Week 4, Thing 9: Explore MERLIN and other library blogs

I knew about Merlin, but I don't always remember to go there. There was lots of good stuff and I'm glad I added it to my bloglines. I found Topix.net the easist to use. I found an Ellicott City News site that I subscribed to. I found these newsfeed/blog search tools a little bit confusing. On a lot of searches it found nothing good, or found things that seemed unrelated.

Week 4, Thing 8: RSS & Newsreader

I already had a Blogline account from a class I took here in the library called "Geeks Bearing Gift." We did sign up some feeds too. I had not looked at it since that class. This exercise gave me a review and more practice. I signed up for more feeds, including some FCPL participant blog. I don't regularly go to the same websites or blogs every day for information, so I don't know how I would use this personally. I do go to CNN frequently, so I added that feed. The library blogs could be useful, but it takes so long to read them. Can you search them for posts on certain topics? I think I will take the time to follow one of them - I just need to figure out which one.

A great way for the library to use RSS feeds is to alert patrons when new books on a particular topic or by a particular author are added to the catalog. Libraries are doing this (I didn't think of it.) Here is one example, http://hclibrary.org/services/rss.php

Week 3, Thing 7: Anything Technology Related

Since my daughter is spending the summer in NYC I decided to buy a webcam (to go with my brand new laptop) so I could see and talk to her. She already had one. I bought a logitech webcam from Amazon for about $30. I also had to sign up for the free software Window Live Messenger in order to talk to her and see her. In order to do this I had to create a hotmail account (another e-mail account!). Anyway, after a few trials and errors it worked. It was great to see her sitting on her couch with her tiny NYC kitchen behind her. The only thing was the sound was not great. The was like a ringing sound. She said she doesn't get this when she talks to other people. So now I have to figure that out.

Week 3, Thing 6: Flickr Mashups

I thought Montagr was pretty cool - to make a collage of small photos all on the same topic. I can't remember where, but I saw a piece of artwork like that, but the small photos made a larger picture. Montagr should be able to do that. I played around with changing the colors, but I don't think you can make a big picture. One thing you can do online, but not with the piece of art is enlarge each of the individual photos. I also liked the librarian trading cards. I would never make one because I don't like photos of myself, but I think it would be cool for teen librarians to do.

Week 3, Thing 5: Flickr

Old stone house, Ellicott City
Originally uploaded by Monceau

Here is an old house near Sheppard Pratt (Taylor Manor) in Ellicott CIty that I like to drive by. Photo from Monceau's Photo's on Flickr.

Week 2, Thing 3: Set up a blog

Pretty easy. I do have a gmail account for my personal use. I'm curious how my gmail user name and password popped up on blogger.com. Do you have to have a gmail account to use Blogger?

Week 1, Thing 2: Pointers for LifeLong Learning

The hardest lifelong learning habit for me is play! I'm not good at playing. I'm way too serious. The easiest for me is #1, begin with the end in mind. I like to set goals and make plans.

Week 1, Thing 1: About This Program

I am amazed that 83 people at FCPL have signed up to do 23 things!