DoubleDee's Mind

Week 9 Thing 23 YEAH! I'M DONE!

2007-08-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

YES! I was able to get all 23 Things completed all while going to school, working, and dealing with a renovation to the branch! Am I good or what?! :-)

Overall, several aspects of 23 Things were technology usages that I had heard of in the past. Some I already had experience with and others I did not, but overall it was a lot of fun and it opened my eyes to new things. I assumed that this was going to be a breeze, that I would know everything going in and would have no stress. Ok, scratch the "no stress" aspect. I did overthing De-li-ci-ous or whatever it is called, and the OverDrive.

I had a blast with RSS and Podcast and are currently working with those features at home. As a computer major in school, I am expected to keep up with the ever changing trends to technology and this was something that enabled me to do that. It was cool to work with other staff members who were a little more confused about certain things.

I will admit, the prizes helped in my decision to do the program, but knowing that I could possibly walk away with a little something extra (and get away from the monotonous every day work I am required to do) was a bonus. (Ok, I'm lying. I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT THE WII!!!) But I really did have fun!

If BCPL were to offer another program like this, I would sign up to participate...even if prizes were not involved. Many people think that just because they are workng in the circulation department, they don't have to know other technologically based information. WRONG! Well, somewhat. I see it as no different then when I was using a lot of slang as a kid and my mother would give me a quizzical look because she had no idea what I was saying. The same goes for the library. You may NEVER do anything that we did on 23 Things again in life, but at least if you hear about it in conversation, you will know what the hell people are talking about.

Maryland 23 Things gives people who are and are not tech savvy a chance to explore new technological worlds. It is up to the individual to open their ears, eyes, and mind to something new. Granted, you may become frustrated, but think of all you will have to share in the end.

Week 9 Thing 22: The Depths of Overdrive

2007-08-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

I will admit to trying to download Overdrive on my home computer and almost giving myself a migraine headache in the process. Let me say this, if you are smart, DO NOT OVER THINK THE SIMPLEST TASKS. It hurts, trust me. I was able to get through the entire process, minus the downloading on staff computers, in less than 25 minutes. I was simple and I can definitely see the bonus on checking out audiobooks and not having to worry about overdue fees. Wait...I'm staff, I wouldn't have overdue fees on audiobooks regardless. Whatever...it was cool. I found a few James Pattersons but, all of them were "checked out." Figures...you can't find Patterson anywhere you search for him...

Week 9 Thing 21: Podcasting

2007-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

I see podcasting as an Internet Radio so to speak. I added http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/PopCandyPodCast to my rss feed because you know I have to keep up to date on all the celebrity news. I know there are also book reviews and all, but those tend not to be my cup of tea. I prefer to just go from friends about book reviews. Anyway, I don't see myself using much podcasting while I am at work, but I do think I will explore it more when I am at home. You never know what you may find on the Internet. :-)

YouTube Re-Discovery Week 9 Thing 20

2007-08-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it wasn't really a "Re-Discovery". When I am out of school, I tend to visit the YouTube website at least once or twice a week. More often if I hear of something interesting I want to see over and over and over again. I love YouTube. I think it's funny and it is GREAT to find music videos that I have either missed on BET or MTV.

There are several individuals that come into the library that may do better with visual images, such as how to do repairs, arts and crafts, etc. YouTube has just about anything and everything you can find. And let us not forget those bathroom runs you must do in the middle of the game and then you miss the biggest play! If it is worthy, you can probably find it on YouTube instead of hearing your "buddies" tell you on what you missed out on.

And those who know me KNOW that I cannot get away without having my husband, Chris Brown in my blog SOMEWHERE! Ha Ha! Isn't he a cutie?!?

Yelp Me Helped Me! Week 8 Thing 19

2007-08-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

This week, our challenge was to find a site that won a Web 2.0 award. I was thinking, "Oh Boy, what the heck can I possibly find?" Well, in less than 1 minute I came across a website that took home the first place honors called Yelp. (www.yelp.com) On this site you can navigate through many different cities across the US and find reviews on everything from real estate, to resturants, and shopping, to night life. Needless to say, being the luscious big girl that I am, I had to check out the resturants. Nice to see that some of my favorite locations such as the Red Brick Station, Five Guys, and Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater. All I can say is WOW!

I have learned a lot over several weeks on doing the 23 Things, but this has to be my favorite thus far. My boyfriend and I are always looking for new places to dine and I think that I have found a new love...well, Internet love. Matter of fact, I am on the phone with him now telling him to add this place to our favorites on our computer. Don't worry! Technically I am still working!!!

Is this the end of Microsoft Office as we know it?? Week 8 Thing 18

2007-08-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

All I can say is WOW! Zoho looks almost identical to Microsoft Office. I cannot believe that there are applications like this on the Internet when people are paying $300 and $400 for Microsoft Office when they can do the same functions on the Internet for free. Well, as far as I can see, you are doing basically the same things that you do on Microsoft Word. I guess I am learning a few things here and there, huh? :)

Week 7 Thing 17 No Fun in the Sandbox

2007-08-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

After trying to figure out how to get INTO the Sandbox, I finally made it. Needless to say, I did not have fun. Not at all. I was able to crack a smile when I FINALLY got everything posted like I was supposed to. I created my account and continued with my Blog name as being DoubleDee's Mind. Did I mention all of this was a pain in the butt? Granted, I can see where it may be fun, but I did not see it. I guess I have too much school work stuff on my brain and not enough 23 Things. :(

Week 7 Thing 16 Lovin' the Wiki Wiki Wiki!

2007-08-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah the fun is back for Maryland 23 Things! Took long enough. I was getting bored out of my mind with some of these "Things". Since I love to read, when I am not in school and boggled down with tens of thousands of papers that need to be written, I LOVE to read! Hell, I work in a library for goodness sakes. I had to choose the BookLoversWiki and I love it and can see how a website like this can work for libraries.

When you have those customers who are looking for a good book, but they have NO idea what author or topic to read, they can visit the BookLoversWiki and get ideas on several different pieces of literature that people have posted. WHAT A GRAND IDEA! No more taking guesses at what YOU think a customer might enjoy reading, let them do the work THEMSELVES! A website can even be created, which it probably already does, in which people can post what they think about a book and give it an overall rating.

If I have learned NOTHING else in my eight years with BCPL, I know that customers like to know what just came back. Many think like "Hmm, if someone else checked it out, it MUST me good!" So they will then grab it to check out! ANYTHING TO BUILD UP CIRCS....AM I RIGHT?!?!?

Wikis can also be created to give the patrons opportunities to talk to staff. We are always trying to guess and figure out what the patron wants. Why do that when we can give them the opportunity to speak directly with staff. I read before that the library is the community...which I believe is true. We are here to serve the community. In saying that, we need to be able to LISTEN to the community to find out exactly what they want in their library. Granted, everything they want may not be feasible to obtain, but at least we can get an idea. Be it what types of books they want to read to whether or not they want more computers, Wikis can give the community an opportunity to speak directly to us and one another. We are hear for the customer, right? Why not show them how much we really care by asking THEIR opinions.

Week 6 Thing 15 The Future of Libraries through Library 2.0

2007-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

As with everything else in this world, technology is always changing and evolving. With Library 2.0 from the Library 2.0 meaning from the lovely, sometimes non-reliable source of Wikipedia.com, libraries, especially PUBLIC libraries are constantly changing and updating there set up to better assist the library user. It seems that there is a constant debating going on in which some librarians feel that this tactic has been taking place for years, while others see that, in gernal, librarians have always tried to keep up with the Jones, but now they are inviting technology as a constant source.

From reading this and the "Away from the Icebergs" articles, I get an impression that we are living in the day and age where books are not as important as other forms of receiving information. Let me reinterate, books are great, don't get me wrong...if people gave up on them, I wouldn't have a job; however, "collections" as in paper and documentation are becoming old news. Granted, I do believe that librarians have evolved with the changes over the years, but I think many too often refer to books for the answer when they need to upgrade to the Internet for more up-to-date information.

Library 2.0 is something that will continue to evolve over the years. What we find new and hip today may be old news by tomorrow or next week. Since technology is constantly changing, it is easy to see how people can become frustrated and get irritated with all the new changes, but with everything else in life, you must be patience and put one foot in front of the other. Over time, you will get better and slowly grow to understand all the changes, updates, and who knows whatever else is going to be thrown all way. You never know...one day, libraries may be nothing more than a shell with no books but thousands of computer pods in which patrons can gather information or read a fiction book in their free time. Who knows...we just have to wait and see what occurs..

Week 6 Thing 14 Technorati...whaa???

2007-08-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

Just like with Google, I typed in "Learning 2.0" and received many different feedbacks. I think one actually has "Learning" and "2.0" right next to one another, lol. Majority just separated the two words. Um, I guess this is interesting...right?

When it came to the favorite and top blogs, I was not surprised to find numerous blogs about quick ways to make money, and computer terms that most people over the age of 25 are clueless about or, in many instances, could care less about.

The Top Searches reminded me of looking at cnn.com. With top stories like the Minnesota bridge collapsing being near the top. Granted, with all the tragedies taking place in the world, how can we NOT get past one day without Youtube, Facebook, and the grade Resistance (did I spell that right?) PARIS HILTON! What will this world do without ONE DAY of Paris Hilton's name being plastered somewhere?! I guess the plus side is that we should all be happy that Britney "Slut" Spears is not on the list...at least...not at the current moment.

Once again, yet another interesting site, but I do not see myself using it anytime in the near future.

Week 6 Thing 13 Tagging and So-Called "Discovering Del.icio.us"

2007-08-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, my regular readers, if there are regular readers, know that I tend to go into long, dragged out details about my experiences within the 23 Things. I get the concept that it allows you to nagvigate your "Favorites" on any computer. Yeah...granted, it is a nice feature, but I assume that most people have their favorite websites memorized. Why go to a website to view all your bookmarkings when you can go directly to the pages. Oh well, maybe that is just me. I guess if you are an indivdual that constantly travels on business this can be quite useful, but since I am but a standard, stay-in-one-place, BCPL employee, I do not find much usage for Del.icio.us.

Week 5 Thing 12: Rollyo = Problemos: Lost and Confused

2007-07-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, maybe I am just over-thinking this website. I created an account (http://rollyo.com/doubledee7581/) and added in searchtools that I use on a regular basis, but I was like, "Um, ok...now what?" I tend to use "Favorites" and save to my "Favorites" when I am at home or on my laptop. Honestly, I don't care of the website and on top of that, I am not 100% sure if I am accessing it the correct way. HELP!

Week 3 Challenge

2007-07-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Since it seems that BCPL is trying to push towards combined desk within the branches and some customers may need some additional help, having circulation and librarians learn many of these features will help us to better assist the customers. It will also save time with customers if we are already at least familiar with some of the features and terms. If a customer wants to know how to create an avatar and a staff member doesn't even know what an avatar is, it will take them extra time to figure out the meaning and THEN find the website.

People and technology will forever change overtime. Granted it is nearly impossible to keep up with EVERYTHING that occurs, but if we can do our best to try, it can better assist us with customers and each others. You never know...CCD is already using blogs to communicate about collection questions, maybe circ and librarian staff might have their own ideas in which then can communicate ideas with only the touch of a few buttons. And with the prices of gas constantly rising, maybe meetings can be held via computers one day. We never know what the future may hold.

The Librarything.com Thing Week 5 Thing 11

2007-07-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ok...what is there to say about Librarything. com? It was very interesting to see books on the list that I hadn't seen in a while....including books that have since been deleted from CARL. I am looking forward to having more time to think up some other titles that I have not read in years. If I am lucky, maybe I can even find some children's books from my childhood. WHOOPEEEEEEE!!!!!! http://www.librarything.com/catalog/DoubleDee7581

Gotta Love Generators! Week 5 Thing 10

2007-07-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

I have never done this other than the Avatars. It was a lot of fun seeing that there were so many different generators that could be done. It was definetely fun to play around. I decided to continue with my Queen of Darkness theme and do a tombstone. I have seen other have them on MySpace but I never knew how to pull them up. HA HA HA! They better BEWARE!

My Avatar...You Gotta Love Her!

2007-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Since everyone likes to tell me that I am looking evil all the time and I enjoy hanging out in cemetaries, (yes, it is very peaceful...no pun intended) I decided that this avatar's location was the perfect spot for me. I have been doing avatars for a while. Granted Yahoo! is the easiest in my opinion, personal I would have preferred her to look more like me...PLUS SIZED AND LOVING IT!!!

Ok...I THINK I did this correctly, but Merlin has me in a Haze Week 4 Thing 9

2007-07-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Maybe I have been spending TOO much time on this and overthinking the task at hand. Yes, I haven't posted anything in a week and NO I haven't been spending that entire time trying to figure out Merlin and how to post it to RSS. I DID however spend more than 2 hours trying to figure out if I did it right. It got to the point that I said to hell with it and posted what I did. On my Bloglines (http://www.bloglines.com/public/DoubleDee7581) I did a search and added in Merlin. Granted I added and deleted and re-added and re-deleted at least 15 times because I wasn't sure if what I was doing was correct. Needless to say I decided that this BETTER be correct or I need to obtain additional help. (Yes, if it's wrong, I want to know because...well...damn it, I WANT THE WII!!!)

It was a headache to say the least and, if it is correct, I am neither here nor there about it. The overall RSS rules in my book, but when it comes down to Merlin...I am not the least bit spellbound.

Once Confused but Now Loving RSS (Week #4 Thing 8)

2007-07-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

I assumed that this would be another task that I would be able to speed through fairly quickly and then move on. Well, I started reading about Really Simple Syndication or RSS, I was sitting here at work with a stupid expression on my face because I was totally lost.

Once I subscribed to the Bloglines page, (www.bloglines.com/public/DoubleDee7581) I went through several of the Quick Subscription and found several that I was interested in including CNN.com, MTV News, and the weather for Baltimore. Mind you, for a while I was a little dazed and confused, but once I got the hang of everything I was having fun. So much fun that I spent the last 20 minutes reading articles, forwarding some to friends, and now I curse RSS because I want to go home and read more instead of writing this blog. :-) Needless to say, I have found a new toy for home.

My Technology Interest for the Week (Week #3 Thing 7)

2007-07-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

When it comes to technology, there is a lot to admire that we have a tendency to take for granted. It seems that depending on the season determines what piece of technology I love the most. On these hot, hot days, I am in LOVE with my air conditioning.

People assume that since my birthday is in the summer, I love the summer. No people, I love the winter. I love being cold. In fact, before the evil trolls at BGE changed the rates, I kept my house in the mid 60s. (I am trying to keep this as G-rated as possible, so give me credit for that.) Even though I must raise the thermostat several degrees (I now keep it at 75), I am still utterly grateful to be able to keep cool within my home. I am DEFINITELY admiring this during a week where the temperature outside is set on Hell. (OK, so I AT LEAST kept this blog PG rated.)

IT WORKS!!!!

2007-07-11T11:42:00.001-07:00

YEAH! I CAN DO A TITLE! I know that it is SO sad that I get excited over the smallest things in life. Oh well, at least people know I am easy to please.

Venting #2

2007-07-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Ok , I have something to gripe about. I am trying to put in an actual TITLE for each of my blogs and it is not allowing me to do so. You would think as a computer major I would love anything related to technology. YOU ARE ALL WRONG! This is going to drive me crazy!!!! Hmmm, I guess this is the point where I am to view this problem as a challenge...right?

Backtracking (Week #1 Thing 2)

2007-07-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, it looks like I happened to have skipped a few tasks. My bad. It's all good. I WILL get everything done that needs to be completed. Why? I WANT THE WII!

When I reveiwed the 7 1/2 habits, I realized that the easiest habit to learn would accepting responsibilty for my own learning. Not only do I work full time, take care of my crazy yet lovable 7 year old daughter, but I also go to school. I take online classes so there is not a teacher standing in front of me everyday and night telling me what to do all the time. I have to take responsibility for my own actions to insure that all my studies and projects are completed within the designated time. I can see how this is a definete goal to lifelong learning because people will not always stand with you holding your hand in life. You must be able to do things on your own to help yourself.

The hardest challenge for me is to view problems as challenges. Granted to a degree I already do this, but if something is driving me crazy, I tend to go into panic mode and totally shut down. I will walk away from the problem and try to avoid it at all cost. This is bad because it will hinder my learning process, but over time, I have started to improve on this. I am learning that, yes, it is OK to walk away from a problem to calm down, but you must always return to it to get it completed.

Freaky Hands (Week #3 Thing 6)

2007-07-10T08:28:00.001-07:00

freaky hands,
originally uploaded by Nagyman.

I found this picture from krazydad.com. Those who know me know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the color black. What many indivudals are unaware of is that I am also a huge fan of the blue and purple. I look at this "Freaky hands" photo and see people reaching for the bottom of the oceans as oppose to trying to swim towards the surface. Maybe they see that beautiful starfish that they just want to scoop up and take home to show off. Maybe they are trying to reach out to those whom have perished in the ocean's depths. Anyway you try to interpret this picture, it is beautiful and the color is stunning.

Transformer's Geek (Week #3 Thing 5)

2007-07-10T08:22:00.001-07:00

The first and the best,
originally uploaded by Fuyoh!.

Looking at Optimus Prime takes me back to my birthday last week. My boyfriend treated me to see the Transformers movie. OMG!!!! That movie was the best and took me back to my childhood. I LOVED Transformers as a kid. I just wish that I personally was the owner of this action figure. :-( One day Optimus Prime...one day.

Venting #1

2007-07-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, I see how an individual must do this on a regular basis. I haven't been on in about a month and it took me almost 25 minutes just to remember my sign-in name and password...go figure. Me, the tech geek cannot even sign onto a Blogger. Oh well, time to continue on with Week 3's next assignment...if I so choose to accept it...which I do...of course.

Finally Posted a Blog (Week 2 Thing 3 & 4)

2007-06-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, I will admit to being used to posting blogs on MySpace so this was a totally new experience for me. Despite being a LITTLE challenging, it was entertaining!