Tech Trek: The Final Countdown!

Welp, I think I made it. Just wanted to say a big thank you to the Tech Trek Committee and fellow Trekkers who made this a VERY worthwhile learning experience. I think I may have actually taught my husband a new thing or two about Web 2.0 and that's saying something. Usually he's the computer freak of the family. I can't wait to keep on learning and expanding on the new tools you've brought to light. Thanks once more.... till we blog again. ;c)

Quest 12: Media 2.0

YouTube - Mr. Bean In the Library-
Here is one of my favorite Mr. Bean videos. He's so funny from his big red leather bookmark to his bottle of white-out. Thanks goes out to Mr. Bean and Ashstarr for posting it. Enjoy!



YouTube has turned everyone into a potential Steven Spielberg - at least self-proclaimed anyway. I first checked out YouTube when my brother posted some videos of my niece and sent family the link. So Missouri was only a click away, which is pretty neat.

However, I must say, finding a professionally appropriate video to post was no small feat. How shall I put this - I'm sure we all found a little bit to blush about. Some of the intro photos show you more than you ever wanted to see of some nameless male or female shaking something in your face. Anyway.... this brings me to my point about parents really needing to keep an eye on what their kids are viewing on the Internet. As a future parent in the pretty near future, it really opened my eyes and got me thinking about what young eyes can see. Just last week from the children's reference desk, I watched a girl, probably 7 years of age at the most, hop on over to the Internet(no parents in sight), quickly type in the YouTube address and away she went cruising for videos. Things that make you go hmmmmm. And as librarians, what role do we play? Internet guardians? Parental alerters? Innocent or uninnocent bystanders? Look out next generation. You are Web 2.0 and beyond.

Podcasting: NPR: Fresh Air
I listened to a podcast via iTunes. It was a "webisode?" of NPR's Fresh Air featuring Jerry Seinfeld who talked about his upcoming Bee Movie. I can see the real value in podcasts in that it's sort of like TiVo for the radio and real-life conferences. For example if you missed the NPR interview on your way to work that morning or were unable to make it to the National Book Festival to hear your favorite author, you can go a-searchin and listen or watch it all via podcast. We can't exactly record in advance though, maybe someday. ;c) Podcasting really brings the world to you, much like YouTube.

Quest 11.2 Online Apps Lessons Learned

Hey! Somehow I did it. Below is my Zoho document published to my blog. In Zoho I had bullets for each line and it was nicely centered, but I'll take what I can get. I tried to fiddle with the blog template settings to stretch the text box area wider, but no luck so far. Maybe other templates are more flexible.

I can see Zoho having great potential in the public library computing world. So many times patrons don't have a disk or can't open their flash drive for whatever reason and this could be a great alternative. I liked some of the other templates in Zoho too - resumes, cover letters, receipts, even nutrition logs. Very multipurpose. This IS an interesting movement away from Microsoft Office products. I found the buttons and features very similar to Office and easy to use. Still has that "ooooo, it's somewhere out there on the Internet and not my own private personal computer" feel though. What would happen if they suddenly went out of business? Still pays to back your material up, but it can be great in a pinch.

Quest 11: Online Apps

 

Things I've Learned From My Dog

 

 

• When a loved one comes home, always run to them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
• Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
• Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.