Today's lesson was about image generators. I didn't see a specific assignment, but thought I'd take a moment to add an image I quickly created. I imagine there's lots to explore with mashing images, but I only had a few minutes today. Maybe someday...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Image Generators
Today's lesson was about image generators. I didn't see a specific assignment, but thought I'd take a moment to add an image I quickly created. I imagine there's lots to explore with mashing images, but I only had a few minutes today. Maybe someday...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Overdrive Downloads
Yes! Finally one where I am ahead of the game!
I had already put a book on hold to download. My book was Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. My hold came in yesterday, and I was notified via email that it was ready and that I would have TWO days to download it before it went to the next borrower. Here's my experience:
I had no trouble following the directions to install Overdrive, but it turned out I already had installed it; we just weren't certain whether we had the newest update on it. Anyway, I was able to download it to my MP3 player without difficulty.
I have a chapter splitter installed on my home pc, but I was not able to split my sections on my MP3, which makes it a little more difficult to listen to it if I should have to back up for any reason. I also have some other podcasts downloaded on it, and those things split just fine.
One thing that came up just yesterday was when a customer came into the library and said she was notified she had a hold and it wasn't on the shelf. My co-worker investigated, and didn't find it on the shelf OR on her record. When he asked her exactly what the email said, she said it said she had two days to pick it up. He said that didn't make any sense. It was only later, when I told him about my experience with my own download that morning, that we realized she had an audio download, not a physical hold. Nothing on her record indicated that, so as staff we'll have to be careful in investigating those incidents when they occur, at least until customers are used to the audio download system.
I think this is an important note, so I am inclined to mention it on the main comment page.
I had already put a book on hold to download. My book was Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. My hold came in yesterday, and I was notified via email that it was ready and that I would have TWO days to download it before it went to the next borrower. Here's my experience:
I had no trouble following the directions to install Overdrive, but it turned out I already had installed it; we just weren't certain whether we had the newest update on it. Anyway, I was able to download it to my MP3 player without difficulty.
I have a chapter splitter installed on my home pc, but I was not able to split my sections on my MP3, which makes it a little more difficult to listen to it if I should have to back up for any reason. I also have some other podcasts downloaded on it, and those things split just fine.
One thing that came up just yesterday was when a customer came into the library and said she was notified she had a hold and it wasn't on the shelf. My co-worker investigated, and didn't find it on the shelf OR on her record. When he asked her exactly what the email said, she said it said she had two days to pick it up. He said that didn't make any sense. It was only later, when I told him about my experience with my own download that morning, that we realized she had an audio download, not a physical hold. Nothing on her record indicated that, so as staff we'll have to be careful in investigating those incidents when they occur, at least until customers are used to the audio download system.
I think this is an important note, so I am inclined to mention it on the main comment page.
It's Delicious!
Today we learned about del.icio.us. One thing that I've increasingly enjoyed are the Common Craft Show segments. This is a quick, efficient, and fun way to learn the basics of whatever technological device is the topic of the day. It really helps to get this quick overview before we begin to try to wrap our minds around the ways we may implement the concepts in our daily lives.
Also, I have discovered that the best way for me, as frontline staff, to complete the assignments is to do them as two-step assignments. Step one: read about the assignment and view the video, if there is one. Think about it overnight, etc. The second day, practice the assignment and then write my blog. If I have to do it in three steps, as I have for the del.icio.us assignment, then I do the blog on the third day. This way I find I can still move forward on the assignments, but I don't have to rush through them so fast that I'm not really learning anything.
I signed up for my del.icio.us account this week. I plan to share my account with my grandson. This way, his favorites will be available to him whether he's at his house or my house AND I can help guide him in his selections. (Maybe he'll guide me, too!)
Also, I have discovered that the best way for me, as frontline staff, to complete the assignments is to do them as two-step assignments. Step one: read about the assignment and view the video, if there is one. Think about it overnight, etc. The second day, practice the assignment and then write my blog. If I have to do it in three steps, as I have for the del.icio.us assignment, then I do the blog on the third day. This way I find I can still move forward on the assignments, but I don't have to rush through them so fast that I'm not really learning anything.
I signed up for my del.icio.us account this week. I plan to share my account with my grandson. This way, his favorites will be available to him whether he's at his house or my house AND I can help guide him in his selections. (Maybe he'll guide me, too!)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wikis
Today I learned about Wikis.
I'm thinking that we can use Wikis effectively in this library system for things which connect us together library to library in this system, such as in Summer Reading.
Say we decide to do a summer reading program next year (as it might be too late for planning purposes this year). We could build a wiki and let the various branches enter what kind of program they are planning to do and what kinds of materials they think they may need to complete it. We can also add helpful hints and tips about decorating, raising sponsors, etc. For example, last year I found out by attending WLA that Kathy Bullene had asked to have decorative signs created using the theme at the time, which was 'Get a Clue @ Your Library'. She had her posters printed on card stock so they were attractive and would last. I liked her idea so much I used it in Oak Harbor. These are the kinds of things we should all know about.
I can see how a wiki could be useful for any group trying to put together a project, whether it's for school, work, or just plain fun.
I'm thinking that we can use Wikis effectively in this library system for things which connect us together library to library in this system, such as in Summer Reading.
Say we decide to do a summer reading program next year (as it might be too late for planning purposes this year). We could build a wiki and let the various branches enter what kind of program they are planning to do and what kinds of materials they think they may need to complete it. We can also add helpful hints and tips about decorating, raising sponsors, etc. For example, last year I found out by attending WLA that Kathy Bullene had asked to have decorative signs created using the theme at the time, which was 'Get a Clue @ Your Library'. She had her posters printed on card stock so they were attractive and would last. I liked her idea so much I used it in Oak Harbor. These are the kinds of things we should all know about.
I can see how a wiki could be useful for any group trying to put together a project, whether it's for school, work, or just plain fun.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
YouTube
Today I viewed YouTube, Hulu, and Fancast.
Here's a link to an interesting YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiyOYuim71k
This is an imaginative nine-minute video about the Disney ride, the Hollywood Tower of Terror. What makes this video unique is that the videographer, George J Holmes, has added computer enhanced imagery as well as audio to give you the idea of what the fictional hotel would have looked like 'back in the day'. This enhances the experience in a very fun and creative way.
I also searched for YouTube videos for Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries, some Michigan libraries, etc. The only one that matched was a Sno-Isle Library video about a series of programs where teens learn to make videos. Unfortunately, there was no sound to the video.
As far as Hulu and Fancast, I may use them some day when I want to view a program but neither has my favorite 'out of print' program, which is Newhart. (What is up with that!?!?!) Since we are considering getting rid of regular tv, Internet tv may fill the gap on those occasions when we wish to watch a program.
Here's a link to an interesting YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiyOYuim71k
This is an imaginative nine-minute video about the Disney ride, the Hollywood Tower of Terror. What makes this video unique is that the videographer, George J Holmes, has added computer enhanced imagery as well as audio to give you the idea of what the fictional hotel would have looked like 'back in the day'. This enhances the experience in a very fun and creative way.
I also searched for YouTube videos for Oak Harbor Library, Sno-Isle Libraries, some Michigan libraries, etc. The only one that matched was a Sno-Isle Library video about a series of programs where teens learn to make videos. Unfortunately, there was no sound to the video.
As far as Hulu and Fancast, I may use them some day when I want to view a program but neither has my favorite 'out of print' program, which is Newhart. (What is up with that!?!?!) Since we are considering getting rid of regular tv, Internet tv may fill the gap on those occasions when we wish to watch a program.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Today I signed up for a Facebook account.
Here's a link to it:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1312061874
It was fairly easy to sign up, but at work we have been signing up for a lot of things; I'm not certain how easy it will be to get back to all these things we try. That being said, it was easy to sign up for the account. Mine is pretty bare bones at this point. Maybe someday I'll get around to adding nice features.
I found some Disney related people on Facebook, so I asked to be added to their network of Friends. I knew about them from a podcast that I listen to on my way to work. There are two accounts; Ricky Brigante is the host of a show called Inside the Magic. I asked Ricky to add me to his Friends list, and on Inside the Magic, I became a 'fan'. There are lots of other cool sites related to Inside the Magic elsewhere, including forums, Twitter, YouTube, and so on, which are all related to Disney in one form or another.
Here's a link to it:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1312061874
It was fairly easy to sign up, but at work we have been signing up for a lot of things; I'm not certain how easy it will be to get back to all these things we try. That being said, it was easy to sign up for the account. Mine is pretty bare bones at this point. Maybe someday I'll get around to adding nice features.
I found some Disney related people on Facebook, so I asked to be added to their network of Friends. I knew about them from a podcast that I listen to on my way to work. There are two accounts; Ricky Brigante is the host of a show called Inside the Magic. I asked Ricky to add me to his Friends list, and on Inside the Magic, I became a 'fan'. There are lots of other cool sites related to Inside the Magic elsewhere, including forums, Twitter, YouTube, and so on, which are all related to Disney in one form or another.
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