RSS Feeds. One more advancement using technology to bring together your interests and most recent news at a simple click. This week I explored Bloglines.com and added RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication). The idea is to gather together all of the sites and blogs you regularly check into a list. When you click on a site, you will see the most recent post instantly.
I had trouble getting Bloglines.com to set me up at first and later Blogger.com was down and wouldn't let me post, so technology still is not perfect. In eagerly setting up the sites I wanted to include, I discovered many of them do not have RSS feeds. However, I did start the process of including several sites that would be useful to a librarian engaged in collection development and reader's advisory along with one or two blogs from personal friends. A few I added are Amazon's Top 100 bestselling books, Entertainment Weekly's Books, and an RA site called EarlyWord. Recently I read, Samurai Shortstop. A father is hard on his son for taking the train when he could easily walk many miles to his destination. The son balks and praises the train for its speed. The father remarks coldly that we are foolish if we think modern conveniences free up time. Is it really better to fast forward in the interest of efficiency, or is there still a place for a deep breath and a dose of old fashioned pondering. Hmmm.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Flickr Creativity
I've been clicking and "linking" all over Flickr, and I confess that while it is fascinating and eye appealing on one hand, I am just not sure what to do with it all. Do I really need my own library trading card? What would someone actually DO with a mashup? I almost get the feeling that those who are extremely computer literate are just having the best fun with this. For the rest of us, it would behoove Flickr to spell out what you can do and how you can accomplish the task in the plainest language possible. Some sample projects would be most welcome. Remember, Microsoft placed Solitaire on the early computers just so users would learn how to use a mouse. That concept is simple. Eliminate the hesitation and fear of the product and users will take off!
The endless combinations of pictures and colors is clearly paving the way for some awesome creativity. A friend of mine creates custom quilts and often uses personal items such as ties and t-shirts in her designs. She has also used photographs. Using a collage of pictures in a quilt project would be so personal and lasting. Hmm, maybe I'll see if she knows how to do a mashup.
The endless combinations of pictures and colors is clearly paving the way for some awesome creativity. A friend of mine creates custom quilts and often uses personal items such as ties and t-shirts in her designs. She has also used photographs. Using a collage of pictures in a quilt project would be so personal and lasting. Hmm, maybe I'll see if she knows how to do a mashup.
Technology Connects Readers with Authors
In our exploration of 23 Things, it is possible and perhaps desirable to focus on the latest web sites, links, macros, etc. This week I learned of an intriguing trend: authors allowing readers unprecedented easy access to them via web sites.
If a person knows how to type in a web site address and click on links, that is all they need to know. Once in the site or blog of the author, the user can find the author's biography, a list of their works, find out what is coming out next and when, and access the author's social network page on MySpace or Facebook. Best of all, the readers can ask questions directly.
This last week, the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, based on the book of the same title, came out to an enthusiastic teen audience. The two authors, David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, each have their own site that incorporates fun information and a conversational tone. This is a stunningly successful way to promote books, reading, writing, and sales. What if Shakespeare, Hemingway, Hawthorne, and Proust had their own sites in their day? It was "to be" now and "not to be" then.
If a person knows how to type in a web site address and click on links, that is all they need to know. Once in the site or blog of the author, the user can find the author's biography, a list of their works, find out what is coming out next and when, and access the author's social network page on MySpace or Facebook. Best of all, the readers can ask questions directly.
This last week, the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, based on the book of the same title, came out to an enthusiastic teen audience. The two authors, David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, each have their own site that incorporates fun information and a conversational tone. This is a stunningly successful way to promote books, reading, writing, and sales. What if Shakespeare, Hemingway, Hawthorne, and Proust had their own sites in their day? It was "to be" now and "not to be" then.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Lifelong Learning
I had a small epiphany today. Have always perceived myself as a lifelong learner (Habit #2), but did not fully realize that my mom sees herself that way as well. She is just shy of 80 and neither of us can believe it. She informed me today that she had to quit her Spanish class because it was just too hard ... so after a friendly chat with a Hispanic waitress, she decided a personal tutor is a better idea. They begin Tuesday night.
It simply does not occur to her that it is too late to learn Spanish or that she is too old to learn Spanish. She is interested; therefore, she runs with the idea. She is also really good at my worst habit, i.e, play. Learning is fun. At least she makes it fun, anyway. She loves people and craves excitement. I am generally shyer and crave quiet time. No matter. We have this in common ... we love to learn.
It simply does not occur to her that it is too late to learn Spanish or that she is too old to learn Spanish. She is interested; therefore, she runs with the idea. She is also really good at my worst habit, i.e, play. Learning is fun. At least she makes it fun, anyway. She loves people and craves excitement. I am generally shyer and crave quiet time. No matter. We have this in common ... we love to learn.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Study Buddy
I have a confession to make. This is not my dog. He sure looks like him, however. Like any good canine study buddy, Boo (named for Boo Radley of "To Kill a Mockingbird" fame) keeps me company, only occasionally demanding a belly rub for his services. Today he is helping me with my homework which involves becoming familiar with Flickr.com. I have discovered how to link my blog to Flickr to create easy access to importing photos. It has also been fun searching for useful photos based on their tags. Soon I will import some of my own so I can claim a few photography skills as well. I hope you have a great study buddy, too.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Path to Meaningful Work
The day has finally arrived that I have been steering towards. Employment! Talk about beginning "with the end in mind" as posted below. On Monday, September 15th, I begin working as a paraprofessional at the Adult Reference Desk of the Oswego (Illinois) Public Library. This is precisely where I wanted to land, i.e., a busy, modern, and well-funded library that is close to home.
Oswego is located in Kendall County which is one of the top five growth areas in the nation. Our new census figures were just published and they state that we have 29,000 citizens. In 2000, there were a mere 13,000 residents, so you can see this is true. My hope is that this part-time position will turn into a full-time position when they open a major branch in July, 2009. I am looking forward to gently incorporating the many ideas shared in the course of pursuing the MLS degree. Promise to keep you "posted!"
Oswego is located in Kendall County which is one of the top five growth areas in the nation. Our new census figures were just published and they state that we have 29,000 citizens. In 2000, there were a mere 13,000 residents, so you can see this is true. My hope is that this part-time position will turn into a full-time position when they open a major branch in July, 2009. I am looking forward to gently incorporating the many ideas shared in the course of pursuing the MLS degree. Promise to keep you "posted!"
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