I can't believe I've been missing this!! At first I thought, "Oh great. Advanced note passing for the new technology set." As a former teacher, I had visions of an entire class, eyes cast down below desk level, reading and sending twitter messages all day long.
But NO!! What a fantastic tool!! Twitter is democracy in action...or at least the POTENTIAL of democracy in action. Here you can voice your opinions and send them out to the wide world...or at least to people who are following your feed. The only drawback is getting people to follow your feed. Could Twitter actually get younger generations more interested in voting?
I can definitely see Twitter being extremely useful for activists or small businesses. Small groups with a common interest will definitely benefit from timely messages provided they all have equal access to the technology. As perhaps the last person in Calgary without a cell phone the lack of access has to be an issue.
On the other hand I can see how Twitter could be an absolute waste of time. Following every tweet from your favourite celebrity or gabbing with your friends may not be the most useful application of this tool and, unfortunately, the likelihood of using Twitter solely for this purpose is high. Once again, how useful the tools presented are is totally up to the individual user. That is definitely democracy in action.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
What's With Librarything?
Getting excited about our tour of Librarything I jumped the gun and made an account to take the "thing" for a test drive. I'm a big reader and an even bigger "list of books to read" collector. So Librarything will be just the ticket I thought. As with so many "things" in life, our ideas of how a "thing" will work and how it actually does (or doesn't) can wind up being very different.
Librarything is a rather clunky and unattractive site; not particularly easy to navigate or user friendly, though it is easy enough to sign up...ha ha ha!! Perhaps it's the fact that there is simply too much on each page, but I found it quite difficult to even focus on what I was trying to do.
I was hoping to add the complete series of Alexander Mccall Smith's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" to my list of books I have read. Adding titles proved a challenge as each time I added a title going back to the list of books took me all the way back to the beginning. Many fans of this series already have difficulty keeping track of what order the books are to be read, nevermind the fact that this rather prolific writer has two other equally popular series from which to scan. So I quickly lost track of which book I had already added and which was to come next. This task was supposed to be fun, right?
Are there practical applications for Librarything? Very likely. I imagine it will be a fiction reader's dream come true when s/he is searching for the next author to read. I found a whole list of fiction that sounded interesting enough to check out even though I am not a huge fiction reader. People like my mom who cannot keep track of books she has read will likely find Librarything to be a great boon if she can figure out how to actually keep track of her books without going bonky.
As with most "things" I suppose the beginning is always the most challenging. Trying to navigate your way through different websites, different communities, or different countries all amount to the same thing...the more effort you put into figuring it out will reap more rewards. I will start using Librarything even if only to figure out how to use it. Perhaps it will be a cautious awareness that develops into a grand love affair.
Librarything is a rather clunky and unattractive site; not particularly easy to navigate or user friendly, though it is easy enough to sign up...ha ha ha!! Perhaps it's the fact that there is simply too much on each page, but I found it quite difficult to even focus on what I was trying to do.
I was hoping to add the complete series of Alexander Mccall Smith's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" to my list of books I have read. Adding titles proved a challenge as each time I added a title going back to the list of books took me all the way back to the beginning. Many fans of this series already have difficulty keeping track of what order the books are to be read, nevermind the fact that this rather prolific writer has two other equally popular series from which to scan. So I quickly lost track of which book I had already added and which was to come next. This task was supposed to be fun, right?
Are there practical applications for Librarything? Very likely. I imagine it will be a fiction reader's dream come true when s/he is searching for the next author to read. I found a whole list of fiction that sounded interesting enough to check out even though I am not a huge fiction reader. People like my mom who cannot keep track of books she has read will likely find Librarything to be a great boon if she can figure out how to actually keep track of her books without going bonky.
As with most "things" I suppose the beginning is always the most challenging. Trying to navigate your way through different websites, different communities, or different countries all amount to the same thing...the more effort you put into figuring it out will reap more rewards. I will start using Librarything even if only to figure out how to use it. Perhaps it will be a cautious awareness that develops into a grand love affair.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Hurray For Free Online Tools!!
Is there anything that Google doesn't have a hand in? Exploring this week's assignment has opened my eyes to the possibilities of online tools. In fact, it has opened my eyes to the EXISTENCE of online tools. I had no idea that this stuff was even out there.
Will free online tools replace MS Office? We can only hope. One thing I really appreciate about online tools is their availability to everyone. You don't even need to own a computer to use them. I really dislike when a computer company "upgrades" their current system and you lose so many functional programs only to find the "improvements" to be, at best, pale imitations of the previous programs, or, if the gods are feeling impish, completely unusable. The thought that the upgrades are actually expensive leaves me feeling...oh so many different emotions... So, my thought is that free services will actually prove to be more democratic and more functional. Funny how free things tend to hang around the longest. It's not necessarily because they are free, but they tend not to get monkeyed with as much...just that old adage in play..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Will I use these tools? I can't see me using the calendar. I tend to write in things like my work shifts, doctors' appointments, coffee dates, and the like. It's not like I'm a busy soccer mom with 17 schedules to coordinate. Besides I like having my time as my own; do I really want everyone and his dog knowing what I'm up to and when? Nope.
I can, however, see myself using the MS Document and Excel. My husband and I just bought a house and we have lots of figures to sort out and lots of tasks to delegate. We just don't seem to have a compatible work schedule to get all the work done. Agreeing on tasks before we even get home could be just the ticket.
Will free online tools replace MS Office? We can only hope. One thing I really appreciate about online tools is their availability to everyone. You don't even need to own a computer to use them. I really dislike when a computer company "upgrades" their current system and you lose so many functional programs only to find the "improvements" to be, at best, pale imitations of the previous programs, or, if the gods are feeling impish, completely unusable. The thought that the upgrades are actually expensive leaves me feeling...oh so many different emotions... So, my thought is that free services will actually prove to be more democratic and more functional. Funny how free things tend to hang around the longest. It's not necessarily because they are free, but they tend not to get monkeyed with as much...just that old adage in play..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Will I use these tools? I can't see me using the calendar. I tend to write in things like my work shifts, doctors' appointments, coffee dates, and the like. It's not like I'm a busy soccer mom with 17 schedules to coordinate. Besides I like having my time as my own; do I really want everyone and his dog knowing what I'm up to and when? Nope.
I can, however, see myself using the MS Document and Excel. My husband and I just bought a house and we have lots of figures to sort out and lots of tasks to delegate. We just don't seem to have a compatible work schedule to get all the work done. Agreeing on tasks before we even get home could be just the ticket.
Monday, May 3, 2010
It's All In What You Make It...
This week's assignment is fun, interesting, and informative. I first heard of photo sharing accounts when Yahoo was threatening to delete all photos in personal email accounts so they could bring in their new baby, "Flickr". This was during a particularly stressful period of my life and I was unable to spend the time to learn how to transfer my photos. The deadline came and went and I lost all my wonderful photos.
So this was my first attempt to actually learn about the service Flickr provides. I have used Youtube before and always enjoy an opportunity to view something of interest. Both services are quite user-friendly and I may even explore using Flickr in the future (despite their horrible way of forcing everyone to use their service)...
As with all of these services and sites the quality, entertainment value, and usefulness of content rests solely with the end user. How utterly democratic and completely wonderful. I only search for and use postings that are funny, engaging, or useful to me. I was able to use Youtube when I forgot how to bind off a knitted scarf (oh, those early knitting days) and again when I have tried to learn more advanced knitting techniques. And yes, I listened and watched that OK GO video many, many times, but I enjoyed every minute and brought smiles and laughs from others who enjoyed my dancing and singing along. Now that's quality entertainment!!
So this was my first attempt to actually learn about the service Flickr provides. I have used Youtube before and always enjoy an opportunity to view something of interest. Both services are quite user-friendly and I may even explore using Flickr in the future (despite their horrible way of forcing everyone to use their service)...
As with all of these services and sites the quality, entertainment value, and usefulness of content rests solely with the end user. How utterly democratic and completely wonderful. I only search for and use postings that are funny, engaging, or useful to me. I was able to use Youtube when I forgot how to bind off a knitted scarf (oh, those early knitting days) and again when I have tried to learn more advanced knitting techniques. And yes, I listened and watched that OK GO video many, many times, but I enjoyed every minute and brought smiles and laughs from others who enjoyed my dancing and singing along. Now that's quality entertainment!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
RSS...WTH?
So I successfully set up a couple of RSS feeds. I used the Bloglines site and it was pretty easy, though I have read on other blogs that using other accounts has been problematic....so here I am with yet ANOTHER account (another password yadda, yadda, yadda)...
Does this make information gathering more convenient for me? At first I was thinking this would be a good way to track one type of information for myself (soaping), but then I thought...what's wrong with the way I've been following other blogs up to now? Okay, maybe I'm limited to blogs that are only on Blogspot, but is that really a bad thing?
How convenient is it really to have to check so many accounts? We already check our email accounts (in my case 4), our Facebook accounts (I can't be bothered), our personal Blogs, and then finally the postings from all those other bloggers that we are interested in.
I think I am finally reaching my technology saturation point.
What I'd really like to know is when people who do all this checking and keeping up actually live.
Does this make information gathering more convenient for me? At first I was thinking this would be a good way to track one type of information for myself (soaping), but then I thought...what's wrong with the way I've been following other blogs up to now? Okay, maybe I'm limited to blogs that are only on Blogspot, but is that really a bad thing?
How convenient is it really to have to check so many accounts? We already check our email accounts (in my case 4), our Facebook accounts (I can't be bothered), our personal Blogs, and then finally the postings from all those other bloggers that we are interested in.
I think I am finally reaching my technology saturation point.
What I'd really like to know is when people who do all this checking and keeping up actually live.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Holy Google Universe Batman!!
Wow...I had no idea that the Google Universe is an actual universe. It's big, it's HUGE, it's too difficult to even comprehend.
So, what do I like about this brief exposure I've had? I can really learn a lot. Yep, in my futile attempt to make my pea-sized head bigger I can try to cram as much knowledge and learning into my noggin that I can THINK it is actually increasing in size. We'll all know differently, but it'll FEEL bigger. Today I learned how to make yarn from any old piece of fabric...from beloved silk skirts and your hubby's worn T-shirt to regular old muslin.
One thing in particular that I like is Google Books. I don't know about you, but I was a HUGE user of My List. I tried a few other sites to help me manage the shocking amount of material that I am interested in, but nothing seemed to be able to keep up. Then I discovered Google Books and it was as if the heavens opened up and welcomed me in. Here I can make a list of books I have read (as well as review them) and books I want to read (sort of replaces My List). You can also share your reads with your friends.
And I just fell in love with the translate feature...should help me brush up on my Japanese!!
Another aspect of the whole universe thing that I really appreciate is the whole "umbrella" phenomenon. You can enter this universe with one email account and one password. I really can't stand having to remember several usernames and make up so many passwords. Then I forget which password goes with which account and god help you if you ever have to change your password because you have forgotten it. That's how I lost access to my first Facebook account and now my account is floating around cyber space completely unattended.
What do I dislike about the Google Universe? It's all too much. I have travelled in many different places, trotted for hours through un-navigatable Asian markets, driven on more foreign highways and bi-ways than I have in my own country, but never have I ever felt so lost, with the possible exception of Delicious, as I did in the Google Universe. I felt completely adrift in this bottomless sea of information without anything remotely maplike. I'm a map-turner so maybe it might not help me that much, but seriously, my poor little brain was completely overwhelmed.
Also it seemed that there are a lot of places you can't go unless you pay or subscribe (with an attached cost?) Even in cyber space there is an economic divide.
All of this access to information also begs the question:
How much is too much? We all seem to be so "BUSY" these days that it does intrigue me that we would pile even more on top of what we already do. I guess it's part of our culture to consume ravenously (goods, resources, food, information, technology, knowledge)...put it on our plates and we will lick them clean.
I would recommend Google Universe to anyone more tech savvy than me (that would be most people), however they are probably already using this universe, or to people who are interested in learning more about what is out there on the web. I will venture forth boldly into this universe again when I have regained my sense of equilibrium.
kuri
So, what do I like about this brief exposure I've had? I can really learn a lot. Yep, in my futile attempt to make my pea-sized head bigger I can try to cram as much knowledge and learning into my noggin that I can THINK it is actually increasing in size. We'll all know differently, but it'll FEEL bigger. Today I learned how to make yarn from any old piece of fabric...from beloved silk skirts and your hubby's worn T-shirt to regular old muslin.
One thing in particular that I like is Google Books. I don't know about you, but I was a HUGE user of My List. I tried a few other sites to help me manage the shocking amount of material that I am interested in, but nothing seemed to be able to keep up. Then I discovered Google Books and it was as if the heavens opened up and welcomed me in. Here I can make a list of books I have read (as well as review them) and books I want to read (sort of replaces My List). You can also share your reads with your friends.
And I just fell in love with the translate feature...should help me brush up on my Japanese!!
Another aspect of the whole universe thing that I really appreciate is the whole "umbrella" phenomenon. You can enter this universe with one email account and one password. I really can't stand having to remember several usernames and make up so many passwords. Then I forget which password goes with which account and god help you if you ever have to change your password because you have forgotten it. That's how I lost access to my first Facebook account and now my account is floating around cyber space completely unattended.
What do I dislike about the Google Universe? It's all too much. I have travelled in many different places, trotted for hours through un-navigatable Asian markets, driven on more foreign highways and bi-ways than I have in my own country, but never have I ever felt so lost, with the possible exception of Delicious, as I did in the Google Universe. I felt completely adrift in this bottomless sea of information without anything remotely maplike. I'm a map-turner so maybe it might not help me that much, but seriously, my poor little brain was completely overwhelmed.
Also it seemed that there are a lot of places you can't go unless you pay or subscribe (with an attached cost?) Even in cyber space there is an economic divide.
All of this access to information also begs the question:
How much is too much? We all seem to be so "BUSY" these days that it does intrigue me that we would pile even more on top of what we already do. I guess it's part of our culture to consume ravenously (goods, resources, food, information, technology, knowledge)...put it on our plates and we will lick them clean.
I would recommend Google Universe to anyone more tech savvy than me (that would be most people), however they are probably already using this universe, or to people who are interested in learning more about what is out there on the web. I will venture forth boldly into this universe again when I have regained my sense of equilibrium.
kuri
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Facing Up to Facebook
I first joined Facebook a few years ago and all my friends sent messages..."WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION!!"
Frankly, I didn't know what they were talking about. Though I did enjoy catching up with friends who are far away and seeing videos and photos of all the new babies I just couldn't get into all the cyber tickling, poking, gift buying etc. I quickly lost interest and, as a result, there are a whole slew of new humans I haven't seen videos or photos of...too bad for me 'cause that's the only place I'll see them.
Why is social networking so popular? Because we all want to feel connected. It's a primal human need and, try as they might, "the powers that be" won't de-program that part out of our humanity. They can take away our bank tellers, our supermarket clerks, and, yes, even our library staff, but they can't destroy our humanity and our desire to feel touched by our own and others' humanity. It's one of the big reasons I wanted to work at the library...we will always be people helping people. The more we are pushed to uber-efficiency the more we forget who we are and how to be with each other. That's where applications like Facebook come in. It creates the illusion that we are actually connecting with others. Sure we're getting all the dirt, but we're missing the tears and the laughs and the touch that really make up the thrill of human connection. Your computer will never hug you when you are breaking up with your boyfriend or when you find out you are pregnant after years of trying. But we'll all get the news anyway.
So, is it useful or just a huge waste of time? It's both. The decision of how to use it is in your own hands.
Frankly, I didn't know what they were talking about. Though I did enjoy catching up with friends who are far away and seeing videos and photos of all the new babies I just couldn't get into all the cyber tickling, poking, gift buying etc. I quickly lost interest and, as a result, there are a whole slew of new humans I haven't seen videos or photos of...too bad for me 'cause that's the only place I'll see them.
Why is social networking so popular? Because we all want to feel connected. It's a primal human need and, try as they might, "the powers that be" won't de-program that part out of our humanity. They can take away our bank tellers, our supermarket clerks, and, yes, even our library staff, but they can't destroy our humanity and our desire to feel touched by our own and others' humanity. It's one of the big reasons I wanted to work at the library...we will always be people helping people. The more we are pushed to uber-efficiency the more we forget who we are and how to be with each other. That's where applications like Facebook come in. It creates the illusion that we are actually connecting with others. Sure we're getting all the dirt, but we're missing the tears and the laughs and the touch that really make up the thrill of human connection. Your computer will never hug you when you are breaking up with your boyfriend or when you find out you are pregnant after years of trying. But we'll all get the news anyway.
So, is it useful or just a huge waste of time? It's both. The decision of how to use it is in your own hands.
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