Thing 23

I had fun in this last minute marathon of 23thingsonastick. Thru this experience I found that I am already using many of these tools in my personal life. It has made me think more about how these can be used for work and opened my eyes to tools I didn't even know about or had the time to explore.

I was also surprised at how much time a person could spend exploring everything. I do want to go back and complete some of the extras I didn't have time to do.

If more is offered in the future I would certainly take a look at it.

Thing 22

I will spend 15 minutes a day blogging even if it is just for my friends or colleagues. Since I already use my Gmail account daily, I will explore the web2.0 stuff that is out there after checking e-mail. I will also more actively read my RSS feeds and podcasts.

I have found that many of these tools can be updated via a web enabled cell phone or even SMS. It seems like I always have extra time when I take a break to keep up with Web/Library 2.0.

Thing 21

I am a member of LinkedIn and find it useful in networking with other professionals. It is amazing the number of people you can ultimately end up being linked to. Thru my connections with other LinkedIn members my network is up to over 16,800 people.

I do like Shelfari and LinkedIn. With Shelfari it is interesting to see what is on other member's bookshelf and see what their opinions are.

I found last.fm interesting and will use it personally at home. You can tell it what groups interest you it will make recommendations and show you other listeners or groups you can join.

Thing 20

I used my existing Facebook account for this thing. I joined the "Caribau coffee is better than Starbucks" group because, well, it is. I have noticed more and more of my friends joining Facebook. It is a good way to keep up with what everyone else is doing.

In my own experience I agree Facebook continues to grow quickly. I'm always finding other people I know using the friend of a friend finder. Facebooks seems to have ways to add on to the existing Facebook program. For example, you can write an "application" to search your web catalog if you know how to put the right code together.

Thing 19

I listened to an election podcast on the MPR website. I have used iTunes to listen to other technology related podcasts and videocasts.

I liked Podcastalley.com the best. I was easy to browse and the web site wasn't too busy. I also tried yahoo which is good if you know what you are looking for.

I don't plan to do any podcasting myself but I will continue downloading and listening to podcasts like I have in the past. itunes really makes it easy to keep your iPod loaded with my favorite podcasts.

Thing 18

I'll post a link to a prank done in Austin MN. I chose this video because it was a harmless and funny prank. This same poster happens to have a prank done at our very own library (also posted below) .

In looking at videos on Youtube, there were some pranks I would consider mean in nature. I think this could give our kids ideas to try on their own. On the other hand, Youtube really people be creative.

I could see our library using Youtube to promote services our library offer or to instruct patrons on how to use some of our equipment.

Thing 17

I could see using the ELM tools to create searches for technology I want to keep up on. This would save me lots of time by bringing the search into my RSS reader.

The ability to create a web page with embedded articles or searching could be used to create a topic page to teach staff about a particular technology. This could have links to articles written in a journal or newspaper complete with images and my own text.

Netlibrary could be used if working on a project together with another colleague.
I think students would benefit the most when doing research projects or writing papers together.

Thing 16

I wish something like this was available when I had to write research papers for school. It would have saved me trying to finish things in a compressed time period. Receiving an e-mail reminder would keep you on track.

Libraries could post links to these tools on their web sites to make students aware of them. It might also be helpful to create some links to search our catalog directly on common research topics to help students in finding supporting materials.

I could see using the RPC myself in creating slide presentations for work.

Thing 15

I used my avatar to explore in Second Life. The Second Life worlds would take long time to explore. The people I've interacted with in Second Life are friendly. There are groups you can join in Second Life and even events and jobs! I would have a hard time working all day only to come home and work in a virtual world. I do think it is cool that the objects you build in world are yours to do whatever you want with them. It seems that people can make an income building or scripting in Second Life.

I think libraries could use Second Life to appeal to the generations that prefer they type of virtual interaction. I do wonder with so many libraries in the real world how Second Life would be used if each one of us wanted a presence in Second Life.

Thing 14

I really see the potential in library thing. Using an Internet enabled cell phone you could access your Library Thing to make sure you haven't already read a book before checking it out or buying it. Library Thing could also help you find books that interest you based on the likes of other Library Thing users with the same book in their catalog.

I think the books I put up on Library Thing ranged from 30 up to 3,700 so not the most popular. It was interesting to read what people are doing with one book on personal productivity. Library Thing really helps you connect with other people who have similar tastes in books. I have used a similar website called Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com/).

Thing 13

I chose iGoogle for my start page. I already had a google account and gmail so it made this quick and easy to set up. I also took a look at Pageflakes. I like that Pageflakes was able to tell where I was and instantly guess at what newspaper to display stories from and the local weather and tv guide. I am supposed to make our intranet the default page at work but I would consider using iGoogle for my start at home.



I will probably use Don't Forget the Milk. I like that you can organize the events by work, personal and that you can import events to your calendar with iCal.



I would recommend Backpack to small workgroups or organizations without IT staff to support the creation of an intranet.



I have used the MSN calendar to share schedules with my wife. This works out well so we know what the other is doing in the evening. I'd like to use DFTM with her too.

I tried the PDFconverter and think it is handy if you don't already have a program installed to create a PDF.

Thing 12

I could see using something like Mixx to keep up on stories that are voted popular or recent on subjects that interest me. It might be nice to use the private groups feature to build content with friends who hold similar interests.

Mixx seems like it could save time by allowing the most voted on content to make its way to the top. Saving you the time of being distracted by other fluff on the page.

I have used Digg before to read popular sites from time to time. I have also marked sites for Digg.

Thing 11

I could see using Del.icio.us to tag websites for patrons to explore. I plan to use Del.icio.us to share tags with work colleagues so they can see some of the sites I have found usefull at work.

I know our library maintains a database of library recommended websites on our homepage. I think it would be nice if we could import those links into Del.icio.us to create another access point to these sites that as of now are only available from our website.

I like the fact that when you tag a site and other people also tag the same site, your tags are merged to help create more ways for people to find the site you originally tagged.

Thing 10

I like the more structured format the Wiki provides in collaboration. For example, headings will look the same and provide for multiple levels to easily format information.

We use a Wiki for our staff intranet and our department's internal knowledge base. Since things change so often it made sense to use a Wiki. I like that you can look back at previous changes and who made them.

I don't think Wikipedia should be banned however I do think users should remember that information posted could be inaccurate. I think Wikipedia can provide very up to date information and allows subject experts the ability to quickly build upon the work of others.

I did a simple edit in the Wiki sandbox. Using the "***" tags I created some new bullet points.

Thing 9

I liked Google Docs. It seems to respond faster than Zoho writer for some reason. I'm also more familiar with Google Docs and like the fact that it integrates with your Gmail contacts. I did like the fact that Zoho does warn you before you publish something publicly instead of privately. You really need to be aware of what you are doing before publishing something.

I think I prefer the way Google Docs integrates with Gmail. It makes it easier to share documents and keep track of what is going on with the other editors.

I think the Founding Fathers would have finished he Constitution much sooner with these types of tools.... and have spell check to boot!

Thing 8

I used Lazybase to create a sample movie database. The basic template was already an option so I just had to populate it. I could see patrons using something like this to track and rate books they read. Seeing that you can import CSV files it would be easy to modify our library My Account page to provide a way for patrons to grab a CSV of checked out items for easy import to Lazybase.

I would recommend this to organizations who need to provide a method for multiple people to edit a database. This could also be a way for library volunteers working from home to log hours remotely.

Personally I've used Google Docs to share Microsoft Word document with other people to edit. This works very well.

Thing 7

Our library uses e-mail extensively to communicate with staff. I know we have recently begun using e-mail to notify patrons who opt in that a particular page on our site has been updated. We also send courtesy notices and pickup notices to those patron who opt in to receive these via e-mail. I know patrons really appreciate being notified 2 days before the item is due.

I think it is important for libraries to use the access method the patron is most comfortable with. I know that our reference desk makes librarians available via IM.

I use IM at home and on my phone. I also use SMS as well.

I've attended webinars to learn more about IT topics or product information. With dual monitors I find I can usually listen to the presentation and get work done at the same time!

Thing 6

I used the trading card creater to make river boat safety card. I could see a library creating some fun trading cards for Children's story characters who come to visit the library or even staff.

Thing 5

My creation
Originally uploaded by sbmosing

Some of these flickr tools are very fun and addicting. I could see a library uses these tools to create promotional material, create puzzles for kids to do.

I am careful about what I post online publicly. I mostly post privately and even then omit names that would fully identify the subject.

Thing 4

I already had a flickr account but never used it to create a blog post with it before. It was very easy to set up the blogger connection with flickr. I've used my flickr account to upload photos to share with friends and family. I will probably continue using flickr to share photos like I have been in the past.

Amuzing Race Thrivent Financial Team

Amuzing Race Thrivent Financial Team
Originally uploaded by sbmosing

My Wife's office sponsored a leg of the 2008 Amuzing race fund raiser for the Rochester Public Library. They had a lot of fun trying to figure out each challenge.

Thing 3 - RSS Feeds

I've known RSS feeds are there but never took the time to sit down and set up the RSS aggregater in Google. I sometimes run into helpful blogs when I Google a questions and always mean to come back and read more of the newly discovered blog. Adding the RSS feed to Google will remind me to read the posted content and save me time navigating to the blog in the first place.

There could be some possibilities in monitoring certain servers I manage which can post system health information to an RSS feed.

I think using the tool Google provides for searching RSS feeds was easy to use and already integrated with my RSS reader so I will probably continue to use it for searching new RSS feeds.

Thing 2

I do think these are exciting times for Libraries and the technology we use. I welcome change and do enjoy learning new things. I'm using "23 things on a stick" as an excuse to actually use some time to sit down and do/explore these tools.

I have had the opportunity to help our library utilize Web 2.0 in a sort of mash-up that allows patrons to use material information available on Amazon.com to make recommendations of items to purchase. The information my application consumes on Amazon.com via API allows me to provide detailed information on the item the patron wants us to purchase.

Avatar and Adsense

I almost forgot to create my avatar. No, I'm not Elvis but I decided to have a little fun with it since all the elements were available on Yahoo. I also included my Google adsense link since Google made it so easy to include. If I am able to track revenue attributed to this blog I'll probably give it to our Friends just to be fair. I also created a news post but it seems like there is no control over the background of the news section. I'll have to peek around and see if Blogger lets you tweak the style sheet or HTML any so that it doesn't get lost in the background.

First post

This is my first post for 23 things! I could have made my Blog appear at the top of SELS blog but then my blog would have to live up to that position. I'll leave that burden to #23 :^)

thing 1 complete