Thing 33: Express Yourself Through Online Art

Express your self the exercise says, and I did and tried to be artistic. I used Mr Picassohead

as you can see but I assure you, it is not a self-portrait.

I had fun playing with this application also with Falling Sand Games and the Snowflake maker. In a previous post (time out for play + a lesson) using String spin I created what I believe is a magnificent piece of artwork and of cause I would say that wouldn’t I.

I always like these play websites, you can distract your self for a while when you are finding it hard to think of something to write that is intelligent and witty. I will confess I take to distraction a lot.

With all these discoveries, we make through Web 2.0 and 2.1 it’s good for the soul and mind to have a little fun occasionally.

Thing 32: Online File Storage

Omnidrive - B0x-net

I understand the concept of these application but would not be using them so I did not sign on but wanted to add a post anyway.

Two online storage websites.

These can be very useful for organisation like a Library for storing files and pictures off site, access can be allowed or not allowed. Communicating with others and project with large files can be uploaded to be shared for comment or read only.

They can also be used for personal use.

There are so many storage site out there and it is a matter of choice as to what one is the best for your needs.

It is always a good idea to read through the information provided before choosing because you may choose one and find out later that you will need to pay to use some elements of the application.

Thing 31: Organizing your life

REMEMBER THE MILK - JOTLET - PLAXO

If you love organizing, making list, keeping track of friends, family, and not have to think to hard then these applications are for you.

Calenders, reminders, lists, notes, tasks, plans, share not share, event organizing.

Are you an on-the-go sort of person using the cell phone, blackberry, email, Internet sometimes all at once, then you will be in heaven, you life will be so organised you may even have a moment to sit back and relax.

For myself who is a nine to five working girl and a homebody will not be using these applications but can see that they would be invaluable to a very busy person.

Thing 30: LolCat Builder - MY VERSION

LoLCat builder intrigued me, so went and had a look. I’m not much of a cat lover so none of the pictures appealed to me and decided to make one of my own using Jasper (the cat who was rescued from our book chute and by the way is now one year old) and my favourite movie star George. I combined the two, uploaded the picture and added the text. Who could resist these two cute faces?

Thing 29: Scrapblog - my favourite author

Scrapblog is an easy and fun application it can also be used for serious work as well such as promoting happenings in the library. The only drawback I found is that you don’t have control on the transition time for the slides, but overall I liked the application. Below is my creation.

Learning 2.1 - Thing 28: Create your own magazine cover

This exercise was a lot of fun, not wanting to put my own picture up for viewing I decided to tell a story in a few words, it's a story of Jasper the survivor, dumped in a Libray chute and rescued by a cat lover Librarian and the word is that Jasper has taken control of the home.

Learning 2.1 - Thing 27: Fun with Photobucket

Many faces to newblog51

Learning 2.1 - Thing 26: YourMinis

YourMinis are small interactive widgets allowing quick access, you can use it for RSS feeds or for fun like I have. It's a nice little toy that can be posted or placed on the sidebar it's up to you.

Learning 2.1 - Thing 25: Newsletters in a Pop!

LetterPop is an easy online applications for creating vibrant and interesting newsletters for family, announcements and updates, there many template to choose from you are able to upload your own pictures to use in your newsletter.

The drag and drop feature and the ease in adding text make this application very usable for anyone. You don’t have Publisher? why not try LetterPop to make that amazing newsletter for any occasion. It’s your choice to print, email or show online.

My newsletter can be found by clicking on the small screen shot below

Learning 2.1 - The journey continues - Thing 24

I've moving on to Learning 2.1, I'm was inspired by Learning 2.0 and am looking forward to trying all things suggested.
Thing 24 - file conversations - Zamzar covers conversation for documents, image, music and video formats. I tried the conversion of a PDF (portable document format) to a word documents the formatting was exactly the same then I did the opposite with great results. Public Libraries don't always every program available on their computers Zamzar may be of help when their patrons who want to print the document and the correct program is not available..I used Zamzar to convert a video file into an extension that I could use on my computer and was very happy with the results. I have talked about this website back in September.

Week 9 #23 - the finish and the start

All about Learning 2.0 and 23 things

I began with an end in mind and that was ‘if I try I can succeed”
It is up to me to improve myself
Problems can be resolved if you look at them as a challenge
Adapt to changing technology - take a chance
Help others - learn from others
Think about what have I learned and what will I do with what I have learned
Enjoy

Things I have learnt about

Blogging Tagging Flickr mashups RSS feed Image generator Rollyo Technorati Del.icio.us Wikis Online applications Library Thing Podcasts video/audio downloadable

Through my discoveries, I learned not just to look but also to investigate as I browse. Some of the extra things I learnt were making a Tag Cloud, making changes in the HTML code.

I find I am continually learning every time I open the browser and I believe that is the point of Learning 2.0
Some of the applications we investigated in 23 Things can easily be integrated into the Library world.

I can see RSS feeds, Podcasts, Wikis and Tagging becoming a valuable asset for Libraries and their patrons some Libraries have already integrated these applications.

This is not the end but the beginning of lifelong learning.

Next No 24 and beyond

My apologies I forgot to thank the Yarra Plenty & the Victorian State Libraries for creating the opportunity to take part in Learning 2.0.

Learn Inquire Seek Thrive

Week 9 - #22 Audiobooks

There is certainly a lot to choose from when looking through the eBooks websites, for someone who likes listening to them through their mp3 players or reading the book on the computers.

For me I like to listen to audio books while driving to and from work.

Netlibrary and/or Overdrive is a good idea for Libraries to use.

Patrons can download items and then transfer to MP3 players, laptops, Pocket OS and Palm OS devices, or burned to a CD (depending on title) this offers more mobility for the patrons and for the library no more problems with lost or scratched CDs that occur with the CD audio books currently in use.

One slight problem may be that some patrons like myself for instance who does not have an MP3 player (I don’t like having the earphones in my ears) or do not have a burner on the computer.

The library would have to consider the blind patrons who are heavy users of audio books, so perhaps the library would need to have access to both types of eBooks/audio books.

Overall, the future and technology are beckoning whether we like it or not.

An observation, a while ago I caught the train into the city first time in a long time and looking around noticed nearly everyone had earphones in the ears what ever happened to social interaction.