WEEK 10 THE LIGHT AT "THE END" OF THE TUNNEL

When I first started the IHCPL program, my knowlege of many technology and informational tools on the computer was similar to looking into the distance in a dense fog. I just couldn't see ahead. So I never even tried. I guess one cannot learn to ride a bicycle without climbing on and pushing the pedals. This whole experience has been a major learning endeavor for me.

I think that the meez, animoto, and myspace were the ones I found to be the most entertaining. I had a lot of fun with all of them including flickr. Wicci was completely new to me, but I thought it could be a great tool for anyone needing new information on subjects. Zoho is probably the one tool that I will use the most. I like to write and that would be a great option for working on my stuff when I am away from home.

I believe that many of the technologies we have learned could be applied to aid in different needs for patrons in the library. No matter what happens in the growing technology world now, I feel I am better prepared to learn new things and utilize skills I have learned in these last few weeks. The whole IHCPL learning process has pushed me to move forward in the concept of what I am capable of doing. I may still be using training wheels, but now I am pushing the pedals...
...yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Week 9#22 Downloadable Media (written from Zoho)

I visited the HCPL digital site and found a classic that I would like to read on the computer or listen to on audio. I haven't actually done that yet, but am planning to from home. I also checked out Librivox and Wowio. I really did not like those services as well as ours. I found Librivox to be a little confusing, and Wowio was okay. It was a little more user friendly, but HCPL's site was definitely the best in my book.

Week 9 #21 Podcast, Smodcasts!!!!!

http://www.willwriteforwine.com/podcasts/wwfw.xml


I looked around at some of the podcast directories. I thought Odeo was really great for a music writer or such. There are definitely a lot of genres and things helpful for libraries. I found a lot of things on libraries and just various books and subjects in general. I chose a podcast on writing called "will write for wine" I added it to my bloglines account. It took me a while to figure the whole process out and actually do it. I think I would like to hit my Podcast right in the smodcast...but I am probably the one that would get hurt!

Week 9 #20 You Tube

I explored You Tube and checked out different categories of videos. There were a lot of truly funny ones! The one component that might be interesting if it were applied to library websites would be the tagging feature. Tagging could be used for searching movies that are in the database. The video that I added to my blog is "PUG DETERMINATION". I chose that one because it metaphorically represents me and my technology learning quest. The determined pug does not give up until he gets all the treats...every last one away from the cat. I too am hoping to finish this program....every last step and get my bling. (No matter what I know that I have learned a tremendous amount from this iStar Challenge!)

My video is towards the bottom of my blog...enjoy!

Week 8 #19 Web-based Apps

I created an account with Zoho. I wrote just a little something there and sent it to my blog...just to see if I could actually do it. I really do like this application. It is great for people that like to write. I think out of all the different sites I have learned about Zoho is probably the one that I will use the most.

Words from my Zoro...uh I mean Zoho account...

This is the silly thing that I wrote on my Zoho account that I am sending to my silly little blog...

Lost in a blog....

Week 8 #18 Social Networking

Social networking in my own simple minded terms seems to be a grander way to reach out not just to one person but to people that you could never have found or communicated with otherwise. It definitely has it's benefits, but like most things it also has it's downfalls. I think one can only use their God given common sense in any endeavor they pursue, and leave it at that. When I toured the different sites, I thought Ning could be good for specific groups of people with a common goal or interest, but it's not for me. I also considered Linkedin to be a great way to find old class mates and old co-employees, and maybe someday I may find that one to come in handy. Facebook also seems user friendly and simple enough for a tech dummy like me, but Myspace was the one I found to be the most appealing. Having a bit of a creative inclination I think it will be something I would enjoy and I have family members I can communicate with through that medium.
Actually I did that one and this is my URL...what fun that was!!