Drum Roll Please....The End

Yes, I would do it again (or another discovery exercise)!

I'm not very tech savy and participating in the 23 Things has really challenged me over the course of the program. This program, with the support, the clear exercises and a bit of fun, was just what I needed to get out there and explore and learn.

My favorites:
1. My blog (not the prettiest but I'm rather fond of it!)
2. LibraryThing
3. Flikr

My thanks to the CML team!

MOLDI

Glad to have MOLDI as one of the 23 Things. Finally, I'm forced to check out CML's downloadable collection. Though I hate to say it, I didn't see many titles of interest. There are very few teen titles to choose from and the eflicks seem to be history programs.

However, I did see a book or two that I may download some time when I'm in the mood to listen to a good book and I'm not in the car!

Podcasts, Broadcasts

So I've heard alot about podcasts, but never investigated. I listen to audio books in the car (the only thing that makes my daily commute bearable) and music on my iPod.

Who knew podcast directories existed? Using Podcast Alley, I see that East Lansing Michigan Public Library is using podcasting to talk about their latest programs and other libraries are getting creative, issuing podcasts like this one: Fight Evil! Read Books! And no surprise to see lots of podcasts under the Storytelling subject heading. Podcasts are the perfect vehicle to share stories.

...another opportuntiy for CML to consider.

YouTube

What to say about YouTube? Of all the 23 Things, I was perhaps most familiar with this Thing, simply because my 13 year old seems to spend hours on this site every day. She regularly calls me to check out some new, funny video. When a friend comes over, they always disappear into our office to share new finds/giggle/watch their favs repeatedly.

However, I like You Tube--for now at least--for what I can find from my childhood. Favorites include the SchoolHouse Rock series. Who can resist the catchy tunes and lyrics of this classic, "Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here"? And I love the simple clips explaining history, especially, "The Shot Heard Round the World" describing the start of the American Revolution.

IMO, the smart teacher of today would be mining these classics for use in the classroom. These productions are timeless!

Power Tools

I love the Power Tools Page...especially the Catalog Search Plug In. And the toolbar makes everything so handy, from searching the catalog to checking my account. I have a little friend who lives at my house, has my card number memorized and happily reserves titles and checks out at will to feed her reading habit. Keeping a close eye on my account is extra important!

Wonderful Web 2.0

True confession time...I've got 6 more "things" and only a week to finish up. So I explored the short list of award winning Web 2.0 sites, and I must say: I had no idea! How cool is FixYa? Getting answers for confounding technology problems? Free tech support and help for gadgets and electronics...I'm bookmarking this one!

Twitter Twitter

I can see that Twitter is addictive for those who like to stay in touch with a group and are online multiple times per day. For me, neither of these is true. I won't be twittering much, although I do see a possible application with my sister who I am constantly calling or emailing to set up workout times at the gym. Once she sets up her twitter account, I plan for us to try this method.

Learn & Play Wiki

I've added my two cents to the CML Learn & Play wiki...lots of favorite books and children's books to talk about. It's fascinating to see everyone's favorites, and I have many. In fact, I can never come up with just one all time favorite in any category. I might have say, a favorite fiction title for a few years, but then some other book will take its place.

Google Docs Rock

Why didn't I know about this before?? Definitely the way to go...when my son, away at college, wants me to look over a paper (sometimes mid way through), no more emailing attachments back and forth and the potential mix ups that inevitably occur.

Lots of applications here for work. I might start with the comprehensive list of branch service areas and the ever changing school list that goes with each. Everyone can help keep it current as new charter schools open, new CCS buildings are completed, etc.

Wiki Tiki Tavi

The word "wiki" always reminds me of this classic children's title by Rudyard Kipling. And if I'm learning AND playing, then I'll indulge myself...

I like the concept of wikis for group communication. Very useful for group projects, conference goers, etc. After exploring a number of wikis, it does seem that appearance is important. Even wikis can't escape the old "judge a book by its cover"...!

2.0 at CML

Interesting to contemplate how CML will shift to become part of the 2.0, then 3.0 community. Maybe we need to add a few more "Its" to our brand, i.e., "Create It," "Be It," etc. It certainly makes me wonder about the second digital divide--those who have the technology but continue to use it in a very 1.0 way. Libraries will be challenged to continue to meet the needs of all our users in very different ways.

delicious indeed

So when I logged on to my Blogger account just now (after a long hiatus), I was pleasantly surprised to find the latest posts from the blogs I subscribed to. Pulling the blogs together in one spot seems to me similar to the concept behind delicious. And speaking of delicious, my new favorite treat is Rita's pumpkin gelati...

Lovely LibraryThing

Here's the Thing: I've been keeping a list of every book I read since 1989. Following a reader's advisory workshop where this was recommended, I adopted the practice because I'd read a book and like it. But often, a week later--sometimes just a day later--I couldn't remember the author or title. Because I have them in order within month/year, I'll occasionally go back and see what I was reading at some key point in my life. Or I'll look to see what year I first discovered a treasured author. The problem arises when I want to look back for the title of a book I can't remember and have no idea what year I read it. I flip through page after page of titles, hoping it will jump out at me. LibraryThing could change that. With careful, descriptive tagging, I could create a better library for myself.

Finding Feeds

For beginnners like me, Bloglines is the easiest to use for understanding, searching and organizing feeds. I like the idea of having feeds located in one spot from the blogs I like and intend to read regularly, but don't.

READ Image

The ALA Read Poster Image Generator is quite fun and easy too. Here I thought the people I know with a READ image owned the software! In any event, it's easy to use and for this post, I've even imported the pic of a girl I know who reads, reads, reads...

Bloglines, bloglines

Got my bloglines account and a list of nifty new subscriptions too: comics, fashion, books... This thing wasn't too hard, at all!

iPhone Envy

Never thought I'd say this, but I want an iPhone, not the Verizon model I have. The clarity and size of the screen, easy touch set up, incredibly intuitive interface...honestly, regular cell phones can't compare! And the applications--free applications--available for the iPhone are incredible. One I'd find invaluable is AroundMe which brings up not only a list of restaurants, coffe shops, taxi services, etc. based on your current location, but the phone number and google map too.

Flikr Mashup

I found this very cool application, "Spell with Flikr," which pulls alphabet photos from Flikr to create any words you want. It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out how to get this image on my blog, but I did it! And spelled one of my favorite phrases, to boot...

View from my window

view from my window
Originally uploaded by hgwind

My first flickr photo, taken with my Blackberry! I love the view from my window, especially in the winter. When the rooftops are covered with snow, it looks like a scene from a Dickens novel--minus the modern parking garage, of course!

Ready, Set, Go!

Out the gate and down the track... I'm starting a bit late but determined to catch up to my colleagues exploring Learn & Play!