Thing #17

Google Docs has possibilities! I tried calendars & word processing. Being able to work on/update stuff from any computer is amazing stuff - very wiki-like. Also very like the other things, in that I need massively more time to truly explore and get my brain to cooperate in learning the features well enough to make them useful. Little by little, though, I'll get there.

CML wiki

Hmm. I added my blog to favorite blogs, but it doesn't show up in the list. But if I click on favorite blogs it goes there. So go figure. I guess it worked, but I'm not sure. Maybe it would all make more sense if I did it at one sitting instead of in 5 minute spurts here and there throughout the day! The other things i added appear as they should. I also snatched a lock from somebody who hadn't used it in over 5 minutes. That was interesting - I had been wondering what would happen if more than 1 person tried to modify the wiki at once.

Wikis

I like the sharing concept. It would be wonderful for working on drafts of a joint paper, for example, instead of emailing the thing 'round and 'round. I spent some time on the library wikis, and especially liked the SJCPL subject page. I don't exactly know what makes it a wiki - can librarians just change/add stuff to the page? Having information/signups, etc. be easily modifiable would be a definite plus.

Library 2.0

This marks the generational divide between the young folk leading a 'connected' life, and those who are being left behind. Over time, most people will crawl into the boat, but for a while lots of people will sink. I appreciated Rick Anderson's article on 'icebergs'. We have been struggling with this for quite a while - what resources can we give up on and find online, and what do we need in print anyway - either because that's the format customers want, or to have available when all the computers are full (not uncommon). We are also trying to find the happy medium between leaving customers completely on their own online, and being able to offer guidance but not actually do all their work for them. But then, this has always been a point of tension; simply a new format.

Del.icio.us

Today I am happy! This is useful! This makes sense! I want this! I created an account and imported my bookmarks. Now to make time to organize them... Just think of all the times someone emails around a wondrous site they've discovered about some topic. You bookmark it, then can never find it again on a staff wan. Since these can be gotten to from anywhere, and others can find them...WOW. Happy, happy.
I also have a tendency to get interested in a topic, and the research it to death. Right now I have my regular bookmarks organized into folders, but they can each only go into one folder. This is much better! Happy!

Twitter

This application gives me the creeps, plain and simple. I already feel exposed enough with the blog, but why in hell would I want everyone to know what I'm doing every second!!!! I can see it for sudden events notification (ie, rally in the park in 1 hr), or spur of the moment get-togethers. IF you're in the habit of checking your iphone every 2 minutes for updates. If it's not coming on your phone or portable device, it would't be of much use - and some of us get charged for every text message. Sigh. I feel SO 'last-century'!
Then there is the simple issue of not understanding how to 'follow' and do anything with this, despite having read all the tutorials. Apparently nobody I know is on Twitter. Help!! What am I missing???
Oh, my twitter URL: http://twitter.com/SPIRALDANCER

LibraryThing

Ah, an other application I will enjoy exploring further someday when I have more time. I was recently invited to join GoodReads & it will be interesting to compare the 2. Lacking time to join a book group, this could be a good way to explore and discuss good reading. http://www.librarything.com/catalog/fjain