Online Productivity

Okay, so I thought that this was going to be about how to use your time more effectively on the web. Because hey we all spend hours surfing and really not doing much work. But noooo, I was wrong. Okay so, sue me...I'm only human.

I see the usefulness of Google docs for someone in school or something like that. However, I do not see many of our patrons using it (some of them still use floppy discs). I more than likely won't use it in my personal life but I like the fact that I can recommend it to people who would use it.

I think it would be a fine line that we have to walk. We do have many patrons who think that the library keeps a copy of their emails and passwords so I would hate to have to explain Google docs to them. Then again they could write down all their info and then they could find it.

Tags

I see the usefulness of tags, but I really don't tag. I do use del.icio.us and I love it but I don't tag on there or on Shelfari. I do use "labels" for my blog but that is as far as I go. I know that tags are useful if someone is looking for only items that fall into that subject or area, but you have to be careful because what you might label as one thing some one else will label it as another.

It could be helpful in the catalog especially if they are member driven and not staff driven. There probably will be some people, who like me find them quite annoying and others who find them useful. If we are going to use them I think that there should be some kind of limit or order so we don't have so many of them. There is always going to be someone who writes, WWII, instead of spelling it out and another person will come along and spell it out. Does it really matter since they are the same thing? No, but someone will cause a fuss about it.

Social Networks- (I forgot the week)

Anyway, I'm kindof getting burned out on this whole Web 2.0 business. It is very long and we have packed so much into it already. So forgive me if my brain is a little fuzzy. Wait...it's fuzzy all the time.

Social Networking-I do social network: Crackbook, Allupinyourspace and my favorite Ghetto Planet. (Facebook, Myspace and Black Planet for those who don't know. No, I'm not calling all black people ghetto but there seems to be a lot of them on there, most of them are my friends...hahahaha). I do check them often and I enjoy "seeing" people that I haven't seen in years or becoming "friends" with people that I will never know for the purpose of playing games. Now, those who know me know I love to talk. So it should be no surprise that I update on the regular. (Did I just go back to the 90's with that phrase?) It's a great way to keep in touch with people and tell all your business.

That leads me to this problem, when on these sites people have no filters (well, I know that sometimes I don't) and you end up writing and saying things that are crazy. Then, your realize it and you can't take it back, oh well. But, that's not the worse of it, people marriages have broken up over these sites. OMG! Now, I don't know why people get on these sites and lose their minds but they do. So here is my advice, write what you are going to say, then don't publish it take a moment and look at it. If it sounds crazy then erase it and try again.

Wait...maybe I should take my own advice...oh who am I kidding, I know I won't.

Random News

So on the right hand side at the bottom I have Spanish phrase of the day. You click on the little cartoon and it will give you a phrase...well I have clicked a couple of times and it seems to only give you so many before it repeats. Or does it just know that you have clicked so may times and it doesn't offer you new ones? I have to know. So if you have a couple of minutes to spare click on Speedy and see what happens. Inquiring minds want to know!

Week # 8- Online Gaming/Your Choice

This week's topic is all about online gaming. I do game online both with my PC and with my Xbox 360 and with the Wii. (What can I say, I like to game). One of my favorite sites for gaming is Big Fish Games. You have to download them so they are not really recommended for public library use. But if you have your own computer at home then give them a spin. They have both free one hour downloads and a paid membership, (I try the games first for free and if I like them then I do ahead and buy them). It's my favorite way to play on-line. They are safe with no ads and no virus or other scary stuff.

I think that the library can use online gaming as a way to bring more people into the library. I know that one branch already has teen game night and I think that it is a great idea. What I would like to see is computers between one and four set up in each of the children's department that has online games for those who are younger.

My home library system, has four computers that are used only for educational games that the library has purchased. They are very popular and they offer a safe alternative for parents who don't want their children playing the shoot 'em up games that are usually offered for free on-line. These computers could be games only with no access to the internet and no Microsoft Office.

I think that even if we don't buy games for our system that we should at least have a list of games that are appropriate for each age level. Many times parents as well as children will ask what sites are good for online games. While I do game online, I only know sites that are not really appropriate for younger players.

I also think that we should have a class on gaming for adults. There are a lot of sites that are good for card and board games that I think would be great for adult patrons. It is all about education and introducting the adults to the web in a different way.

Week #7- Wiki

“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” -Michael Scott (Steve Carell), The Office.

This week's topic is wikis, which many people use, but don't know that they are using it. I like wikis for what they allow, user input and flexibility. But, caveat emptor, (Latin-let the buyer beware), what you see is what you get. As Wikipedia found out after the episode,"The Negotiation" aired and their site was flooded with activity. (Not all of it good).

The wiki that we have for staff use is good but it is not the first place that I usually look. I think that a lot of staff aren't using regularly, not because we don't like it, because we are still stuck in our "old ways".

I think the the library could use wikis in a similar way as Durham County. We could ask for patron input about the library, (how did you enjoy such and such program, etc). Of course, there would have to be some control over what things are considered acceptable and what are not.

Another way we could use wikis is similar Shelfari and other sites, that allow you to add author information. If we wanted to do brief bios about authors or even Henrico County and library history. There are many ways to use wikis.

Week # 6- Photo Sharing (Flickr)

This week we are learning about photo sharing. I do share photos on-line so I am familiar with some of the sites. I do have a Flickr account (before it was suggested) but I don't use it much. Most of my on-line photo sharing is done with my social networking accounts. However, I do like Flickr and I think it is neat! (Did I just use neat?)



I can't see how the library will use Flickr, but I'm sure that someone out there is thinking of a way. I guess you can use them to share photos of events, but I'm not sure how many patrons would care to have their photos all over the internet. I like to have my pictures taken and I do put them up. But I would want them to be all over the web where anyone could use them for any purpose. (Please don't pretend that it does not happen, because you know it does!) Yes, I know that they have copyright protection, but don't kid yourself into thinking that you are safe because it's there. People photocopy protected items all the time. If you don't believe me, just look at how many people photocopy books.



Now, I know that the "assignment" was to post a picture and write about it. But, there was a chick fight in the library and you have to see all the photos. So, I am posting the link and you can check it out for yourself.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9878737@N02/

Enjoy!!!

Random Thought for Today

Sorry, I have been busy lately and have gotten behind on my random thoughts. Not that I haven't had any random thoughts just haven't had time to blog about them. Now, here is today's thought:

Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Week# 5-Podcasting

This week we are learning about podcasting. I like podcasting and I enjoy watching them. Just like everything else there are bad podcasts and good ones. Now, I'm not saying that you have to be Steven Spielberg to do a podcast but atleast have the basics down. There are certain elements that should be present when you are doing one, and loud noises and dark backgrounds are not okay. It is amazing what people will podcast and some of the most interesting ones are ones that people make up. One of the best that I have seen was a woman standing on the table singing and then she fell off. It had me crying, it was so funny.


I think that podcasting could be useful to libraries, a number of libraries are already doing them, including school libraries. There are lots of uses for them and I sure that we can find ways to use them here. My one question is who will do them and how much staff time will go into them?

Week # 4 Twitter (the good thing)

This week we are learning about Twitter. Although I don't care for it (read my last post) there are some useful things about Twitter. One of the most useful things about Twitter is that you can tweet about events that are happening as they happen. (This is true of most social sites, I facebooked while watching the presidential inauguration). Which is very handy when it is a big news story or event. This is useful to the library because we can tweet library updates, ie power outages.

Another use for Twitter in the library is tweeting events that are happening at the moment. How nice would it be to remind members that craft/storytime/movies/book club is happening at such a such place at such a such time? (Crafts at * at 10 am). It could bring more people to the library. It never hurts to have a lot of reminders, we live such busy lives.

A library could also announce new books (although this could be very time consuming and you need a staff member to update regularly).

It probably would be a good idea for each individual branch to get their own Twitter id so members can choose what branch updates they want. Nothing worse than getting news about a place that you don't visit or get to the library to find out that you are in the wrong place.

So, I say give it a try and see what happens.

Week #4- Twitter/Your Choice (The bad thing)

So this week we learned about Twitter. I am familiar with Twitter but I don't use it. Why? Because I have a problem with it. Well, it's not the technology itself, but with the people. Andy Warhol once said, "Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes", this is how I feel about the whole micro-blogging, blogging, social networking world that we live in. Now, don't get me wrong, I do myspace, blog and facebook...more than I am willing or care to admit. (Did I just say that?) But, I draw the line at Twitter.

There is nothing so important, so urgent in someone's life (or my own) that I need to follow and updated it every minute, every second of the day. Do I care that you cut your hair too short or that you took a dump (ewww, no)? Do I care that you are in a resturant/bar/coffee shop? That you put ontwo different shoes? That you tape you thumb to your hand to see what it feels like to be a dinosaur? No, no, funny but no.

People assume that what they are doing or have to say is so important, that others will interrupt their days and lives to find out about yours... umm, if I wanted to know what you are doing, I would have called you or better yet asked you.

The fact that people are willing to tell someone and everyone every detail of their lives is mind blowing. I may blog and give some details of my life, (I'm guilty of doing this on facebook and myspace), but there are some things that I don't want you to know, ever. Now, I know that you don't have to tell the whole world that you took a dump (eww, again) but most people do. You know why? Because there is nothing that is personal anymore, it's like people don't have personal filters.

Now, for those who know me, know that I am guilty of saying things without caring. But the percentage of things that I do say is much smaller than the percentage of things that I think and that I want to say. You know why? It's called a personal filter!

Another problem with Twitter is that most people say things in the "heat of the moment" and say things that they A) didn't mean/did mean and/or B) later regret. Ashton Kutcher is an great example of A and of B.

As a culture are we so vain to think that we matter more than the next person? Or is "reality" tv to blame? (Here's a hint, it's not real. It's scripted). Does the mundane feel more like an event if everybody knows that it is happening? Or does "living out loud" mean that we have to broadcast of lives to everyone? Hope you have some answers because I don't.

The last (bad thing) about Twitter that I will say is this: it makes it easy for you to stalk people. Let's see, you tell people what you are wearing, what you are doing and where you are going. Now, you have a person obsessed with you or liking you in a really, really weird way. So, they follow your tweets all day long (and you for that matter), then they build a little fantasy "relationship" with you and you don't even know it. Next thing you know, there's a rabbit cooking on your stove (Fatal Attraction is more than a movie). So be careful of what you tweet you never know who is reading...and yes, stalking is a crime. But people do it anyway.

Week #3-RSS Feeds

Okay, I know much about RSS feeds since I happen to subscribe to a couple in my personal life. I agree that they do save you time by bring the "news" to you. But, if you are like me once I get the updates I go to the site. I like looking at the sites and commenting if I feel something is worthy. (The RSS feeds helps me in being one of the first people to comment). While it is a useful tool it becomes annoying if you are getting feeds from sites that update a lot (like CNN or TMZ). Be careful on what feeds you choose, because there's nothing worse than trying to get a job done and you keep getting interrupted.



I can see how RSS is important to larger library systems like New York Public (89 branches) and Miami-Dade County (44 branches) and others with multiple branches, I can't see much use in smaller systems such as ours. Although, any system could benefit from having one.



If the feeds are set up like Library Journal's where you could pick from feeds then it could benefit those members that are interested in computer classes and films but not in children's events and vice versa.

Random Thoughts of the Day

Okay, so I have been a little lax on the random questions. I'm sorry but I was distracted by shoes and how to get said shoes.

Today's random thought has a little back story. So I'm on the desk, chillin' (working really hard, is what I meant to say) when a nice lady comes up to me and says: I typed in the address that I want to go to but my page won't change. I asked: Did you hit enter? She said, What's that? So I go over and I hit enter and the page changes. She looks at me and says, Wow I would never have thought of that. (No, I'm not making this up.)

Which leads me to today's random thought: Which came first the chicken or the egg?

What does that have to do with the story? Nothing, it was just a good story.

(I bet they are wishing that they did ask me to blog)

Random Shoe News

Those of you who know me, know that I love, love, love shoes!!!! More than anything in the world, I will forgo eating to buy shoes. Which leads me to today's post.

I want these shoes...true they are $260.00 but I need them.

So, I will forgo eating for the next month so I can buy them...unless you don't want me to starve and are willing to give to those (me) in need of shoes.

(That was a joke, I don't want comments about it, the donating money part that is. However, I will buy them so when you see me looking 10 pounds lighter and I have on killer shoes you know why) You have been warned!!!

Cool site

For those of us who like to define their our words or keep up with the latest trends turn your attention to www.urbandictionary.com . It's been around since 1999 and it is user centered. Put in any word and you'll get many different definitions. Some are funny, some are serious/true and some are just plain stupid. The interesting part is that these definitions come from all over the world.

For example I put in library, here are some of the definitions:


1.
library
139 up, 26 down
A place to borrow books for free. It is not pronounced "lie-berry"

"Hey, I am going to the lie-berry!" "You're pretty retarded"

by JakeLandis Aug 22, 2005 share this

2.
library
89 up, 7 down
An awesome place that is underrated in today's society. Think about it - where else can you chill in an air-conditioned place, that's quiet, where you can read a cool mag or surf the net, where you can take a nap, check out movies, meet some friends for a game of chess or cards, read about whatever you like, get free bookmarks, talk to some fine librarians, walk around aimlessly, find out how glow-in-the-dark works..... and all for free!

Dude 1: "Man, it's hot and humid outside. There's nothing to do in here. Dang I'm bored." Dude 2: "How about we go to the library?" Dude 1: "Man that sounds boring." Dude 2: "Seriously, just try it. I'll show you some cool stuff over there." Dude 1: "OK... we'll see." ..............1 month later Dude 1: "Hey man let's go to the library. Come on man get up." Dude 2: "But we just came back from there 2 hours ago." Dude 1: "Dude, that's a long time!"

books library free reading internet by Adel7 Sep 10, 2007 share this

3.
Library
84 up, 12 down
A building that enables people to have access to computers, books, magazines, videos, dvds, etc. Where Librarians and Library Support Workers help people find the information they need.
I need more information about the planet pluto than the internet has given me. So, I'm off to the library to do research.

librarian research libraries information homework by ldchills Feb 22, 2006 share this

4.
library
42 up, 2 down
A place where you can borrow CDs, DVDs, software, and books for free! And best of all, you don't have to worry about giving your money to evil greedy organizations such as the RIAA or MPAA OR getting sued by them!
Now that I get all my movies from the library, I don't have to worry about my money going to the MPAA or getting sued by them!
book cd dvd free no lawsuits by very amused... Aug 12, 2007 share this

5.
library
59 up, 30 down
A place that carries books and other media (Newspapers, magazines, CDs, tapes, VHS, DVD, internet, etc) It is also a place where people seem to have sexual fantascies of doing it there.
People keep getting caught having sex in the library's bathroom

by KZMO-FM1079 Jul 31, 2004 share this

6.
Library
9 up, 3 down
The Center area of gloves or mittens where your fingers can meet to warm up especially when outside in the winter. This definition comes from the movie "The Day after tomorrow" when the cold comes and the group of new yorkers go into the library to stay warm.

Rebecca: Hey Zack, I am going to go to the Library. Zack: I know what you mean; my hands are freezing too.

cold books mittens gloves warm by Schillz Jan 2, 2008 share this

7.
Library

Day shelter for: a. children without responsible parents b. recently released adult convicts
As your parole officer, I suggest you spend more time at the library.

criminal parole latch-key day care creepy by Fish Head 2008 Nov 29, 2008 share this

You can also rate each one and share them with people. So try it out today!!

Wait....does that mean

From CNN Assignment Editor Lauren Kornreich

A week after a woman was brutally attacked by a friend’s chimpanzee, a House committee moved to prohibit humans from keeping primates as pets.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A week after a woman was brutally attacked by a friend’s chimpanzee, a House committee moved to prohibit humans from keeping primates as pets.
Rep. Nick Rahall, chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, requested action Monday on legislation to prohibit people from buying or transporting primates across state lines as pets. The West Virginia Democrat warned that primates are too dangerous to be kept as pets.
“Images of Curious George and Koko may lead us to believe that these creatures are cuddly and harmless, but last week’s tragedy and other similar attacks stand as evidence that this is not the case, that they are in fact wild animals, and they simply must not be kept as pets,” Rahall said in a statement.
The Captive Primate Safety act would modify the Lacy Act amendments, which were passed in 1981 and only included a ban on buying or transporting fish and wildlife across state lines to keep as pets, by adding primates to that list. The legislation is expected to go to the House floor for debate this afternoon.
Roughly a dozen Americans were attacked by primates in 2008, according to the Humane Society.

I can't get that trained monkey to do storytime?

Please, don't leave me comments about how offended you were and blah, blah, blah. No, I'm not comparing anyone to a monkey.

Random Thoughts for the Day

Today I have a couple of random thoughts, let's begin with the weekend.

On Saturday, I went to see Madea Goes to Jail...funny, almost peed on my self funny. (Okay that was TMI). Of course, most of the people were black with a sprinkling of different races here and there. Now, I understand the appeal to most black people we know someone like Madea. For me she reminds me of my Aunt Amanda. She even had the same glasses but instead of a gun she carried a hammer and nails. Don't ask because I don't know why. My question is: Why does "she" (and I use that term loosely) appeal to so many other races?

Now, for today's random thought: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

In the words of Madea: Hallelujer!!

Random thought for the day

As the title suggests I will ask silly random questions.

Why is it called Rhode Island, when it's neither a road nor an island?

HAHAHAHA

I'm so funny.

Week # 2 -Blogs

This week's topic is blogging. I already know about blogging since I do blog personally, I also read other people's blogs and I follow a couple of them religiously.

So creating this blog shouldn't be a problem for you, right? That's the question that some might ask. But, you would be wrong. Why?

The problem with requiring everyone to create a new blog, if they already have one, is that they have to use a different email account for each. Let me explain, we have a blog for the staff here at the branch, I use my work email to sign in to that one. I have my own personal blog I use one of my personal email accounts to sign in to that one. So, to make this blog I had to use a third email account.

Why?

To keep everything separate because my private life and my work life are two different and separate lives. As well as they should be. Now it is just one more password and account for me to have to keep track of. Oh, and one more blog that I have to create entries for. Oh sure, I could have used the work email and blog for this "assignment" but do you all want to know what we talk about here?

All this is to say, knowing about the technology and the current treads is a good thing. In this profession staying up on current trends helps you relate better to those who you serve.

So while I learned nothing new from this week's lesson, you can learn something new from me.

No one says "bling" anymore; it went the way of high button shoes.

So much for keeping up with the trends, huh?