Thing #11 - Tagging and Del.icio.us

Well, I tagged my blog. It seems to make sense to do the tagging, but more for my own benefit than for anyone else's. I guess I'm not so into "sharing" as I could be.

I also explored del.icio.us. I can see it as an easy way to always have your bookmarks available, no matter what computer you are at. However, once again, I have a problem with this "sharing" thing. The things I looked at that were already bookmarked were so varied, that putting in one tag and searching what came up was almost overwhelming. I can see where I might use it for myself to keep track of sites that would help with a reference question or project, but I can't see it extending farther out than that.

Thing #10 - Wikis

Wikis are an interesting concept, but it seems that there are so many possibilities for information to be altered. I remember many months ago reading a posting on Wkipedia, when I was just checking on it to see what it was like. I read about some subject which I can no longer remember. The beginning of the article was fine, but after the first paragraph, even I, who knew little about the subject, realized that whoever entered the information was highly prejudiced against the material that had probably been originally entered, and had entered his own - obviously wrong and a little improper. How many people will take what is written on a site like wikipedia as the gospel truth?

Our library system has just started a staff wiki. It will be interesting to see how many use it. We used to have a staff blog, but frankly, it wasn't very successful - hardly anyone used it.

Anyway, I have now "wiki"d. I went into the 23 things wiki and fortunately, someone was clever enough to post a list of "wrong" titles and authors and suggested someone correct them - so I did! (at least I corrected one title and added a picture.) I feel like a published author now - and it certainly was easy.

Thing #9 - Online Collaboration Tools

I tried out Google Docs and think I can definitely see some library applications for this. If you are on a committee with someone from another branch, it would be an easy way to collaborate on a document or presentation. I think this is a great idea! It seemed to be quite easy to use. I read the testimonials from other users and it seemed like everyone found lots of different applications for Google Docs. However, I didn't see how to edit the public document without first setting up an account. I didn't try Zoho because it looks like you have to set up an account before you can do anything there, too, but I imagine it works in much the same way.

Thing #8 - Sharing your Creations

Holy Cow! I think I actually made a slideshow on the first try! Amazing - although I had to use other people's pictures since I don't have any of my own. They took much better pictures than I ever could have - so-Thank You. Anyway, it was pretty easy, so I'd recommend it although I'm not exactly sure of the library applications. This is what I'm having the hardest time with. It's fun to play with these things, but how do I use them? Also this constantly moving slideshow is driving me crazy already. I'll probably have to get rid of it!

Thing #6 - Even More Fun with Online Image Generators

I think I finally got my trading card. Since I don't have many pictures on my computer I had to go to Flickr and use someone else's photo.. Thanks to Carla 216 for the unauthorized use of her photo I hope when it says "all rights reserved" and "public" it means I can use her photo as long as I don't make any money off it. if not, Carla, I'm sorry, but I liked your photo.

As far as using some of these ideas in the library, I think they'd be really fun and different. However, it took me so long to do these assignments that I don't think the library would want to pay me for the wasted time I would have to spend doing these clever little mashups. maybe if I got really good, and could whip them out in a few minutes, it would be a different story, but right now, I don't think it's for me.

Anyway - I'm off on vacation tomorrow! Yaaayyy!