Sunset on 23 Things

It's been a real journey doing 123 Things, we have had our ups, downs, twists and turns but I have reached my destination (small cheer). I wanted to have the confidence to try out new gadgets and techy things without automatically thinking 'it won't work for me', 'I don't know what I'm doing' and to end up with the boring things I know and use. For instance today I've finally had enough of IE and all its hang-ups and quirks and dumped it for Google Chrome which is a real improvement for the work I'm doing and much faster to load.

The 'Things' I will use and plan to stick with are Diigo bookmarks,  iGoogle (my hamster needs me), Googledocs and Flickr among others, but everything I have looked at and tried has had its merits, and I can always revisit them in the future.  

Using web 2.0  from libraries perspective - well it has got to be a good thing to move forward with. It can really enhance your day to day work and how you manage it, and keep you in touch with the wider world through feeds and Twitter and see what everyone else is up to.

I have enjoyed blogging about the experience and wonder what to do with this Blog now it's over?

Image credit ericcomando89

Pink eyes in the morning - what you been up to?

I decided not to join the Library blog and edit a Wiki page instead, I chose Angela Carter and just put in a missing ISBN to one of her titles and looked at another author's page that I like and added a couple of titles to the bib list.  I didn't feel confident or qualified to change much really, but it is something I could do if I saw wrong or incomplete information in the future.
The other thing is the Google docs. I have used these in Resource Delivery before and if you have a straightforward password (which we didn't at the time) it is a good way to all use and edit the same document. I uploaded a document which it may be useful for Suzanne and myself to share, it lost some of the formatting but I really like the idea of not paying loads of money for packages, when you can get them for free.
Had a look at Slideshare, and searched around, mostly I have to say it was what you expect from presentation packages that have had their day. However if you were in need of ideas or had not a clue where to start it could benefit someone somewhere, if this is a bit vague it's because it's been a very long 23 Things and I've run out of ste..

Image Credit: Westy599

Pretty in Pink

I have been looking at Flickr for ages it feels, but I never got round to blogging about it. Setting this all up was really straightforward and very rewarding to see your photos up there and share with friends, family or the world. I've shared some of my cactus flower pics with the group, I hope to have lots more flowers again soon now it's warming up again. I will put in a pink flowering one (of course) here as a preview.

                                                        Image credit: henhewit
I also looked at flickr for images using the Creative Commons license and enjoyed looking through some YouTube clips - there will be no excuse when 23 Things is over!
This has probably been the most interesting 'thing' so far and one where I will keep my account and use it.

Kitten Needs a Job

This one is for Sharon, happy birthday!

What is a Public Library?

I know it's American, but the message is good

Pink sky at night - bloggers delight

Had quite a good play around with Diigo today (he didn't mind) and apart from a few quibbles, mostly I'm sorry to say with the instructions, I think it's a very good tool and I will get a lot out of it. I like the highlighting and post it function and that my home favs and work will merge creating a big mess.
I cannot get the tags to function as I would like and recommend sorting them out as much as possible before importing them, just in case they become widowed (ahh).
I really don't want to create an account with Zotero or Endnote Web, so I have just looked at them for now. I don't think they will help me day to day although if I was studying then it all sounds very useful, the video for Zotero looked impressive, but that's marketing for you.

Camping at Hadrians Wall (we set it on fire to keep warm)

Rose tinted glasses

I'm definitely going to run out of pink related colours any minute... now. The past few weeks following the programme has by turns been interesting, frustrating (I'm not technical) and exciting! I will miss it when it's done and dusted. For me it's a case of use it or loose it, so I am persevering with Twitter, even though it should be 'intuitive' to use.  I have also enjoyed doing the blogs, after an initial embarrassment about it. I need more time to investigate what I can do with the technology and just get to know the functionality better to gain confidence, when that happens - who knows where it could lead? We are already doodling meetings within the team, so that's been helpful and I will look into using FireFox as a browser, but maybe at home instead.
I don't know how this will help in my everyday work but the main thing for me is the confidence to try out the new technology - with support, enjoy it and find the application for it as I go along.

Rosy cheeks

I have a Facebook account but I deactivated it due to the amount of time involved managing it and having unwanted contact, although now I would just happily delete everyone I didn't like! I have been looking at some libraries today on Facebook. I was very interested (as a Brummie) about the plans for the new main library in Birmingham. It's a great way to get younger people involved and to have a certain amount of ownership of the project when it opens. It's free publicity and gives a personality in a way to a public building.
I also had a look at our own page which had lots of current info but it would be nice to see short videos and more photos- perhaps of the refurbishment.
I think it's good to have a Facebook page for a library, you can easily promote services, visiting authors, future plans, book choices, awards - everything! However, if like me you don't put the time and effort into looking after you 'face' you will be deleted from your audience and like any website if it's boring, out of date or badly constructed no-one will want to visit you.

I won't give it a Raspberry

Well, today I logged into my Twitter account @henhewit so please Tweet me when you have half a minute so I can practise. I already had an account but was ignorant at the time in what I could do with it and why, so it's very nice to have found out more. Suzanne has given me some very useful help and feedback so thanks a million to her. I'm Tweeting away to fellow 23 thingers now after adding a handy gadget to the iGoogle page.
I did fall out with iGoogle after a week as I was getting a little distracted with the hamster and stuff but we're friends again now- happy days!
I have followed the other advice about Tweeting and just added it to my blog. My enthusiasm was waning a little for the 23 things, but I've perked up again now, I think the rest week was a good idea.
Apologies for the labels thing I have put it all right now.
I will blog again about thing 12 because I have run out of time..

My fuschia's so bright I have to wear shades

My main concern this week is that my new hammy had kicked the bucket on my iGoogle page but he was asleep 'aah' so that's ok.
Still having too much fun though arranging inconvenient times to meet on a Sunday afternoon with the dooglebug thingy-jig.

Been playing around with the fox mostly and I am getting used to it and quite like how the fonts look, I might persevere with it and give it a few days before I'll pass judgement and it stays or goes. I'm really grateful that I have an excellent 23 things person in Suzanne to guide me in all this - thank you! Otherwise I would be joining Blogawatt  in that darkened room...

 image credit Pink Sherbert

My hamsters got pink eyes

Step 2 wasn't too bad as I remembered I already had an igoogle page I'd stopped using a while ago (when I started working at Warwick) I mean how many email accounts, calenders and reminders does a girl need? I now have a hamster I didn't know I wanted, a daily horoscope and quotes - so all very useful and scholarly! I will try and add some serious stuff when I have a chance - maybe.
The RSS feed was very straight forward and working well, thanks for asking...

blushing pink

Isn't my page pretty! I'm quite excited and I've only just started. I've read all the advise so I should be including a picture, making it funny and keeping it short, but one out of three will do - I'm a late starter so I've got to catch up.
I'm hoping to get a lot out of this and at least have a clue about what's going on. I'll keep you posted...