not a high tech. computer!!

Flickr #7

Where do I start? Every new thing I learn is technology related and mind boggling. But if I think back,I do remember thinking just how amazing the introduction of the fax machine was and the actual function it performed!! I was shown how to place a page (or number of pages) in the correct position, key in a number, press a "go" button and the page just fed through the machine in front of me. But, more amazingly at the other end, the receiver, another person, was retrieving a copy of what was actually in my hand. Wow!!

And we all know this is "old hat" now, but it is still a desirable format for for the transmission of documents / written word, in an instant.

Flickr #6

- after exploring "making your own business card", I was impressed with just what is available to help anyone and everyone to get them started. Who needs Printing Companys or professional sevices when you can just attach yourself to Flickr.

flickr #5

- with a little bit of help from my friends, I have found the rainbow. Like the rainbow, this journey is never-ending and very colourful!!

- photo taken by mgbridges.

#4 - The beginning

After many, many, many tries, I have arrived!! This is so exciting believe me. I hope this is the start of bigger and better things to come.