LibraryLearning2.0

Library Thing

2007-11-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

I did the library thing, but I really don't see the point of this. I could have just as easily created a wish list from amazon with more information including reviews by many people...oh well.
Anyway, below is some of the fantasy books that I like.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/niko718

Online image generator

2007-11-21T16:20:00.000-08:00

I first translated "Nick" into Chinese using the Chinese Name Generator.
I then decided to use the resulting link (with the translated name) and create a water effect using the Ripple Effect Generator by plugging in the resulting link from before in the second effects generator.

The result is what you see to the right.

Feeding Frenzy -- Discovery Exercise

2007-10-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

We were asked to view the following search tools for feeds: Feedster, Topix.net, Syndic8.com.
I prefer using http://www.technorati.com/ and http://www.rssmicro.com/.

Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use?
They all have their uses...it is just a matter of preference. I like rssmicro because it easily sets up the RSS feed for bloglines (no need to copy and pase URL). This site and technorati have some form of ratings which can be of use.

Which Search tool was the easiest for you? Which was more confusing?
As soon as I checked Topix, I checked out. I don't like the search function/results.

What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels?
I actually only started doing library related rss today. Previously, I was doing PC gaming and RPG gaming...and if you check my blogline you could see what I found...I have a folder for all.

What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds?
http://www.rssmicro.com/

RSS Feeds -- Discovery Exercise

2007-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I'd like to indicate that I do not particularly like RSS feeds using Bloglines as it is yet another website that I would have to log in. I prefer using yahoo or firefox RSS feeds. The other thing that I do is google news on the specific subject and have it set up to search for it on a daily or weekly basis.

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
One can't argue that they are help full in getting news on a subject without having to go through advertisements.

How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your work or personal life?
Sometimes, using RSS feeds are just not as good for my needs as is me searching the web.
For example, I check to see what festivals or events are happening on the weekends in NYC and Long Island for day when I do not work. I try to set up family time with my almost 5-year old son and wife. I tried using RSS feeds but to no success. I have a better time using the following 2 links:
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/?area=197
http://www.exploreli.com/entertainment/localguide/

If anyone has other links that are useful like this one or can properly use RSS feeds for something like this, please let me know.

How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
Current events is definitely one way to do this. Book reviews, subject news, and finding out about other library happenings can be of use for librarians. Having workshops for customers in using RSS will also be a great way of furthering customer satisfaction.

Flickr and mashups

2007-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

I don't particularly like Flickr. I know that they are popular...but there are so many alternatives out there. I learned my lesson from Yahoo...I had Yahoo Pictures and they stopped that service and now migrated everything to Flickr...that was an inconvenient experience at best.

Below are some alternatives to Flickr.

http://www.23hq.com/
http://www.faces.com/
http://www.photosite.com/
http://www.fotki.com/

LifeLong Learning -- Discovery Exercise

2007-10-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Habit 1:.......Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2:.......Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3:.......View problems as challenges
Habit 4:.......Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5:.......Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6:.......Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7:.......Teach/mentor others Habit
Habit 7 ½:..Play

Above is a list of the seven habits from the presentation.

The easiest habit for me is viewing problems as challenges.
Actually, I don’t see how this statement can be anything else. To me, a problem is an obstacle that must be dealt with. One must overcome it one way or another. How could a problem not be a challenge?

Everyday in my life, I meet obstacles (problems) and I must adapt and overcome them. Do I enjoy these challenges? For the most part…No…but I also don’t shy away from them.

Whether it be, making time for my going over my son’s homework and finding time for him to have play time (not easy when he goes to school from 8:30am till 6:30pm) and figuring out what we are going to eat tonight (and more importantly what is my son going to eat) or how am I going to prepare for the next class project and how do I answer this customer’s question?

Again, these challenges are dealt with everyday…and even though I may not like dealing with them sometimes…I do appreciate them because I learn from them and grow (learning about ones shortcomings is also a good way of growing I hope).

The hardest habit for me is the seventh habit (Teach/mentor others Habit)
I was raised in a Wall Street environment in regards to work. I realize the importance of training others so that they can function, but in a dog-eat-dog-world environment, the top dog is the one who can't be replaced. With all the outsourcing and mergers that happened at JPMorgan Chase, one of the reasons I stayed there for over 8 years was because no one else could do what I could do so well. Yes, I worked hard but so did others. I saw many hard workers put all their energy in their work and trained others with the knowledge that took years and hard work to acquire only to find themselves replaced by the newer cheaper labor that had learned the jobs through mentoring.
I don't believe that I will ever change this habit...not until I no longer need to work and don't have to worry about my job security. Sure I will train what isrequired, but I will not teach others the things/tricks that took me years to perfect/learn to someone new. They too have to discover things through experience...and not have it given it to them on a silver platter. After all, overcoming challenges is what make a person 3-dimensional and helps him/her grow.

First attempt at this LibraryLearning2.0

2007-09-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

I read the about page and noticed that the grand prize is no longer a secret...a laptop. I can use this.