Week 10: #23 Is It The End Or...

Looking back over my blog, I find that I have learned a lot. I don't know how much of it I will use very often, but now I know it's out there if I ever need it. However, most everyone I know has a lot of computing savvy and all the 23 things will be of use to them. This includes our customers. They will be able to navigate different websites with ease. I didn't even know what a blog was before starting this experience. My favs were YouTube and Avatar. Wiki was interesting, if controversial. Computers are great tools for providing information for the user. They are an asset to the library, especially when used in combination with a caring, helpful staff.

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

After comparing the library's digital site to the others, I think our site has the most to offer of the three. LibriVox appears to be for audiobooks only, but I like that they want volunteers to read. Wowio has a lot of ebooks and it's free to download. I like that it's based in Houston. The library has it all-ebooks, audiobooks, music and videos. It takes the list of books a step further by having a Kids and Teens catagory and a Series Starter catagory that I particulrly liked. All this good stuff is free and all you need is a library card and EVERYONE should have one of those!

Week 9: #21 Podcasts

I looked at the sites that had podcasts-and there are a lot of them. I didn't, however, find any that interested me. Maybe it's a case of too much of a good thing? A little more fast-paced is more to my liking-like YouTube. If anyone would care to promote podcasts (are these from another planet,like pod people?), I would be happy to listen and reconsider.

Week 9: #20 Discover YouTube

Today I explored YouTube. I had heard about it, but never had looked into it. It was an eye-opener. Am I the only one not walking around with a video camera at the ready? It seems everyday occurances are being recorded, not just for the photographer's pleasure, but for the whole world to view on their computers! And, you know what? That's okay with me. The plethora(wow) of choices appears to have something for everybody. I liked the variety-the ones with animals were my faves. Some had music and that was a nice plus. I think the library could put this site to good use. Meetings could be recorded for those who could not attend, book discussions, classes, or any event the public might be interested in would be great on the library website. I hope our library will take advantage of this useful tool.

Easy Chicken and Rice

4-6 chicken thighs

1 cup rice

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 can water

1 small can mushrooms-optional

Put rice in 13x9 pan.

Mix soup and water-pour 3/4 over rice. Mix.

Add mushrooms.

Place chicken on rice mixture. Pour remainding soup over chicken.

Cover with aluminium foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45min.

Week 8: #19 Web-based Apps

The Zoho website was certainly an eye-opener. With this available there is no need for different software or is there? The Writer section had a lot of forms available-even recipes (I like that). I wanted to post a favorite recipe to this blog, but couldn't get it to cooperate. I'll keep trying and if it appears here, you'll know I was successful.

Week 8: #18 Social Networking

I had no idea that there was social networking. Maybe because I've led a sheltered life! Anyhoo, there is sooo much to see and so many people to "talk" to- it's amazing to an oldster like me. The sites are so varied, there seems to be something for everyone. I checked out the resource sites and particularly liked Dogster and Ning. Any one with time on their hands and thoughts to purvey, should find these sites just their cup of tea. (I'll bet,if you looked,there's a network all about tea!)

Week 7:#17 Blog about technology

Having me discuss my knowledge of technology-any technology- is like asking a 2 year old their opinion on robotic brain surgery. In the good old days(they weren't all good), the thought that we would have so many,many things available to everyone to make life better and easier,just didn't occur to me. That this phenomenon would happen in my lifetime, well, that just blows my mind! Just the technology used in the home everyday is pretty amazing. Most of us take microwaves,refrigerators,computers,washing machines,dryers-all the household goodies-for granted. Yes, technology is a great and mystical (at least to me it is) thing. Without it, we couldn't call each other on our cell phones. And that, my friends, would be UNTHINKABLE!

Week 7: #16 So what's in a wiki?

After reading several different wikis, I've come to the conclusion that just about every subject imaginable is there for you to see and comment on. I think it's amazing that so many people (seems like everyone) want to get their opinion on everything in print and posted on the computer. Well, it is cheaper than a psychiatrist, and a good way to vent. When I hear the word wiki, I think of a grass hut on an island beach--wacky,huh?!

Week 6: #15 On Library 2.0

The perspectives I read were both interesting and troubling. Every article seemed to be saying that libraries need more electronic information and less hard-bound,hold-it-in -your hand type resources. I agree, to a point. Libraries have walls and can only hold so much physical resources. However, I like the idea of taking a book off a shelf, examining it, and then being able to take it home with me. What about the reliability of the source of information on the web? Who verifies it? Call me old fashioned, but I like the way you can interact with a real live person in the form of a librarian. The internet is alright, but here's hoping librarians, with all their friendliness AND knowledge, will always be a part of the library system.

Week 6: #14 Getting not-so-technical

I did the advanced search on Learning 2.0 and there was so much information it was almost overwhelming. If you needed a lot of input on a certain subject, this would be a good site to use. It seems that everybody and his dog not only have something to say, but they put it on a blog! Some of the info was interesting and some just seemed to be chatter.

Week 6: #13 Tagging

The tutorial was too fuzzy to watch the entire thing, but the Del.icio.us site was interesting. I explored all sorts of areas, including making a new South Park character. This is certainly a great (and fun) research tool.

Week 5: #10 Playing with images

I liked playing around with all the options for Avatars. With this , you can become anyone you want!

Week 5: #12 Library Elf I had to try several times to get into this site, but finally did. This service is nice, but our library pretty much provides the same thing. Also, I wasn't real happy about putting my private information out there.

Week 5: #11 Library Thing This was a fun exercise! What a great way to keep track of all the books you've read. I have a hard time remembering what I read last month, let alone last year, so this will keep me up to date. Thanks, Library Thing.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/birdfeeder

Absent-minded Abe

Absent-minded Abe
Originally uploaded by birdfeeder1

Week 5: #10 Playing with image generators I was surprised and pleased to find a picture of one of my favorite characters in this exercise. It was fun doing this and moving images to and from Flickr is getting easier. With my memory slowly drifting, this image could be me someday!

Week 4: #9 Finding feeds

I had no idea there were sooo many search tools and feeds that were available. I'm not what you would call computer literate. Bloglines and Feedster were the easiest for me to use. Those of you with computer savvy, might like something more challenging! I didn't particularly care for Technorati-too much movement for my old eyes. All in all, it's good to know there's so many areas to find answers with just a click of the mouse.

Week 4:#8 RSS

I liked the idea of creating a blogline,however,the instructions to do it were a little confusing. After getting past the validation, it was pretty interesting. I like the idea that you can subscribe to ihcpl participant's blogs.I never knew there were bloglines out there!

Bird's Eyeview

Bird's Eyeview
Originally uploaded by birdfeeder1

I've got my eye on you!

An Orange a Day

An Orange a Day
Originally uploaded by birdfeeder1

Practicing with Flickr Toys

Birds

Birds
Originally uploaded by birdfeeder1

This little woodpecker is having a snack. These birds are really fun to watch. When they move around on a tree, they do it in little hops-sort of like a wind-up toy. They will even eat from a feeder, however,they are too big & hang off of it. If you ever see one, take the time to watch it-you'll be glad you did!

Anyone who uses a computer better know about internet safety. What you put out there, can be used against you--be careful what info you are sharing! If I don't recognize a signature on an email, I don't open it. Always be aware of information you're putting on the screen.

What motivates me? Depends on the situation. If it's a nice day, I like to get outside. My family, my job, my financial situation, my country, injustice, hunger,etc., etc., etc. Anyway, you get the idea--what motivates everyone, motivates me!

Watching the Birds

what is the best method of watching the birds?