Week 11 - Shortening a URL

That's easy. I've been sent many things using TinyURL before. I think this can make life much easier - I see lots of uses. Some of those URLs are huge - especially the genealogy ones. My only gripe ( minor one) is having another login and username to remember. I know, it's an age thing, however...

Week 11 - Twitter

I've had a Twitter account for several months now - just haven't used it much. I thought it funny that after I opened the account I had several people following me - they must have extremely boring lives or wanting something. I looked for a couple of friends - didn't find them. I am watching the VCCS tweets and I subscribed to Mary Ellen Bates' MAB account. If you aren't familiar with her - she's great.

If I were attending the SLA conference in New Orleans, I think I'd be using it to keep up with events. If I owned a mobile device - at least more than the cell phone I have - then I might use it more - I like the brevity.

Week 8 - Generators

Hey Cool! Here's my PostIt note:

I think this is something I can really use a lot!! Thanks Tara.

Week 8 - flickr

Got to flickr and found a wonderful image of the Fauquier County courthouse. I think it has personal use for photos I take (that's what I hope to spend more time doing when I reach retirement age) so they can be shared. Of course, the images can enhance library websites, presentations, etc.

Week 7 - Slide Share Presentation

I see good use for this service. If headed out of town, presentations are available on the web; sharing is a great idea; finding and using other expert presentations are helpful; and if you were looking for contacts and recognition, it would be great. It could be used as a link for students.

Here's the link to my slide show: http://www.slideshare.net/HarperLinda/nieves-presentation-4455226. However, I made it so only I can look at the presentation, so don't be discouraged if you can't see it. It's not ready for the world to review and critique - just for me to learn how to do this.

We'd recorded training videos and have them linked to the home page. Perhaps we could investigate this as an alternative. We tried YouTube, but ended up with inconsistent results as we moved from Captivate to a YouTube format.

I'll keep this in mind.

Week 6 - IM

I've IMed before with service techs. While I don't use it for much of my life - remember, I'm a dinosaur trying to keep my head above the tar pits - I really seeing a day when it will become more of my life - like when I have more time in my life. I find it amusing that we got used to talking on the phone or meeting friends face to face and that's what we're comfortable. I miss no seeing someone's reaction to the words I use - that way I know if I should clarify or explain what I said.

Week 5: Wikis

Anything we do to keep "knowledge" alive is great. Wikis are the new tool to use - anyone remember the old Path Finders (or maybe they are still alive?) I still have an old Rolladex with sites & info that I used to use to help me remember where to do, what to do and how to do it. Wikis just make it easier - and they aren't behind a locked door in someone's desk drawer.

Information and knowledge always needs to be shared and passed along - and we need to remember to upgrade the information from current technology to future technologies to keep it alive and available.

Week 4 Happy Earth Day

I like trees and hated when the storms took out lots of limbs from the White Pines and Cedars. I need to get going and add more trees in the yard to take the place of those that are really mature.

Did any of you check yourself out at spokeo.com? It was scarey what was there. Interestingly, the older you are the more information there is. My colleagues are younger and they weren't there; my daughter was there with very little information and I had lots of stuff - to include maps to my house. I did go down to Privacy and followed the information to get my name out of public sight - I'm smart enough to know that it won't go away from the database. If you're interested, check the site out at http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/spokeo.asp and go down about half way to find snopes.com explanation. Now I'm wondering how many extra emails I'll be getting because I opted to be hidden.

Week 3 Social & Professional Networking

I have a presence on Facebook and Linkedin. I already set up the Facebook account as part of my work presence although many non-work friends and family watch my account and I've linked with non-students. When I was asking students a couple of years ago about whether they'd use a library presence - they looked at me oddly. Now, the only action I see on Facebook is from family and friends.

I set up a Linkedin presence for networking and to try it out (for about a year.) Every once in a while I'll get a request to join, but it hasn't done much else. But then again I'm not really active on it.

I admit to being older and that may be some of the issue. I do see a use once I retire and don't have as much to do so I can focus in on what people and doing. Right now, the friends and relatives I have use email, telephone (landline and cell) text messaging, and very few snail mail. We're not a linked in group. Oh yes, we also get together for lunch, dinner and parties since we all work. So again, I wonder if I'll be more active when I retire.

I have great concerns about privacy and since I guard my privacy closely, you won't find much info of interest in either of my accounts. In fact, I often google my name and am unhappy when I find out that my donations are available for all to see. Probably years of trying to fly under the radar. I teach my students to be skeptical of all information they use for research and to be careful of giving out too much info - hate the thought of identity theft. So that colors my views. I don't think anyone should feel they are safe - banks lose information, the government (State and Federal) lose information and so do stores and credit card companies. Not very trusting, am I!

I'm amused as I write this - I'm working on my genealogy and I marvel at how much is out there on my relatives. I'm frustrated now that I can't find a relative supposedly born in VA before 1765 and thinking how I wish I could find more about him on the internet. And here I am trying to stay hidden.

Week 2: Setting up an RSS reader

Hooray, I set up my RSS reader. We'll see how it goes. It's always good to try new things and decide the ones that work for you. I like being connected and I admit to being a news junky - but I really like searching and finding things so we'll see how this goes. Good luck to those of you doing these 23 things. I guess this means I'm down 20 new things to learn.

Week 1

Hi, I'm Linda. Welcome to my world. Today, I'm in my work world creating a Blog. I always thought I'd create a Blog some day when I had lots of time. But today's the day, so here we go.

My world today is at the Bob G. Sowder Library at Lord Fairfax Community College in Northern Virginia. I believe strongly in Community Colleges because I attended one to get myself back on track. While my track doesn't always go in a straight line, it's been an interesting ride so far and I expect it to continue that way.

Enjoy what you read, feel free to ask questions or make comments. You don't always have to agree with me and I may not always agree with you. But discussions are always interesting, aren't they.