Last Call...

Well it's all over, so I will try and do this last one as quickly as possible ;)

• What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
  I think my favorite was generating images at LetterJames. I had already heard/seen a few of the websites, but this one really tickled my fancy.
  
• How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
  The idea that you 'know everything' has become completely outdated in the digital 2.0 world. New ideas are constantly being brought out through incredible websites, and it's humbling.
  
• Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
  Admittedly, at first I didn't think I had the time, or was unwilling to make the time. I consider the whole 23 things an 'unexpected discovery'. I learned so much, and I'm glad I decided to do it.
  
• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
  Maybe next time we could learn about 18 things instead?
  
  And last but not least…
  
  
• If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
  Absolutely. I definitely did not give this a chance at first, and I am glad I took the time to do it.

Drew

Drinks are on Me!

The site i reviewed was... surprise, surprise: Cocktail Builder
Wow first of all, this is an incredible site. Once I put in the ingredients I had in my liquor cabinet, it instantly provided me a list of drinks I could make, as well as a list of drinks I could make if I had one more kind of liquor (and 2 more, 3 more etc.)
While this may be an alcoholic's best friend, it would also be an excellent tool for anyone hosting a Xmas party or even a dinner party, who is unfamiliar with drink making.

Drew

Zoho Writing a Winning Idea

Wow, I really like what I found at Zoho. A really easy-to-use online word processor. My only question is: where was this 7 years ago when I really could have used it, at University. I think this is another element that the Web will always been known for: open and free software that can compete with a suite that you would have to buy. As long as these things exist, it only serves to make the web more accesible and open to all sorts of people in all sorts of income brackets.

Drew

Library 2.0

To me, the one article that stood out was the dangers of 'Techno-lust'. In our pursuit of Library 2.0 we may end becoming enamored with new technology that may appear to be long lasting, but may become obsolete before we realize.
To me Library 2.0 means flexibility. The idea that the user and the library can create that connection (the user needs something that the library has) in a multitude of ways. That the user can connect to the library with whatever means they have.
I also see Library 2.0 as a means to adapt to the NEXT wave, and the wave after that. I'm sure no one thinks that 2.0 will be the last time libraries will be 'revolutionized'.

Drew

Techno-Wha?

I really liked the taggins system with Technocrati. I found that they were easy to use and understand. I also thought it was really cool that you could see who has chosen a certain blog as their favorite, and then go into their profile and check to see what else they have as their favorite. This exactly why I love web 2.0. Online collaboration and social networking, all from the computer.

Drew

Mmmm this site tastes good!

Despite it's name Del.icio.us is a website that has huge potential. My first impression was: Wouldn't this be useful for a Professor or a TA who want their class to keep up with certain topics. "Check out the del.icio.us account for this week's readings." And the class would all be able to access the links, without a waste of paper, or issues about finding the information.
This could also be used quite usefully for a school. Since ciriculum's are often the same each year, the library could add links to the subject as each year goes on, and it would also help to create a sense of continuity as the links would remain even if the teacher were to change.

Drew

Wow Rollyo certainly is an incredible idea. I wonder if these types of search engines will ever be popular will the layperson? While Google is great for general searches I can definitely see why I would rather search for a recipe on Rollyo. It gives a more speicific search target so you don't have to pour through three or four pages to find a decent link.
I've included a link to my Rollyo search bar, which is set to help someone search for news in the Comic book industry:
http://rollyo.com/bigbaddru/drus_comics_search/

Drew

I've got a Library on my book shelf...

Well this is the tool for a librarian. Not only does it quickly give you the books LC number, but it allows us crazy book-addicts a way to keep their collection logical and easy to use. I know from personal experience that any organization that you add to a book shelf will instantly disappear once you add another book, and another, and another.

Drew

Generation

Wow I love LetterJames for its ability to generate a really cool photo, and you can add your own text. This is something I can up with as an omage to Alan Moore, and David Gibbons' "Watchmen":



Drew

RSS still hungry?

To keep that RSS fed, I looked at a couple of sites to search for new RSS feeds.
I started with the Bloglines search, which was easy and not too hard to understand. It put the search bar in an obvious place and organized my results in the best possible way.
I found Technorati to be a bit too much. The search bar was hidden away, and there's just too much going on.
I like Topix, because you could immediately browse the feeds by terms like 'Popular', 'US', 'World'. Sometimes coming up with a search term is just as hard as searching for it. With this feature you might find some feeds that you never knew existed or never knew you find interesting.
Syndic8 would appeal to me for harder to find or more specific RSS feeds, but I found it's appearance a little too-90s for me. I mean, it's almost 2008, and websites dont all have to look that way anymore! ;)

Drew

Feeding your RSS

I've never really used RSS feeds before, but I can definitely see why I will still use them. I think the biggest advantage is that it brings the web content to you, which can be beneficial for people who don't/can't/won't surf through the world wide web. I can see this being really popular.
I would love to set up an account for my mom, who uses the internet, but with some difficulty. With these features, I could have everything she wanted in an easy to find way.

Drew

The Tech Blog

The one aspect of technology that trully blows my mind would have to be MP3 players. The idea that my entire music collection can easily be put into a card, no larger than a stamp, blows my mind! I remember going to university and luggin all of my cds down and saying to myself: "Well if you didn't like music you wouldn't have this problem."
Now I can jump on the bus, pick through 10 000 songs and keep listening for as long as I need.
techonoloy=rules

drew

Mash-up! Holla!

No this ain't no post on DJ Green Lantern's mix-tapes, which DO rule, or the genius of Danger Mouse (Grey Album!).
What I'm talking about is the mash-up applications that are available on Flickr. Speciafically the 'Flickr Montager'! This program creates those montage photos we all know and love, in seconds.
Here's one I did with the search of 'Bike':
http://www.deviousgelatin.com/montager/image.php

So cool! I can definitely tell that I've just scratched the surface.

dru

Flickr fun!

Now this is what I love about the internet. People taking amazing pictures and then posting them for anyone to enjoy and appreciate. What is cool is that you can literally get lost for hours on one artist, or be jumping from picture to picture.

This one stood out to me when i searched for "Drew Thomas":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sokref1/132084490/

dru

Can you hear me?

Well I've never been a fan of eBooks, let a long eAudiobooks, but my parents have recently started to try them out on long care trips. So I tried looking for a few titles in the NetLibrary site. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't very impressed with the selection of titles they do have. Now that's not to say there aren't books I would read/listen to, on this site, it's just that the ones I want to read aren't there.

Drew

Casting into the waters of PodCasts

My favorite use of podcasts is listening to commentary to episodes of Battlestar Galactica. They're available here. You get one for every episode and you don't have to wait for the dvds to come out.

Drew

You wanna YouTube?

So a warden in asia made all his prisoners memorize, then perform the Thriller video.

I like youtube occasionally, like when someone sends me a viral-video. I don't ever, ever browse the videos because I just don't have that kind of time.

Drew

Bloggin at SAPL

Let's face it, we could all use a new way to tell people what are favorite things are, and this Wiki is just what wee need! Constantly, I feel like I have to tell people things I like, but it would always be awkward to start a conversation like this: "You know what MY favorite things are?"
This wiki could solve all my problems.

Drew

How wicked are wikis?

After taking a look at the four wikis in question you get the feeling that the content and the look of a wiki are dependant greatly and how much time people are willing to put in.
I felt like SJCPL subject guides list was a litttle too much like a list of links.
I thought the book lover's wiki was a great idea! 'Read a book, and post the review.' The best part is you get good and bad reviews becuase unlike librarians (i feel like i always do this) they aren't selling the book, they're just being honest.
The 3rd wiki, Library Success was fine, but the fact that it looked identical to Wikipedia probably doesn't help.
I think I liked the last wiki the best because it looked more like a "real" website than any of the others. On the front page they have put things that people want to click. News, library info and random web links. If they want more info they cam find it, but it's not being shown immediately.

Much like people, some wikis are nice, and some are bad.
Drew

The problem with blogs...

is that no one really cares about what they say.
OR do they?

Drew