Thing # 14 - Best of Web 2.0

I checked out several of the different Web 2.0 Awards nominees. I never get to play computer games anymore so I spent some time investigating Arcaplay. It was really fun to explore the games and try out my old favorites, like Tetris and Mahjongg. I had a lot of fun with a new game called "Penguin Push." The goal is to push the all of the ice blocks into yellow holes. There are levels and each is more difficult than the other. I also embedded it into my blog as you can see on the lower right-hand side. I enjoy playing because it fits my skill level with computer games which is quite low. Enjoy!!

Thing # 13 - Online Productivity

I used Zoho Writer's template for a recipe and typed in a recipe for oatmeal cookies. I published it below. I had to edit the post a bit for it to show up well but it was quite easy to publish it to my blog. I think that having web-based applications is a great idea. Not everyone can afford Microsoft Office so it is a good alternative. I did find it harder to use than Microsoft Word though it does have all of the basic functions it does not have all of the editing capabilitites.

Quaker's Best Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/4 margarine or butter, softened 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt (optional) 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked

Directions

Heat oven to 375. Beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg, mix well. Stir in oats; mix well. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. About 3 dozen cookies Variations: Stir in 1 cup raisins or chopped nuts. Omit cinnamon and nutmeg and stir in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter pieces. Bar Cookies: Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 12 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Store tightly covered. About 2 dozen For high altitude: Increase flour to 1 3/4 cups.

Thing # 12 - Customized Search Engines

This was an interesting exercise. I explored some different search engines and found them somewhat helpful. I think that this would be most useful for those websites that you search often. It is nice to have them all in one place instead of having to hunt through Google or Yahoo for your favorites.
I created a Health & Medicine customized search engine. Every year I get a cold and/or flu and am always looking for ways to cure it. The search engine is also good for general knowledge. I also added a searchbox on the lower right-hand side of my blog. Check it out!

Thing # 11 - LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a great tool. I read about it awhile back when it first came out. Nerd that I am I thought it was quite cool. At one point I even alphabetized my personal library when I was a kid! This is a nice idea for those who love books to be able to catalog them and then share them virtually. It will be interesting to see how many of the 18 million LibraryThing users share my taste in books. I added a widget on the right-hand side of my blog that connects to my Library. Enjoy browsing!

Thing #10 – Web 2.0 & Libraries

"Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought." ~Sarah Houghton

I really like this definition of Library 2.0 because it gets at the heart of the issue. Everyone can argue over the specifics, such as how it got started, if it’s always been there, etc. What really matters is how libraries relate to their patron base. I am as idealistic as anyone about the role libraries play in our community but it is up to us meet our community on their terms or else there will be no Library of the Future.
I think that here at KDL we are starting to adapt to Library 2.0. Upgrading our patron computers, offering self checkout, and expanding our available services, e.g. addition of ebooks and eaudiobooks shows that we are listening to our patrons and what they need from us rather than arbitrarily deciding what would benefit the patron without their input.
Change is always difficult. I thought that I was somewhat tech savvy but after starting the 23 Things I realized that I have a lot to learn! It is challenging and frustrating at the same time but I know it will improve my service to our patrons.

Thing # 9 - Library Blogs

I used each of the four different search engines for finding RSS feeds.

1. http://www.feedster.com/: I used Feedster to search for library blogs and it didn't bring up anything close to libraries so I went to the next search engine.


2. http://www.topix.net/: I inputted my current zipcode into the search engine and it came up with local news for my area. I added this to my bloglines.


3. http://www.syndic8.com/: I searched for library blogs and found quite a few. I ended up subscribing to the http://www.lisnews.com/ feed so that I can keep up on National Library related news.


4. http://www.technorati.com/: This is a great search engine for blogs. I searching for library blogs again and found two of interest: http://thebunlesslibrarian.blogspot.com/ and http://wpbpl.blogspot.com/ and added them to my bloglines account.

As for the rest of the feeds on my bloglines I searched out websites that I use frequently and others of interest and added them to my bloglines account. I am really starting to like this tool!

Thing #8 - RSS Feeds

I had a a lot of fun playing with the RSS Feeds. It is a nice way to get all of the headlines on my favorite websites without having to visit every website. It is also nice because I can sign up for an RSS Feed instead of signing up for an email newsletter and filling up my inbox. It's a great timesaver.
This is my public blogroll:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/eagerreader

Thing #7-Image Generators

I used the Chalkboard Message Generator at:

http://www.glassgiant.com/back_to_school/

I tried some other image generators and they were fun. I wrote the message in Spanish. It means: "Long live the Library!" There are a lot of fun things you can do with the image generators and I had fun playing around with them. Some of my other favorites were the:

• M&M Character Generator: http://www.becomeanmm.com/


• Simpsons Avatar Generator: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.htmlmovie.com/main.html

Thing #6-Mash-Ups

Macchu Picchu
Originally uploaded by cmontalvo

For my Mash-Up I decided to use fd's Flickr Toys. I used the Framer option and "framed" one of my pictures from Macchu Picchu using a brushed edge. It looks great.
We visited Macchu Picchu in October 2005. My husband is a native of Peru and this was his first time visiting the famous city. This view is actually from the backside of the city. We were about 3,000 feet above sea level. Macchu Picchu is located at the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon so it was warm and there was some light rain when we were there. It is a trip I will never forget!