Is this really the end? Or just the beginning...

In reflection, I look back to the beginning. When I first started, I found the exercises confusing and difficult. Not being computer savvy with all the new technology out there, I felt bereft. Thoughts of giving up were in my mind, but I couldn't do that, it's not in my personality. So I plowed on. It didn't seem to work for me at work, too many interuptions, couldn't concentrate, so I did them at home in my free time, which brought about resentment. At first it took me hours to complete a task and my confidence was shattered. But as I went on I learnt a lot and my confidence was restored, to the point where I could see a light at the end of the tunnel and I started to do the exercises at work, resentment was gone and I started to get excited that I was able to accomplish the tasks asked of me without any help from anyone and I was very proud of what I had achieved.

eAudiobooks

Looked around this site, wow how things have changed!!!
To be able to download audio files straight onto MP3 players to listen to at leisure or to have a book at your convenience available on any computer to read or printout to read later, is pretty phenomenal.

Podcast

Tried to do this exercise, but yet again, it makes it difficult when your computer doesn't have a sound card and I get blocked trying to download.

You too can YouTube

Ooops, I already navigated through YouTube on my last exercise, not realising that YouTube was number 20 on our list. Oh well!!! At least it was fresh in my head. I chose "Chick eats a big spider" because I like getting freaked out with Fear Factor and it still grosses me out even without sound.

Discovering Web 2.0 tools

For this exercise I wanted to know what all the hype was about, when referring to "You Tube". I must say I was fascinated, I could have watched and played for hours. My only saving grace was that my work computer doesn't have a sound card, so watching silent videos isn't quite the same. Great site though.

Zoho

Just trying out my discovery exercise on Zoho.  Looks interesting so far.
Technorati Tags     Zoho

Playing around with PBWiki

This exercise was a bit amusing, because I couldn't view any of the video gallery at work or download flash 9 on my work computer, due to restrictions imposed, but I managed to add my blog to the "favorite Blogs" list as instructed. I will try at home, but I get the gist of it anyway.

So what's in a Wiki

After reading all the information given, I do believe that I now know what a Wiki is.
It is a fantastic forum for public information which can be continually updated and modified. For the public, it would be wonderful if they could access the library staff and make comments on what they want in a library and where we are possibly lacking. Sometimes we think we are aware of our patrons needs, but maybe it wouldn't hurt for them to make comments that would help us to improve our service.

I think another wonderful application for this would be in our own library as an updated information board. Our staffing levels are mainly part-time employees, so we have a problem with keeping up-to-date with changes and simple everyday bits of knowledge that we need to be aware of which sometimes slips through the net, because staff all have differing business hours. It is impossible to remember who was told what. We have a notice board, but most people walk past it without reading it because it never seems to change. The information stays on the board too long.

Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

After reading the information provided by OCLC Next Space Newsletter, I agree. Libraries will have to constantly change along with all the technology that is out there. Patrons are becoming more savvy, children are learning to use computers in Prep.

Our library is already planning for the future, turning ordinary libraries into Learning Centres, where the day to day running of the library will be more automated and staff time will be better spent on helping patrons with information technology.
The information highway might make the use of non-fiction books obsolete, although we still need to cater to the older community out there, who like things the old fashioned way. I believe there will be a need for books for at least the next 50 years. There is nothing like curling up with a good book to take the stress out of life or on holidays.

Technorati

After playing around with Technorati, I found that the tags are very useful in narrowing down searches, as well as making it easy to keep up with subjects that are of interest to you. This is a very useful tool.

Image generator

Unfortunately the wording on my image generator isn't very clear, so I though I would tell you what the bottle reads i.e. "Helen's Golden Liquid". For some reason I had trouble saving this image from Letter James, so I saved the image onto my hard-drive, copy and pasted it from there. I always seem to have to go the long way around to do things that should be simple.

Tagging, folksomonies & social bookmarking.

I can see that this would be a useful tool when doing research, being able to tag sites would make it much easier to go back and find what you are looking for.

Rollyo

Rollyo restored my confidence. Much easier, less complicated. Less is more.

Bloglines

Had a lot of trouble with Bloglines, found it to be confusing and difficult. Had to get help. Spent hours trying on my own and lost confidence in my ability. Too many instructions.

Tilly

I decided to adopt a pet, which is more my style than an Emo character. He is cute and interactive, please feel free to feed him.

Technology

I haven't really thought about technology in my day to day life, before this blog activity, but now that I do think about it, I couldn't live without internet banking. I do all my banking online and very rarely go into a bank except for work related banking. I am also quite partial to my mobile phone too, the freedom and security it gives is quite awesome. I hate writing letters, so email is an easy way to keep in touch, without having to feel like you need to write at least a page to make it worthwhile. So to some it up, I guess I have embraced technology without even realising it.

Inspirational Quotes

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein


Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Joshua J. Marine


Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

Albert Einstein


Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

Winston Churchill

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.

KEEPING UP WITH TODAY

My employer has given me the chance to update my knowledge of technology and this is my blog which will show my progress and learning.