Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thing 15. Online Games and Libraries
Games and computers are just natural together. Personally I have not gotten into the games that are played across the world like second life but I have watched my son play and it's ok. it does take a lot of time so a person does need their own limits for each session. Second life looks like the kind of game I would get into if I had a better computer at home. currently I enjoy doing on line jigzaw puzzles in the evening, but even with those a slow computer can be frustrating. If the kids are in this world then I guess we do need to help then all get there which means letting kids play games on the library computers. The most annoying and humorous part of kids gaming at the library are the ones who have the headphones on but then talk to their friends in a loud voice. It is a different way of playing but ok.
LibraryThing #14
This site looks like something I could use personally for my home collection of craft books and for my husbands collection of books. I could also see using this with the quilt guilds books or a church library.
Our library does include the current new titles from Library thing on the website.
Our library does include the current new titles from Library thing on the website.
Thing 13. Online Productivity Tools
I do not find the customized homepages useful for me. I would find that much stuff in front of me all the time distracting from work. I can see that some of it would be helpful for the front desk staff as they ask some of the same simple questions often (weather). But I prefer to just bookmark the pages for the information and open it when needed.
I had fun adding the countdown to my blog and see how easy it is to include it. with more time it would be fun to look at some of the other gadgets.
I currently use the google online calender with other staff. It helps a lot to kept track of tasks and to know when to schedule things without having to call first as I can see quickly if the staff member in another city is available for a meeting or even to answer the phone.
the new computers have sticky notes and I am finding those fun to use and helpful.
I am and alway have been a list maker but don't see the need to signup for a website that does what a blank sheet of paper/new document can also do.
I had fun adding the countdown to my blog and see how easy it is to include it. with more time it would be fun to look at some of the other gadgets.
I currently use the google online calender with other staff. It helps a lot to kept track of tasks and to know when to schedule things without having to call first as I can see quickly if the staff member in another city is available for a meeting or even to answer the phone.
the new computers have sticky notes and I am finding those fun to use and helpful.
I am and alway have been a list maker but don't see the need to signup for a website that does what a blank sheet of paper/new document can also do.
thing 12
No, I do not Digg? Just a quick look through the four sites suggested makes me think of gossip. that this is just a new way to spread gossip. Who really has time to go through this stuff? I find that a quick look at the online front page of two newspapers is more then enough for me. Half of what I find interesting about newspapers are the ads, the little extras of local life. I would rather spend my time knitting and listening to the news then too much computer time. (my tv chair is more comfortable then the computer chair).
Delicious Thing 11
I have signed up for delicious and can see that it would be an interesting tool to use at work now that I have 3 computers going. the main computer, the new computer (which I am being slow to transfer stuff too) and the laptop. As I travel I can see how having my frequently used bookmarks available when I use a hotel computer, etc.
this will take time to explore
this will take time to explore
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Collaborate thing 9 & 10
I have been using Google doc since 2007 with 2 other co workers who live 2 hrs away and we meet every 3 months for a meeting to discuss our tasks. We use it to create agenda, add the minutes and currently for setting up a new library link site.
It has been great to use the google doc as a working document instead of relying only on emails to track which steps need to be taken next. We have all been working on our different tasks, marking them done and can see where the whole project is on a daily base.
This thing I like a lot
We also use a wiki. Instructions for the computer set ups are on the wiki and I have a place to go back to an find help without calling first. I have just this week learned how to upload new documents.
It has been great to use the google doc as a working document instead of relying only on emails to track which steps need to be taken next. We have all been working on our different tasks, marking them done and can see where the whole project is on a daily base.
This thing I like a lot
We also use a wiki. Instructions for the computer set ups are on the wiki and I have a place to go back to an find help without calling first. I have just this week learned how to upload new documents.
Communtication things 7
Modern communication is a funny thing. Have a child in high school or college and you are instantly thrown into the new methods of communication. Personally I have not spent time using IM and do not plan to do so. When I am done with work I do not want to spend time on my slow home computer talking to friends using IM. I still prefer that cup of tea around the kitchen table, calling on my cell phone or going for a walk and talking face to face.
Email is a constant part of my job and being the IT person I need to keep my emails coming in constantly and always on so if anyone is having problems they can get to me. I use email all day long in communicating with the branch librarians as I send them weeding lists, answer questions about the public computers. etc.
Texting is a part of my daily life since our son went to college. It is the only way to get a hold of him some days. I have also learned how easy it is to use to send family members quick messages.
I can see how these tools can be very useful in the library situtation when you have enough staff and equipment to them. Since our library branches are all small rural towns some places are still just getting good cell phone receptation. There is one small branch where my cell phone will not even work in the building and I bought a new phone that was suppose to work there. So there are still many limits to this new technology.
ONE FUNNY SIDE LINE: in 2001 I was in Tanazina on a mission trip and saw a goat herder out side of Arusha wearing the native Maassi blanket (worn like a cape) using a cell phone as he watched out for his flock yet when we got to our village the telephone was covered with a dollie because it seldom rang. In fact we only heard it once in three months.
Email is a constant part of my job and being the IT person I need to keep my emails coming in constantly and always on so if anyone is having problems they can get to me. I use email all day long in communicating with the branch librarians as I send them weeding lists, answer questions about the public computers. etc.
Texting is a part of my daily life since our son went to college. It is the only way to get a hold of him some days. I have also learned how easy it is to use to send family members quick messages.
I can see how these tools can be very useful in the library situtation when you have enough staff and equipment to them. Since our library branches are all small rural towns some places are still just getting good cell phone receptation. There is one small branch where my cell phone will not even work in the building and I bought a new phone that was suppose to work there. So there are still many limits to this new technology.
ONE FUNNY SIDE LINE: in 2001 I was in Tanazina on a mission trip and saw a goat herder out side of Arusha wearing the native Maassi blanket (worn like a cape) using a cell phone as he watched out for his flock yet when we got to our village the telephone was covered with a dollie because it seldom rang. In fact we only heard it once in three months.
Checking back on my things 4,5
Today I am caught up with my projects or waiting for others staff member to finish their tasks before I can move on with my current projects so this is a good time to get back to looking at this project. In reading through the list I can see that I have been doing a number of the things as part of my daily work.
I see that in my last post I uploaded a picture from our library. Since then I have been using a digital camera at home and uploading my pictures to my home computer. I choose not to put my pictures on Flicker. Guess I am a more private person. What I do though is send pictures to my husband's computer so he can upload the pictures of our son to his Ipod. I also have discovered that using a digital camera with an old computer does not work. It has filled my harddrive to the point of making other work slow and hard. I am planning to move all pictures to an external harddrive. So that is thing 4 & 5.
I see that in my last post I uploaded a picture from our library. Since then I have been using a digital camera at home and uploading my pictures to my home computer. I choose not to put my pictures on Flicker. Guess I am a more private person. What I do though is send pictures to my husband's computer so he can upload the pictures of our son to his Ipod. I also have discovered that using a digital camera with an old computer does not work. It has filled my harddrive to the point of making other work slow and hard. I am planning to move all pictures to an external harddrive. So that is thing 4 & 5.
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