Relax and Reflect

Overall, I really enjoyed the web 2.0 training. Although I was already familiar with a lot of the tools, I did learn about some new sites and had a chance to explore stuff I haven't spent much time with. Especially the streaming video and music. The games were fun to, but like I said in my last post, probably too addictive for me to get into!

I don't know how much I will actually start using these new tools (at least the ones I don't already use), but I'm glad that I have a better understanding of them. It will not only help me to better serve patrons, but makes me aware of whats out there. Of course, in the world of the internet, things change so quickly! It will be a challenge to keep up with all the new stuff. For example, it seems like Twitter is gaining in popularity...I'll have to make time to check that out as well.

I would definitely participate in future discovery programs. Like most people, I enjoy learning new things and discovering what's out there.

Gaming

I had a lot of fun trying out some of the online games that are out there. I don't think I should let myself explore too much, because that's the kind of thing I can get really into and then I won't do anything else! (I failed at Sudoku--I need more practice!) I actually really enjoyed the education children's games--especially the memory ones. (Since they are meant for kids, I could get a pretty good score!) I will have to remember to recommend some of these websites for patrons who are looking for education CD-Roms.

Google Earth

I hadn't had much of a chance to play around with google earth before. It's really fun. (I can see how it could be a big distraction) I think I tried google earth once last year to see if I could find places in Vienna and at that time it couldn't zoom in much at all. This time, I was able to get close enough to pick out landmarks. It was also easy to find my house and then follow the streets to my friend's houses and other places I knew. What an interesting tool this could be for schools teaching geography. It's pretty cool to watch the map move from one side of the world to the other....it definitely gives you a perspective of how far way things are.

Avatars and Second Life

I think avatars are fun to create. Especially when you can make your virtual self do or wear crazy things that you would never try. I suspect that in general, most people have avatars that do not look anything like them. That's the fun of creating a virtual representation--it can be anything you want! Then again, I'm much happier having my avatar appear on our Teen Page than my actual picture! :-)

I watched the videos of second life and I don't really have any desire to explore that world. I tend to be a lurker on online forums and other websites so I can't see myself diving into second life. I do think it's cool that so many people have found a second home there and have made friends all over the world.

Online Applications

I think these online applications can be very useful--especially for people working on collaborative documents. Although I don't do much of that now, it would have been very useful to use these for group projects while I was in school. These may be something to point out to students I see working on group projects in the branch.

Zoho Writer or Google Docs will also be good options to recommend to people who did not bring a disk on which to save their work. By copy and pasting their work into one of these online applications, they will be able to access it after their time runs out and won't lose their work. Similarly, these applications might help people who have files saved in formats that can't be open by word or our any of the other programs out our public PCs.

Search Engines

I have played around with Rollyo in the past. I can see how it would be useful to put in an online pathfinder about a specific topic, or for a teacher to use to have her students find information for a lesson. Really, though, I prefer to use google when searching online.

Today I tried searching the terms "harry potter" (my default search terms when ever I have to use an example or evaluate a search engine.) I am familiar with many of the Harry Potter sites out there, so I can quickly evaluate the results. Both Google and Dogpile listed the office WB site, JK Rowling's site and other big Harry Potter sites near the top of the search. However, on Mamma, the first search result was from a site called "parenting teens" and J.K. Rowling's site didn't even appear on the first page of results. In terms of the two metasearch engines, Dogpile had better results, but I think I will stick to google when doing internet searches.

Podcasts

I really enjoy listening to podcasts. I've used podcast alley before, but I actually prefer using itunes to find and download podcasts. For this assignment, I listened to "Booktalks--Quick and Simple". I thought they were nice, short introductions to a book. I think libraries can use podcasts to publish story times, to use as an audioblog to talk about upcoming programs, or as a way to introduce new material to the public. However, I think it's very important that they be updated very regularly. I know that I, personally, will stop listening and lose interest in podcasts that don't have new episodes every week or so.

My interest in Harry Potter is how I first got into podcasts. I was a regular listener to both Pottercast and Mugglecast until the book came out last summer. And now, even though I still download the episodes every week, I don't have as much time to listen to them. Maybe I'll start up again when the movie comes out!