Thing #23 Yipee

Learning 2.0 has been a real challenge - but worth the effort. As one of my familly members often says ' There's no gain without pain'

I think I will use many of these tools for personal and library purposes. The program is well-produced.

I seem to have become slightly more comfortable and persistant in finding my way through the mazes that so often confront computer and internet users.

I plan to put the links to online software etc. into 'Delicious' so they will be easily accessible.

Also, I'm wondering if we can refer back to the program if necessary (for a refresher) in the short term future - (6-12 months)

Constructive suggestions : The program took a lot of my time at home - spending time at work was impossible - (too busy manning the desk, and difficult to concentrate with so many interruptions even if not 'on duty')

At times I felt resentful at spending up to 8 hours on a 'Thing' in the evening or at weekends. It would have been great to have had a buddy - or an extra 'help' or 'handy hint' - or 'have you checked?' section to avoid going around in circles. I felt that I had to go it alone, as it was a self-paced process. This can be useful -and character-building (!)... but potentially risky... for success.

Thanks for the wonderful opportunity. It has been extremely useful & stimulating.

Thing #22 e- audio books

Exciting to see this beginning of the new age. I looked at World E Book Fair, with its Gutenberg audio collection - and all those specailized collections. I downloaded and heard part of 'The emperor's new clothes'. As yet, the choice seems quite limited, obviously focussing on rare or out of print items...but the concept & framework is there for the future.

Net Library looks great, with really clear instructions. I guess WGRLC will subscribe.

It will be great for us at our secondary college to have quick access to audio books for reluctant or slow readers who need to get through and understand set novels, for example. It will be especailly accessible and user-friendly for teenagers, who seem to be permanently connected to their MP3 players anyway.

Thing # 21 Podcasts

I found Podcast.net the best directory of podcasts. Podcast Alley, though an attractive format, with more interesting podcasts, didn't allow viewing, without registraion and downloading of a podcast aggregator...hmm...I tired to download software, but couldn't tell whether it was free, and didn't want to put on stuff we didn't really need on home computer ...Also had no luck with Yahoo...the link only took me to a search page for music.

Once I got into Podcast.net I found a useful set of podcasts from SirsiDynix Institute. Great source of PD on a range of library issues. Finally, I did an RSS feed from the main SirsiDynix group to my Bloglines account.

My next challenge is to put the link to my Bloglines onto this post - at least I think that's the general idea.

I went into the Share tab and found what I think is my public Bloglines URL.
Here it is - hopefully it will link....note the optimistic tone - complete bluff, but I guess one can be a little blase so close to Thing #23. Here goes...
http://www.bloglines.com/public/kayestammers@yahoo.com.au

It didn't work - I'll try a different sequence with the 'insert link' icon.


Th URL appears in the edit post window, but not when I go to "view blog'...Curious...
I tried to copy & paste the above URL, and got to my bloglines account, but it says I have the wrong user name....Oh well it looks like I can't share it with you - at least the podcast feed is on my Bloglines. Time to give up.

Thing #20 You Tube

I found an interesting video of an interview with author, Isabel Allende. It's about a new book, published in November 07. A great way to relate more closely with authors and hear directly what the themes and background are.

Downside of these videos is having to wait for 5 seconds or so every 8 seconds (approx) Someone said it works better if you run through once - didn't help when I tried it recently.

My problem at the moment is that I seem to have messed up the Edit HTML process.

Also, the 'embed' tag on You Tube screen wasn't quite as in instructions... so the above gobbledegook isn't as impressive as the actual video.....
Back to the drawing board again for another try.

It took a while - looking at terms and conditions, verifying google email information, and trying 'add a video to blog post icon' in blogger. Then, when I went in to view blog - voila - the video was there...Whew

Thing #19 - Web 2 awards list

Looked at several of these: some we've already seen. I think Biblio.com would be useful in the library situation - helping public or teachers locate used or out of print books.

I like the search, which can be limited to Aus/NZ. (Trouble is that there are many more NZ than Aus books) - Search can also be limited by price.

Another useful feature is the browse by category, such as Art Books, Graphic novels.

Thing #18 ....Zoho again

Here's a copied & pasted version of my Zoho document - no, I can't paste......hmmm.

Zoho Writer - Online Word Processor

Zoho Writer - Online Word Processor