You too can YouTube

Well this was quite interesting!  I now know so much about the  Peruvian Necktie that I feel I could almost run a class (in case you re wondering it is a wrestling hold) I thought I would search for the trapped miners and couldn't remember where they were (it is actually Chile as I've just discovered through a Google search) so I typed in Peru and up popped Peruvian Necktie.  I also checked out Yahoo and Google. There is the clever use of a satirical video on Yahoo Cowboys herding cats   which which has a tag line of EDS - managing the complexity of the digital economy.  While there are plenty of professional music videos, private videos (pleasant and unpleasant), political polemics etc. there are many which are advertising.  On Google Videos screen the left hand side has videos and the  right has sponsored links which relate such as Weddings  How to use it on the Library Website - perhaps videos explaining processes and procedure, etc. which may capture the attention of users who are more used to and interested in this medium than written explanations. 

Wikis

I work on LibNet on an irregular basis and have added my post  I don't always find it easy to locate information on LibNet and tend to bookmark the pages once found.  Enjoyed looking at the variety of uses other libraries have made of Wikis.  From Subject Guides and directional info at St Josephs County Public Library to more of a newsletter style at Bull Run Library where events and info can be easily added and updated.  Then on to Library Success a wiki aimed at an audience of librarians to facilitate the exchange of ideas and innovations.  The BookLoversWiki at Princeton Public Library invites readers to post comments and reviews of books which allows the reader who is bursting to tell someone about the latest book they have read and offers to other readers the opportunity to find out about  books they may not have otherwise come across.  The simplicity and ease with which posts can be made on Wiki invites and allows all to feel confident in its use.

Google Books

Followed LibraryThings with an incursion into Google Books.  Clicked on some of the subjects and found some very strange titles within them such as Medical - Prince and the Pauper, Curious George learns the Alphabet and Religion - Taming of the shrew. Can understand the usefulness (and cost savings)  for Libraries when non-copyright material is scanned and made available and the contributing library receives a digitized copy.  It will be interesting to view Google Books in a couple of years time when the court cases are (possibly) settled and the commercial matters come into play. If Google win the right to sell copyright books will they then move into Chapters and compete with Libraries in the document delivery area.  I also created my own Book Shelf List and now I have so many sites and logins and Passwords I think my head will start spinning soon!

LibraryThing

I enjoyed using LibraryThing and creating my own Library Library and  I could add an entry for all my own books but I wouldn't want to troll through the editions to locate my own so I'd probably settle for any just to list the title.   I read for pleasure and I don't really need to read what others think of a book I've read,  nor read others views before I choose a book.  I do look at Booker Prize nominated Books etc. to find new authors and titles, and also reviews so I probably wouldn't use LibraryThings for my personal use.

Library Blogs

Have been reading through some of the Library Staff blogs and have added some comments.  I don't have a Facebook page nor use any of the other 'tool' available and found Jules comment that Flickr is more useful in the sense that unlike Facebook it isn't restricted to members illuminating.  I came across one blog (Worrybeads) where you needed your email address to comment (if i understood it correctly) and I therefore preferred not to add a comment. On Wholly flying carrots the writer preferred blogs where peoples introduced themselves but whether this meant as a persona or the 'real' details I'm not sure and isn't something I look for. I found Snarlyyow an aesthetically pleasing site with its presentation and lack of clutter.  We're working in an artificial environment,  producing this blog with a particular purpose and time frame so it does feel a little forced.  Would like to have had more time but like everyone else - on to the next task!

More Flickr

Wondered why my photos didn't appear on Flickr and discovered you need 5 photos as a minimum. Went back and added  a few more so hopefully they will now appear.  Quite enjoyed the exercise and also Picasa Photo Album.  Flickr had good info on the 'how to' etc. and I think I would look further into what you can do when using it again.     

Flickr

Just completed Task 5 Explore Flickr.  This is new technology for me but something I have wanted to use.   I found it interesting and fairly easy to follow although there was a lot of info to read through and I read it all to ensure that I had a reasonable grasp of  what to do.  The photograph that I choose was of the walk through the Clem 7 tunnel prior to its opening. Would like to edit the frame from around the photo but out of time at the moment.

Lifelong Learning

Bit of a nervous start to creating my own blog.  Now that I have managed this task I'm feeling more confident (and relieved).   Was a bit daunted by the prospect of creating a blog (and probably the entire program) but Lifelong Learning is about accepting challenges and stretching yourself. 
The hardest habit for me is no. 4, to have the confidence  to believe I can carry out all the tasks but No. 3 reflects my outlook on life, i.e. View problems as challenges.    So it's on with the journey!