Thing 23

I've really enjoyed learning about the many tools available on Web 2.0 and I'm looking forward to next year's challenge.
My favorite discoveries from Web 2.0 are Wikis and Google Docs. I think they will become so useful to this organization. I know they have been helpful to the Web 2.0 committee and I'm sure all committees, branches, and departments will find them useful at some point.
I think the thing I like least about this challenge is coming to the end. I love to learn new things and I really liked the structured way of finding these new technologies without having to search for and discover them myself.
I showed my sons Zoho.com's Project Management Software, but I'm not sure it will work for their application. I also had such a good time with YouTube and sharedwith my sister the link of our Uncle George playing trombone. She was very interested in that and I showed her how to find things like it on YouTube.
It's been a wonderful experience.

Thing 22

Listen NJ is one of the best services we offer. I signed up for an account when it first became available through Ocean County Library. Since then I have downloaded only a few things as I typically get books on CD. When I get my new MP3 player I will make better use of this service because it is safer. I won't be changing CDs while I'm driving.
One great value I got from this service is from the Learn a Language category. I downloaded Dr. Blair's Italian in No Time, burning it to CD. I did this with his Spanish set also. Dr. Blair's audio books are a fun way to learn a language, but now I am getting my Italian and Spanish mixed up!

Thing 21

Podcasting has long been one of my coworker's passions. She uses them for all kinds of entertainment and learning opportunities. I have a hard time concentrating on audio books because I am not an audio learner. My mind wanders easily without visual stimulation to keep me attached to what I'm listening to. I explored podcast.com and found this interesting "Free Yoga Philosophy Course" which explains the 5 elements of Yoga. I guess part of my problem with audio learning is my hearing problem. I can not hear well out of one ear and may have just become disinterested in audio presentations of any kind. I don't listent to much music either.
It looks live video podcasts will be more useful to me. I can download those onto my laptop. This one looked good to try out Yoga Video Sun Salutation

Thing 20

You Tube is very interesting. I can find videos on so many subjects that I could spend all my free time just exploring this site. I am amused by so many of them, but I am also dismayed to see some disturbing videos previewed while I am looking at g-rated submissions. I realize this site is meant to be used by all, but I would like to see them moderate the violent and adult-content videos into another location. At least You Tube could prevent the thumbnail preview of questionable content videos.
Anyway...
Here is a great video of some people who expanded their garden pond. Steve wants to replace our above-ground swimming pool with a pond like this because he wants me to swim with the fishes.
My Video Clips show my son, Steven, racing in the Duryea Mountain Bike race in 2005. He is wearing black and red. In the second video he can be seen racing down the stairs at minute 1:32.
Here's a great video of my uncle/godfather George Masso playing the trombone. This is my favorite music.

Thing 19

The Web 2.0 Awards highlighted several interesting categories of websites that will be helpful for me. I immediately visited the Travel category where I discovered a very helpful site called farecast.com. I have often fretted about waiting to purchase airline tickets because I am gambling that the price I find today is going to be the best price I'll see. This site helps people decide when the best time to purchase airline tickets and make hotel reservations based on predicted fluctuations in airline pricing. I am adding this one to my del.icio.us site Kathi's Travel Links
begreennow.com looked pretty interesting too. It will help me to calculate the value of my carbon footprint and offers tips on how to reduce that.

Thing 18

This is a very exciting discovery for me. I looked over Google Docs during Thing 10 and created a mini slide show to see how it worked. I am enjoying experimenting with these new tools. Zoho has many more background design options than Google Docs. Perhaps I will adjust my PowerPoint class to include training in Zoho and Google Docs versions. This will allow participants the opportunity to practice and create professional presentations without having to buy the Microsoft software or download Open Office. I really like the idea that a presentation can be saved on the Internet or the computer and shared with others via the net.
I am loving this whole experience!

Thing 17

I finally got to play in the sandbox! Can you guess which National Championship team I noted as my favorite?

Thing 16

Wikis! I couldn't wait to get here. I've heard staff talking about them and am looking forward to creating a useful wiki for our branch circulation department and training team.
In exploring the Library Success Wiki I looked into the Management and Leadership category. One subject I was looking for was motivation and it wasn't there. I may have to create on for them. I did explory some of the others in that category and some were helpful, others had very little information.
I googled Yoga Wikis and found quite a few. I will enjoy reading those and possibly adding to them as well as wikis on gardening.

Thing 15

In reading "Away from Icebergs" it seems that Rick Anderson feels that buying print materials will become a waste of money because these materials will all be available online. Many people will have access to online information only through the library, and while the items may be available here it is not conceivable that a person will be able to read the content of something like "Macbeth" during the hours the library is open. This concept concerns me because we may be essentially limiting services rather than expanding them. I feel it is important to offer electronic access to materials, but I also feel we still need to meet the needs of the people without electronic access or technological savvy.
Michael Stephens' profile of Librarian 2.0 is a model I believe we are already exemplifying. Forward-thinking, anticipating the needs of our customers and considering the usefulness of technological applications for their benefit rather than bragging rights.
The future is here...

Thing 14

I am exploring the learning 2.0 hits in new posts on Technorati and was amazed to see the video for PLCMCL2's Learning 2.0 challenge where they gave the top prize of a Toshiba laptop. I think our staff is very excited about the Wii gaming system, and while the laptop has a greater monetary value, it may not have any greater motivational value.
I looked over some learning 2.0 blogs - I was intrigued by the realization that so many of the blogs are library related.

People who are inspired to learn all they can will enjoy exploring the second generation of the Internet and make good use of it. It will also prove beneficial for businesses as we have already discovered many applications for blogging and del.icio.us within our library system. Students and educators will be able to apply the technology in the classroom, especially with group projects.

Thing 13

Delicious!
When Jill showed me this site a while back I realized the value it has for trainers. I immediately set up all the travel links that I had been printing out for participants of my Travel Planning on the Internet class. Now, when I teach the class I simply give out the address for my del.icio.us site and all participants have quick and easy links to the many travel websites I have already discovered to assist them in making their plans. It's also very easy to add those recommended to me by library customers, friends, and family. What's really great about this is that we only have to bookmark one favorite - the del.icio.us page!
Check it out. Kathi's Travel Links
Kathi

Thing 12

I have used NetLibrary before, but I must say, with all the time I spend on the computer at work and at home, I don't enjoy reading a book on the computer also. However, the book I will need for my Human Motivation and Behavior class this semester, Bringing Out The Best in People, by Aubrey Daniels, is available on NetLibrary. I can buy a used version of this book on Amazon for $7.99, so I'll save a little more than that (add shipping) if I use the eBook version. This will be most beneficial for books we can't get a hold of through any other source.
Keep on playing.
I would have no trouble showing a customer how to create an account and use NetLibrary.
Kathi

Thing 11

I like using Library Thing, it's easy to use. It will help me to keep track of the books I've read and those I want to read. It will take a long time for me to enter the books I've read by my favorite authors, James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, Stuart Woods, and John Grisham. I will be able to track what I've read from new authors I've discovered also. This will be really helpful for avoiding missing a book in a series and helping me remember which books I haven't read yet. What a great tool, especially for Readers Advisory.
Here's my Library Thing page.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kafrmptn
Kathi

Thing 10

This challenge is really fascinating to me! I am really enjoying learning about the exciting new things on the web. It's not just for research anymore!
I found the article by Stephen Abram very interesting. I think the Tech Challenge committee is using Google Docs already, so I explored it. WOW!!!
I may upload my PowerPoint class slides for participants to view later. This way I won't have to print out several copies of a 13 page document.
How Green!!!
Here's a test slide show I designed very quickly.
When I get back from vacation I'll work on getting some more docs up there.

Thing 9

I have spent the evening searching for interesting blogs or newsfeeds. I checked out Jill's list, whew that's a long one! I was looking for a daily crossword puzzle to add to my feeds. I Googled "crossword puzzles RSS" and only a few came up. I found one I liked and subscribed to it. I will probably never have time to do them, but I do enjoy them.

I also tried Topix, Technorati and Syndic8. I found Technorati to be the most user-friendly. The others were too complicated to navigate.

Thing 8

I am lucky enough to have my own technological advisor close at hand. She coached me through setting up a Bloglines account about a year ago. I can go crazy adding feeds to it. I have added several of your blogs as well as an Asbury Park Press Ocean County news feed and the Unshelved comic feed.
I'm having fun!
Kathi

Thing 7

The first meeting of the OCL Going Green committee was held this week. I was so pleased to hear that the team wanted to set up a blog to communicate with each other. Since I have already done several blogs, I volunteered to set ours up. This is a great example of the positive impact of OCL's Tech Challenge.
Kathi

Thing 6

I took a couple of pictures in my branch. They are pictures of two of my favorite features that make our branch so cheerful and unique. I've been using a digital camera for several years, so this was easy for me to do.
I've uploaded these to my flickr site. There you will see some of my other favorite things.
If you have seen my business website, littlemillrocks.com , you have seen many pictures of the rocks and glassware my husband and I have engraved.

Thing 5

Isn't he beautiful? I would love to see one of these in person. My husband has seen a Saw-whet owl and a Great Horned owl, but I've never seen one. When I was a teenager I used to collect owl figurines. I really enjoy being able to see pictures taken by other people on Flickr.
Here's another great shot of a Snowy Owl. This one looks like he's laughing.

Thing 4

Thing 4 is done too. I'm enjoying reading other library staff blogs and will leave comments as I am able. I'm having fun!
Kathi

Thing 2 and Thing 3

I am a true lifelong learner- still attending college toward my BA, will probably go on for my MAS. I grasp every learning oppportunity I can and I love to teach too.

So, for me the easiest of the 7 1/2 habits is teaching and mentoring others, especially in technology.
The hardest then becomes play, because I don't have time left to play when I'm always doing homework.

I am really looking forward to working on this challenge. It will force me to take the time out to play with new technology.

Web 2.0

After reading this wikipedia article I more fully understand what the heck Web 2.0 actually is. I wasn't sure if it was a whole new Internet, or just a different level of the World Wide Web. Now I know it really is the next generation of the Internet that allows greater interraction between users for sharing information. We still need to be careful to check the sources, but these new technologies and available services have exponentially increased the resources available for learning.