This is just a test...

Only a test of the emergency blogcast system...

Just kidding!

Not kidding about it being a test though. I'm trying to work out the system for linking to the library catalog.

So move along, unless you're just dying to see how it works out! I added a pretty picture to make your visit a little more worthwhile.

Here goes.

The Explosionist

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The Explosionist

Okay then. That worked just fine - not sure why things weren't working yesterday.

Next up, the book cover:





Okay then - I'm happy. I can do this without as much trouble as it seemed yesterday.

w00t!

ZIP! And I am finished...

Status: 12% zombie, 88% perk

Well here we are at last. The end of the line for the Web 2.0 expedition - there were moments when I wasn't sure I was going to make it! Not for it being difficult, but just for the mere fact that work is incredibly busy this time of year.

My overall feelings about this program are positive. It was fun to play around with some familiar things, and learn about some new things as well. There are so many different things available on the "interwebs" that it can seem overwhelming to keep up! This allowed me to sample a couple of things I might not otherwise - Second Life, for instance.

I only have so much time in a day - both at home and at work - so I pick and choose carefully what I spend my time on. Ultimately, I don't think I'll be adding much of anything new to my entourage of online favorites like Flickr and LastFm. I suppose I might spend a little time with Google Earth and Google Documents now and then, but other than that...

I do like meebo, and think it will come in handy later on, especially if I end up doing more online reference. I'd like to be able to have it available at certain times for local teens to contact me through the library website. We'll see...

I think I would enjoy another exploration program such as this one - but I do have one BIG recommendation.

DO NOT COINCIDE WITH SUMMER READING!

Keep it in the dead of winter, please.

I think a lot of people, not just myself, felt that even one hour a week was difficult to fit in while trying to juggle all of the other things we do.

I would have liked more interaction from coworkers on my blog posts - I know somebody was reading them, but with so few comments I wasn't sure who. Of course, with the time crunch I wasn't able to read everyone else's and leave comments - so it goes both ways!

Finally, I think in the future it would be nice to look a little more deeply into the applications we explore. An hour per lesson to look, learn, and write about what we're doing is just not enough to gain any particularly meaningful experience in most cases.

Just scratching the surface...

The world is my playground...

Status: 23% zombie, 77% perk


At last, I have traveled through the world of Web 2.0 and landed at my last destination - Google Earth!!!

I saved it for last, because I love maps and other earthly delights.

I was not disappointed!

It was fun to mess around and take a look at some fun things. First up, of course, was a flight to my new home. Yep - there's the big tree in the corner! I like turning the photo to near street level, and looking at the neighborhood that way. Though moving the map too quickly can be just a little queasy-making. No matter.

I also took a look at the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, two of the more geologically interesting places to view.

Hmmmmm, an idea - I'll be right back.

Okay - just took a quick trip to Mount Everest. Didn't even get hypoxia or frostbite!

I especially like the option to look at photos of the different locations, which they call Panoramio. I'm not exactly sure how photos get chosen/posted (some seemed more amateur than others), but it is nice to see the pretty sights! Aha! I think all my questions can be answered on the Panoramio website.

Some other day.

I also played around with adding layers and searching for different things. I liked the weather layer. But then, I'm a weather geek. It can't be helped. Have you ever seen the lightning strike map? Updated every 20 minutes! The old map style was better, but this is still interesting. A little harder to read though.

Where was I? Oh yes - back to earth, Anne!

I was a little disappointed with the rising sea level animation - it wasn't quite what I expected. And sometimes little markers showed up on my map when I hadn't marked that I wanted them. But other than that, Google Earth is an excellent - and very fun - tool. I could spend HOURS messing around! I see that I've barely dipped into all the things one can do, including look at the sky.

Like I said - HOURS... HOURS... HOURS...

Online Applications - there is life beyond Office!

Status: 42% zombie, 58% perk


Now we're talking - something useful here! I like the Google Docs quite a bit. I can upload word or excel files (as long as they aren't from OFFICE 2007) and modify them. Or just make new documents. Then, should I wish to share them with somebody who, say, has an Apple product - VOILA!

Compatibility.

I rather like the presentation feature, and you can see the beginnings of a step-by-step explanation of how I made a footrest from a box and duct tape. This could be very useful for anyone wanting to show how they did something, especially for all those happy crafters out there. So very easy to do, too!

I looked at Zoho also, and tried putting together a little presentation - nothing quite as formal as the other one though. It didn't work quite as well - couldn't drag the photos directly onto the template, and it had trouble linking to my Flickr account.





BZZZZZZZZT.

I'll stick with Google Docs, thanks.

I'm really happy there's an alternative to Office - it hasn't been my friend lately!

Game on...

Status: 45% zombie, 55% perk


Gaming huh? Online games are fun, but can be a huge time-sucker. And I do mean HUGE. There have been times in my life when I have probably spent a bit too much time playing games online - they're good for tuning out and sometimes ignoring the world around you.

But - they aren't all bad. As with anything, moderation...

I played a couple of the games on Yahoo games - a quick round of Wordsense Challenge (I've always liked word games), and a couple of quick rounds of Jewel Quest. But really, I don't have time to do these things at home anymore. Nor do I even feel compelled to play them.

Anyhow, I suppose the employees of the future might be a little different than those not raised on computer games. Then again, they might not. I think some people will work hard and do well, and others won't.

Though maybe if we let employees earn points and buy new gear with their points, and go up in level for their achievements...

Who knows?

Time to go home.