Thing 7 - "Completed"

I read all there was to read, as well as watched the videos. E-mail has become a functional requirement at the library. It is used to plan, execute and communicate activities with fellow staff, outside contacts, PR points, vendors, and occassionally, patrons. While we have an online website, I'm not sure how much the community relys on it, and, if we could change that if we publicized it. Our library is a small community library, so we don't have a huge volume of reference questions - most calls are to renew books, and the patrons call because they would rather do so than be online. I, personally, don't use IM at all, and rarely text - I find both intrusive. I think it's a personality thing. While I see how the libraries adapt and use instant messaging, I just don't see it being widely used here. I browsed the Webinars and didn't actually attend one as the timing is off for me. I certainly understand the value and will try to attend one in the future. I think, while the convenience is understandable, it is also easy to not find time as it doesn't seem as formal as a regular training.

Thing 6, 7 - False alarm

I'm losing track of exactly which thing I am on. So, the last thing was Thing 6 and the one before thing 5. Oops. I will edit the posts to correct the titles, but, the picture is obviously off. This does lead me to a wish for the Things.... site. I wish that when you clicked on an option that navigates you to a new site that the new site would appear in a new window. It sometimes makes it frustrating getting back to the directions, and, in an effort to save paper, I refuse to print out directions. So, I am forced to re-open the Things....site in a new window, and then try to keep track of which is which.

Thing 6 - Completed

This is quite fun. This was created on Image Chef. I will have to think on it to decide how this can be used for PR.
This is the trading card I created. Tee Hee.

Thing Five - completed

As the text read - FLKR and sites like it could be terribly time consuming. It's all so interesting! I am currently more excited about using it for home purposes - to get my collections of digital photos under some sort of control. Here at the library, it could be used in the same way - it's just making it something people actually want to look for online. I was particularily excited about the library that used FLKR and comments to have a new book shelf. I think it would be particularily cool to use that for the new YA stuff. Then, let them know it's there and see if they check it out. I see this as opening an interesting door for our teens and other young people. I have inserted my name on the blog using the spelling mashup. What fun!

Picture issue update

The picture inserted directly from the data stick is now visible, but the others are still not visible.

Picture Posting Problems

Just for jollies, I'm going to post the picture directly from the data stick and see if it behaves differently, and it isn't. There must be something I'm missing. I'll check back later.:

Thing 4 - Next Option - Creating a Flickr accout

I went ahead and created a Flickr account and posted my first picture, from summer reading last year. It is attached below. Let's see if you can see this picture (nope, must figure out):

Link is as follows: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24162372@N03/2294438043/

Thing 4 - Followup

I expected the picture itself to be in my previous post, but, instead, there seems to just be a sort of place holder. If you click on it, it actually jumps to the picture, like clicking on the link right above it. I'll have to check if that's a setting issue or if URL based pictures work that way. I've uploaded many pictures taken from our library camera to our library site and they show just fine. Any ideas?

Thing 4 - Exploring Flickr

I think Flickr is very cool and very useful. I am itching to not only get our library's pictures on there, but also my pictures at home. I especially like the tagging option, because then I could find all the pictures of a certain event. I am going to upload a picture of Faribault's room for programs as I covet it. Having a library that is bursting at the seams - their set-up is enviable.

Here's the picture, Credited to Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault:

This is a link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckhamlibrary/212686919/

Checking out added link

I added a link to blogspot on my blog and, without thinking, assumed it would connect to my feed. Obviously, it doesn't. Lesson learned

Thing 3 Completed

As with everything, the theory is simple, but the practice, not so much. I was able to easily set up the RSS account with bloglines. I was easily able to pick and subscribe to choices from their list, but found adding other sites a mixed bag. I have a personal blog of my Girl Scout Troop that I was easily able to add. So the first went well. I am curious to see if others can see it - they shouldn't be able to. I tried to add the weather from KARE11, and couldn't find a button. I finally added the option from bloglines to my favorites, and then tried adding it that way. Turns out only headlines can be added as RSS feed - so you have to be at the right place. Next, I tried to add some elements from the Ellen Degeneres Show that had the little RSS icon. As instructed I copied the URL I got when I clicked on the icon and then tried to add the feed in bloglines and it said it couldn't find any feed. I then tried the way I did with KARE11 and it confirmed that, indeed, there is no feed available. I think I need to find out what can and cannot be added. It could be addicting though. I did add the link to my blog, however. That worked just fine.

Thing 2 Completed

I watched the video from home and appreciate his point. From a "previous life" in tech support, I have more tech knowledge than average, but realize I have fallen woefully behind the times (not so surprising). He threw out terms I've never heard when asked about his favorite technology. Personally, I have never appreciated on-line communication, either IM, chat rooms or even e-mail, so I don't use them so much (e-mail aside, as I do use that quite a bit, but mostly for work). I will have to make a personal goal to change that, or I will be left in the on-line dust. As a side, I tried to post his video on my blog, but my first attempt failed. I will have to look into it some more.

Thing 2 halfway completed

I read the blog and am reading the article. I am finding the idea fabulous, but the name, perhaps daunting, especially for the non-techie. While technology is a huge part of making our library important, I believe the main thing is focusing on our customers. What do they need and how can we provide it for them? The world changes and we, as libraries, need to move with it.

Working on Thing 2 Encountering technical difficulties

Started working on Thing 2, only to quickly realize our staff computer at the library doesn't have an active sound card. Makes watching the video difficult, as my lip reading skills are rusty. I will have to poke around to discover the extent of the issue. Maybe I can just use headphones? Maybe I need some tech support. Likely, however, I will just watch at home.

First thing completed

I created my blog using prior knowledge. I finished the process following the steps on a stick. Setting up an avatar is way fun. I could spend all day trying different looks. I finally had to just say stop. I will say that following the directions may require some prior knowledge. I would be interested to find out if computer novices find the steps more difficult.

It's been fun.

My first blog on a stick

This is my very first blog on a stick. After a bumpy start, I am chugging right along. I found naming the blog quite daunting. But, hey, it's done!