Well that was quite a challenge! It's a big scary world out there in computer land. This exercise certainly opend my eyes to the vast amount of information out there in cyberspace, both useful and completely worthless!
This 'Playground' exercise,( well maybe more of a vitual yoga class for most) was fun in some parts, frustrating in others, informative and possibly addictive ( I mean how many chicken recipes does the average human being really need in one life time.)
I would like at some point to visit some of the training sights, and listen to the on line seminars in much more detail, but if we were expected to do this for this exercise I can't see anyone finishing for at least a year!
My final verdict,? Some of it fun, some of it useful, some frustrations and a little panic when one realises how much one actually doesn't have a clue about.!
That's it folks..... Goodnight and Goodluck.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thing # 23
I enjoyed looking at Library to go, was easy to navigate, interesting to look at, and had lots of new titles to download. New arrivals, Hot titles, Lost in the stacks. Easy for the computer shy to use. Found quite a few titles to feed my addiction!
Librivox was bizarre! could not make head nor tail of it! seemed very badly put together, unprofessional looking text, didn't make me want to delve further to find what I wanted, very confusing.
I was nervous about trying to download an e-book as it does say this cannot be done from the Library so chickened out of even trying to attempt that.
Librivox was bizarre! could not make head nor tail of it! seemed very badly put together, unprofessional looking text, didn't make me want to delve further to find what I wanted, very confusing.
I was nervous about trying to download an e-book as it does say this cannot be done from the Library so chickened out of even trying to attempt that.
Thing # 18
The first I knew about the new and improved version Office 2007 was logging on one day and seeing a totally different layout and look. Where do I go from here, and where do we find all that's become familiar to us.
After some exploration I finally found what I was looking for.
I have spent quite a long time today reading up on all the new improvements to Word Outlook and excel, and quite frankly was overwhelmed with computer talk. I wish I could get excited about the new Pivot tables and conditional formatting but it just wasn't happening.
A couple of comments made to me were, it's frustrating and time consuming to try and hunt for something that used to be a matter of clicking on an a icon, only to find that the programme doesn't recognise your command now, and you'll have to find a different route. A bit like driving down a road that you know well, only to be confronted by a detour due to road works, not knowing where on earth the detour will take you!
The on line tutorials seem very useful, but also time consuming, finding a time slot to concentrate on even one tutorial is challenging in the work place, but will be worth doing at some point.
Staring through the 'Windows', the 'Outlook' is a bit foggy! I don't 'Excel' at computer technology and when I looked at the new Office 2007, no 'Word' could describe how I felt,(maybe I should have used Thesaurus at this point) not sure I'll ever be a Fluent user.! One thing I can be sure of though, is that anything I want to say can be translated into different languages at the click of a mouse!
After some exploration I finally found what I was looking for.
I have spent quite a long time today reading up on all the new improvements to Word Outlook and excel, and quite frankly was overwhelmed with computer talk. I wish I could get excited about the new Pivot tables and conditional formatting but it just wasn't happening.
A couple of comments made to me were, it's frustrating and time consuming to try and hunt for something that used to be a matter of clicking on an a icon, only to find that the programme doesn't recognise your command now, and you'll have to find a different route. A bit like driving down a road that you know well, only to be confronted by a detour due to road works, not knowing where on earth the detour will take you!
The on line tutorials seem very useful, but also time consuming, finding a time slot to concentrate on even one tutorial is challenging in the work place, but will be worth doing at some point.
Staring through the 'Windows', the 'Outlook' is a bit foggy! I don't 'Excel' at computer technology and when I looked at the new Office 2007, no 'Word' could describe how I felt,(maybe I should have used Thesaurus at this point) not sure I'll ever be a Fluent user.! One thing I can be sure of though, is that anything I want to say can be translated into different languages at the click of a mouse!
calenders
Thing # 17 booking meetings.
Fairly easy, but had a few glitches along the way. Unearthed an e-mail account that I thought was long gone, that was swallowing my meeting requests.
This would be a useful tool for those that have to arrange alot of meetings, and if that will be the case I will delve further into what this has to offer. Once one has used this a few times it is easy to follow.
I can see this being useful for management that have to schedule regular meetings, but is of little use for the majority of the staff.
Fairly easy, but had a few glitches along the way. Unearthed an e-mail account that I thought was long gone, that was swallowing my meeting requests.
This would be a useful tool for those that have to arrange alot of meetings, and if that will be the case I will delve further into what this has to offer. Once one has used this a few times it is easy to follow.
I can see this being useful for management that have to schedule regular meetings, but is of little use for the majority of the staff.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thing # 22 podcasts
I didn't find this particularly easy to navigate, in fact kept getting lost! but did find of course, a site on food, and added the RSS feed to my Google Reader, all about Fabulous flat breads and a video on an interview with chef Jean Louis Gerin. At one point when I was a bit lost I listened to a small portion of a new audio book called Summer in Tuscany by Elizabeth Alder, turns out this was in an advertisment site called I love talking books, not sure if I ended up ordering this, guess I'll know if the bill comes!.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dylan Thomas
Thing # 20 Askaway, What fun!
I went to the Fraser Valley Library for my question and was connected very quickly to a Librarian named Sharon. My question; " how old was Dylan Thomas when he wrote 'A child's Christmas in Wales and was it mainly autobiographical?"
Sharon sent me a couple of interesting articles, and although she didn't directly answer my question it was quite interesting, she didn't offer her opinion as to whether she thought it was Thomas's life he was writing about, but she supplied me with enough info to come to my own conclusion. I was impressed with the prompt friendly service, and think this is a great tool for students, wish it had been around when I was in High school.
I went to the Fraser Valley Library for my question and was connected very quickly to a Librarian named Sharon. My question; " how old was Dylan Thomas when he wrote 'A child's Christmas in Wales and was it mainly autobiographical?"
Sharon sent me a couple of interesting articles, and although she didn't directly answer my question it was quite interesting, she didn't offer her opinion as to whether she thought it was Thomas's life he was writing about, but she supplied me with enough info to come to my own conclusion. I was impressed with the prompt friendly service, and think this is a great tool for students, wish it had been around when I was in High school.
Thing# 19 subscription databases. Easy to use, I explored newspaper articles because I wanted to see it I could find a recent article in my local paper 'the optimist' where there was a full page spread about my Husband, titled 'from couch to Boston' about his adventures training for a marathon, and I found it easily!
I looked into Go E books, and found a list of the newest e books available to down load, which included titles such as 'Frogs and French kisses'!
I explored Tumbleweed, and actually managed to complete 2 puzzles before lunch (my 3 yr old grand daughter would be very proud of me)!!!
Could have gone and on but I'm supposed to close the Library at 7!
I looked into Go E books, and found a list of the newest e books available to down load, which included titles such as 'Frogs and French kisses'!
I explored Tumbleweed, and actually managed to complete 2 puzzles before lunch (my 3 yr old grand daughter would be very proud of me)!!!
Could have gone and on but I'm supposed to close the Library at 7!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Thing # 16 E-mail etiquette. Nothing I didn't really already know. Pet peeve, those who answer e-mails without giving much thought to the tone of the e-mail. In other words don't reply to an e-mail in an angry manner, as one's mood comes across loud and clear especially in writing. Sometimes people find it easier to be confrontational in writing as opposed to face to face. If one recieves an e-mail that raises the blood pressure, take 5 before answering to it.
Phishing scams appears to be mainly common sense, not giving out personal info in an e-mail, watching out for e-mails apparantly sent within a company asking for passwords etc. In other words, if it seems 'phishy' it probably is.
Phishing scams appears to be mainly common sense, not giving out personal info in an e-mail, watching out for e-mails apparantly sent within a company asking for passwords etc. In other words, if it seems 'phishy' it probably is.
Thing # 13 Web 2.0 Library 2.0 and future of Libraries.Away from Icebergs, adapting the way in which Libraries fit the needs of todays and tomorrow's Patrons. Kids who are used to getting all they need while lying on a couch with a computer and a bag of chips. Icebergs such as the 'just in case' collection. Will there be a need for Library buildings in the future, or will it be a virtual Library future. I think there will be the need for'books' for some time to come, but it is inevitable that eventually nothing will be in the printed format. Hopefully not until after I've retired.!
Thing # 14/15. Learnt about wikis and discovered that there alot of differing views on this. Alot of people feel that the information posted on Wikis cannot be trusted as most of it is not coming from experts in the field, just from people with 'opinions'. Enjoyed the 'book lovers' wiki, an on line book club. Read several book reviews on books that I have enjoyed, and it would be fun to add one's own book review.Found a section on 'new audio books' my new 'fix'! The question 'So what's in a Wiki'? Wouldn't it be quicker to ask What's not in a Wiki? So much info so little time!
Playing in the sandbox. I added a comment about Favourite books. Interesting to see the lists of favourite reads, gives you some ideas. Could be fun for those who like to air opinions on different topics.
Playing in the sandbox. I added a comment about Favourite books. Interesting to see the lists of favourite reads, gives you some ideas. Could be fun for those who like to air opinions on different topics.
Friday, October 31, 2008
# 13 again! the future of Libraries and 2.0.
Interesting, alot of information to absorb, and not a subject I feel I know much about. Will progress in Libraries mean a deterioration of good old public service on a human level.? Maybe the Patron of the future will never feel the need to step inside a Library, because they can obtain all the information they need without having to get off the couch. Not sure how much of an impact Library 2.0 will have on circulation, but have a feeling that eventually there will be nothing physical left to circulate......Progress you say?.............
Interesting, alot of information to absorb, and not a subject I feel I know much about. Will progress in Libraries mean a deterioration of good old public service on a human level.? Maybe the Patron of the future will never feel the need to step inside a Library, because they can obtain all the information they need without having to get off the couch. Not sure how much of an impact Library 2.0 will have on circulation, but have a feeling that eventually there will be nothing physical left to circulate......Progress you say?.............
Thursday, October 30, 2008
cookie monster
Thing #8this is an image that I found where you could create your own cookie,.........does she ever think of anything but food?
# 12 Social networking.
I have no desire to set up a facebook account, but I know it is very popular. My daughters both have their own account, and have reconnected with many school friends through it. My nephew who is currently travelling the world on Daddy's visa keeps in contact with my daughter as well as numerous other friends, documenting all his crazy antics. Just glad his Mother cannot see half of them. It appears to be a useful tool in finding people.I prefer to sit opposite real people enjoying real food have real conversation, and don't have a need for virtual friends.
I have no desire to set up a facebook account, but I know it is very popular. My daughters both have their own account, and have reconnected with many school friends through it. My nephew who is currently travelling the world on Daddy's visa keeps in contact with my daughter as well as numerous other friends, documenting all his crazy antics. Just glad his Mother cannot see half of them. It appears to be a useful tool in finding people.I prefer to sit opposite real people enjoying real food have real conversation, and don't have a need for virtual friends.
# 11 thing. Technorati. Typed in Learning 2.0. Came up with a blog directory. Clicked on blogs then food and wine, delved into site, peeled back another layer and somehow ended up with a post about Alec Baldwin doing a great impression of Sarah Palin on a late night show! Seems to me that it's a bottomles pit of information, some useful and some irrelavent. I do feel that alot of sites such as DVDs or music or latest books, are aimed at this generation and I didn't find it very inspiring.
#10 A delicious adventure......decided to explore delicious through the NVDPL account.
Clicked on 'Popular' and found a'tag cloud' clicked on food, (of course) and found some amazing recipes! could have hours of fun in this web site given some spare time....
It was interesting to read some recent posts, and comments on recipes tried and tested.
Clicked on 'Popular' and found a'tag cloud' clicked on food, (of course) and found some amazing recipes! could have hours of fun in this web site given some spare time....
It was interesting to read some recent posts, and comments on recipes tried and tested.
Friday, October 24, 2008
big world out there!
I am now doing thing #7 and could become addicted ! Google was easy to understand and navigate, found some great chicken recipes!
Topix would take hours to look into, possibly at 3 in the morning when you can't sleep.
Sydic8 could not even be activated, not sure why, and Technooati was extensive, interesting, but when I delved into my favourite topic, cooking, came across a disturbing site under, British cooking, showing a Guinea pig about to be lowered into a chip pan... and some very colourful comments from disturbed viewers like me. I guess being new to all this, there must be alot that one actually would rather not find, on all of these sights, but under cooking?....
I was supposed to look at Library related sites, and found a good one in Google about up coming fiction, given more time I imagine there's a vast amount of information I could gather on library related subjects, but for this purpose just had a quick look through, I have a feeling this will not be the last visit to these info sites.
Topix would take hours to look into, possibly at 3 in the morning when you can't sleep.
Sydic8 could not even be activated, not sure why, and Technooati was extensive, interesting, but when I delved into my favourite topic, cooking, came across a disturbing site under, British cooking, showing a Guinea pig about to be lowered into a chip pan... and some very colourful comments from disturbed viewers like me. I guess being new to all this, there must be alot that one actually would rather not find, on all of these sights, but under cooking?....
I was supposed to look at Library related sites, and found a good one in Google about up coming fiction, given more time I imagine there's a vast amount of information I could gather on library related subjects, but for this purpose just had a quick look through, I have a feeling this will not be the last visit to these info sites.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
my 21st century grand daughter
On a recent visit to Build a bear, my 3 yr old grand daughter hopped on a stool in front of the computers that generate your new bear's birth certificate, when I asked her what she was doing, she said" just checking my e-mails"!!
travels in Europe
I have just come back from Germany, and can now say 23 things in German! maybe I will do all my 23 things in German now!
blob # 3
I have finally learnt how to use the staff block with the help of the Library training elf!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)