Last but not least

Yes, I did take the survey. There was only one problem--we weren't asked what we'd like to learn next, only if we'd like to learn. Soooooooo, I have a suggestion. How about web page design. Huh, Nancy? Huh, huh? I'm ready!

#23--It's all downhill from here!

WooHoo--the light at the end of the tunnel was NOT a freight train, but the beautiful light of an open laptop computer! Yes, all you Webolutionists, I definitely see a laptop in my future!

This whole Webolution idea has been fun, interesting, and definitely a learning experience for this over-the-hill (Hill? What hill? I didn't see any hill!) mom and grandma. I most likely would not have explored half of these things if not "forced" into it by the lure of a laptop and a chance to learn something new.

Just learning how to blog has been exciting and useful. Once my novels get published, I can see the benefit of not only having a web page, but a blog to go with it. The possibilities are endless.

I have to admit that, except for things like the ATS Wiki which allows for signing up for computer classes, I basically have no use for wikis. I see too many problems (or is that my conservative nature coming through) associated with being able to change, add, etc. to someone else's work. I doubt I'll pursue wikis much further than what I did here.

I struggled the most with Flickr and Del.icio.us. It took me a while to figure out how to add tags and organize them, but once I figured it out, WOW. Now when I'm working the ATS desk and need to access some of the ILL bookmarks that are on my office computer, I can. I have tags that are shared and tags that cannot be shared, such as my Illiad requesting sites at DU and CU.

Although I was mostly familiar with the Ebsco databases, I enjoyed that exercise. Making myself familiar with the Ebsco "family" is extremely helpful and useful with Interlibrary Loan. I have filled several article requests by using Ebsco.

I loved YouTube and Image Generator. I'd like to experiment more with Image Generator. But my very favorite, oddly enough, was the podcast. When we first started this adventure, I couldn't have told you what a podcast was. Now I have two that I've added to my bloglines account and will access them on a regular basis--not necessarily daily, but definitely weekly. One of the podcasts is a humorous NPR program that really brightens up the day. The other is a podcast on writing, with "classes" and interviews of authors, instructors, and other related subjects. I can never learn too much about writing.

When I took the challenge, my only goal was to win that laptop. Having completed all the tasks, laptop or not, I consider myself a winner. Now when someone mentions RSS feeds, podcasts, YouTube, Flickr, etc., I'll at least be able to relate and understand most of what is said.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks! Bring 'em on!

#22--Podcasts

This is amazing and exciting. I successfully added FictionRight and NPRs "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" podcasts to my Bloglines account, with some interesting results.

FictionRight is a series of lessons and interviews on writing. The first one I tried to listen to sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks and I couldn't figure out how to slow it down. The second one was the right speed, so maybe this will work. The podcasts include lessons on dialog, plots, and ideas, and interviews, including one with Connie Willis.

NPRs "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" is a humorous look at news events.

I'm going to try to subscribe to Radio Time Zone which is a podcast of old radio programs, but I needed a yahoo account and didn't want to take the time right now.

I could see where podcasts could get addictive. This one was fun!

Addendum

It worked! I'm actually listening to "One For the Money" by Janet Evanovich as I'm typing this. I'm officially part of the "audio" generation, providing there is such a thing. Who'd have guessed?

#20 & #21--Downloadin' and Listenin'

I successfully, I think, downloaded "One For the Money" by Janet Evanovich to my home computer from Netlibrary. I haven't had a chance to listen yet, as it downloaded overnight, but it's showing in "My Documents" so I'm assuming it's there. I chose Netlibrary for this experiment, as I didn't want to download the program needed to download an Overdrive book. I haven't tried to burn a CD. Maybe in the future. This was fun, and it took me more time to remember my Netlibrary log in and find a book, than it did to download. Okay, maybe not quite, but seemed like it.

#18--Down and Dirty

I have successfully posted to the Webolution Wiki. WooHoo! Only a few more tasks to go and a new laptop in my future. Stand back, I'ma comin' through.

#17--Library Wikis

Okay, so a wiki is a tool where people can add and/or change what's already posted. There seem to be two types of wiki generators--Wiki Farms which does not require a server, but one has less control over content; and DIY Wikis, which require having your own server, with control and flexibility over content. I would much prefer the second generator. I have a bit of a problem with wikis with no control over content, as all kinds of misinformation can result. I checked out several library wikis and most of them require registration to post and the post must be approved by the "owner" of the wiki. This is good.

Discoveries--Book Lover's Wiki is great. You can find a review in any genre, some posted on the same book by several different reviewers. I found two books that piqued my interest and one of which I've already checked out. The other is on hold. BTW, who is Francesca B? Her reviews seem to appear most often and are well written. Some of the reviewer, however, lacked umph in their writing, which did not spark any interest in the books they reviewed, even though the reviews were positive.

Some of the other wikis I visited:
Library Success: a best practices wiki--This included readers' advisory and marketing, and required an email and login for posting.

Did a Google search for "library wikis" and found ACRL Wiki which had a distance learning forum; Bibliotherapy Wiki dedicated to "reading to heal" for chronically ill, etc.; Radical Reference Wiki that promotes "Green Librarianship" (eco-friendly libraries--I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a bit tired of the "green" and "eco-friendly" fad/catch-phrase-happy bandwagon" going around and applying to absolutely everything) and travel guides to cities hosting ALA events.

'Nuff said.

#16--Plateau Valley Voice

From the Nov. 2, 1923 Plateau Valley Voice front page--

"Legal Fight of the Cattle and Sheep Men
Bloodshed is feared, according to local federal officials, says the Denver Post, at the trial in Grand Junction on Nov. 5 of Ray Janes, Thomas and Frank Berry, William James, and 'Shorty' Chambers, prominent cattlemen of Rio Blanco and Moffat counties on charges of conspiracy to obstruct sheepmen in the lawful use of public lands."


My interest in the "cattle and sheep wars" stems from having a great uncle--a bit of a renegade (okay, he was 3/4 American Indian and 1/4 French--we think) who admitted he knew the names of the men who ran the herd of sheep off a cliff into Lake Fork Canyon near Gunnison, Colorado. He refused to identify by name any of the culprits, as some of them, according to my uncle, were still alive. We've often speculated that he could have easily been one of the culprits.

Ebsco video and Consumer Health Database--#s 14 and 15

The Ebsco video was very basic, but easy to follow. No probs.

Conusmer Health Complete is fun and informative. I looked up information on epilepsy and pregnancy. Very informative. Also looked up information on "setting the standards for supplements" and the benefits of increasing Vitamin D intake.

You Tube Musings

You tube is fun, as you can find any variety of video just by doing a keyword search. Earlier today I searched for "printer problems wrinkled shredded" and found the video I wanted. They also have categories, and under "travel & places" I found a cool video showing workers "wrapping" a building with a picture of a Boeing 787.

Copyright Video

Hopefully, the video below will stay on my blog. It uses snatches of Disney films to explain copyright. It's very clever. If it's yanked, you can view it by going to my earlier blog titled "Copyright Explained" and click on the link. There's also a link to a copyright comic that you can go to (see interesting links), or you're welcome to view the actual comic book in my office.

You Tube video--Task #19

Tasks 11 & 12--Professional Development Websites

Finally had time to look at the websites for professional development. Very interesting. Webjunction has some interesting resources/ideas including serving my generation in various ways. One library has a sitting room where people can get together to knit, crochet, and talk. Boulder Public Library has a government information training session coming up on July 31st. Webjunction also offers online learning courses including photoshop, and an e-learning clearinghouse offering library science courses (192) under continuing education.

ALA website offers posters (among many other things), including celebrity "READ" posters. Hey what happened to Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson? I'm bummed. BTW, the "READ" poster hanging in my office placed 5th nationwide in the "Make your own read poster" contest held last year. Sherry Phinney did the handiwork; I provided the cute grandchildren.

PLA has a listing for the next conference, which will be in 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.

This is the logo for the upcoming conference.

CAL has a listing for book reviews, I've actually done three for them, but my last two were lost in the "changeover" to putting the book reviews online and NOT doing fiction. So my review for Absaroka didn't get published, but neither did my review of Zsolt which was a biography of sorts. Maybe it was the review. Hmmmm.

CLiC is a website I use fairly regularly. Everytime there is an update of the courier list, I print it out--essential to ILL.

Colorado State Library has a plethora of information. I did check out the "Reading and Student Achievement" link, "Performance-Based Standards for Teachers" (the link didn't work), and "Model Information Literacy and Guidelines for Students."

LibrarySupportStaff.com site has a great deal of educational support links. I clicked on "Education4you" and encountered lists of free online tutorials, including "Top Free Online Courses." One of the ones offered was photography by the New York Institute of Photography, and they offered numerous courses including a digital photography course.

Wow! After looking at all these sites and the myriad of information and help they offer, I'm overwhelmed and definitely full of it!

After much angst and convinced that I really had broken either Yahoo or del.icio.us.com (or both) I braved logging on to del.icio.us.com again to try to finish organizing my "favorites."

Employing some rather unconventional methods and using my inborn

powers of logic (my kids always referred to me as Mrs. Spock when they were growing up, as in MR. not Dr. Spock)...

I successfully and fairly painlessly (okay, you may call me Mrs. Spock, Superlibrarian) organized my favorites.

You're welcome to give me a "high five" anytime!

Organized...somewhat

Finally took a little time this a.m. and worked on labeling and organizing my "favorites" on del.icio.us. Worked great until I got an error message from yahoo. Gave up and tried again after lunch, but couldn't access del.icio.us at all. Still getting the same error message. Hmmmmm, wonder if I broke it.

Tasks 9 & 10

After much head banging and lip chewing, I finally figured out how to upload my bookmarks to del.icio.us.





Of course, they're not in any kind of order, so...




Now I have to figure out how to organize them, and then use them.

Onward and upward.

Zombie Apocolypse

I Have a 54% Chance of Survival! Important skills for everyone to have. Take the test at http://mingle2.com/zombie-quiz
Badge 1

54%

Not overly fond of snakes, so liked today's BC. Ask me sometime about the bull snake I chopped into little pieces. My boys were young and wide-eyed at what mommy was capapble of doing if she set her mind to it.

Tasks 9 & 10

Still trying to figure this one out. I'm registered at del.icio.us and managed to add a site with taglines to my account, but that's as far as I got. The 12-minute video was not working, so I couldn't watch it. Consequently, I'm struggling with this one. I'd like to add more sites to my account, but some of them I want to be private, and I couldn't see how to do that. Will try again later. In the meantime, have a laugh and try http://www.arcamax.com/ and click on "the funnies." My favorites are "BC," "Wizard of Id" and "Zits."

Copyright explained

If you want to know about copyright in a fun format, try this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

Picture gallery

Thought I'd post a few more pictures for your entertainment. Yes, I'm cheating and posting from my computer, but hey, whatever works!

Pictures are labeled below, top to bottom.

Had to add a picture of the granddaughters--L-R Ilia, Danae, yours truly, Halee.

Sedona, AZ--a place we like to visit.

Looking north from our timeshare in Pagosa Springs

McClure Pass

Red Mountain--Idarado

Continental Divide--Wolf Creek Pass looking west

Original cabin on our high country property--we've built a new and bigger one.

RSS???

Eureka! I've just set up an account on bloglines and subscribed to some blogs and news feeds--I think. We'll see how it goes. Some of my "subcriptions" are not ones that I picked (at least not consciously) but they're there and seem to be fairly innocuous, so guess I'll leave them and see what happens.

Absence

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. As many of you know, my mother-in-law passed away on the 24th of May. That and a very bad cold have kept me out of the loop. But hopefully, I'll find time in the next few days to "go boldly" forward with the projects as outlined by our fearless leader.

For those of you who are Trek fans, here's a little something to argue over--or not. Sent to me by my nephew who is working on his docoroate in communications.

One of the (dorky) staff at Cracked has compiled a hierarchy of Trek > films: (my nephew's comment; not mine--but I have to say he's probably right. Anyway it was fun to look at. And, frankly, if you're a Trek fan, you tend to overlook a lot of stuff, simply because it is Star Trek--my comment.)
http://www.cracked.com/index.php?name=News&sid=2028&pageid=1

As you can see, I finally added a picture to my blog, but it's from my computer, not Flickr. I successfully sent the picture to Flickr, but the image wouldn't download to the blog, unless I wanted to make it public. At this time, I don't want to do that. So, cheating was in order.

Castle Range

This is the view we see out of our cabin window on Black Mesa. Awsome, huh?

Flickr--What?

Well, I set up a Flickr account, tried to email a set of pictures to it, but so far they haven't shown up. Being new to the blog world, I'm not sure how to download a picture to my blog, but I'll figure it out--sooner or later.

Success!

I finally did it! Fairly simple, but it didn't like my first choice for my url. At any rate, it forced me to use a name that would serve me well once my books start getting published. Yes, I am definitely an optimist!

As for Mr. Abram--in what world does he live? Evidently he is not married, has no children, grandchildren, etc., is independently wealthy so he doesn't have to work, and has all the time in the world. I'd be lucky to get those 43 things done in 10 years.