Thing 7: Image Generators

Wow.....this was too easy! I went to the ImageChef site and selected the image I wanted to use, typed in the info I wanted to display, previewed my image, then I was given the option to post the image somewhere. Posting to Blogger was one of the options so all I had to do was enter my Blogger information and the title of the post - ImageChef transferred the code and posted it for me. I think I'll go play with some other image generators!

Thing 6: Flickr Mashups

I am totally addicted to mashups! It took me a little time to figure out where to put the html code so that the images would show up in my post but once I did it I ran around like a little kid wanting everyone to see what I had done. It's been a while since I have worked with html so Nicole had to remind me how to separate my words with line breaks but I did it (correctly) and now I'm trying to think of all the places we can use this "Thing" on the library's web page. This really is fun!

Thing 5: Flickr

How might you use Flickr in your library?
This is not my first experience with Flickr. A few months ago I went around to all the branches and took photos so that library patrons could "tour" the branches from our website. Flickr was pretty easy to use as far as uploading pictures, tagging, making sets, and organizing the sets so that the tour started when you drove up to each branch. I have added a slideshow to this blog that displays the St. Johns County library tours. I also added a Flickr badge to this page with photos that have been taken of me during my time here in St. Johns County Public Library System.

Do you use Flickr or another photo hosting service? Which one? How does it compare to Flickr?
Flickr is the only one I have tried and since its so easy to use and manage I haven't really found a need to look elsewhere.

How do you feel about having your photos public (note that you can mark your Flickr photos private, too)--any concerns?
I think having the option to make your photos public or private is fantastic. This allows me to keep photos of my children private and only accessible to those I choose to share them with or publicly share photos of library events, vacations, or anything else I want to visually enlighten the world with!

Thing 4: RSS and Newsreaders

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?

To me, RSS is like the creation of Wal-Mart. It just makes life simpler having everything you need in one place. No more spending hours searching through all your favorite websites to get the latest news - it's delivered to you. And if the information or site you have subscribed to no longer interests you....unsubscribe. This is great!

How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your library or personal life?

I believe the better question here is "How could you NOT use it?" There are certain authors I like to keep up with and various news websites I visit on a fairly regular basis but sometimes I just don't have the time to check for the latest updates on book/movie release details or the latest news and RSS feeds deliver all the information I want to one location so that I can scan through the headlines. Did I mention how great this is?

Which tool for finding feeds was easiest to use?

Since I already had a Google account I went ahead and used Google Reader to subscribe to my feeds. This was extremely easy to do and I can access them from my blog page (too cool!). I can also add new subscriptions by clicking on the "Add a Subscription" button and pasting the URL in.

What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds?

I'm sure as I play with this more I will find more efficient ways of locating newsfeeds and subscribing to them. I'll keep you posted!

Thing 3: Blog Search Tools

I have never quite understood all the "hype" over blogging but as I started using the blog search tools I was absolutely amazed at all the information I was able to find on just about any topic you can think of. What a great way to share knowledge and information!

I compared Technorati, Sphere, IceRocket, Bloglines and Blogpulse and found that some blog search tools are definitely easier to use than others. Depending on the type of information you are looking for (the latest news, how to cook a chicken, whatever...), you may need to use different blog search engines in order to find the information you want and a blogger that you enjoy reading and would like to follow.

Thing 2: What is Web 2.0

.......and Why Should I Care?

Searching through various websites, blogs and articles on Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 I came across an article written a couple of years ago in Library Journal that seemed to answer this question for me and hopefully will help explain it to the skeptics out there in library land that can't understand why a library would need to incorporate this type of technology.

"While not required, technology can help libraries create a customer-driven, 2.0 environment. Web 2.0 technologies have played a significant role in our ability to keep up with the changing needs of library users. Technological advances in the past several years have enabled libraries to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual reference, personalized OPAC interfaces, or downloadable media that library customers can use in the comfort of their own homes. This increase in available technologies gives libraries the ability to offer improved, customer-driven service opportunities." (Library Journal, 2006)

To read the entire article go to http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html

Web 2.0 has changed how we understand and relate to information profoundly and permanently. We can’t close our eyes or ignore the technology and think that libraries will remain unaffected by it. Rather, it presents us with the opportunity to reach non-library users on their turf (or PC). This technology should be the moving force for us to reevaluate how we do business in what is certain to be a dramatically different information landscape.

Thing 1: Set-up a Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog page has been set up as part of the 23 Things @ NEFLIN Program and will be used to record my progress and accomplishments along the way to 2.0 enlightenment.

The first "thing" in the 23 Things is to set up a blog page and even though I was hesitant about doing this because I'm not normaly one with much to say, I actually enjoyed the set-up process. This website is extremely user friendly and gives you lots of display options. I think I'm going to enjoy this learning experience.

Blog you all later!