Florida Dept of Transportation does have a sense of humor.....
Abortion and guns in 2024 spotlight
10 months ago
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thing Whatever
Cool Myspace Generators
A great new book! Ask for it at your local library and drive the reference librarians crazy. Of course, many already are a bit touched!!!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thing 23:Survey
I went back through my blog and a few others. "You've come a long way, baby" does not even come close to what I have been exposed to over the last three months. I am hoping my commitment will not fade over the next three months. Thanks Neflin for an eye opening experience. With your tools and my brain, I am hoping to find other ways to be a part of Web 2.0. So when is the next set of things coming out?
P.S. Why did the survey e-mail go to the junk e-mail when all the other newsletters and e-mails arrived in my box just fine?
P.S. Why did the survey e-mail go to the junk e-mail when all the other newsletters and e-mails arrived in my box just fine?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thing New
This really is not a thing but I forgot to mention it in #20. This is a website that has fun graphics and a fairly complete list of authors. I use it if someone wants to read a similar author to the one they are reading. Kids and adults alike enjoy the display. The website is:
http://www.literature-map.com When you type in an author, you will see a list of other authors that spread out around the name you typed in. Those names that are closest in proximity are closest in genre and style. It's one that is fun to try.....
http://www.literature-map.com When you type in an author, you will see a list of other authors that spread out around the name you typed in. Those names that are closest in proximity are closest in genre and style. It's one that is fun to try.....
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thing 22: Staying Current
Almost there....whew! Over the past few weeks, we have been guided through blogs, websites and shown aspects of the Internet that are new to some and old hat to others. We have been led to gather tools to put in a shiny new box. These are not items to gather dust and save like stamps or coins. Those we only take out occasionally and examine only to be re-stored for another time. The web tools are meant to be used either for personal use or for the job for which we are paid. I love having the right tool for the job. There is nothing more satisfying. (I would rather shop at the tool corral in Lowe's than any sale at Beall's.)But more than having the tool(s) we need to be familiar with how it is used, what the quirks are and what is the best way to use it. The more we show others how to use a tool, the more we ourselves become familiar with it.
Throughout this marathon of Internet scrutiny, I have realized that the main tool we need to exercise is our brain both for judgement and imagination. This incredible arsenal of tools enables us to be more aware of events, trends and the evolution of the library in the real world.
I pledge to continue my learning, my search for other aspects of Library/Web 2.0 but I will still not forget to look out the window and marvel at the trees and turkeys, I will smile and greet the patrons as they enter my domain and I will not forget the important people in my life. I will learn to move toward my goals and desires one step at a time. I will learn to love the doing and use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny increments of time with small increments of daily effort, we will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
It is pointless to think of lost hours of yesterday. The way to make learning, a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is only to ask, "How can I put this to use today?"
Work like you do not need money,
Love like you have never been hurt
Dance like no one is watching.
Thank you for this odyssey. When is the next 23... bring it on!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thing 21: Student 2.0 Tools
Where was this when I was in school? Where was this when I was working on that last thing? The Assignment Calculator is ideal for students working on projects either solo or in groups. The RPC and Teacher Guide are excellent resources for homeschoolers or high school students. Much of the information would serve the teachers well.
This website would be a benefit us in the children's department for setting up the summer reading programs and FLYP programs especially with the various deadlines for ordering materials and printing of flyers.
I think it would be interesting to take this a step further and have a merge of this organizational tool with the library's catalogue. That way it would help to preselect books needed for research. It's just an idea.
This website would be a benefit us in the children's department for setting up the summer reading programs and FLYP programs especially with the various deadlines for ordering materials and printing of flyers.
I think it would be interesting to take this a step further and have a merge of this organizational tool with the library's catalogue. That way it would help to preselect books needed for research. It's just an idea.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thing 20: Books 2.0
Could this thing be any longer or am I just being too much of a perfectionist? (My husband would call it anal.)
Books On Your Phone
*BooksinMyPhone - First off I do not have a cell phone nor do I want one. As a driver watching other drivers pay more attention to their cell phones than the road, I hazard to guess what will happen when cell phone users are reading books as they are commuting to work. Multi-tasking is one thing but taking focus away from the primary task at hand can be hazardous to many people.
txt2ph requires an Internet-enabled phone (see above)
*DailyLit I actually liked this because of the RSS format (now that I know what that is). I also liked the variability of the installments and the fact that it can also come in the e-mail. The list of books that are free are not bad. However, paying to read a book that is totally electronic is not as tactile as having the book in one's own hands.
*Twitterlit -Seeing the first line of a book, without the author's name or book title, but with a link to Amazon so readers can see what book the line is from is fun. On top of that it is a hell of an advertising ploy.
Readers' Advisory
*ReadingTrails - At the trail intersections, you wander from trail to trail but it gets too confusing and often you can't find your way back to the beginning. I am a good navigator underwater and in the air but get me on the ground at night and forget about it. I know, I know get a GPS or Loran---I would rather keep it simple.
*BookLamp -Although in beta testing has a nice premise however they will need a great deal more books than just 300 to analyze.
*What Should I Read Next? This is another great advertising ploy for Amazon purchases. Our library database is What do I read next -it includes genre and assists us for patrons. I like it better.
What's Next? Which Book? Neither one of these were particularly helpful. I really prefer the following websites:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ This has a database of 20,000 authors. You type in their name and it comes up with complete lists of their works -grouped by series.
For juvenile series I have found the following website to be beneficial.
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/ You input the name Nancy Drew for example and you will get a listing of the various series with the different books in the series. I use this frequently for the children's room.
*BookStumpers -This was not bad but I have no desire to pay for it.
Book Calendar - I like some of the synopsis but I was not exactly excited to get another feed.
Online Book Communities
*Overbooked - I enjoyed their categories including the section on adult books for teens (often an overlooked area). They also have good book reviews.
Readerville -This fascinated me merely because they mentioned a program from Knopf of a poem a day via RSS feeds. I do like poetry.
BookGlutton -This was interesting . I signed up for their newsletter. Now if I can only remember what website it goes to.
Book Group Resources
LitLovers- I believe this would be an exceptional site for homeschoolers or those individuals that need help starting book clubs. I liked the LitKids section and some of their book recommendations.
Reading Group Choices- Useful but not my cup of tea. WOW! am I already getting into the 2.0 mode.
*Booksprouts -Although in beta testing, this could be a good resource for book clubs.
Wired for Books- I first thought "Oh God not another gadget" but the number of authors, reading their own works, on this site is impressive and is a unique way of preserving them.
BooksVideos.tv see above.
Audio Books
*Librivox - Their goals are rather lofty but it what concerns me is the quality of the reading. Some people have a talent with their voice others it is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I wish them luck.
Podiobooks -This is like at the beginning where you can read books on your cell phone. Now you can listen to them on the computer.
Book Reviews
Metacritic .
The Complete Review
*BookBrowse
One Minute Critic
I agree with Neflin on this. BookBrowse does appear to have better critiques and they show a consensus of reviews. Although, I would much rather form my own opinion based on my own experience. It has been said that critics tend to be frustrated writers, but that can be a good thing because they know what is good they just can't emulate it.
Book Rental
BookSwim
BooksFree
Both of these seemed to be fairly interesting. I thought BookSwim was curious because of the textbooks that were made available. With the high cost of books this is a viable alternative for college students.
Book Swaps (Optional)
BookMooch
Paperback Swap
*SwapTree
*BookCrossing
I checked out all of these. BookMooch was actually recommended by our supervisor. First off, those books that I buy I usually want to keep. They are old friends who I love to visit with whether it is a chapter at a time or a page or two, or sometimes the whole book. Others that I have accumulated I give to the Library. If they do not need or want to add to the collection, I give them to the friends. The money they make all comes back to the library. So for me this is a better solution.
You talked about Kindle earlier and I wanted to comment. It is another way to obtain printed matter whether it is a newspaper, a magazine or a book. For physically impaired individuals, it is easier to hold than a book and the newer models add voice to the printed matter. It is a great way to deliver the daily newspaper so we can save a great many resources such as trees for paper. However, nothing beats the feel of a book as you turn pages and for me there is nothing more satisfying then reading the last line of a book and closing the back cover. I realize I am old school but for me reading a book affects and usually pleases all my senses (except taste-unless I am reading a cookbook).
Books On Your Phone
*BooksinMyPhone - First off I do not have a cell phone nor do I want one. As a driver watching other drivers pay more attention to their cell phones than the road, I hazard to guess what will happen when cell phone users are reading books as they are commuting to work. Multi-tasking is one thing but taking focus away from the primary task at hand can be hazardous to many people.
txt2ph requires an Internet-enabled phone (see above)
*DailyLit I actually liked this because of the RSS format (now that I know what that is). I also liked the variability of the installments and the fact that it can also come in the e-mail. The list of books that are free are not bad. However, paying to read a book that is totally electronic is not as tactile as having the book in one's own hands.
*Twitterlit -Seeing the first line of a book, without the author's name or book title, but with a link to Amazon so readers can see what book the line is from is fun. On top of that it is a hell of an advertising ploy.
Readers' Advisory
*ReadingTrails - At the trail intersections, you wander from trail to trail but it gets too confusing and often you can't find your way back to the beginning. I am a good navigator underwater and in the air but get me on the ground at night and forget about it. I know, I know get a GPS or Loran---I would rather keep it simple.
*BookLamp -Although in beta testing has a nice premise however they will need a great deal more books than just 300 to analyze.
*What Should I Read Next? This is another great advertising ploy for Amazon purchases. Our library database is What do I read next -it includes genre and assists us for patrons. I like it better.
What's Next? Which Book? Neither one of these were particularly helpful. I really prefer the following websites:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ This has a database of 20,000 authors. You type in their name and it comes up with complete lists of their works -grouped by series.
For juvenile series I have found the following website to be beneficial.
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/ You input the name Nancy Drew for example and you will get a listing of the various series with the different books in the series. I use this frequently for the children's room.
*BookStumpers -This was not bad but I have no desire to pay for it.
Book Calendar - I like some of the synopsis but I was not exactly excited to get another feed.
Online Book Communities
*Overbooked - I enjoyed their categories including the section on adult books for teens (often an overlooked area). They also have good book reviews.
Readerville -This fascinated me merely because they mentioned a program from Knopf of a poem a day via RSS feeds. I do like poetry.
BookGlutton -This was interesting . I signed up for their newsletter. Now if I can only remember what website it goes to.
Book Group Resources
LitLovers- I believe this would be an exceptional site for homeschoolers or those individuals that need help starting book clubs. I liked the LitKids section and some of their book recommendations.
Reading Group Choices- Useful but not my cup of tea. WOW! am I already getting into the 2.0 mode.
*Booksprouts -Although in beta testing, this could be a good resource for book clubs.
Wired for Books- I first thought "Oh God not another gadget" but the number of authors, reading their own works, on this site is impressive and is a unique way of preserving them.
BooksVideos.tv see above.
Audio Books
*Librivox - Their goals are rather lofty but it what concerns me is the quality of the reading. Some people have a talent with their voice others it is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I wish them luck.
Podiobooks -This is like at the beginning where you can read books on your cell phone. Now you can listen to them on the computer.
Book Reviews
Metacritic .
The Complete Review
*BookBrowse
One Minute Critic
I agree with Neflin on this. BookBrowse does appear to have better critiques and they show a consensus of reviews. Although, I would much rather form my own opinion based on my own experience. It has been said that critics tend to be frustrated writers, but that can be a good thing because they know what is good they just can't emulate it.
Book Rental
BookSwim
BooksFree
Both of these seemed to be fairly interesting. I thought BookSwim was curious because of the textbooks that were made available. With the high cost of books this is a viable alternative for college students.
Book Swaps (Optional)
BookMooch
Paperback Swap
*SwapTree
*BookCrossing
I checked out all of these. BookMooch was actually recommended by our supervisor. First off, those books that I buy I usually want to keep. They are old friends who I love to visit with whether it is a chapter at a time or a page or two, or sometimes the whole book. Others that I have accumulated I give to the Library. If they do not need or want to add to the collection, I give them to the friends. The money they make all comes back to the library. So for me this is a better solution.
You talked about Kindle earlier and I wanted to comment. It is another way to obtain printed matter whether it is a newspaper, a magazine or a book. For physically impaired individuals, it is easier to hold than a book and the newer models add voice to the printed matter. It is a great way to deliver the daily newspaper so we can save a great many resources such as trees for paper. However, nothing beats the feel of a book as you turn pages and for me there is nothing more satisfying then reading the last line of a book and closing the back cover. I realize I am old school but for me reading a book affects and usually pleases all my senses (except taste-unless I am reading a cookbook).
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