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Welcome to 23 Things @ NEFLIN
15 years ago
4.15.2009
Thing 22: Staying current
Remember when you signed a book out of a library by taking the card out of it and...
You know, I was too young to really remember this. I just remember the card and in school we signed our name on it and left it with the librarian.
They stamped the back.
And I took it home.
Things got more advanced when I was in college. I worked at the library that year way back in 95. We were switching over from the card catalog...yeah, the one with ACTUAL cards...to the new computer system.
I don't think it was done when I left.
And every time I ask for my transcripts from that college they tell me I have overdue fees from 5 years after I left there. I'd like to know how I checked out books from that library in SC when I was living in New York.
Funny funny things.
Bottom line, times change. And staying current is a challenge for any library. I think most of the time, libraries resist change and lag behind in technology.
These tools we've reviewed are the first time I've seen some of them, some I've utilized myself for years. These are all things we can use to continue to push our libraries into the future.
I'll be starting on MLS in 2010 if everything goes according to plan. I'm hoping to discover even more useful tools during my studies. I will always strive to stay as current as I'm able in the areas of useful technologies to whatever library I work at in the future.
The most useful way to keep up I've found is to talk to people. Check out what sites people are going to, sharing useful info I have to other students (And there are quite a few new tools I've found doing this that I've shared with friends and classmates online.)
People come across random things online and don't think to tell people about them. Maybe I'll keep this blog as my "technologies" blog.
You know, I was too young to really remember this. I just remember the card and in school we signed our name on it and left it with the librarian.
They stamped the back.
And I took it home.
Things got more advanced when I was in college. I worked at the library that year way back in 95. We were switching over from the card catalog...yeah, the one with ACTUAL cards...to the new computer system.
I don't think it was done when I left.
And every time I ask for my transcripts from that college they tell me I have overdue fees from 5 years after I left there. I'd like to know how I checked out books from that library in SC when I was living in New York.
Funny funny things.
Bottom line, times change. And staying current is a challenge for any library. I think most of the time, libraries resist change and lag behind in technology.
These tools we've reviewed are the first time I've seen some of them, some I've utilized myself for years. These are all things we can use to continue to push our libraries into the future.
I'll be starting on MLS in 2010 if everything goes according to plan. I'm hoping to discover even more useful tools during my studies. I will always strive to stay as current as I'm able in the areas of useful technologies to whatever library I work at in the future.
The most useful way to keep up I've found is to talk to people. Check out what sites people are going to, sharing useful info I have to other students (And there are quite a few new tools I've found doing this that I've shared with friends and classmates online.)
People come across random things online and don't think to tell people about them. Maybe I'll keep this blog as my "technologies" blog.
Thing 21: Student 2.0 tools
I was looking forward to exploring this thing when I saw it up as I'm a student as well as a library employee.
I thought I'd approach this thing from that angle. How useful is it to me for my assignments? How can I utilize it for my classes?
I thought by using this approach it'd pretty much answer the question "how can I use it my library?"
Assignment calculator
I have a book report due (A book report?! I know, I thought the same thing when I saw it on the syllabus) at the beginning of May that I'm trying to work on. So I put in todays date to start it, and the deadline date. I like how they have drop down for the subject. Some subjects will just take longer for assignments than others will.
It gave me 12 steps (most of which don't really apply because as I said, it's a book report instead of the normal 8-15 page research paper I'd actually have to write. I guess maybe I should switch the subject to English instead of psychology.
*is laughing*
Anyway, I can see this tool being very useful to students. I remember when I was a kid I always had difficulty managing my time when it came to assignments. The last possibly moment would come and I'd manage to get the assignment in, but there so much stress involved. Even now, I'm a last minute A.
I've always thought if teachers knew how much time an effort ACTUALLY went into my assignments they'd not give me an A.
I do believe I've found a new place to visit at the beginnings of all my future semesters.
((ON a side note...how the hell do you do a book report? I...I honestly can't remember ever writing one.))
Research Project Calculator
This one seems to be similar in outcome. You still give the same info but you have a lot less steps to go through.
Pretty much everything I said with the first once can be said here. They're both straightforward and I think would be a big help to students.
Teacher Guide
This has a lot of handy guides you can download about a variety of topics all related to doing a research project.
I can totally see these being useful to students and anyone who has a project they're working on.
I have an art show next year and I need to get cracking on making some new pieces that I can show. I think I'm going to try using some of these tools to get me moving at a good pace. Last thing I want to do is not have anything to show.
I thought I'd approach this thing from that angle. How useful is it to me for my assignments? How can I utilize it for my classes?
I thought by using this approach it'd pretty much answer the question "how can I use it my library?"
Assignment calculator
I have a book report due (A book report?! I know, I thought the same thing when I saw it on the syllabus) at the beginning of May that I'm trying to work on. So I put in todays date to start it, and the deadline date. I like how they have drop down for the subject. Some subjects will just take longer for assignments than others will.
It gave me 12 steps (most of which don't really apply because as I said, it's a book report instead of the normal 8-15 page research paper I'd actually have to write. I guess maybe I should switch the subject to English instead of psychology.
*is laughing*
Anyway, I can see this tool being very useful to students. I remember when I was a kid I always had difficulty managing my time when it came to assignments. The last possibly moment would come and I'd manage to get the assignment in, but there so much stress involved. Even now, I'm a last minute A.
I've always thought if teachers knew how much time an effort ACTUALLY went into my assignments they'd not give me an A.
I do believe I've found a new place to visit at the beginnings of all my future semesters.
((ON a side note...how the hell do you do a book report? I...I honestly can't remember ever writing one.))
Research Project Calculator
This one seems to be similar in outcome. You still give the same info but you have a lot less steps to go through.
Pretty much everything I said with the first once can be said here. They're both straightforward and I think would be a big help to students.
Teacher Guide
This has a lot of handy guides you can download about a variety of topics all related to doing a research project.
I can totally see these being useful to students and anyone who has a project they're working on.
I have an art show next year and I need to get cracking on making some new pieces that I can show. I think I'm going to try using some of these tools to get me moving at a good pace. Last thing I want to do is not have anything to show.
4.12.2009
Thing 20: Book 2.0
Books on my phone
My phone ain't doing any things but calling people. *pokes it with a stick* I know...I'm behind in the times.
*pokes it again*
It's still not doing anything but dialing.
So sorry.
There's a place for books. They are not on my phone. I barely have the patience to read an actual book. I really don't want one on my phone or on my computer.
That said, I've seen technology progressing and these sorts of things are fairly common. I think I'm too old to be jumping on the bandwagon for this BUT I can see how the youngest generation of readers will be completely accustomed to this.
I see myself now trying to teach my mother how to use a computer - she was from the MS DOS age. And I can see my future niece or nephew trying to teach me how to read the books of the future.
I still don't like the idea of sitting in front of a screen and trying to read a book. I like the feel of the pages sliding between my fingers as I prepare to turn the page. I like the smell of old books. I wouldn't trade any of that for all the 010101010101 in the world.
That said,
of the sites I explored these are the ones I felt would be most helpful to my library or on a personal level.
What's Next? Come on, you know this is useful. How many times has someone asked "Blahblah was awesome, what's the next book?"
:)
Book Lamp When I saw this description on the NEFLIN site I ran over and made an account. I ALWAYS have a hard time finding a book I like. I usually read the first page to the first chapter of something and just not want to bother continuing it. Usually, it will be that I've enjoyed a book by a certain author, so I assume I'll like all their books. And it's just not the case.
Although, with this one, once I was exploring I realized it's not at all what I thought it would be and I haven't even read a single book they had graphed yet.
:(
Of the communities, I just really didn't bother looking too deeply into that. I don't really care what other people are reading or what they like. My tastes are very different from others. When I get to be a librarian, this may change...but really...just give me a list so I can skip the whole interacting with the person.
All of the book review places looked like they had potential. Again though, I don't really care what other people think of a book. Some books that people have ranted and raved about I've thought sucked. And vice versa.
Hell, most of the books I've enjoyed, most people I know don't even know what it is, with the except of 'The Great Gatsby.'
What should I read next? has potential, if it would stop giving me an internal error message.
This site works more like how I thought Book Lamp would work.
Overall, there are endless uses for all of these sites. There's just too many of them to try and go through.
My phone ain't doing any things but calling people. *pokes it with a stick* I know...I'm behind in the times.
*pokes it again*
It's still not doing anything but dialing.
So sorry.
There's a place for books. They are not on my phone. I barely have the patience to read an actual book. I really don't want one on my phone or on my computer.
That said, I've seen technology progressing and these sorts of things are fairly common. I think I'm too old to be jumping on the bandwagon for this BUT I can see how the youngest generation of readers will be completely accustomed to this.
I see myself now trying to teach my mother how to use a computer - she was from the MS DOS age. And I can see my future niece or nephew trying to teach me how to read the books of the future.
I still don't like the idea of sitting in front of a screen and trying to read a book. I like the feel of the pages sliding between my fingers as I prepare to turn the page. I like the smell of old books. I wouldn't trade any of that for all the 010101010101 in the world.
That said,
of the sites I explored these are the ones I felt would be most helpful to my library or on a personal level.
What's Next? Come on, you know this is useful. How many times has someone asked "Blahblah was awesome, what's the next book?"
:)
Book Lamp When I saw this description on the NEFLIN site I ran over and made an account. I ALWAYS have a hard time finding a book I like. I usually read the first page to the first chapter of something and just not want to bother continuing it. Usually, it will be that I've enjoyed a book by a certain author, so I assume I'll like all their books. And it's just not the case.
Although, with this one, once I was exploring I realized it's not at all what I thought it would be and I haven't even read a single book they had graphed yet.
:(
Of the communities, I just really didn't bother looking too deeply into that. I don't really care what other people are reading or what they like. My tastes are very different from others. When I get to be a librarian, this may change...but really...just give me a list so I can skip the whole interacting with the person.
All of the book review places looked like they had potential. Again though, I don't really care what other people think of a book. Some books that people have ranted and raved about I've thought sucked. And vice versa.
Hell, most of the books I've enjoyed, most people I know don't even know what it is, with the except of 'The Great Gatsby.'
What should I read next? has potential, if it would stop giving me an internal error message.
This site works more like how I thought Book Lamp would work.
Overall, there are endless uses for all of these sites. There's just too many of them to try and go through.
Thing 19: Other social networking sites
I'm a member of several other social networking sites. I have another blog on Livejournal. Technically, it too is a social networking site. You can create communities based around any interest imaginable. There are community blogs for people with specific mental disorders, and who like specific TV shows, or books, or movies. There's communities for people who are interested in certain crafts, or animals or cars. There is even a community devoted to "Multi Dimensional Rantings and Theories" Ie. Time travel.
I had to look that one up to be sure. Even though it's listed as one of my interests, I never thought to check and see if there was a blog community set up for it.
Of those social networking sites listed, I've frequented playlist.com the most.
Drop the project...no need for it. It's just playlist.com.
It's great for when you have a song stuck in your head but you don't have it on your computer.
I also frequent flickster. Just not all that often.
I checked out fuzzster.com. It's cute, but I know I'll never use it. I'll keep it in mind for a couple of friends, though. They might appreciate it more.
Crafts looked interesting. It seems like a sort of forum based thing. I'm not big on forums, but I'll look at it more when I have more time.
After checking the wikipedia list of social networking sites, I've also done the whole classmates.com thing. I hate how you have to pay to communicate with anyone.
I'm also a big fan of DeviantART although I've not made my own profile on it. I just look at people's art, or download the photoshop brushes people make for use.
Fun stuff.
I also use meetup.com. There's two meetups in the g'ville area that interest me. I have yet to attend any of the meetings though. Board games.
Love em...never can find anyone to play either. I found a group of people that get together once a month through meetup.com
I've also used myheritage.com to do some research into my family tree.
Seriously...There are so many things on that list from Wiki that I can't see someone who uses a computer and hasn't used at LEAST one.
I had to look that one up to be sure. Even though it's listed as one of my interests, I never thought to check and see if there was a blog community set up for it.
Of those social networking sites listed, I've frequented playlist.com the most.
Drop the project...no need for it. It's just playlist.com.
It's great for when you have a song stuck in your head but you don't have it on your computer.
I also frequent flickster. Just not all that often.
I checked out fuzzster.com. It's cute, but I know I'll never use it. I'll keep it in mind for a couple of friends, though. They might appreciate it more.
Crafts looked interesting. It seems like a sort of forum based thing. I'm not big on forums, but I'll look at it more when I have more time.
After checking the wikipedia list of social networking sites, I've also done the whole classmates.com thing. I hate how you have to pay to communicate with anyone.
I'm also a big fan of DeviantART although I've not made my own profile on it. I just look at people's art, or download the photoshop brushes people make for use.
Fun stuff.
I also use meetup.com. There's two meetups in the g'ville area that interest me. I have yet to attend any of the meetings though. Board games.
Love em...never can find anyone to play either. I found a group of people that get together once a month through meetup.com
I've also used myheritage.com to do some research into my family tree.
Seriously...There are so many things on that list from Wiki that I can't see someone who uses a computer and hasn't used at LEAST one.
Thing 18: Facebook vs. myspace
I've used both sites for years. I started on myspace because of a business I was working in. A lot of the people used and still use it as a source for networking. Although I didn't stay with the business, I did continue to use it. I joined facebook a few years ago because I had a friend who absolutely refused to join myspace. He swore by facebook and that it was "for adults, and that myspace is for kids."
So I figured, what the hey?
And I joined it.
I have to admit, I prefer facebook to myspace. Myspace seems very much like a place to sell yourself. Facebook is set up so that your profile is automatically private and in order to view it you have to be someone's friend. It makes it seem cozier and "safe."
The way they're set up seems very different. Myspace you can customize your layout, and do all sorts of crazy things to it. Facebook is a little plainer, and more laid back.
Facebook started with the aps a LONG time before myspace caught on. I kind of respect facebook for being pioneering like that.
I have facebook listed first under my communication folder in my bookmarks because I use it so much more than anything else.
I have my little "addicted to family guy" Ap, and my Addicted to House Ap, and my Addicted to Supernatural Ap...
You get the picture. Facebook is the Ap palace.
I will say the picture uploading on facebook is a lot harder for my computer than the one on Myspace.
Overall, I can see how libraries can use this tools. Our library already does. It's funny, before this thing went up, I checked to see what I could find for our library. I found the library, and a handful of people who listed it as their job. Now...
...there's over 5 pages people.
If nothing else...23 Things is good for business, right?
So I figured, what the hey?
And I joined it.
I have to admit, I prefer facebook to myspace. Myspace seems very much like a place to sell yourself. Facebook is set up so that your profile is automatically private and in order to view it you have to be someone's friend. It makes it seem cozier and "safe."
The way they're set up seems very different. Myspace you can customize your layout, and do all sorts of crazy things to it. Facebook is a little plainer, and more laid back.
Facebook started with the aps a LONG time before myspace caught on. I kind of respect facebook for being pioneering like that.
I have facebook listed first under my communication folder in my bookmarks because I use it so much more than anything else.
I have my little "addicted to family guy" Ap, and my Addicted to House Ap, and my Addicted to Supernatural Ap...
You get the picture. Facebook is the Ap palace.
I will say the picture uploading on facebook is a lot harder for my computer than the one on Myspace.
Overall, I can see how libraries can use this tools. Our library already does. It's funny, before this thing went up, I checked to see what I could find for our library. I found the library, and a handful of people who listed it as their job. Now...
...there's over 5 pages people.
If nothing else...23 Things is good for business, right?
Thing 17: Podcasts
I chose podcast.com to explore first. I don't have a lot of experience with podcasts, but I have used them infrequently to learn a little bit of different languages. I took Italian in college and try to keep refreshed with at the least basics as I plan sometime in my lifetime to go to Italy. I figure it's a good idea to know just enough to get around (Or more.)
Here is an Easter culture shot in one of the podcasts I found there.
I don't subscribe to podcasts. When the mood strikes me, I'll go looking for things. I'm still stuck on youtube, but it seems like for certain things (like keep fresh in languages) podcasts might be a better tool to use.
Podcast.com seemed pretty straight forward...you search for what you want to listen to and when you find it....you hit the play button.
gcast.com requires a yearly subscription fee of $99 so I doubt I will ever be using that service.
Here is an Easter culture shot in one of the podcasts I found there.
I don't subscribe to podcasts. When the mood strikes me, I'll go looking for things. I'm still stuck on youtube, but it seems like for certain things (like keep fresh in languages) podcasts might be a better tool to use.
Podcast.com seemed pretty straight forward...you search for what you want to listen to and when you find it....you hit the play button.
gcast.com requires a yearly subscription fee of $99 so I doubt I will ever be using that service.
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