Library Serendipities

I have been playing with a new template and adding a few gadget...there is much you can do...and I'm having lots of fun!

I have updated and changed the look of my post. Since I have been gone I have played with many toys...some more recently. They include:

Twitter
Facebook
Chrome
iGoogle
wikis (though I have to fall in love with them)
New Search Engines: Academic Earth, Cite U Like, Hakia
Blogs
Project Management: love zoho
Picnik
Etc...

I can't remember them all. Sometimes I play with them a little and sometimes a lot. All depends on their usefulness.

Thats all for now, I'll be back soon!

I am back again for 24 more things...I have a lot going on so hopefully I will be able to follow through!

I'm done and have enjoyed learning about various Things.

It's been a great adventure and although I have worked with many of the tools, I was able to learn about an equal amount unbeknown to me!

Tres Cool!

I have been using iGoogle for some time to keep up with the library community in general and 2.0. I like the ability to organize a wide variety of links, tools, and RSS feeds into one Web spot such that I can access quickly.

There are so many other tools to explore in Web 2.0 that it is easy to lose count. Its nice to have a variety to choose from in that some interfaces and site are easier on the eye and more pleasant to work with. Such is the case with Gather. I like the interface much better than MySpace and it's easier to use.

I hadn't looked at Web Junction in years and their transition over the years has been smooth, always taking in the improvements.

I especially like Ning and have had an account for some time. What's nice is that members can build a site within a site and share on many levels.

I have had accounts with both of these for some time. Because of 23 Things I have been paying a bit more attention to them.

They are useful tools for social interactions accross the Web...but like anything else you need to be cautious...any tool can have its hazards!

I have had a facebook and myspace.com account for sometime, but haven't really utilized them. I prefer facebook over the other because it has a smoother and more organized interface...my opinion.

I have now gone in and added some friends and relatives...we'll see what happens.

It is really amazing to find the variety of podcasts that are available on the Web. From news bites to proper English usage, there is much out there to explore. Podcasts can be used creatively in a number of way as well as provide users with an additional choice when looking for information. I believe they can be quite informative. But anything else you do need to verify the source and other attributes of the recordings.

I liked the directory at Podcast Alley and have used several of the other when looking for podcasts. I would like to utilize a podcast in my portfoilio so I'll have to try out a few new tools. Especially Gcast. I had heard of it some time back, but needed the reminder.

There is no doubt that YouTube has taken the Web by storm...I can't imagine that anyone who uses the Web with any frequency that hasn't seen a YouTube video...

I have used YouTube on a number of occasions to view a wide variety of video...from topics in the news to information Literacy. I have checked out several other sites, but I have to admit, you can just about find it all on YouTube. Even me...see below.

The Elm resources are excellent tools for a wide variety of questions floating around out there. What I like best is that there is something for everyone. Even to the point of setting up searches and other features to keep you informed about topics of interest.

I have actually directed a lot of students (academic undergrads) to this tool with mixed results...some really jump on it, but unfortunately others don't. Then again "they" don't feel they need such a tool.

Interesting enough the grads students I have taught always seem quite interested in both the assignment calculator and the dissertation calculator. I think they realize the advantages that a tool like this can provide.

I have also used it on occasion...the reminders are nice.

I have tried Second Life, but couldn't get past the tutorial. Just takes a lot of time. My kids are really into the games. They are a lot of fun and the kids are always happy to get me going if I have any questions.

LibraryThing does look quite useful and I am aware of a few libraries (public and academic) that are using it to either maintain and organize their collection or as a tool to expand various aspects of their collection. Can't beat the price :).

Now this is where it gets real interesting for me. I really like playing with a variety of toys, oh I mean tools.

I have used a few of these, but especially like the widgets that can be used in iGoogle...they are fun and easy to delete if need be.

BaseCamp...its awesome, but wish you could get a bit more for free...it is an excellent resource for projects....I'm going to check out Zoho and see what it has to offer.

I can Digg and I can Mixx, but I prefer to StumbleUpon and like the nuances of the Newsvine. All do about the same thing...they are just organized differently. That said I like to move everything to iGoogle and keep it all in one neat package.

As a visual person, I am surprised that I just don't see the appeal of this tool. That said I do like certain parts of it (the sidebar), but I find that there is just too much going on for me. Related, but then not related.

On the other hand I have liked Furl...but I don't use it consistently. Lately I am into using Foxmarks because I can sync and pickup both work and personal bookmarks.

Pagekeeper is a bit more to my likes...perhaps I'll give it a try...

Just me thinging out loud!

For whatever reasons I always feel that Wikis look unfinished...like they are always under development and for some reason that really bothers me. That said I have created and used a number of them for different reasons, but don't really have an affinity for them. I would suspect that given time and modifications, I may eventually like them..

I have to say that I have used a number of tools to collaborate. They have primarily been subscription software. More recently I have used Google Docs and been quite please with it. Though the actuals editors lack some of the features you might want, it is very easy to downlaod and uploads documents, hence there is a lot of flexibility.