Thing 6

http://splashr.com/show/reflect2/25944746@N07/25/



Here is a slide show using splashr.com I enjoy fooling with the mashups and other ways of presenting photos, etc. I guess the library could use some of these apps to present book covers, event photos, program advertisements, etc. on the new Website (actually, I think we are).

Machu Picchu

CIMG0439
Originally uploaded by bakelaurieann

I was cold, sick and couldn't breath, but it was all worth it.

More Flickr

CIMG0453
Originally uploaded by bakelaurieann

This little llama was sooo cute.

Thing 5

100_0269
Originally uploaded by bakelaurieann

Well, I already have a Flickr account and feel fairly comfortable with it. However, I think I will give one of the other photo sharing services a try...maybe Picasa Web. One thing I don't like is that you can't click "blog this" in Flickr and then add it to a previous post...at least not that I've seen.

Here's another picture from our trip to Ft. Pierce.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabriella317/3240067394/in/set-72157615948822096/

Thing 4

I already had a Google Reader account, which I never used after initially filling it up with all sorts of subscriptions and blogs that I found interesting in my initial enthusiasm a couple of years ago. Shortly after setting it up and then not logging back in for over two weeks, I realized that this was probably going to be another one of many techie gadgets that I have started and then let fall by the wayside. I rarely, if ever, go onto my myspace or facebook account anymore either. Honestly, I'd just rather be outside.

However, I did add a few new feeds so I would refresh my memory. Looking at Google Reader again reminds me why I like my iGoogle page so much. I use my iGoogle page everyday and find getting my news and other information this way much better than logging into Google Reader. Maybe it is that the format of the page is so much more appealing or that I can get more than just news and other feeds, but whatever it is, iGoogle is my choice for bringing news and information together in one place.

Thing 3

I searched for a rather complicated medical topic in Technorati and Google. I found the results from Google's search to have more relevance.

Thing 2

A few random thoughts. I haven't been successful in managing my time (or finding any time to manage) and so am wayyyyy behind on "things". The Internet has made it possible for me to pay my bills...before the Internet I dreaded paying bills by hand every month. Now I pay all my bills with a click...in fact, I don't know if I've used a pen since the late 1990s. I haven't read anyone elses blogs much yet because I'm afraid.

I like the following descriptions of 2.0 from the readings. They highlight the positive aspects of 2.0. Of course as the entry states, some would argue that libraries have always been many of these things--don't know if I agree with that.

"Collaborative, customer friendly, and welcoming."
"2.0 principles: simplicity, rich interactivity, user participation, collective intelligence, self-service, novel and remixed content."

This entry by Michael Stephens on the blog Web 2.0 speaks to a concern I've had for some time about the mad dash to implement 2.0 technologies without proper planning or thoughtfullness, "Librarian 2.0 controls technolust. This librarian does not buy technology for the sake of technology. “Techno-worship” does not exist here. Without a firm foundation in the mission and goals of the institution, new technologies are not implemented for the sake of coolness and status. Technology is put to the test: Does it meet the users need in a new or improved way? Does it create a useful service for putting users together with the information and experience they seek? These are some of the questions this librarian asks when planning for technology. This librarian creates and nurtures a living, breathing technology plan."