Back to it!

I had forgotten about my blog, haven't been on since November 2009. Glad I saved my login information. Maybe I'll get back into blogging, who knows? 3/30/11

Task #23 Webolution Wrapup

I took the survey, quick and painless.
And with that, I'm sorry to say, this Webolution has come to an end.

Task #22 Blogs We Like

I spent way too much time in Tastespotting looking and pondering recipes. (Thanksgiving is just around the corner ya know! )

I did find the site a bit awkward to navigate through, lots of twists and turns.

As for a blog that I follow, well, to be honest none. I'm just not a "blogger follower" type of guy(?)...person.

Egad, let me follow that comment with a clear declaration that I have really enjoyed the last two Webolutions. I've gained knowledge in useful as well as fun (Picnik) tasks. And I look forward to the possibility of more.

Thanks Nancy and Cari for all your work!

Task #21 Photo Editing with Picnik

A fun task!

I used the pencil sketch feature to change this photo.

This is a site I plan to Bookmark on my home computer and explore more when I have the time.

It is amazing what programs people can develop. (Smarter people than me for sure)

Task #20 Goverment Websites

I am very familiar with the County Assessor site and how to utilize it.
What I did find very interesting and useful was the State of Colorado webpage.
I researched how to renew my drivers license on line, and attempted to explore "Map Sexual Offenders by Address" but it was down for system maintenance. I will explore this site at a later time.
The most useful section was "Stolen Vehicle Check by Vin" which I can use to check vehicles that have been abandoned in the library parking lot. This will save me the step of calling local law enforcement to find the information.
Useful task.

Task # 19 Wiki Scavanger Hunt

100% Go Me!
Pretty straight-forward task.
I learned what OPAC stands for and learned about the Promo materials.
Looks like I better make sure my Security Schedule is current (Question #2)

Task #18 Tiny URL's and Zamzar

http://tinyurl.com/Caramel-Apple-Pies I discovered, with Nancy T's assistance, that making a link in Internet Explorer doesn't work! If your having problems it's most likely that, so save yourself some time and aggravation and use Firefox! I like the TinyURL feature. By the way, the apple pie recipes I linked are pretty good. I used Zamzar to download Blackeyed Pea's Pump It to my desk top. After loading Pump It to my desk top I used TinyURL to post my new favorite tune to my blog. I think I would use the TinyURL program more than Zamzar. Perhaps if I explored Zamzar a little more I might change my mind. Great Tune Say Hey (I Love You) http://tinyurl.com/kveye3 And check this out. Thanks Shanna for showing me the short way to add links!!! It even works in Explorer. For Obama fans: http://tinyurl.com/cjenp7

The Help

I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The review "A deeply moving novel fill with poignancy, humor, and hope. A timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by , and the ones we don't." says it all. I recommend this book.

Task # 17 Library Professional Sites

I visited several sites.
Infopeople had several trainings on library security procedures.
There are numerous blogs that pertained to information geared toward toward librarians.
Library Job Postings would be a helpful resource for persons looking for career opportunities in the library field.
The site I might use would be Infopeople to gather information on security procedures.

Task #16 Open Source Sofeware & Open Office

I was able to download Open Office jiffy-quick.
I can see the benefits to Open Office if you did not have a word processing program installed on your computer. Free is always a consideration.
I didn't care for the program only because I'm so used to working with Word. I think if I had to use Open Office I would get familiar with it and find it as user friendly as Word.
And for question 3 of this task, I have to admit that I have no clue.

Task #15 Clipmark

Not my favorite task. I was unable to upload the Clipmark program and had to get assistance from Cari (thanks Cari).
I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to clip a video from YouTube. I shall continue until I can figure it out! Argggg. Not today!
Next day: I've tried to download 3 different items. None show even though Clipmark says they have been successfully downloaded to my blog. Where are they going? . Is it me??? This task is making me a bit suicidal, or perhaps homicidal?

Task #14 Downloadable Audio Books

Pretty simple! I feel like a pro since we had downloadable audio books on the last Webolution.
I was able to install the OneClickMediaCenter with no problems.
I downloaded "Ice Cold Grave" (it is close to Halloween you know) by Charliene Harris. I doubt I will listen to the book for two reasons (1) I dislike being read to and (2) the book is over 8 hours long!
I do like not having to log in with my library card and I found the site very user friendly. And it has more titles that you could want.
I like this site and may use it for Deryl who does like and use audio books.

Task #13 Music Downloads

Soundsnap is not user friendly, at least I didn't find it so. I downloaded 2 sounds to my computer and was unable to locate them. Cari attempted to assist but she didn't have any luck locating them either. We did download one more (to my desktop) and it's there, but not for long.

I can't think of any useful way the library might be able to use Soundsnap sounds, but then again since I didn't care for the site I didn't give it much thought.

Last FM is still high on my list of fun, easy and useful sites. Mary is always talking about Nellie Furtato so I listened to a few of her songs. Not as gr8 as Black Eyed Peas but still "listenable".

OK, ready for Task #14, bring it on!

Task #12 Novelist Tour

One of the many reasons I like working at the Library is all the interesting things I've learned.
Novelist is really a useful source that I did not know existed until this task.
It was surprising to me that there are seven books in the Harry Potter series. I didn't realize there were that many.
I used James Patterson as the author in read-alikes. "A-like" authors were Sanford, Iles, Pearson, Deaver, Coben, Kennedy and Garber.
I researched "Greeting Cards" and found a few books. I also researched "diet" and found lots of material. For the sub-genre I checked "nutrition" Health" and "weight control".
Did I discover anything I would use on a regular basis? You bet. This is a great site. Thanks for the introduction.

Task #11 Resources on the Web

I visited all the sites listed in the Book Report Network.
My favorite was the GraphicNovelReporter. It has the most interesting and attention grabbing web page. TeenReads was also interesting although I did not care for the section "Join our Facebook Fans page". Lots of photos of young people who share too much personal information about themselves.
I was unable to view "AuthorsYellowPages" as it was blocked due to "porn" ??!!
The Biography Center has two articles about Augusten Burroughs, a writer who's life I find fascinating. I was unaware that he has written a book "A Wolf at the Table" which I plan to check-out as soon as I finish this writing. Since I'm such an experienced researcher, I was able to find that we have the book on the shelf.

Task #10 Explore Research Databases

OUCH! A tough one for me.
(1) I watched the 3 1/2 minute video.
(2) I researched Smart Cars in Consumer Reports. The didn't like the "rough ride" of the 2008 model (mine is a 2009, much nicer ride) and reported the Institute for Safety rated the vehicle as "Good" because of the "frontal and demanding side impact crash test". I liked that.
(3) I researched author Augusten Burroughs in the Biography Center and located two articles, Contemporary Authors Online and Authors and Artists for Young Adult Readers.
Although I now have a little more knowledge in researching, I am by no means skilled in this area.

Task #9 Easy Web Design

WOW! I didn't realize how easy it would be to to create a web site.
I wasn't going to create a web site at all until I read all the information and found that I could limit who has access to it. So my URL won't be posted on my page.
And should I ever decide to open a business (don't hold your breath) I'll be able to whip out a web site in a flash!

Task #8 Share, Remix, Reuse--Legally

Interesting task. I watched the Creative Comments video and learned more than I knew before, which is not much either way. It's interesting that people are willing to share their creative ideas for free.
I searched for images using the Flickr search interface. I located cartoons and images of women in foreign countries.
I found Snoop Dogg doing his "Eastside vs Westside" music video. Very lively.
I also found "Mr Pregnant Prank Calls Hotel Mohammend". Super strange. I went in deeper and found a video that I did not watch. (I only hope Marmot doesn't check my computer for porn anytime soon. Yikes!!)
Another interesting task. Keep 'em coming.

Task # 7 A Sampling Of Readers Resources

Library Thing
1. Easy to join, not a lot of personal information needed.
2. I found it to be too much of a social networking site.
3. The search was not as simple as other sites.
Goodreads
1. Easy to locate genres
2. Easy registration
3. Good discussion board, although some readers comments should start with a "spoiler alert".
Shelfari
1. Mainly a site for those interested in social networking.
2. Explore Books Section has easy to find areas such as : most popular, subject, tags, authors, etc.
Litlovers
1. I plan to take the lit course for personal development and will blog about my results.
2. Finally! A site that is not mainly so social networking.
AllReaders
1. Searching for plots, settings or character was very easy.
2. Although I did find the site would be useful, Diana and I submitted information on a book she is currently reading (no title or author)but search did not result in suggesting the book we researching.
Boulder Public Library's Goodreads page
1. This is worth considering adding to our site.
2. I don't know enough about our current book blog to consider it as a replacement. I'll leave that decision to those who use it more.
3. I would not be interested in contributing to the content of our current book blog or a Goodreads page.

Task #6 ORE Tutorials

Having staff orientation on the computer would seem to me to be a time saving idea. Also, it would be a handy tool to use to refresh yourself from time to time.
I really liked the idea of the quiz, as both Ohio and Huston does, but would rather have seen it multiple choice rather than essay. The computer could grade the test instead of having to have a staff member take time to check it.
To me the most interesting section of both was Ohio's "Confidentiality". It was interesting to see how the wording is different than that of Colorado's. To me, maybe I'm just prejudice, Colorado's law is written much more defined.

Dinner

Nice dinner!

Deryl was very pleased but I thought the buns were a bit flat and could have been firmer!

Task #5 Catalog Holds

I'm very familiar with placing holds for myself from home. Its a feature I do use.
I have used both methods, but I prefer to see if the item I want is available before I enter my name and card number.
Thanks to Kay Oxer for her assistance with this task, she lead me down the right path!
I have helped patrons at the catalog computers place holds. I usually find the item first, then type in their name and card number.

Task # 4Facebook

OK, I'm one of those old fashioned private people who refuse to join Facebook, MySpace or Linkedln. Call me anti-social if you want!

Of course the first Facebook page I visited was.......Barack Obama of course! His page was OK, nothing I got really excited about.

Coca-Cola was next. I have to admit the photo of the dog with the Coke can on his snout made me lol.

The Mesa County Public Library page was OK, again nothing I got all excited about.

The future of these networking sites will continue to evolve and grow. I know of several staff who think this is just keener than sliced bread but count me out of this area of communicating with people.

Task #3 Website Scavenger Hunt

Ooops! Missed 2 questions. Ending score 86.666666666667%
I started off by missing the first question! My answer was "For Readers" when I should have known it was "all of the above". And now I know (question #9) that the Mesa County Public Foundation was established in 1994 and not 1999. To be honest, I could not find the correct answer so I took a wild guess, a wrong guess at that. Before the end of the day I will locate where the correct answer can be located.
This was a good learning exercise.

Task #2 Fun Time

I have discovered Pandora! I have seen Pandora being used in the circulation area and admit to being a bit curious.
I plugged my Black-eyed Peas. And like magic, there they were.
I don't think I'll be able to use this at work due to the fact I like my music on the "rap" side and played verrrrry loud. It doesn't go with me telling patrons to quiet down when I'm in my office rocking out.
It was "Fun Time" as the task indicated.