30-For real...I'm done?

So this is it, the race is over. I'm glad, now I can just play as I have time. I have gained a good deal more information from this experience mostly about how library's are grappling with Web 2.0 issues and how or if to incorporate them...the answer is yes. I've also encountered some fun new toys to play with. It's been encouraging and enlightening to read articles from people who aren't afraid of new technology. I guess all technology was new at some point. I've enjoyed seeing how others have used and implemented some of the tools, software and such for WEB 2.0 either personally or in a job related way. Nothing unexpected happened. I expected to learn about some new stuff and I did. This was a huge undertaking for a first of it's kind training like this. It was done and executed as well as it could've been I believe but as with all new endeavors there is room for improvement. Sometimes the instructions on how to do something didn't include every step...that is frustrating. Not being able to get to all the resources from every computer was frustrating. Needing more than 30 minutes for a "thing" was frustrating. I consider myself to be a competent techy person someone who is above average in my knowledge but not extremely tech savvy. My level of techiness is different from others so maybe if there were fewer "things" but with varying levels of tech skill required those who already have the basics don't get bored but the newbies don't get overwhelmed and the people like me can stay superficial or really dive into something they find interesting. I know a lot of people who just gave up becuase they were overwhelmed and frustrated. I really enjoyed this training and hopefully will begin to put it to good use in my work life and not just my personal life. I would certainly take another training like this again. It can only get better right?

29-My Learning 2.0 Experience

I guess what I found to be the most fun was using the Flickr spell tool and also finding the other fun tools that bighugelab offers as well as seeing what sites won the Web 2.0 awards. As for how this experience has assisted or affected my life-long learning? I'm not sure but it has opened my eyes to what other libraries out there are doing and it has gotten my brain churning with ideas about how to use some of this cool stuff personally and in my job. Additionally, I think I will be someone who is a somewhat distant observer of the techy world, never being on the cutting edge but following with what becomes mainstream. I like techy stuff but on a very superficial level. I noticed in looking at other co-workers blogs that they've really taken to this stuff some even have the 30things as just a side line in their blog. Good, that means there will always be someone to go to when I have a techy question.

28-Rollyo...me no likey

I guess I'm not the target audience for Rollyo. I did not find that it was anything I am interested in doing and I don't see how it would help me. I like my delicious and that's about it. Maybe because I don't do a lot of searching on one particular subject. That seems to be the appeal of Rollyo. If I'm searching for something I suppose I could go to Rollyo and see if there is someone who's already done the work for me. As for what we could use it in the library for, I suppose if we had reference questions that came up frequently we could create a search roll with useful sites that could be added to and that way there'd be a start for the next person who gets that reference question. Anyway, that's the first thing that comes to mind.

26-Image Generators

All this stuff is so much fun to play with. I loved all the choices on the bighugelab site. Who comes up with all this stuff?

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25-Podcasts surmized

My thoughts on podcasting...um, well I think they are a wonderful and unique tool of the techno age. That said, I see over-saturation in their future.

As for the library sites that are using podcasts to reach out to their customers? I think the Denver Public Library's site is way too cool. They seem very connected to their community and I love the interview with Harry and the Potters.

24-Podcasts

Ok, so I happened to know a little bit about podcasting before I started this exercise because my husband hosts one of his own. So, I am very familiar with having to tip-toe around the house while recording is going on. It is so easy to put your voice out there these days. He literally started with his laptop, a computer mic and a ton of free software. Everything that someone would need is all out there online and it's all free. I used Podcastalley to search and found so many podcasts it's crazy. With all the blogs, podcasts and wikis out there you'd be hard pressed not to find someone out there talking about whatever it is you're interested in and if by some miracle there isn't anything out there it'd be so easy to start talking about it yourself and connect to those peopel who have been dying to talk with someone about their love of Chewels chewing gum. In one way I guess it's good that we can so easily connect with people who share common interests and find new things that interest us as well but I wonder about having so many voices out there...when's the saturation point?

23-Videos

This is too easy, I love it. I chose this video because I did a search on "books" and this came up and I love Robert Sabuda books!

22-Flickr tools...the fun never ends

Spell flickr is fun, albeit I did need advice on how to paste the code in so it would show up on the blog. I have no idea how any of this stuff works but I'm learning and isn't that the point really?

21-Flickr Power

Ok, after readnig the two posts by Micael Stevens my mind is all-a-twitter. I can see the importance of protecting children by alowing the filtering; however,it has been my experince that the library community does tend to go for the worst case scenario first when deciding about whether or not to use new technology. Bad instances will happen but those will probably be few and far between and we can't prevent all bad things from happening. Some people are going to circum-navigate filters, rules and protocol for their own means. The bad tends to leave a stronger more lasting impression unfortunately. Why can't we have our cake and eat it too? If we can turn off the filtering for children with parental supervison and afults why can't we advertise that customers can access these sites with that caveat. I know that people in my library system, myslef included, are finding the new filtering is saving us from having to replace so many computer chairs, if you know what I mean. I think because of this nice change of events there has been a reluctance to tell people that the filtering can be turned off for adults or those children with parental supervision. Maybe I don't know enough about the law and there is some part of it that says we can't "advertise" that the filters can be turned off. But if there is nothing preventing that then we should use it to our advantage with some careful signage/advertising that will attract teens and adults who would like to use social networking sites like flikcr and others-IMHO. As for tagging, yes it is important for the site and many others in finding things and even people you may or may not be looking for.

Additionally, just by browsing the flickr posts that Michael Stevens listed I found my mind racing with a lot of new ideas for programs and acitivities just by seeing what other libraries are doing. I believe that is one of the many benefits social networking sites can provide to all..idea-generating/sharing.